The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 fixes my biggest complaint, but I’d still never buy one – here’s why

The Galaxy Z Fold 7, the next model in Samsung’s renowned Z Fold folding phone line, is the replacement for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which we rank as one of the best folding phones available.

Even though the Galaxy Z Fold 7 won’t be available until July 25, I had the opportunity to test the new foldable for a short time at a Samsung pop-up in London, and after holding the phone in my own hands, I must say that I’m really impressed with how well it was made. Samsung has done a fantastic job creating a phone that feels more natural to carry around every day and looks nicer.

With an 8-inch folding primary display and a 6.5-inch cover screen, Samsung’s newest foldable is only 4.2mm thick when unfurled, as our hands-on Galaxy Z Fold 7 review points out.

• Also Check: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 release date: when will Samsung’s top foldable ship?

Along with being incredibly thin, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 resolves a problem with the Z Fold series that has bothered me for years and prevented me from ever contemplating purchasing one.

A cover screen worth celebrating

I’m referring to the height and slimness of the cover screen. The Galaxy Z Fold line’s cover screen has always seemed much too thin for me to operate comfortably.

It’s not just about the size of the display, either. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 6.3-inch screen, but due to the inner display’s proportions, this must have a 22:9 aspect ratio. In contrast to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the industry standard for slab phones is currently 19.5:9, which is still tall but significantly wider in the hand.

This problem is resolved by the Galaxy Z Fold 7. In addition to being 6.5 inches in size, the cover screen has a new aspect ratio of 21:9, which is similar to the 22:9 display of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 but different enough to seem more practical, recognizable, and welcoming right away.

Making such a fuss about a folding phone’s cover display may seem strange, considering that you’re probably purchasing it for the huge inside folding display. However, after using a few folding phones, I can state with certainty that if a phone manufacturer wants their device to be considered among the finest, the cover display is essential.

Whether you like it or not, there will be situations where you need to use your phone quickly, quietly, or one-handedly. In these situations, having a cover screen that works well is crucial. Since folding phones are expensive, it’s fair to assume that you’ll always have a positive experience with one.

Based on my brief experience with it, I can tell you that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 excels at this important function. I would even venture to say that Samsung has created a genuinely amazing piece of hardware.

I still won’t be purchasing one, though, for the very straightforward reason of cost.

Perturbing price

At retail, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will cost $1,999, £1,799, or $2,899. The beginning price is the highest I’ve ever seen for a widely available phone, and it’s just one US dollar short of $2,000.

I don’t know about you, but even if a phone is exquisitely made and incredibly powerful, I won’t spend two grand on it. Although I’m sure there are some individuals who are willing to spend this much money on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I’m not one of them (don’t forget to check our phone deals coverage for the most recent discounts and trade-in offers).

Considering only US prices, you could purchase seven Apple Watch SEs, four PS5 Slim consoles, or two Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus phones for $1,999. That’s a lot of money to spend on a single gadget, and I wouldn’t buy it. However, for a more thorough analysis supported by actual testing, stay tuned for our next review of the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

To be fair, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 was not significantly less expensive when it was first released, retailing for $1,899, £1,799, or AU$2,749.

In comparison, the OnePlus Open debuted (in 2023) for $1,699 / £1,599, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799 / £1,749 / AU$2,699 as its competitors. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is significantly more expensive, either by Samsung’s or its competitors’ standards.

Well done, Samsung, but I still haven’t purchased a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Do you believe the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is too high? Or is the cost justified by the new design? Tell us in the comments section below.