Samsung's New Galaxy Z Fold 7 versus Previous Galaxy Z Fold 5: Significant Advancements Compared
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the latest addition to Samsung's line of foldable smartphones, boasts a series of improvements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Design
The Z Fold 7 stands out with its slimmer and lighter design. Compared to the Fold 5, it is 8.9mm thin and weighs just 215g, making it more comfortable to hold and use folded [1][5]. The device also features a refined, stronger, and lighter aluminum hinge that is slimmer and about 10% stronger, enhancing durability [4].
The Z Fold 7 offers a slightly wider cover screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio, compared to the Fold 5’s narrower 23.1:9 screen ratio [1]. The internal display is also larger and has thinner bezels with a shallower crease on the fold [1].
Display
The Fold 7 sports a larger main internal screen at 8.0–8.1 inches with better peak brightness (~2600 nits vs. 1750 nits) for vivid viewing in bright conditions [1][2][5]. Both screens maintain a 120Hz refresh rate but the Fold 7’s display is noted for better color accuracy and brighter HDR performance [2].
Hardware
Under the hood, the Z Fold 7 uses the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chip (3nm) vs. the Fold 5’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), delivering roughly 38% faster CPU, 26% faster GPU, and 41% better AI processing for multitasking and gaming [1][5]. RAM configurations remain similar, with 12GB RAM standard and 16GB RAM available on higher storage models [1][3].
Battery capacity remains the same at 4,400mAh, with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, though charging speeds are still considered modest for 2025 [1][3]. Connectivity is upgraded with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 vs. the Fold 5’s Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support [3].
Camera Improvements
The Fold 7 dramatically upgrades the main rear camera from 50MP to 200MP, enabling much higher detail and cropping flexibility [1][2][4][5]. The ultrawide camera gains autofocus, allowing detailed macro shots, a notable enhancement over the Fold 5's fixed focus 12MP ultrawide [2][4]. The telephoto camera remains 10MP, but overall camera performance is improved with better AI processing and image balance [1][4]. Selfie cameras are upgraded on the internal display from 4MP to 10MP, maintaining 10MP on the cover display [1].
Overall, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 presents a more refined, lighter, and stronger design with larger, brighter displays, a much more powerful chipset, and major camera enhancements that bring it closer to flagship photography levels compared to the Z Fold 5 [1][2][4][5]. However, some compromises remain like the continued lack of S Pen support and modest charging speeds for a premium foldable device [1][3].
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is available for pre-order starting now and will hit wider availability later this month, starting at $1,999 for the 256GB model, with optional 512GB and 1TB configurations available.
[1] Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Everything You Need to Know - TechRadar (https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-everything-you-need-to-know)
[2] Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review - CNET (https://www.cnet.com/mobile/reviews/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-review/)
[3] Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Galaxy Z Fold 5: What's the Difference? - Android Central (https://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-vs-galaxy-z-fold-5-whats-difference)
[4] Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Galaxy Z Fold 5: What's the Difference? - Phone Arena (https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Fold-7-vs-Galaxy-Z-Fold-5_id133929)
[5] Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Galaxy Z Fold 5: What's the Difference? - Tom's Guide (https://www.tomsguide.com/us/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-vs-galaxy-z-fold-5,review-63309.html)
- The Z Fold 7, a smartphone that boasts improvements over the Fold 5, offers a series of cutting-edge gadgets including a slimmer design, a larger internal screen, a 200MP main rear camera, and a newer chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite).
- By featuring a refined aluminum hinge, a wider cover screen, a more powerful processor, and other significant enhancements, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 showcases the latest advances in technology, setting a new standard for premium foldable smartphones.
