After the recent renewal of Samsung’s key foldable devices, the Unpacked event in New York showcased continuity within the lineup alongside an emphasis on slimness. The biggest surprise was the unveiling of the fan-favorite foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE . I’ve spent some time testing it out, and despite its flaws, I find it quite convincing.
Following the launch of fan versions for several prominent Galaxy S models, as well as the newer Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ FE, Samsung has aimed to make foldables more accessible with its inaugural “affordable” Flip. However, asking for a thousand euros for a phone isn’t exactly budget-friendly. Nonetheless, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE proves to be a solid foldable for its price. Let’s delve into the details step by step.
Technical Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE |
|---|---|
| Display | Main: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X FHD+, Resolution 2640 x 1080p Refresh rate LTPO 1-120 Hz External: 3.4-inch Super AMOLED, 748 x 720p |
| Dimensions & Weight | Unfolded: 71.9 x 165.1 x 6.9 mm Folded: 71.9 x 85.1 x 14.9 mm Weight: 187 grams |
| Processor | Exynos 2400 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB |
| Front Camera | 10 MP f/2.2 |
| Rear Camera | Main: 50 MP f/1.8, OIS Ultra-wide: 12 MP f/2.2 |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh Fast charging 25 W Wireless charging PowerShare |
| Operating System | Android 16 + One UI 8 |
| Connectivity | 5G WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.4 GPS NFC Nano SIM + eSIM |
| Other Features | Side fingerprint reader IP48 water resistance Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Samsung Knox Vault |
| Price | Starting from 999 euros |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE 256GB – Phone with AI, Foldable Design, Large Front Screen, 50MP Camera, 8GB Memory, 4000mAh Battery, 3-Year Warranty + 1 Extra Year, Black (Spanish Version)
* Prices may have changed since the last revision
Design, Display, and Sound: Familiar Territory
This year, Samsung’s focus was to make its foldables as thin as possible. Unfortunately, this feature isn’t prioritized in the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, as it closely resembles its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. The external screen occupies almost the entire outer surface, just like last year’s model.
With somewhat sharp edges that can be uncomfortable to hold, the hinge adapts well to various angles and provides a solid feel without excessive resistance. As for the inner screen crease… it feels about the same as last year: you can feel it when you swipe your finger and observe the valley when viewing the phone from an angle. In practice, it doesn’t pose much of a problem, and I adapted quickly to moving my finger across that area.
The body is made of solid aluminum, providing a premium feel to the device. While the overall design communicates quality, I have observed some important drawbacks:
- The sharp edges and thickness make it somewhat uncomfortable to grip.
- The black color is impractical: it collects dust, retains fingerprints, and looks dirty even after constant cleaning.
- The power button and fingerprint reader are frustratingly recessed, making it difficult to unlock the phone.
- The top speaker causes excessive vibration on the external screen, creating an uncomfortable sensation when using the phone while playing music.
Samsung certifies the phone with an IP48 rating, which means it can handle splashes without worry. However, dust could pose a greater threat due to the foldable design, particularly at the hinge area. The back is protected with tempered glass, as is the outer screen (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2). The camera lenses protrude about two millimeters, attracting dust.
With 3.4 inches for the external screen and 6.7 inches for the internal one, both AMOLED displays offer decent resolution for a thousand-euro smartphone (HD+ for the external and FHD+ for the internal). In terms of visibility, they look fantastic, offering excellent touch response, accurate color calibration (which is customizable), and the internal screen supporting up to 120 Hz refresh rate while the external remains at 60 Hz.
I have mixed feelings regarding Samsung’s decision to limit the external screen’s capabilities: by default, it supports only certain widgets and apps like Netflix or Spotify. With the MultiStar module from Good Lock, you can add any other installed applications, although this can be cumbersome due to the panel format.
I’d prefer if Galaxy Z Flips came with the functionality to open any app on the external panel directly, as it seems a waste to require “hacks” to fully utilize the display. Motorola seems to handle this much better with models like the Moto Razr 60 Ultra, allowing users to use the device without unfolding it.
As for brightness? The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE performs well outdoors, even in bright sunlight. However, the external screen doesn’t shine as brightly as the main display, appearing somewhat darker under the same lighting conditions. Automatic brightness adjustments work smoothly.
