Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Z Flip 7 Hands-On : Hands-On Review – Are These Foldables Worth £2000?

Welcome to the next chapter in Samsung’s foldable journey—the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 have officially arrived. Unlike last year where it felt like they just tweaked a few things, this year is a big jump forward. Real upgrades. Real reasons to get excited.

If you’ve been following the foldables game, you’ll know last year’s Fold 6 and Flip 6 were just okay. A slightly better chip, some small changes, but nothing major. But this year, Samsung went back to the drawing board and made some real changes, especially for the Fold 7.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 from first impressions to major hardware updates, performance gains, and yes, the few downgrades that might make you think twice.

Why I’ve Been Watching Foldables Closely

I’ve been really intrigued by foldables. As a bit of a tech geek, I’ve watched them with keen interest over the years. The idea of turning your phone into a tablet, then folding it right back into your pocket, is undeniably cool. But I’ll be honest, I still can’t get around the crease. No matter how refined they become, it’s the one visual reminder that we’re still early in this product’s evolution.

But  I’m not the only one paying attention. At Reboxed, we've noticed more people are getting interested, especially in the Flip models. They’re gaining traction. We’ve been selling more and more of them each month, and what used to be niche curiosity is quickly becoming a legitimate mainstream choice.

So, when Samsung promised improvements to both the Fold and Flip this year, I wanted to see what they'd done. And there's quite a bit to talk about.

Galaxy Z Fold 7: The Foldable That Finally Feels Right

Thinner, Lighter, Better

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is impressive right away. Samsung has managed to trim the fat—literally. It’s noticeably slimmer and lighter, and it feels significantly more refined than previous generations.

• Each half (unfolded): Just over 4mm

• Closed thickness: 8.9mm
  

• Total weight: 215g (lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra)
  
  

These aren't just numbers. It feels better to use. When you hold the Fold 7 closed, it actually feels like a normal phone. I’ve used earlier Folds before, and they always felt like two phones sandwiched together. This one? Far more balanced, less brick-like. It’s slim enough to use with one hand, and the redesigned hinge and chassis make it feel more durable too.

Even the buttons and the fingerprint reader are slimmer to match. For the first time, I think a Fold is ready for everyday use, crease and all.

The Display Experience

• Outer display: Slim bezels and tighter tolerances make this feel much more usable

• Inner display: 8.0” OLED, corner to corner, still one of the largest screens in your pocket
  
  

With One UI 8 on Android 16, Samsung’s software feels matured for foldables. I tested split-screen apps, floating windows, and Samsung’s multitasking shortcuts—and for the first time, none of it felt like a demo. This is real productivity potential in your pocket.

Plus, it feels good to use open or closed. You aren't stuck choosing the better experience, which is a big win.

A Real Flagship Camera? Finally.

The Fold 7's camera is almost as good as those on regular top-end phones like the S25 Ultra. The main sensor is now the exact same:

• 200MP wide sensor from the S25 Ultra
  

• 12MP ultrawide

• 10MP 3x telephoto

• 10MP internal selfie camera (slightly wider this time)
  
  

Let's be honest – foldable phones always had weaker cameras because of the size. But now,, the Fold 7’s main camera delivers proper flagship performance. I’ve used the 200MP sensor in the Ultra and loved it. Seeing it here in a foldable is a huge win.

One thing to note: the camera sticks out a lot. It's the wobbliest phone I have put on a table at any time.  Don’t use this one without a case if you’re prone to mild rage at uneven surfaces.

Performance, Power, and AI

• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite for Galaxy

• RAM: 12GB standard, 16GB with 1TB storage

• Storage: Up to 1TB

• OS: Android 16 + One UI 8
  
  

It’s fast. Really fast. For a phone that costs £2,000, it definitely delivers. You can open apps, switch between games, take photos, and use AI without any lag.

Samsung's Galaxy AI stuff is included -- photo editing, translation, summaries, and more. And everything runs faster than before. Samsung claims the photo editor will get better at removing objects using AI. If that’s true, it could outpace what even Google is doing right now.

A fun side note: Samsung’s special “Elite for Galaxy” chip actually ships in such high volume that it may outnumber the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It’s a quirky twist on what used to be a niche variant.

The Catch: Three Things You May Not Love

1. S Pen Support is Gone
   The Fold 6 let you use the S Pen. The Fold 7 doesn't. Samsung said they had to remove the digitizer to make the screen stronger and thinner. Some people used the S Pen on the last version, but not enough I guess. If you love taking notes, this might stop you from upgrading.
   

2. Price Hike
   Last year’s Fold launched at £1,799. The Fold 7 now starts at £1,899. It’s a minor increase, but crossing the £2,000 mark feels… different. This is officially ultra-premium territory.
   
   

3. Battery Is Still 4,400mAh
   Despite the redesign and efficiency gains, the battery stays the same. That might seem fine, until you see what others are doing.
   
   For example, the Honor Magic V5 packs a 5,820mAh battery and still weighs the same as the Fold 7. It uses silicon-carbon tech, and it’s not even available in the US. That tells me Samsung is still playing it very safe.
   
   

If you use your phone a lot, leaving the Fold open in tablet mode, battery life is something to think about.

Galaxy Z Flip 7: Smaller, Smarter, Sharper

While the Fold 7 makes big flagship strides, the Flip 7 quietly gets better at everything too.

• Same price: £1,049
  

• Bigger screen inside: 6.9” (up from 6.7”)
  

• Bigger battery: 4,300mAh (up from 4,000mAh)
  

• Fully usable outer display: 4.1”, corner to corner, now 120Hz
  
  

Here’s what’s cool - at Reboxed, we’ve seen interest in the Flip series consistently grow, especially among customers looking for something fresh that still feels like a “normal” phone. This year’s Flip is even easier to recommend. You get all the retro style with no downsides.

The new outer display is fantastic. You can read alerts, look at widgets, or take selfies with the main camera without opening it. Samsung finally took a page from the Motorola Razr playbook and made the screen full-sized, even cutting the camera into the display.

One Possible Red Flag: Exynos Returns

This year’s Flip 7 moves away from Snapdragon and back to Samsung’s own Exynos 2500 chip. That’s a big shift.

Samsung says it’s a next-gen 2nm chip with solid efficiency, but early impressions are mixed. I’ll hold final judgment until real-world testing is done, but for now, it’s a step back on paper. If you’re into mobile performance (or gaming), it might be something to watch out for.

This may also signal what’s coming in the Galaxy S26. Rumors suggest Samsung might go all-in on Exynos across the board next year.

Bonus Drops: Watch 8 and Flip 7 FE

Alongside the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, Samsung also dropped:

• Galaxy Watch 8: A circular redesign and a wild new “antioxidant index” that scans your thumb to check your body’s toxin levels. Curious to see how that plays out in real life.

• Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Basically last year’s Flip 6 with a downgraded Exynos 2400 chip, now priced at £849.

Final Verdict: Foldable Phones Are Growing Up

Fold 7: If you’re a power user, multitasker, or just want the best foldable Samsung’s ever made, this is it. It’s more refined, lighter, and more capable than ever, but it does come at a price.

Flip 7: For everyday users looking for something different, stylish, and surprisingly practical, this one just keeps getting better. It’s arguably Samsung’s most compelling flip yet.

At Reboxed, we’ll definitely be keeping close tabs on how these devices perform in the real world and how customers respond. The fact that more people are even considering foldables is proof that the format is here to stay. Whether you’re ready to buy now or just curious about what comes next, the Fold 7 and Flip 7 are turning heads for all the right reasons.

To Summarise - What’s New?