Samsung updates its Galaxy Fold and Flip to try to boost sales of foldable phones

Six years after the first foldable phones were introduced by Samsung and Huawei, the market for foldable phones still represents a small percentage of global mobile sales.

In fact, this segment only grew 2.9% in 2024, and analysts predict a similar growth in 2025, amid rumors that Apple could enter this space by 2026.

Meanwhile, brands like Samsung, Motorola, and Honor are showing that there's room for improvement in their devices to try to win over a public that is still reluctant to accept this type of foldable phone.

Galaxy Z Fold 7

After years of showcasing foldable phones with similar designs, Samsung has now managed to solve one of the main problems with its Galaxy Z Fold, the foldable book-style design. This device was too large and heavy, taking up a lot of space in your pocket and even being uncomfortable to hold. The Korean company has put its Fold on a strict diet for 2025 to make it the first foldable phone in this category that's comparable in size to a traditional phone.

Specifically, the new Galaxy Fold 7 is significantly thinner and lighter, with a thickness of 8.9 mm when closed , very similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra (8.2 mm). Unfolded, it reaches 4.2 mm , making it the company's thinnest foldable to date. Open it is even thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Edge, the slim phone that the Korean firm has just launched and its weight is 215 grams , even lighter than the S25 Ultra.

With this size and the need to open and close the device, it was important to reinforce the hinge and the feeling of robustness. To do so, it incorporates a reinvented hinge that is more resistant and takes up less space , allowing for a slimmer profile and a less visible screen crease. The outer screen has also grown and is wider, as Samsung claims that users complained about the narrowness of the outer panel of previous models when using the keyboard.

The inner display features a 50% thicker protective layer than previous generations and is protected with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the outer display, Galaxy Victus 2 on the back, and advanced aluminum on the frame.

Despite the slimming down, the battery remains the same as the previous generation, at 4,400 mAh, but Samsung claims it's more optimized thanks to the use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for Galaxy .

As for the camera, it features a new 200-megapixel main sensor, like the one on the S25 Ultra but 18% thinner and with 44% greater brightness . It includes a 12 MP ultra-wide angle lens and a 3x zoom. The front lenses (both on the outer and inner screens) are 10 MP.

And of course, the new Fold 7 boasts artificial intelligence in the camera and in the daily use of the device, thanks to the partnership with Google and the integration of its Gemini assistant. Specifically, Gemini Live allows you to share what you see on the screen (or with the camera) and ask questions about it, while Circle to Search extends to games, allowing you to search for tips directly while playing.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Flip 7 FE

Just like the Fold 7 model, the main change with the previous model is the enlargement of the external screen, which now occupies almost the entire front. Samsung is joining this new trend of enlarging the external screen on clamshell phones, just as Motorola and Xiaomi have done with their respective devices, so that users can use more of the phone's functions without having to open it.

Additionally, Samsung has pushed the bezels on this external panel to the limit, making them the thinnest on any Galaxy. This external panel now also offers a 120Hz refresh rate and 2600 nits of brightness.

The width of the device has also been increased, for the same reason as the Fold model, and it features a large 6.9-inch display when opened. Additionally, the hinge is 30% smaller .

Another major change is the increased battery life, which goes from the previous model's 4,000 mAh to 4,300 mAh. For the first time, it will offer support for Dex, allowing it to be connected to a computer.

It's powered by the 3-nanometer Exynos 2500 processor, optimized for AI, and, according to Samsung, offers superior battery life. Plus, you can now interact with the AI ​​with the phone closed , by asking questions or giving feedback.

And to make its foldable models more accessible, Samsung is introducing an FE model for the first time, which cuts out some of the new features, such as the larger screen, but is also cheaper. At first glance, the design is identical to last year's model, and the features are also similar.

Samsung's event concluded with the announcement of its new watches, the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. Both models inherit the design launched with the Watch Ultra family, but are the thinnest Watches Samsung has ever released , being 11% thinner than previous versions.

They also improve sleep monitoring and add a new health parameter, vascular load, and new sports features, such as a personalized running assistant. They also incorporate Gemini AI.

Prices and availability

Samsung's new foldable phones will be available starting July 25. The most affordable model, the FE, starts at €999, while the Flip 7 model goes up to €1,209.

The Fold 7 folding book has a starting price of €2,109.