Foldable phones have come a long way, and Samsung has been leading the charge. With the Galaxy Z Flip7, the company has refined the clamshell foldable into something sleek, powerful, and practical. As a Galaxy Z Fold7 user, I didn’t immediately understand the appeal of a phone that can become smaller - I’ve always been keen on the ones that get bigger. But after spending time with the Galaxy Z Flip7, especially its new FlexWindow, I definitely get it now. The Galaxy Z Flip7 is certainly Samsung’s most polished and user-friendly Galaxy Z Flip yet, and it’s made me seriously start to want one myself.
From its clever cover screen and Galaxy AI smarts to its premium design and surprisingly capable cameras, the Galaxy Z Flip7 has a lot going for it. Here’s what stood out to me while using it.
The FlexWindow: Small but Mighty
The mini/cover screen (FlexWindow) is definitely the standout feature of the Galaxy Z Flip7, and for good reason! With the 6th generation of the Galaxy Z Flip series (there was no Galaxy Z Flip2), Samsung has taken this concept to an entirely new level. What was once a handy notification checker has evolved into a fully functional secondary display - a feature that doesn’t just look cool but genuinely changes how you interact with your phone on a daily basis.
Quick Access
The beauty of the Galaxy Z Flip7’s mini screen lies in its ability to handle essential tasks without requiring you to unfold the device. Need to check notifications, control your music, or reply to a quick message? The cover screen does it all with ease. But Samsung didn’t stop there - you can now run full apps like Google Maps, YouTube, and even messaging platforms directly on the mini display. This is a game-changer for those moments when you need quick interactions without diving into the full-screen experience.
For me, it’s the perfect way to stay focused on what matters - checking notifications, replying to messages, or controlling music - without getting pulled into the endless scroll that a full-screen experience can encourage.
Customisation Options
The level of customisation on offer is hands down one of my favourite aspects of the Galaxy Z Flip7. Samsung has gone all-in on personalisation, giving users the ability to truly make the mini screen their own. From custom wallpapers and interactive widgets to functional shortcuts, the options are endless. My social media feeds have been flooded with creative setups from Galaxy Z Flip7 users, and it’s clear that the freedom to express yourself has been welcomed by many. This is a phone that definitely makes for a pretty gorgeous desk ornament when not in use!
Whether you want a minimalist aesthetic, a productivity-focused layout, or something fun and vibrant, the mini screen adapts to your style. It’s not just a display - it’s an extension of your personality, and that’s something I really value, especially in a world where we all carry around phones that look so similar.
Battery Efficiency
Another practical benefit that often gets overlooked: battery life. By using the mini screen for quick tasks, you’re reducing the need to power up the larger inner display, which naturally conserves energy. Combine that with the Galaxy Z Flip7’s upgraded battery capacity, and you’ve got a device that comfortably lasts through a busy day.
Why I Love the New FlexWindow
The Galaxy Z Flip7’s mini screen has really seen a big improvement this year, and now makes everyday tasks faster, more convenient, and more personal. From the endless customisation options to the leap forward in functionality, the Galaxy Z Flip7’s mini screen has well and truly won me over.
Galaxy AI: Smarter Than Ever
AI is still a bit of a buzzword at times, but Samsung isn’t just throwing it around. The Galaxy Z Flip7 threads Galaxy AI through everyday tasks in a way that’s genuinely useful. From smarter camera tools to real-time translation and on-device writing help, the phone helps you get more done with fewer taps. Additionally, some of that experience now lives right on the FlexWindow, so you can access AI powers even when the phone is folded.
Wide Range of AI Tools for Everyone
Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Z Flip7 brings a suite of genuinely useful tools that make everyday tasks smarter and faster. Photo Assist and Generative Edit let you tweak images with side-by-side previews, remove objects, or adjust composition, while Auto Trim and Audio Eraser simplify video editing for social-media-ready clips. For communication, Live Translate offers real-time call translations, Interpreter enables split-screen conversations, and Transcript Assist plus Browsing Assist summarise recordings and long articles. Writing also gets easier with Writing Assist for tone and grammar, and FlexWindow Suggested Replies provide you with responses without unfolding the phone. Daily convenience features like Now Bar for easy controls, Now Brief for personalised updates, Circle to Search for instant context, and Gemini Live for conversational AI, even on the cover screen, round out an experience that feels refined and useful.