The sound quality is robust across all media, which is characteristic of Samsung devices. The dual stereo speakers deliver excellent fidelity and power. However, I must reiterate the issue of vibration on the external screen when audio is played; this became noticeable beyond the 25% volume mark, especially while the phone is unfolded.
The audio quality with Bluetooth headphones is delightful, as is using wired connections. As is customary with Samsung, the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE lacks an analog audio jack, meaning an external DAC adapter is necessary. Plus, it includes Display Port functionality, allowing you to mirror your screen on the TV. One downside: it would have been nice if Samsung included DeX in the FE version, as it’s available solely on the standard Flip7 model.
Performance, Software, and Battery: Power and Stability Are Not Aligned
Samsung has distributed processors among its foldables for 2025. The Galaxy Z Fold7 carries the best chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite; the Galaxy Flip7 opts for an Exynos 2500; and our subject here, the Exynos 2400 (built on a 4nm process). I expected less from this SoC, but it surprised me positively.
The Galaxy Z Flip7 FE does not suffer from slowness, launching apps quickly with no noticeable stutters during animations. Overall performance is quite satisfying, excelling in gaming with ray tracing supported on the GPU. However, it struggles with efficiency: the chip tends to consume more power. It does get warm, though not excessively.
Performance benchmarks from various testing applications
The performance is generally good, but I feel the SoC should match the hardware quality expected for its price. The benchmark results are not unfavorable; however, it shockingly fails the PCMark Work test due to stuttering during scrolling.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 | Motorola Razr 60 Ultra | Oppo Find N5 | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 2400 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A18 Pro |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Geekbench 6 (Single/Multi) | 1,141/6,268 | 2,026/6,327 | 2,851/8,662 | 2,864/7,902 | 3,851/9,451 | 3,106/7,799 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life Unlimited | 14,001 | 17,975 | 22,579 | 25,334 | 23,731 | 16,809 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life Stress Unlimited | 14,413/4,512 | 18,634/6,195 | 23,367/14,921 | 25,004/12,404 | 23,965/19,531 | 16,906/8,538 |
| PCMark Work | – | 17,578 | 20,596 | 15,059 | 25,251 | – |
While the raw power of the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE looks decent, the main issue lies with power stability: it maintains only 31% performance . This means the GPU struggles to operate at maximum capacity due to aggressive throttling designed to alleviate internal temperature. During testing, I reached a maximum of 41.5ºC.
In terms of software, One UI 8 enhances the overall experience significantly, providing refined aesthetics and animation optimizations, making it feel polished. Applications are designed to adapt to this new layout, resembling a modernized version of iOS.
However, the foldable format isn’t fully utilized, as many apps require modifications through Good Lock and MultiStar to work effectively on the external screen. This workaround detracts from the overall user experience, especially when multitasking.
Application launcher setup using MultiStar; operating Stardew Valley on the external screen
One significant advantage is the Flex mode, allowing users to position the phone at various angles like a laptop. This feature optimally serves certain games. Additionally, One UI 8 supports split-screen and floating windows, which enhance multitasking capabilities significantly.
Various AI features include a call interpreter and object eraser in the gallery
The Galaxy Z Flip7 FE also benefits from advanced AI features. While there are no revolutionary updates compared to the previous Galaxy AI framework, enhancements like call translation, smart camera functionality, and integrated Google AI Pro provide a comprehensive user experience. Users can enjoy six months of complimentary access to Google AI Pro.
With One UI 8 , the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE already operates on Android 16 . Samsung commits to a remarkable support policy, promising seven years for major updates and an additional seven years for security patches. This device should see upgrades through to Android 23 if Google maintains its OS naming strategy.
Turning to battery life, Samsung has maintained a conservative approach, equipping the Z Flip7 FE with the same 4,000 mAh capacity seen in the Z Flip6. Upon analyzing its longevity, I found varying results: consumption rates are high initially, but they tend to stabilize over time . Galaxy AI adjusts power usage effectively.
Once the battery settled, I registered a consumption rate of 2% per hour with the screen off and around 7-10% with medium usage , averaging 6-7 hours of screen time per charge. High-intensity gaming can elevate this to over 24% per hour , exemplifying the power-hungry nature of 3D games.
