Samsung’s best phone in years is one you won’t buy

Even the biggest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold fans can admit the device was getting stale.

Samsung hadn’t made significant design changes in years, which is not something that goes over well with customers paying nearly $2,000 for their smartphone.

Samsung heard the criticisms and took a major swing with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s paid off, with the company enjoying improved foldable sales since the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.

Despite all the improvements Samsung made to its book-style foldable, it’s still not a device most of you will buy. Its price puts it out of consideration for most, and it’s not a phone that can take the same abuse as a traditional slab device.

Still, it’s Samsung’s best effort in years, and while you may not buy one, there are plenty of reasons you should take a look.

Significant design changes

Samsung needed to get with the times

I love that Samsung acknowledged during product briefings that customers expected more innovation from phones costing $2,000.

Iterative updates that looked good on an upgrade cycle weren’t cutting it, so the company went to work on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

There was plenty to do, as I’d been spoiled by impressive overseas foldables — devices that made the Galaxy Z Fold 6 feel ancient by comparison.

Samsung focused on a few key areas that make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a significant departure from its predecessors.

I love that the company widened the cover screen for 2025. It’s much easier to type on the larger 6.5-inch outer display. It’s also ideal because I can use just the external panel for an entire day without feeling shortchanged.

I don’t always want to unfold my phone, especially when I’m walking or there is a chance I might drop it — a larger outer screen makes that less necessary.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is lighter and thinner than previous generations. It weighs 215g and is only 8.9mm thick when folded.

It makes a difference, as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is as easy to carry around as a Galaxy S25 Ultra in your pocket — it feels amazing in the hand.

If you’ve never considered a Galaxy Z Fold before because of the bulk, I sympathize, but Samsung has removed that barrier with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, so you might want to take another look.

Software to match the screen real estate

Samsung changed the user experience

I’ve been complaining for years about software on book-style foldables. Adding a dock with Android 12L was welcomed, but it didn’t go far enough.

I refused to spend $2,000 on a phone that would only offer the same experience as my $1,000 flagship, albeit with a larger display.

I wanted the user experience to be fundamentally different. OnePlus did a lot with Open Canvas on the OnePlus Open, and I was looking for something similar from Samsung.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 running One UI 8 features a 90:10 multitasking split, allowing me to shift back and forth between apps without one app needing the entire display. It helps when I’m referencing information for an email or taking a glance at my calendar.

Samsung’s also done a better job making use of the 8-inch internal display. I love that I can see the before-and-after results of a photo I’ve edited. If you’re a content creator, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is ideal, giving you an expansive canvas to edit clips for social media.

Better use of the internal screen real estate is a significant reason why I think more casual users should give the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a chance this year.

The price is still a huge barrier

Not everyone wants to spend that much

As much as I love what Samsung has done with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, realistically, it’s not a phone you are going to buy. It’s an expensive device, and not everyone wants to spend $2,000 on their phone.

I understand, and it’s the primary reason I feel book-style foldables will always be niche products. Still, if you can swing it, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a worthy device.

Carrier discounts and financing are the best way to go. If you can trade in your old phone and pick up a Galaxy Z Fold 7 for only $20 or $30 a month, you’ll be pleased.

I wish Samsung would put that kind of effort into other phones

I’m aware that at least some people are buying the Galaxy Z Fold 7, as the company is enjoying increased sales compared to previous years.

I believe many of these sales were people who held onto their Galaxy Z Fold 4 or 5, as they were reluctant to spend more money on minor upgrades.

Still, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is worth a shot if you’ve been on the fence about buying a foldable. It’s Samsung’s best phone in years, and I’d like to see it in more pockets.