Why AI Makes Life Easier
Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Z Flip7 feels less like a checklist and more like a quiet co-pilot. It edits smarter, translates on the fly, summarises the noise, offers the right reply at the right moment, and crucially, it does much of that right on the FlexWindow so you can stay focused and intentional. For a device that folds into your pocket, that’s a meaningful leap forward. AI doesn’t just save time, it opens up a host of new possibilities.
Design: Thin, Light, and Stunning
Foldables were once considered less refined than standard smartphones, but the latest foldable innovations from Samsung clearly prove otherwise. This is Samsung’s most refined clamshell yet - thin, light, and undeniably premium. It’s the kind of device that feels as good in the hand as it looks on the table.
More Pocket-Friendly
Samsung has shaved off unnecessary bulk, and the Galaxy Z Flip7 seamlessly folds down into a compact square that slips easily into your pocket or bag, making it the ultimate companion for those who value portability without sacrificing screen real estate. When unfolded, the inner display feels like a normal flagship, and while that may sound underwhelming, it’s actually quite the compliment. This is a flagship that can fold - feeling normal is exactly what you want.
Premium Build Quality
The Galaxy Z Flip7 has a solid construction, courtesy of the Armor Aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panels, which give it a reassuring solidity, while the Flex Hinge feels smoother and sturdier than ever. Samsung’s hinge mechanism has matured to the point where opening and closing the phone feels almost addictive - firm yet fluid. The fidgeting novelty may wear off, but the feeling of a well-built, reliable device sticks.
Add to that an IPX8 water resistance rating, and you’ve got a foldable that’s not afraid of real-world conditions. While it certainly does look the part, this isn’t a delicate showpiece; it’s a daily driver built to last.
Colour Options That Pop
Samsung knows that a phone can be as much a fashion statement as it is a tech tool, and the Galaxy Z Flip7 delivers with a fresh palette of colourways. There’s something here for every personality, and when you pair it all with the variety of customisation options and a wide range of cases, you can truly make the Galaxy Z Flip7 your own. As I mentioned before, I’ve seen entire Instagram feeds dedicated to Galaxy Z Flip7 setups, and it’s easy to see why - between the colour choices and the personalisation features on the FlexWindow, this phone feels like an accessory as much as a gadget.
Why Good Design Matters
The Galaxy Z Flip7 isn’t just a pretty face - it’s proof that foldables can be sleek, durable, and practical. Samsung has struck a balance between form and function that makes this device as enjoyable to hold as it is to use.
Cameras: Compact Yet Capable
Don’t let the Galaxy Z Flip7’s sleek, pocket-friendly design fool you - this phone packs a more than capable camera system. Samsung has managed to deliver a photography experience that keeps up with other flagships, all while maintaining the unique flexibility that makes the Galaxy Z Flip series so appealing.
Versatile Shooting Modes
One of the Galaxy Z Flip7’s biggest strengths, and a personal favourite for me, is its Flex Mode, which lets you prop the phone up at various angles for hands-free selfies, video calls, or time-lapse shots. No tripod? No problem - the hinge does the job. This opens up creative possibilities for vloggers, content creators, and anyone who loves experimenting with angles.
The cover screen also doubles as a viewfinder, which means you can use the powerful rear cameras for selfies, a feature that I have been in love with for a while now on the Galaxy Z Fold7 as well. Selfies are much sharper, but my favourite has been vlogging, especially in ultra-wide.
Speaking of vlogging, if video is your medium, the Galaxy Z Flip7 won’t disappoint. It supports 4K recording at 60fps, offers smooth stabilisation, and handles a range of lighting conditions with ease. Combine that with the flexibility of Flex Mode, and you’ve got a pretty decent rig. Shooting from creative angles, like placing the phone on a table for a low shot or folding it halfway for a unique perspective, feels effortless.
