Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (2025) – In-Depth Review ~ Gameplay Spot

For over half a decade, Samsung has been refining its foldable lineup, especially the Galaxy Z Flip series. Despite their unique clamshell design, these phones often raised the same question: Who exactly are they made for? Are they a stylish alternative for trendsetters, a compact premium device for those who dislike bulky slabs, or simply a fun experiment in smartphone design?

The Galaxy Z Flip models were always distinct, but never quite on par with Samsung’s traditional Galaxy S flagships or the book-style Galaxy Z Fold. Battery life, cover screen functionality, and durability often left users wanting more.

With the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (2025), that narrative is changing. Samsung has worked to reduce compromises while enhancing the device’s practicality, performance, and user experience. From an improved cover display to a sturdier hinge and longer battery life, this new model feels like a genuine evolution.

In this review, we’ll dive deep into its design, display, software, performance, camera system, and everyday usability to help you decide whether the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is worth its premium $1,100 price tag.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 doesn’t look dramatically different from the Flip 6. But small refinements make a huge difference in day-to-day use.

Slimmer and lighter: The device folds completely flat this year, measuring just 0.54 inches thick and weighing only 188 grams. This makes it one of the lightest flagship smartphones available and noticeably pocket-friendly.
Durable hinge: Samsung redesigned the hinge, making it about 30% smaller yet stronger. It delivers a satisfying “clunk” when shut, can hold multiple angles, and is smooth enough to be opened with one hand.
Premium materials: With an aluminum frame and matte glass finish, the Flip 7 feels solid and luxurious. The matte texture also prevents accidental slips, a common issue with glossy phones.
Colors: New color variants, including an eye-catching mint green, give the phone a modern, playful look that matches its personality.

Despite its sturdy feel, there are still concerns. The Flip 7 carries an IP48 rating, meaning it resists dust particles and limited water immersion but isn’t built for extreme environments. Unlike other flagships with IP68, this one isn’t your best companion for the beach or rugged outdoor trips.

Display Experience

Samsung is known for its cutting-edge displays, and the Flip 7 brings meaningful upgrades.

Cover Display

Size increase: The outer screen has grown from 3.4 inches to 4.1 inches, wrapping around the rear cameras. While it may sound minor, it transforms usability.
120Hz refresh rate: Smooth scrolling, vibrant colors, and strong sunlight visibility make it far more practical than past generations.
Apps and widgets: You can now run full apps on the cover display, from Google Maps and WhatsApp to YouTube Music and payments apps. Widgets like smart clocks, weather, and battery indicators add further convenience.

That said, Samsung still restricts which apps work smoothly on the cover display. Enabling others requires digging into experimental settings and even installing add-on software. Notifications also lack quick reply options, often forcing you to open the phone for simple tasks—a frustrating limitation compared to the Moto Razr’s smoother cover-screen experience.

Main Display

Size and quality: The inner foldable screen measures 6.9 inches, slightly taller than before, with FHD+ resolution. At 2,600 nits peak brightness, outdoor visibility is excellent.
Crease improvements: The crease is less noticeable, though you’ll still feel a faint bump when swiping.
Missing LTPO tech: Unlike other $1,000+ flagships, the Flip 7 lacks LTPO OLED technology, meaning its refresh rate switches only between 60Hz and 120Hz instead of dynamically adjusting.

Overall, the screens elevate the Flip 7’s usability, especially the expanded cover display. However, software limitations still hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Software and Features

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 launches with Android 16 alongside Samsung’s OneUI skin. It’s among the first non-Google phones to ship with the latest Android version, showcasing Samsung’s progress in delivering timely updates.

Key Highlights

AI Features: Samsung has integrated AI tools such as Call Assist, which transcribes live conversations and allows you to type responses that are then read aloud by the AI. This feature is surprisingly useful in noisy environments or meetings.
Photo and Audio Editing: Generative AI tools like “Audio Eraser” promise to clean up background noise, but results are inconsistent. Photo editing is helpful but not as advanced as Google’s Pixel AI.
Flex Mode: A signature feature of the Flip series, Flex Mode divides the screen when partially folded—placing content on the top half and controls (like media playback or touchpad navigation) on the bottom. It feels like using a mini laptop.

Downsides

Bloatware: Samsung continues to pre-install unnecessary apps like Facebook, Netflix, and Microsoft Outlook. Users may spend their first hour deleting unwanted software.
Unpolished AI extras: Features like “Now Brief,” a personalized day summary, feel redundant and overly dependent on Samsung’s native apps.

Still, the combination of Android 16, Samsung’s software polish, and foldable-specific features makes the Flip 7 enjoyable to use.

Performance and Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 ditches Qualcomm’s Snapdragon in favor of the in-house Exynos 2500 chipset.

Performance: With 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage (base 256GB), multitasking is fluid. From browsing dozens of tabs to running demanding apps, the phone remains responsive. Even Samsung DeX (desktop mode) runs without lag.
Gaming: Games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Genshin Impact run smoothly. However, the cover screen side tends to heat up during long gaming sessions.
Battery: A 4,300mAh battery keeps the phone alive for a full day with average use (social media, photography, video calls, and gaming). On average, it achieves about 4+ hours of screen-on time.

Charging

Here’s where the Flip 7 disappoints:

25W wired charging takes about 90 minutes for a full charge.
15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging are included but fall behind competing flagships offering 45W or more.

In short, while battery life is finally reliable, charging speeds remain outdated.

Camera Performance

The camera system hasn’t seen dramatic hardware changes, but Samsung’s software tuning helps keep it competitive.

Rear Cameras:
- 50MP main sensor – sharp, vibrant, and detailed shots in most lighting conditions.
- 12MP ultrawide – captures expansive views but struggles in low light with softer edges.

Samsung’s image processing tends to boost colors, sometimes at the expense of accuracy, but photos look eye-catching for social media.

Night Photography: The main camera performs impressively in low light, maintaining clarity and focus. The ultrawide, however, shows more noise and blur.
Video Recording: Flexible and smooth, especially in Flex Mode, where you can fold the phone halfway and use it like a camcorder.

Weak Points

No telephoto lens: Digital “AI Zoom” tries to make up for it, but results can’t compete with true optical zoom.
Selfie camera: The front-facing sensor often produces washed-out images, particularly in dim conditions. Fortunately, you can use the rear cameras for selfies via the cover display, which is a big advantage.

Verdict: Should You Buy the Galaxy Z Flip 7?

At $1,100, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 finally feels like more than just a novelty. It corrects many of the frustrations from earlier generations—most notably battery life, durability, and cover display usability.

Pros

Slim, lightweight, and stylish design
Larger 4.1-inch cover screen with full app support
Solid all-day battery performance
Android 16 with polished OneUI experience
Strong main camera and fun Flex Mode features

Cons

Sluggish 25W charging speeds
No telephoto lens
Cover display software still restricted
Front camera underperforms in low light

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 doesn’t quite match the all-around power of traditional slab flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it no longer feels like a gimmick. For those who want a blend of style, practicality, and fun in a smartphone, this is Samsung’s best flip phone yet.

Final Ratings

Design & Build Quality: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Display: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Software & Features: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
Performance: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Battery Life: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
Cameras: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)

Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5 – A stylish foldable that finally balances fun and functionality.