Galaxy Z Fold 7: Samsung’s Big Fix and Its Boldest Fold Yet

Samsung is back with its flagship foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and this time, the company seems determined to correct past mistakes and take back control of the premium foldable space. With sleeker design choices, smarter software integration, and major incentives for early adopters, the Z Fold 7 could be the most refined foldable Samsung has ever made. But does it truly deliver? Let’s break down everything—confirmed specs, leaks, design changes, S Pen confusion, software upgrades, and even Apple’s looming challenge in the foldable arena. This information is also featured on 9to9trends YouTube, so don’t forget to check it out.

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Thinner Than Ever Before — A Design That Commands Attention

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has officially been unveiled through renders leaked by Evan Blass, and right away, the most noticeable difference is the incredible slimness. Folded, the device comes in at just 8.9mm thick, and when unfolded, it measures a razor-thin 4.2mm—the same dimensions as the Oppo Find N, previously crowned the thinnest foldable phone. Achieving this level of compactness without compromising on structural integrity is no small feat. What’s more impressive is Samsung retaining a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, proving that practicality hasn’t been sacrificed in the name of aesthetics. This marks a clear departure from the bulkier feel of the Fold 6 and finally puts Samsung in direct competition with the most elegant foldables out there.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 Camera Design: Listening to the Users for Once

One of the most controversial elements of the Z Fold 6 was its rear camera layout—often referred to as the “Saturn ring” design. Users didn’t hold back their criticism, calling it cheap, awkward, and out of sync with the overall premium feel of the device. This time, Samsung listened. According to trusted leaker Ice Universe, the Z Fold 7 originally included the same circular layout in early prototypes, but harsh feedback forced a last-minute design overhaul.

The result? A cleaner, more polished rear camera design, much more in line with the Z Fold 5, and far more premium than what we saw on both the Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s a design course correction that speaks volumes about how Samsung is evolving—not just technically, but in terms of brand sensitivity.

The Return of the Punch-Hole Camera: Smart or Safe?

One notable feature is the return of the punch-hole camera on the inner display, replacing the under-display camera tech from previous models. While some speculate this might be linked to the ongoing BOE patent lawsuit over under-display technology, the more reasonable explanation is performance.

Despite incremental improvements, under-display selfie cameras still struggle to match the clarity of regular sensors. This year’s 4MP front sensor is slightly larger and more refined than before, but it’s still nowhere near the quality of the outer camera. So, instead of pushing a half-baked innovation, Samsung has chosen to prioritize camera quality and user experience, even if that means stepping back from trendier tech.

SPen Confusion Cleared—Mostly

The SPen has become a core accessory for Samsung’s foldables, but its integration into the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has stirred some confusion. Initially, some reports claimed that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 SPen lacked a battery, meaning it wouldn’t support Bluetooth functionalities like Air Actions. However, this was later debunked. The misinformation stemmed from a translation error in a post from a source who misunderstood a Chinese update. It turns out the SPen does include a battery, confirming that Bluetooth features will work as expected. That said, one major question remains unanswered: how will users charge the SPen?

Unlike Samsung’s Note-series phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 doesn’t feature an integrated SPen slot, and there’s no official word yet on whether the SPen case will include built-in charging support. While the pen remains compatible with the Z Fold 6’s SPen, the logistics around daily usability, charging, and accessory integration remain somewhat ambiguous. It’s a strange gap for a device positioned as a productivity powerhouse, and it may leave some power users waiting for Samsung to offer a more holistic SPen solution in future iterations.

One UI 8: A Subtle But Polished Software Upgrade

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be the first Samsung device to ship with One UI 8 pre-installed. The beta version is already live, and users are beginning to notice some meaningful refinements. One standout addition is the dynamic lock screen clock, which intelligently adjusts its position and layout based on your wallpaper’s composition. When paired with Always-On Display, it gives the lock screen a fluid, integrated feel that enhances the overall aesthetic. These aren’t groundbreaking features, but they reflect Samsung’s continued push toward delivering a polished and cohesive user interface, especially important on foldables, where software fluidity often makes or breaks the experience.

Incentives and Pricing: Samsung Plays It Smart

Samsung knows it’s in a high-stakes game with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the launch incentives reflect that. Users who reserve the device ahead of launch will receive a $50 Samsung credit, and those who follow through with a purchase can unlock savings up to $1,150. As if that wasn’t enough, Samsung is also hosting a $5,000 giveaway tied to the July 10 Unpacked event. These are some of the strongest pre-order incentives we’ve seen from Samsung in years, likely a strategic move to build momentum before Apple enters the space. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to start at $1,799, with pre-orders opening immediately after the Unpacked event concludes.

Apple’s Foldable Plans: A Future Threat?

While Samsung is refining and correcting its foldable strategy, Apple is gearing up for its first-ever foldable release in 2026. According to a leaked schematic shared by Digital Chat Station, Apple’s prototype features a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, dual 48MP rear cameras, a titanium frame, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has confirmed that the device is still in early prototype stages, and the current form factor looks unusually wide, more like a folded iPad Mini than a smartphone. If Apple sticks with this design, it could feel bulky and impractical. However, if Apple’s track record is anything to go by, the final product could still shift drastically before launch. That said, Apple’s entry into the foldable market will be a massive shake-up. It will force Samsung, Google, and others to accelerate innovation and bring their A-game, ultimately benefiting the entire industry.

Final Thoughts: A Crucial Step Forward for Samsung

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a pivotal release for Samsung. It corrects aesthetic missteps, refines usability, and pushes the foldable form factor closer to mainstream appeal. The design is smarter, the camera layout is cleaner, the software is smoother, and while some mysteries around the SPen remain, it’s clear that Samsung is listening more than ever. Whether it will be enough to hold off Apple’s future foldable remains to be seen, but for now, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the most refined and well-rounded foldable Samsung has delivered—and a strong contender for the foldable crown in 2025.

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