Samsung Electronics will unveil its next-generation foldable smartphone, the ‘Galaxy Z Fold 7’, at the ‘Galaxy Unpacked’ event in Brooklyn, New York, on July 9 (local time). The new product adopts the thinnest form factor among Samsung’s foldables released so far and is expected to set a new design standard for foldable smartphones.
A major design overhaul, focusing on user convenience.
According to leaked specifications, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is designed to be 3.9mm thick when unfolded and 8.9mm thick when folded. This is significantly thinner than the previous model, Z Fold 6, which was 12.1mm thick when folded. Samsung Electronics actively addressed the criticism of previous models being ‘too thick’ by changing the design structure in this new product.
The internal display is 8 inches, and the cover display is 6.5 inches, both larger than the previous model. The cover display’s width has increased, which is expected to reduce consumer complaints about the inconvenience caused by a narrow external screen.
Maintaining IP48 water and dust resistance… Drop resistance rated ‘A’, repairability rated ‘C’.
Despite the thinner structure of this product, it maintains the same IP48-rated water and dust resistance as before. However, it does not reach the full IP68 water-resistant level offered by some competitors’ products. According to the European Energy Label, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 received an ‘A’ rating for drop resistance, but only a ‘C’ for repairability. The complex product design and hinge mechanism were cited as major factors.
It is known that Samsung Electronics has introduced a new dust-resistant brush inside the hinge. The new brush is expected to help prevent dust ingress and reduce wear of the structure.
AI features always on… Camera performance significantly enhanced
Samsung Electronics emphasizes artificial intelligence (AI) functions as the core of this product. The company highlights a camera that “understands the scene the user is viewing and reacts to the situation,” and plans to provide Galaxy AI features, that were previously only available on limited devices, permanently free to all users this time.
The camera is equipped with a 200-megapixel main sensor, the largest upgrade in the Samsung foldable series. AI-based real-time translation and advanced photo editing features are also provided. It is expected to improve both photo quality and content creation capabilities.
Positioning amid competition with Chinese manufacturers
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 enters the market amidst intensified competition with latecomer foldable manufacturers from China such as Honor and Vivo. Some Chinese products have already implemented specifications that are thinner or lighter than Samsung’s. The new product is the thinnest among Samsung’s foldable lineup, but it is not expected to hold the title of the ‘world’s thinnest foldable phone’ globally.
However, it is difficult to evaluate the completeness of a smartphone based solely on thickness numbers. Samsung Electronics maintains world-class technical excellence in overall smartphone completion, including display, battery stability, and software optimization. Especially in the foldable field, accumulated mass production experience and global quality management systems are competitive advantages that competitors find difficult to catch up with in a short time.
Z Fold 7 is highlighting improvements in design, but concerns about durability due to its complex structure still remain. Particularly, the durability of the hinge and frame, and stability in long-term use, need to be verified through actual use cases in the future.
The price of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to remain at $1,899, the same as the previous model. Pre-orders will begin immediately after the announcement, and the official release is expected to be on July 23 or 25.