Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Review: Why This Foldable Is Stealing My iPhone’s Spotlight

For nearly two months, I’ve been carrying two smartphones in my daily life: my primary iPhone 16e and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 as my secondary device. What started as an experiment has turned into a surprising revelation. The Z Fold7 isn’t just holding its own against Apple’s latest-it’s actively stealing usage time and becoming my preferred device for many tasks. As someone deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem, this shift has been both unexpected and enlightening.

While my iPhone remains my primary phone due to ecosystem integration and familiarity, the Z Fold7 has fundamentally changed how I think about smartphone capabilities. This isn’t just another Android phone review-it’s an exploration of how Samsung’s latest foldable is redefining what a smartphone can be, and what Apple needs to do to stay competitive in the evolving foldable and AI-enhanced smartphone market.

Design Evolution: How Samsung Perfected the Foldable Form Factor

The journey from the Galaxy Z Fold6 to the Z Fold7 represents one of the most significant year-over-year improvements I’ve seen in smartphone design. Samsung didn’t just iterate-they refined nearly every aspect of the foldable experience.

Key Design Improvements

• Reduced Weight and Thickness: The Z Fold7 feels noticeably lighter and thinner than its predecessor, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry in pockets or bags.
• Expanded Displays: Both the front cover screen and internal main display have been widened, providing more usable space without increasing the device’s overall footprint.
• Enhanced Camera System: While improvements are primarily focused on the main lens, the overall camera bump has been redesigned for better functionality.
• Improved Durability: The hinge mechanism feels more robust, and the materials have been upgraded for better long-term reliability.

What makes these changes particularly impressive is how they work together. The thinner profile makes the device more pocketable, while the wider displays improve usability. It’s a textbook example of holistic design thinking where every change supports the overall user experience.

The Perfect Form Factor: Why Size and Shape Matter

Smartphone design has long been constrained by the rectangular slab format. The Z Fold7 breaks free from these constraints with a form factor that genuinely feels like the future of mobile devices.

One-Handed Usability Meets Tablet Power

When closed, the Z Fold7’s front display is wide enough for comfortable typing and reading, yet narrow enough for true one-handed operation. This balance is something traditional smartphones struggle with-they’re either too wide for comfortable one-handed use or too narrow for productive typing.

The Z Fold7 achieves what seemed impossible: a device that’s both pocket-friendly and productivity-focused.

When opened, the 8-inch internal display transforms the experience completely. It’s large enough to replace a tablet for many users, yet the device remains thin enough to carry comfortably. This dual nature-compact phone when closed, expansive tablet when open-represents a fundamental shift in how we think about mobile devices.

Practical Considerations

1. Pocket and Bag Compatibility: Despite its large internal display, the folded Z Fold7 fits comfortably in most pockets and bags designed for traditional smartphones.
2. Weight Distribution: The weight is well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold in either orientation for extended periods.
3. Grip and Texture: The materials provide excellent grip, reducing the likelihood of accidental drops despite the device’s premium feel.

Dual Display Advantage: Beyond the Gimmick

The Z Fold7’s two displays aren’t just a novelty-they fundamentally change how you interact with your device throughout the day.

The Cover Screen: Practical Everyday Use

Samsung’s cover screen has evolved from a compromised experience to a genuinely useful secondary display. At 6.3 inches (diagonal measurement), it’s large enough for:

• Quick message replies and email checks
• Social media browsing and content consumption
• Navigation and maps while walking
• Music playback and podcast controls

What makes this cover screen special is that it doesn’t feel like a compromise. The aspect ratio and resolution make it perfectly usable for extended periods, not just quick glances.

The Main Display: Tablet Replacement Potential

Opening the Z Fold7 reveals its true potential. The 8-inch internal display with its 7.6:9 aspect ratio provides:

The real magic happens with Samsung’s Multi-Active Window feature. You can run three apps simultaneously with proper window management, something that’s simply not possible on traditional smartphones. For productivity tasks, this is transformative.

AI Capabilities: Where Samsung Pulls Ahead

While hardware improvements are impressive, it’s Samsung’s software and AI integration that truly sets the Z Fold7 apart from Apple’s current offerings.

