Samsung Unveils Thinner Foldable Phones to Compete with Chinese Rivals, Targets AI-Powered Smartphones.

Samsung Electronics has unveiled thinner, lighter foldable phones to compete with Chinese rivals and fend off Apple's dominance in the premium segment. The new models, Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7, address bulkiness issues but high prices and niche market demand are expected to remain challenges. Samsung aims to lead the AI-powered smartphone market and enhance cooperation with external partners like Google.

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest generation of foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, in an effort to compete with Chinese rivals and fend off Apple's dominance in the premium segment. The new devices, announced on July 9, 2025, aim to address the bulkiness issues that have traditionally plagued foldable phones, while also positioning Samsung as a leader in the AI-powered smartphone market [1].

The Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung's thinnest and lightest foldable to date, measures just 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, with a weight of 215 grams. This represents a significant reduction from the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which was thicker and heavier. The device features a 6.5-inch cover screen with a new 21:9 aspect ratio and an 8-inch main display, an 11% increase over the previous generation [1]. Under the hood, the Fold 7 is powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, promising enhanced CPU, GPU, and NPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Fold 6 [1].

One notable feature of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the absence of S-Pen support, a decision that may disappoint power users. Samsung has traded the digitizer layer necessary for S Pen input in favor of a thinner foldable experience [1]. This move is likely to be a point of contention for longtime fans of the feature.

Conversely, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 focuses on enhancing the clamshell experience with a larger, more functional "FlexWindow." The cover display now spans 4.1 inches from edge-to-edge, a significant increase from the 3.4-inch screen on the Flip 6. The Flip 7 is also Samsung's slimmest Flip yet, at 13.7mm folded, and features a larger 4,300mAh battery, up from the 4,000mAh in its predecessor [1].

Samsung is also expanding its foldable lineup with the introduction of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, an entry-level option positioned to make the foldable experience more accessible. The Flip 7 FE features a 6.7-inch main display and a 50MP "FlexCam," with more modest specifications including a 4,000mAh battery and options for 128GB or 256GB of storage [1].

A cornerstone of this year's lineup is the deep integration of Google's Gemini AI. Both the Flip 7 and Fold 7 feature One UI 8, based on Android 16, which is designed to be context-aware and responsive. "Gemini Live" is now available directly on the Flip 7's FlexWindow, enabling hands-free voice commands for tasks like checking flight details or finding restaurants [1].

The new devices are expected to be priced at $2000 for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, $1099.99 for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and $899.99 for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE [2]. While the thinner design and advanced AI features may help reignite interest in foldables, the high prices and niche market demand are expected to remain challenges. Samsung is manufacturing its new foldables domestically in India, aiming to expand its market share in the premium smartphone segment in key markets like India [2].

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/gadgets/samsung-unveils-thinner-foldables-with-galaxy-z-flip-7-and-fold-7-but-ditches-s-pen-on-fold-7/article69791836.ece
[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-foldable-phone-10115526/lite/