Why This Camera Setup Stands Out
The Galaxy Z Flip7 proves that you don’t need a bulky device to get flagship-level photography. It’s compact, versatile, and packed with smart features that make shooting fun and intuitive. Whether you’re a casual snapper or a content creator, this camera system adapts to your needs - and then some.
A More Natural Inner Display
The inner display is where the Galaxy Z Flip7 truly shines - literally and figuratively. Much like with the Galaxy Z Fold7, Samsung has refined the experience a lot to ensure this phone feels less like a foldable compromise and more like a standard flagship. Every interaction on this screen feels fluid, immersive, and reassuringly premium.
Reduced Crease Visibility
As with the Galaxy Z Fold7, the Galaxy Z Flip7’s crease has been refined to the point where it’s barely noticeable in everyday use. When you’re looking straight at the display, it blends into the content, and even when viewed from an angle, it’s subtle enough that it doesn’t distract. Samsung has also improved the hinge and display feel, so swiping across the centre is smoother and less pronounced than before - a small detail that makes the whole experience feel more polished.
Brighter, Smoother, and More Immersive
The Galaxy Z Flip7’s inner display boasts an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which means everything from scrolling through social media feeds to gaming feels buttery smooth. Add to that improved peak brightness, and you’ve got a screen that holds its own even under harsh sunlight. HDR content also pops with vibrant colours and deep contrast, making this a fantastic device for streaming your favourite shows or editing photos on the go.
Why The Display Improvements Matter
The inner display is the heart of the foldable experience, and Samsung has made it natural, reliable, and premium. Once again, this phone isn’t about tolerating trade-offs for the sake of novelty - it’s about enjoying a screen that feels as good as any flagship slab phone, with the added magic of folding in half.
Samsung DeX: A Foldable That Works Like a PC
When you think of a foldable phone, the first things that come to mind are portability and style - but the Galaxy Z Flip7 proves it can also be a great productivity tool. One of the most exciting additions to this year’s Flip is Samsung DeX, a feature that transforms your phone into a desktop-like experience with just a cable or a wireless connection.
For years, DeX has been a favourite among productivity enthusiasts, but it was mostly associated with Samsung’s larger devices like the Galaxy S series or the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Bringing it to the Galaxy Z Flip7 is a bold move - and one that makes this compact foldable even more versatile.
What Makes DeX So Great?
Having the flexibility to use DeX with the Galaxy Z Flip7 is another way in which Samsung has ensured you don’t have to compromise when choosing this model. The idea here is that the Galaxy Z Flip7 is just like any other flagship Samsung phone, except it can fold in half too.
Plug the Galaxy Z Flip7 into a monitor or connect wirelessly, and suddenly you get a desktop-style interface, complete with resizable windows, drag-and-drop functionality, and multi-window multitasking. For a device that folds neatly into your pocket, that’s impressive.
This isn’t just a gimmick - it’s a feature that adds real value, especially for those who want to travel light. Whether you’re working from a café, a hotel room, or even an airport lounge, DeX gives you the flexibility to leave your laptop behind without feeling completely disconnected from a full computer experience.
Is it a full laptop replacement? Not quite - but that’s not the point. It’s about convenience and flexibility. For those moments when you need more screen real estate and a desktop-like interface, DeX delivers.
Why Every Flagship Should Have This
While I wouldn’t use DeX every day, I love knowing it’s there when I need it. It’s one of those features that feels futuristic yet practical - a safety net for productivity. And honestly, I look forward to the day when every flagship phone includes this capability, because why not? If your phone has the power it needs to be a part-time minicomputer, it should be able to provide when the situation calls for it.
Final Thoughts: Why the Galaxy Z Flip7 Stands Out
The Galaxy Z Flip7 isn’t just an incremental upgrade - it’s proof that foldables are ready for the mainstream. With a vastly improved cover screen, refined design, and loads of useful features, Samsung has made the Galaxy Z Flip7 stylish, practical, and genuinely fun to use.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to try a foldable, this is it. The Galaxy Z Flip7 delivers the flagship experience you’d expect, with the added magic of folding in half. It’s not just a conversation starter anymore - it’s a phone built for real life.
This article was created in a paid partnership with Samsung New Zealand.
