Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE hands-on: I’m as confused as you are

I don’t know what comedy of errors led Samsung to price the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE at $900, but someone at the company clearly didn’t understand the assignment.

Samsung claimed that it understood customers wanted a more affordable folding option, but that’s not what we got.

Instead of a competitive answer to the Motorola Razr 2025, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is an awkward combination of a dated design and older hardware.

My consternation comes from a place of disappointment. I was genuinely looking forward to a legitimate battle of affordable clamshell foldables between the Z Flip 7 FE and the base Motorola Razr.

I’m struggling to think of any reasons why you would choose a Z Flip 7 FE over the Moto or even an older Z Flip 6. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a non-starter for $900. Here’s why.

An older design with expensive hardware

Do we need an Exynos 2400?

I’m trying to determine where the high cost of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE comes from, and I keep thinking it’s the Exynos 2400 chipset. It’s an undoubtedly capable SoC, and you’ll be pleased with the performance on the Z Flip 7 FE, but it feels unnecessary.

If you’re buying a clamshell foldable for more horsepower, you should spring for a little more and pick up the Galaxy Z Flip 7 or find a Galaxy Z Flip 6 on a deal.

However, if you’re looking for a more affordable clamshell foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE won’t even be on your radar. It leaves the phone in limbo.

Then there’s the design. Next to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 chassis feels ancient, and that’s what we get on the Z Flip 7 FE.

Its 3.4-inch FlexWindow (Samsung’s name for the cover screen) seems inadequate, and its usability is easily bested by the larger (and more functional) cover screen on the Motorola Razr 2025.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE unfolds to reveal a familiar 6.7-inch 1080p Dynamic AMOLED display.

More affordable devices usually come in fun colors, but Samsung limits the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE to white and black, just as bland as the unit itself.

Price isn’t the only disappointment on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

We’re limited in other areas

If the Galaxy Z Flip 7 were paired with 12GB of RAM or a larger battery, I could start to make a case for why it might be worth considering.

Instead, we get 8GB and the same 4,000mAh cell as the Galaxy Z Flip 6, with anemic 25W wired charging speeds.

It’s difficult to find $900 worth of value when so many other attractive alternatives exist.

The Motorola Razr 2025 is equipped with a Dimensity 7400 chipset and 8GB of RAM. It’s not a speed demon by any means, and the Z Flip 7 FE will easily perform better on benchmarks, but who cares?

I’m fine getting midrange power from a more affordable foldable, as the point is to get the style and compact form factor of a clamshell without the flagship price.

Elsewhere, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is exactly what you’d expect. It comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage and features a familiar camera setup, comprising a 50MP primary lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens, complemented by a 10MP selfie camera.

It benefits from Gorilla Glass Victus 2, an Armor Aluminum frame, and an IP48 rating, adding some peace of mind.

Unfortunately, I fear Samsung is once again using Galaxy AI as a way to justify a higher price tag.

The company tried the same approach for the Galaxy S24 FE, and I wasn’t buying it then, either. The Galaxy S24 FE sat in a similar pricing limbo.

It’s a capable smartphone with excellent hardware and a premium build, but the $650 initial MSRP was confusing.

There were powerful alternatives available between $500 and $600, and the price gap wasn’t significant compared to Samsung’s flagship lineup, which boasted significantly better performance.

It’s painful to watch Samsung make the same mistake with a so-called Fan Edition device. Galaxy AI has its uses, but if it knocks the price of a smartphone out of a more affordable range, Samsung can keep it.

I’m also angry because all isn’t lost. The Galaxy S24 FE found redemption with carrier deals and price discounts. Perhaps the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE can see the same.

A lower price could turn the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE into a winner

It can’t stay at $900 forever

I often encounter this: Phones with outlandish initial prices become excellent values after carrier deals and discounts kick in. The Motorola Edge 2025 was a no-go for $550, but for $400, it’ll be one of my favorite midrange phones.

Samsung has that potential with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. If the price were around $750, I could easily make a case that, despite its flaws, the phone is worth considering.

It’s important to note that Samsung still holds significant advantages over Motorola. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE will launch with Android 16 and One UI 8.

I honestly couldn’t tell you when Motorola phones will start getting Android 16, and it wouldn’t shock me if it were later this year or even early next year.

Samsung also promises seven years of software support for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, a number that the Motorola Razr 2025 doesn’t even come close to matching.

A lower price doesn’t solve everything, and the design will turn some people off, but it’s much easier to look beyond any flaws for the right price.

A $750 to $800 price tag makes the conversation about the strengths of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE rather than its weaknesses.

A $900 hit to your wallet disqualifies the phone from the start, making the Motorola Razr 2025 the more attractive option despite its disadvantages.

If Samsung wants us to have a more affordable foldable, give us one

I appreciate the thought Samsung had behind the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. I just wish the results were more true to the mission.

I’d love to see a more affordable clamshell from the company because I believe Samsung has more to offer than other manufacturers.

Unfortunately, we will have to wait a little longer, as the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE doesn’t fit the description.

Much like the Galaxy S24 FE, the Z Flip 7 FE doesn’t appear to be a bad smartphone. It’s simply a device that’s better on a carrier deal or after discounts, and certainly not for purchase on launch.