Honestly, the first few years of the foldable experiment felt like we were all paying to be Samsung’s beta testers. You’ve seen the videos: screens cracking at the crease, batteries that barely lasted through lunch, and a cover screen that was basically just a glorified clock. But the new samsung flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, changed the vibe. It doesn't feel like a toy or a fragile piece of jewelry anymore.
Samsung dropped this thing in mid-2025, and now that we’re sitting in early 2026, the dust has settled. We can actually see if it holds up.
It’s thinner. 0.4mm might not sound like much on paper, but when it’s in your pocket, you notice. The bezels are slimmer, which means the cover display—Samsung calls it the Flex Window—now stretches across nearly the entire top half. It’s 4.1 inches of screen. That’s bigger than the original iPhone’s main screen. Think about that for a second.
What changed with the new samsung flip phone hardware?
Most people think these phones are just about the hinge. They aren't. The real magic in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is actually the switch to the Exynos 2500 chip in many regions. Now, I know. Samsung fans usually groan when they hear "Exynos" instead of "Snapdragon."
But this time is different.
The 10-core architecture actually manages heat way better than the old Z Flip 6 ever did. If you tried to play Genshin Impact or edit a 4K video on the Flip 6, the top half of the phone would get hot enough to cook an egg. The Z Flip 7 stays chill.
The screen and that annoying crease
Is the crease gone? No. If anyone tells you it is, they’re lying. But it’s finally at a point where you don't feel it every time you swipe. Samsung used a new "reinforced overcoat" on the display layers. It makes the screen feel more like actual glass and less like a soft plastic sandwich bag.
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Then there's the brightness. 2,600 nits. You can be standing in the middle of a literal desert at noon and still read your emails. It’s overkill, but in a good way.
Why Samsung DeX is the sleeper hit of 2026
For years, Flip users begged for DeX. For those who don't know, DeX is the software that lets you plug your phone into a monitor and use it like a desktop computer. Samsung kept saying the Flip couldn't handle the heat or didn't have the RAM.
They finally stopped making excuses.
The new samsung flip phone supports full DeX. You can walk into a hotel, plug your Flip 7 into the TV via HDMI, and suddenly you have a workstation. The phone’s main screen even turns into a giant touchpad. It’s a niche feature, sure, but for anyone trying to travel light without a laptop, it’s a total game-changer.
The battery problem: Fixed (mostly)
Let's be real: battery life on flip phones has historically sucked. The Flip 5 and 6 had 3,700mAh and 4,000mAh batteries respectively. The Z Flip 7 bumped it up to 4,300mAh.
It’s not a miracle. You’re still not getting two days of use.
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However, combined with the efficiency of the new chip, most people are seeing about 31 hours of local video playback. In the real world, that means ending your day with 20% left instead of your phone dying at 7 PM while you're trying to call an Uber. The charging is still stuck at 25W wired, though. That’s probably the most frustrating thing about Samsung right now. In a world where Chinese brands are hitting 100W, waiting 85 minutes for a full charge feels like 2019.
Camera specs that don't lie
Flip phones are never going to have the "Ultra" cameras. There's just no physical space for those giant periscope lenses.
- Main Sensor: 50MP (Same as the Z Flip 6, but with better processing).
- Ultrawide: 12MP.
- Selfie: 10MP.
The real upgrade isn't the megapixels; it's the ProVisual Engine. It handles low light much better. If you’re at a concert or a dim restaurant, the photos don't look like a grainy mess. Plus, using the cover screen as a viewfinder for the main 50MP camera is still the best way to take a selfie in 2026. Period.
The "FE" version: A budget flip?
Samsung did something interesting this cycle. They released the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE alongside the main flagship. It’s basically a Z Flip 6 shell with a newer Exynos 2400 chip and a slightly smaller cover screen (3.4 inches).
At $899 (or often $290 off with carriers), it’s the first time a "new" flip phone has felt affordable for regular people. It’s the "gateway drug" to foldables. It doesn't have the fancy 4.1-inch screen, and it doesn't have DeX, but it gets the job done.
Software support that actually lasts
One thing Samsung is killing it at right now is longevity. The new samsung flip phone comes with a promise of seven years of OS updates.
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Seven years.
That means this phone, which launched with Android 16 (One UI 8), will theoretically be updated all the way to 2032. Whether the folding screen will actually survive seven years of opening and closing is another debate, but the software will be there.
A note on the January 2026 update
If you already own the Flip 7, you probably just saw the January 2026 security patch (firmware ending in EYL2). It doesn't add new features—those are coming with One UI 8.5 in March—but it fixes about 55 security vulnerabilities. Install it. Don't be that person who leaves their phone open to exploits because they didn't want to restart their device.
Actionable steps for new owners
If you just picked up the Z Flip 7, don't just use it like a normal slab phone. You're paying for the hinge, so use it.
- Get Good Lock immediately. Samsung’s default cover screen is still a bit restrictive. Download the "Good Lock" app from the Galaxy Store, find the "Multistar" module, and enable the "Launcher Widget." This lets you run any app on the 4.1-inch cover screen, including YouTube, Google Maps, and even Netflix.
- Turn on "Extend Unlock." Since the cover screen is so large now, you’ll find yourself using it more often. Go to Settings > Security > Extend Unlock (formerly Smart Lock) and set it to stay unlocked when it’s connected to your Galaxy Watch or when you’re at home. It saves you from constant fingerprint scans.
- Hinge Protection is mandatory. The Z Flip 7 is rated IP48. That "4" means it can handle some small particles, but it is NOT dust-proof. If you work in a woodshop or go to the beach, get a case that actually covers the hinge mechanism.
- Optimize your "Flex Mode." Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Labs and turn on Flex Mode panel for apps like Spotify or Zoom. It makes the bottom half of the screen a dedicated control center while the top half shows the content.
The new samsung flip phone isn't just a status symbol anymore. It’s a refined, powerful tool that finally justifies its $1,099 price tag. If you've been waiting for foldables to "mature," this is likely the generation where you can finally stop waiting.