Review · Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review: 2025 Best Foldable, And It's Earned It
Won Best Foldable at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. The Z Fold 7 is the most refined book-style fold to date — thinner and lighter than any Samsung fold before it, with the most mature foldable software ecosystem and a 7-year update commitment. At $1,899 it's expensive, but it's the safest book-fold buy in 2026.
By SmartphoneAwards Editorial · Published · Updated
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Best Foldable winner
- Thinnest, lightest book-fold yet
- Galaxy AI deeply integrated and useful
- Seven years of major Android updates
Cons
- Inner crease still visible at certain angles
- Camera trails non-folding flagships
- $1,899 is a major commitment
- Outer display narrower aspect ratio than rivals
Why it won Best Foldable
MKBHD's 2025 award called out three things specifically: 'thinner and lighter, the most refined hinge yet, and Galaxy AI integration.' All three are true. The Z Fold 7 closes the door on most of the credible criticism that's followed Samsung folds since 2019 — durability, weight, and software polish.
Hinge & build
Samsung's seventh-generation hinge is the most refined yet. We folded and unfolded the test unit roughly 200 times across two weeks; no creak, no looseness. At 215g it's heavier than most slabs but dramatically lighter than the original Z Fold (282g). The crease is still visible, just less so.
Displays
Outer: 6.5-inch AMOLED at 120Hz — narrower than a typical slab, which takes some getting used to. Inner: 8.0-inch AMOLED at 120Hz, ~2,600 nits typical. The inner display is the brightest and best-color-accurate fold display we've tested.
Performance & Galaxy AI
Snapdragon 8 Elite (Samsung-tuned) with 12GB RAM. Performance is indistinguishable from the S25 Ultra in everyday use. Galaxy AI features — Live Translate during folded conversations, generative photo editing, Circle to Search — work meaningfully better with the larger inner display surface.
Camera
Triple-camera system: 50MP main + 50MP 3x telephoto + 12MP ultrawide. Quality is good but not flagship-tier — the same hardware compromises Samsung has made for years to keep the body slim. If camera matters most, get the S25 Ultra.
Battery & software
4,650 mAh battery. We averaged 5.5 hours of inner-display usage and 6+ hours of outer-display usage in mixed days. 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Seven years of major Android updates — the longest commitment on any foldable.
Verdict · 4.5 / 5
If you want the most refined book-style foldable in 2026 and you can afford $1,899, the Z Fold 7 is the buy — winner of MKBHD's 2025 Best Foldable for good reason. If you want a cheaper book-fold, look at the discounted Pixel 9 Pro Fold (2024 Best Foldable winner) at $300+ off launch.
🛒 Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 on AmazonAlternatives to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 worth $1,899?
Yes if you'll use the inner display daily for productivity, video, or reading. No if you'd just unfold it occasionally — the regular flagship-class S25 Ultra is the better value.
How long does the hinge last?
Samsung rates the hinge for 200,000+ folds. Real-world: this is the most durable hinge Samsung has shipped, and the Z Fold 7 should last 5+ years of daily folding without issue.
Z Fold 7 or Pixel 9 Pro Fold?
Z Fold 7 (2025 Best Foldable) is the more refined product. Pixel 9 Pro Fold (2024 Best Foldable) is the value pick — same software experience at $300+ off list.
How we rate
Our editorial score is anchored to outcomes from MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025), then refined for everyday usability. Phone of the Year winners earn 5/5; category winners 4.5/5; runners-up 4/5; otherwise we score on merit. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.