Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review | A Refined Foldable That Finally Feels Right

Foldables have long promised the future, but it’s taken years to make them feel like the present. With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, priced at ₹1,74,999, Samsung finally brings a foldable that feels more usable and refined than ever. I’ve used this phone for a couple of weeks, and the difference is clear. It’s lighter, slimmer, sturdier, and finally, practical. It also has Galaxy AI built-in and runs Android 16 with Samsung’s new One UI 8.

But it doesn’t come cheap. Its biggest challenger, the Vivo X Fold 5, is priced lower at ₹1,49,999 and offers premium specs and features too. So, does Samsung’s newest Fold justify its price with real-world performance, or does Vivo steal the show?

Slimmer Build, Sturdy Feel

Samsung didn’t radically redesign the Fold 7, but it made enough smart changes to make a big difference. It now weighs just 215 grams, about 24 grams lighter than its predecessor. When folded, it’s 8.9mm thick—about as slim as a regular phone.

It feels great in the hand, with a solid hinge and a smoother fold. The hinge also holds at different angles for laptop-style use. It’s made of Gorilla Glass Victus at the back and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the cover, so it feels tough and premium. However, it only has an IP48 rating—resistant to water splashes but no real dust protection. Vivo’s Fold 5 clearly wins here with full IPX8 and IPX9 protection.

Beautiful Displays, But No S Pen Support

The cover screen is a 6.5-inch AMOLED with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It’s wide enough to use for calls, messages, and quick photos. Unlike earlier Fold models, I didn’t feel forced to open the main screen every time.

The inner display is a stunning 8-inch AMOLED with 2,600 nits brightness and the same 120Hz refresh. The crease is barely visible this time. It’s a gorgeous panel to read, watch, or multitask on.

However, Samsung dropped S Pen support this year, citing a thinner screen build. For some, that’s a big loss—especially artists or productivity users who relied on the stylus. Vivo still doesn’t support stylus input either, but Samsung removing this feature feels like a step back.

Blazing Fast, Smarter UI

Samsung has loaded the Fold 7 with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite for Galaxy chip. Paired with 12 GB RAM, it handles everything like a flagship. Apps launch instantly, and multitasking is fluid. It never heated up during heavy use.

What stands out most is One UI 8, which is based on Android 16. Samsung has finally nailed the big-screen experience. You can use three apps at once, drag and drop between them, or keep a floating window on top. There’s even a persistent taskbar now for faster app switching.

Samsung Flex Mode has improved, turning the folded screen into a mini laptop. Watching YouTube, editing videos, or using the camera in half-fold mode works smoothly. It really feels like a foldable that’s made for power users.

Samsung also brings Galaxy AI here—from real-time voice transcription to photo edits and the smart lockscreen music widget. And with 7 years of software updates promised, this phone is set for the long run.

That’s an edge over Vivo’s X Fold 5, which ships with Android 15 and promises only four years of major updates.

Battery Life and Charging: Room for Improvement

Battery life was better than expected. The 4,400 mAh battery, combined with the new chip, gets you through a full day. I often had 15–20% left by bedtime, even with heavy use.

But here’s the downside—charging is still limited to 25W wired and 15W wireless. That feels outdated in 2025. Vivo, by contrast, offers 80W wired and 40W wireless. The Fold 7 takes over an hour to fully charge, while Vivo’s Fold 5 hits 50% in just 30 minutes.

Final Verdict: Worth It for the Refined Experience

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s most refined foldable yet. It finally feels like a phone that’s ready for daily use—not just for early adopters. The slim and sturdy design, incredible multitasking, long update support, and flagship camera setup make it a serious contender.

But it’s not without flaws. No S Pen support, slow charging, and lack of full dust protection hold it back slightly. At ₹1,74,999, it’s more expensive than the Vivo X Fold 5, which offers stronger battery, faster charging, and better water protection—though with last year’s chip and one less Android version.

If you want the best foldable experience with a polished UI, smarter AI, and reliable performance, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 stands tall. For those chasing better battery or camera zoom at a lower price, Vivo X Fold 5 might be the foldable for you.