There are many things to love about Samsung’s foldable Flip smartphone. It gives you the best of both worlds: a large 6.4-inch screen that can fold up small enough to tuck into a pocket. And it looks good too.
But that comes with sacrifices. You don’t get the high-powered cameras and zoom of the flagship S series, for example. There is the crease across the middle of the screen that may or may not drive you to distraction, and the lower durability to take into account.
So does the Galaxy Z Flip 7 solve any of those issues? Or at least make enough progress that makes it worth the trade-off?
Hardware wise, there is little to choose between this and last year’s Flip phone, at least at first glance. The Z Flip 7 looks largely the same, although you get some extra space on the outer display, stretching to the full length and width of it, and a fraction of extra screen on the inner one.
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But there are some other differences. The cover display now has the option for 120Hz refresh rate, rather than being stuck with 60Hz, and it gets a resolution bump too, so it is noticeably better and brighter than the Flip 6.
That comes in handy when you want to add more apps to the cover screen, outside the default options of Maps, Messages and YouTube. Download MultiStar (via Samsung’s Labs feature) when prompted and you can use your favourite apps on the outer screen. Do I really need access to Instagram on the smaller display? Not really, but it is nice to have the option.
The battery in the Flip 7 is bigger too, at 4300 mAh, giving you a little more power when you need it most. It isn’t noticeably better – you don’t get an extra day out of it, for example – but it did make me relax a bit more about charging. That is good, because the devices are still not quite a fast at charging as some of the more traditional-format smartphones.
[ Samsung Z Fold 7 smartphone review: A leap forwardOpens in new window ]
While the cameras are essentially the same resolution, at 50 megapixels for the wide lens, 12MP for the ultra wide and 10 for the selfie camera, the images produced by the Flip 7 seem sharper and more detailed than its predecessor. It also has some good video capabilities but if you want top-tier cameras, the foldable phones are not for you.
One change that is dividing opinion is the move from the Snapdragon 8 series for the Flip 6 to the Exynos2500. The former is an octacore chip; the newest version of the Flip is a decacore offering. For most people, this won’t make a difference. The Flip 7 did everything I asked of it quickly and smoothly, although some benchmark tests may show up the differences.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI is contributing a lot to the “wow” factor of the new devices. But not everyone is keen on the features, and others, such as the Now Bar, initially felt useful for me but quickly got ignored. Other features – circle to search, live translate, summarising web pages – are more useful.
Overall, Samsung has done well with the Flip 7. But it feels more like small refinements than a big overhaul. That is where most smartphones land these days, so Samsung isn’t alone here.
Good
Samsung knows what works for the Flip, and it has stuck to the playbook: compact phone, big inner screen and a decent camera. Add in the AI tools that Samsung has been working on for the past few years, known as Galaxy AI, and the Flip 7 is a solid entry into its portfolio.
The camera is improved, and the extra screen space on the front display is useful. Stick to the essentials and you will be fine.
Bad
Very little has changed in terms of look and feel; the Flip sticks to the tested formula, which may disappoint those looking for more innovation. The Fold 7 had a much bigger update in terms of design, so it is hard to see the value in upgrading from one of the more recent Flip devices.
Everything else
Battery life is a little better, but not noticeable enough to make an impact. The switch to the Exynos processor won’t be popular with everyone, but most people will barely notice the difference.
Verdict
If you haven’t made the leap to a Flip and are considering it, this is the best phone you can get right now. But it won’t be long before Samsung’s rivals are snapping at its heels again.