Galaxy AI: Practical Intelligence

Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite goes beyond gimmicks to provide genuinely useful features:

• Live Translate: Real-time translation during calls and messages
• Circle to Search: Instant information retrieval from any screen
• Note Assist: AI-powered note organization and summarization
• Photo Assist: Advanced editing tools that understand content

These features feel integrated rather than bolted on. They work across apps and services, creating a cohesive AI experience that enhances rather than interrupts your workflow.

Google Gemini Integration

The Z Fold7’s integration with Google Gemini takes AI capabilities to another level. Unlike Apple’s more conservative approach, Samsung embraces Google’s most advanced AI models, providing:

1. Context-aware assistance that understands your current task
2. Advanced content creation and editing capabilities
3. Seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem
4. Regular updates with new AI features

This combination of Samsung’s hardware optimization and Google’s AI expertise creates a platform that feels genuinely futuristic compared to Apple’s current offerings.

Drawbacks and Considerations

Despite its many strengths, the Z Fold7 isn’t perfect. Understanding its limitations is crucial for potential buyers.

Camera System Limitations

While the main camera has seen improvements, the overall camera system has some notable limitations:

• Uneven Improvements: Enhancements are primarily focused on the main lens, with less attention to ultra-wide and telephoto capabilities
• Consistency Issues: Image processing can vary between different camera modes
• Low-Light Performance: While good, it doesn’t match the best traditional flagships in challenging conditions

Missing Features and Design Quirks

Several design decisions may give potential buyers pause:

1. No S-Pen Support: The removal of built-in S-Pen support is disappointing for productivity users
2. Camera Bump Wobble: The device doesn’t sit flat on surfaces due to the prominent camera array
3. Durability Concerns: While improved, the folding mechanism still represents a potential failure point
4. Premium Price: At $1,799+, this remains an investment-grade purchase

These drawbacks are important to consider, but they’re balanced against the device’s unique advantages.

The iPhone Comparison: What Apple Needs to Do

Using the Z Fold7 alongside my iPhone 16e has highlighted areas where Apple needs to innovate to stay competitive.

Apple’s Current Strengths and Weaknesses

Apple still excels in several areas:

• Ecosystem Integration: Seamless device connectivity remains unmatched
• Software Optimization: iOS provides smooth, consistent performance
• Camera Consistency: Reliable results across all shooting scenarios
• Resale Value: Strong secondary market demand

However, Apple is falling behind in crucial areas:

• Form Factor Innovation: The rectangular slab design feels dated
• AI Capabilities: Current offerings feel conservative compared to competitors
• Multitasking: Limited compared to Android’s advanced options
• Display Technology: No foldable option for users who want larger screens

The Path Forward for Apple

To compete effectively, Apple needs to:

1. Develop a Foldable iPhone: Rumors suggest this is in development, but execution will be critical
2. Accelerate AI Development: Apple Intelligence shows promise but needs faster iteration
3. Embrace Form Factor Diversity: One size doesn’t fit all in today’s market
4. Improve Multitasking: Stage Manager on iPad shows potential for phone implementation

Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Smartphone Future

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 represents more than just another smartphone option-it’s a vision of what mobile devices can become. After two months of daily use, it has significantly reduced my reliance on my iPhone, not because the iPhone is bad, but because the Z Fold7 offers capabilities that simply don’t exist in traditional smartphone form factors.

For users who value productivity, media consumption, and cutting-edge technology, the Z Fold7 is currently unmatched. Its combination of refined design, dual-display functionality, and advanced AI capabilities creates an experience that feels genuinely next-generation.

Apple still has strengths, particularly in ecosystem integration and software polish, but the gap is narrowing. As foldable technology matures and AI becomes increasingly central to the smartphone experience, companies that embrace these innovations will define the next era of mobile computing.

The Z Fold7 isn’t just the best foldable phone available today-it’s a compelling argument for why the future of smartphones looks very different from what we’ve known for the past decade. Whether you’re an Android enthusiast or an Apple loyalist, this device deserves your attention as a signpost pointing toward where mobile technology is headed.