Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 Review: Slimmer, Sleeker, and Seriously Impressive
Let’s Talk About This Phone
Remember when foldable phones felt like a gimmick? Yeah, those days are long gone. The Galaxy Flip 7 isn’t just another phone—it’s the one that finally made me stop missing my old slab-style smartphone. And trust me, I was skeptical. But after using it for a solid day, I get it now. This thing is slim, powerful, and honestly? Kind of a flex (no pun intended… okay, maybe a little).
1. First Look: What’s in the Box?
You know how phone unboxings go these days—minimalist to a fault. Black box, phone right on top, the usual cables and SIM tool. No charger, because apparently we all have drawers full of them now. But the second I picked up the Flip 7, I noticed something: it’s thin. Like, “did they shrink this?” thin. The matte finish feels great, and that hinge? Snaps shut with the kind of satisfying click that makes you want to flip it open and closed all day. The crease is still there, but it’s less annoying than before. First impression? This feels like a proper grown-up phone.
2. Design: Where Samsung Nailed It
2.1 The New Skinny Version
Here’s the thing—when unfolded, it’s 6.9mm thick. That’s 1.2mm slimmer than the Flip 6. Doesn’t sound like much, but you feel it. Same weight as before (187g), but somehow it feels lighter in your hand. The aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass back don’t pick up fingerprints like crazy, which is a win. And when it’s folded? Slides into your pocket like it’s not even there. Samsung finally figured out how to make a foldable that doesn’t feel like you’re carrying a brick.
2.2 That Hinge Though
The new teardrop hinge is smooth—like, “open a brand new book” smooth. No gap when it’s closed, which means no pocket lint nightmare. The 6.7-inch screen is brighter now (1,750 nits peak), and the crease is less noticeable unless you’re really looking for it. Samsung says it’ll last 200,000 folds. Do the math—that’s about 5 years if you flip it 100 times a day. After my obsessive testing? Zero issues.
3. Performance: No More Compromises
3.1 Speed Demon
Good news: no Exynos chip this time. The Flip 7 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and boy does it fly. Apps open before you even finish tapping the icon. Multitasking with 12GB RAM? Smooth as butter. I even tried running Genshin Impact on max settings—barely got warm. This is the first flip phone that doesn’t make you feel like you’re sacrificing performance.
3.2 Battery Life: The One Catch
Same 3,900mAh battery as the Flip 6, but thanks to the efficient chip, I got about 5.5 hours of screen time. Not amazing, but not terrible either. Charges to 50% in 30 minutes with the 25W charger. Wireless charging’s still here if you need it in a pinch.
4. Cameras: Better Than They Look on Paper
4.1 Main Cameras
On paper, dual 12MP cameras don’t sound exciting. But the AI processing is where the magic happens. Night shots are cleaner, details are sharper—side by side with the Flip 6, the difference is obvious. No telephoto lens though, so zoom fans might be disappointed.
4.2 Selfies and Flex Mode
The 10MP cover screen camera is… fine. Not amazing, but gets the job done. The real star? Flex Mode. Fold it halfway and it stands on its own—perfect for hands-free videos or group selfies without asking a stranger to take your photo.
5. Software: Where Samsung Finally Gets It Right
5.1 One UI 6.1
Android 14 with foldable-specific tweaks. The cover screen can now run full apps—WhatsApp, Maps, even YouTube. Swipe for quick settings? Genius. It’s the little things that make this phone actually usable day-to-day.
5.2 Multitasking Made Easy
Split-screen works perfectly, and apps transition smoothly when you fold or unfold. No weird glitches or lag. Feels like Samsung finally optimized their software for foldables instead of just porting it over.
6. The Big Question: Should You Buy It?
6.1 Upgrading from Flip 6?
Worth it if: You want the slimmer design, better performance, or improved hinge. Otherwise, the Flip 6 is still solid. Price is the same as last year—$999.
6.2 Flip 7 vs. S24 Ultra
Flip 7 for: People who want something different that actually fits in your pocket. S24 Ultra for: Camera nerds and those who need an S Pen. Different tools for different needs.
7. Final Thoughts
What I loved:
1. That slim design—finally a foldable that doesn’t feel bulky.
2. Performance that keeps up with regular flagships.
3. The cover screen is actually useful now.
Downsides: Battery could be better, and no telephoto lens.
Buy this if: You want a foldable that feels polished, not like a prototype.
Wrapping Up
After using the Flip 7, I’m convinced—foldables aren’t just for early adopters anymore. This phone is sleek, powerful, and most importantly, fun to use. Samsung fixed most of the little annoyances, leaving something that’s easy to recommend. So what do you think—would you make the switch to a flip phone? Let me know in the comments!
Source: ZDNet – AI
