Samsung has officially unveiled its latest clamshell-style foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, during its summer Unpacked event. This new device comes with significant enhancements, including an edge-to-edge cover screen that elevates the user experience. Alongside the Flip 7, Samsung introduced a more budget-friendly alternative: the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. This model retains the classic file-folder-shaped cutout for its cover screen, catering to users looking for affordability without compromising on quality.
The Z Flip 7 FE marks Samsung's first entry into the foldable market under its “Fan Edition” line, designed to provide affordable alternatives to its flagship Galaxy devices. Priced at $899, it competes with the likes of Motorola's Razr, which starts at $699, but is still significantly cheaper than the Flip 7's cost of $1,099. This makes it an appealing option for consumers seeking a high-quality foldable smartphone at a lower price point.
Both the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Flip 7 FE are available for preorder in the United States starting today, with general availability set to begin on July 25th. Customers can choose from a variety of color options for the Flip 7, including black, blue, red, and green. However, the Flip 7 FE is limited to black and white color choices.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE closely resembles its predecessor, the Flip 6, featuring a 3.4-inch cover screen with a 720p resolution and a 6.7-inch internal display. The camera setup includes a 10MP front camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a robust 50MP wide-angle camera, ensuring impressive photography capabilities. The device is powered by a 4,000mAh battery, with options for either 256GB or 512GB of storage.
However, there are noteworthy trade-offs with the Flip 7 FE. Unlike the Flip 6, which boasted 12GB of RAM, the FE model comes with 8GB of RAM and is equipped with the slower Exynos 2400 chipset, as opposed to the advanced 4 nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in the Flip 7.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 introduces several upgrades over its predecessor. It showcases an almost borderless 4.1-inch AMOLED cover display that elegantly wraps around the camera. The internal display measures slightly larger at 6.9 inches and, like the cover display, supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 2,600 nits of peak brightness. In contrast, the previous generation's cover screen was limited to 60Hz and 1,600 nits.
Additionally, the Z Flip 7 supports Samsung’s DeX desktop mode and comes equipped with a larger 4,300mAh battery, all while maintaining a slimmer profile, measuring 13.7mm in thickness when folded. Most other features remain consistent with the previous generation, ensuring that users benefit from both innovation and familiarity in this latest foldable device.
In conclusion, Samsung's latest offerings in the foldable smartphone market, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Flip 7 FE, provide consumers with exciting options that blend advanced technology and affordability, catering to a wide range of user needs and preferences.