The Z Flip7 FE offers 25W fast charging, which feels inadequate given its category. I’ve registered a maximum of 22W through wired connections. It supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging but notably lacks a charger in the box—only a USB-C charging and data cable is provided.
Charging durations from 0 to 100% were as follows:
- 5 minutes of charging: 11% battery.
- 10 minutes of charging: 22% battery.
- 15 minutes of charging: 32% battery.
- 20 minutes of charging: 43% battery.
- 25 minutes of charging: 52% battery.
- 30 minutes of charging: 61% battery.
- Total: 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Camera: Satisfactory Performance Without Excessive Fanfare
A mobile device designed for fans must deliver satisfactory photographic quality. Based on my experience, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE performs commendably in various lighting conditions. While its folding capabilities limit the hardware, it does more than adequately deliver results.
Let’s examine the specifications:
- Main Camera: 50MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture, AF, and OIS.
- Ultra-wide Camera: 12MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 123º field of view.
- Front Camera: 10MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture.
Overall, the camera excels in well-lit environments, capturing sharp, vibrant images with accurate color treatment and white balance. The main camera focuses quickly, although it occasionally struggles to maintain depth with varying levels of detail.
The HDR capabilities are decent, yet the camera may underexpose darker areas in high-contrast situations. It performs well against direct light.
HDR struggles with darker areas
The ultra-wide camera has some shortcomings regarding sharpness and distortion, particularly at image edges. However, Samsung successfully corrects perspective during processing.
In low-light situations, faster shutter speeds may create issues with exposure and stabilization. While the app generally avoids raising ISO excessively, it does tend to enhance contrast around edges to correct weak light. The night mode can help recover darker images but often adds noise or smearing to backgrounds during processing.
The back camera doesn’t feature telephoto but can crop images from the main sensor and achieve up to 10x zoom, although anything beyond 4x results in noticeable reduction in quality, especially in low-light conditions.
The internal camera performs adequately for selfies, delivering reasonable detail and a natural skin tone, while the blur effect is well-implemented. That said, I prefer using the main camera for selfies, leveraging the external screen as a viewfinder, which is a distinct advantage of a foldable design.
In terms of software, the camera application provides ample features, from playful modes to professional tools. Samsung includes a dedicated Expert RAW app for detailed photography, elevating the photography experience significantly.
For a comprehensive look at the images and videos captured with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, check out this Google Photos folder.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE: Opinion and Rating
Samsung has created a foldable nearly identical to last year’s model, rebranded as a fan edition. It excels in most aspects, whether used for specific tasks or as a daily driver. My main concerns lie with battery life, diminished sustained performance, and excessive vibration from the external screen when audio is playing.
As a flip foldable, it doesn’t leverage its unique design simply for compactness, losing practicality in other aspects. The external screen can become more functional with downloadable apps; otherwise, it’s mostly for notifications. Samsung shines in its software, offering One UI 8, Android 16, and a commitment to seven years of updates . The AI feature adds a nice touch.
Ultimately, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is a commendable device, it faces challenges due to its own lineup. Its predecessor, the Z Flip6, offers better hardware at a lower price. Additionally, the standard Z Flip7 models are only marginally dearer, boasting more significant advancements. Hence, it becomes challenging to recommend the FE; it’s indeed a solid foldable but lacks standout features compared to its siblings. I hope the pricing would have been more competitive.
8.2
Design
8.25
Display
8.5
Performance
7.5
Camera
8
Software
9
Battery
7.75
Pros
- Excellent construction quality and durability.
- Seven years of guaranteed updates.
- Launches with One UI 8 and Android 16.
Cons
- It is essentially a rehash of last year’s model at nearly the same price.
- Subpar sustained processor performance.
- Battery capacity feels lacking.
- Excessive vibration on the front screen during sound playback.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE 256GB – Phone with AI, Foldable Design, Large Front Screen, 50MP Camera, 8GB Memory, 4000mAh Battery, 3-Year Warranty + 1 Extra Year, Black (Spanish Version)
* Prices may have changed since the last revision
This device was provided for testing by Samsung. You can find our review policy in Xataka and learn about our relationships with companies.