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The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is Samsung’s first try at making a extra reasonably priced flip telephone, following Motorola’s established playbook with its entry-level merchandise just like the Razr 2025.
Because the story goes, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is designed for price-conscious customers and affords a pared-down model of final yr’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 — and this yr’s flagship Galaxy Z Flip 7 — at a 30% saving.
This sounds interesting, besides the Galaxy Z Flip 6 remains to be broadly obtainable at a reduced value from lots of the identical reasonably priced retailers and carriers that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is destined for.
Regardless of this complicated market positioning, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a stable telephone that excels in a number of areas, however it lacks among the soul that makes flip telephones really feel particular. A lot of that is associated to the design, an space the place the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE struggles in opposition to its chief rival within the US.
It’s good if you would like a no-frills flip telephone, however if you would like a telephone that elicits emotion, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE falls quick. At a cheaper price than at launch, it may very well be a incredible deal, so long as the Flip 6 isn’t additionally discounted.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Value and availability
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE begins at $899.99 for the 128GB model, with the 256GB storage variant costing $60 extra. Nonetheless, on the time of writing, Samsung is presently nonetheless working its pre-order promotion, discounting the 256GB model to a cheaper price.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is accessible in simply two colours — Black and White. In contrast to the Flip 6, there are not any further coloration choices, nor any colours unique to Samsung’s direct gross sales channels like its on-line and bodily shops.
The premise of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is that it’s reasonably priced sufficient for MVNOs to supply it totally free, or near it. To date, Increase Cellular is the one one to take action, with the service providing as much as $899 off the handset value with a vast information plan from $65 per 30 days. The most effective half? There’s no trade-in requirement. As for the principle carriers, you received’t discover the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE there. As an alternative, these carriers are specializing in offering the finest Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Design & show
- The identical folder-like design because the Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Refined and polished in-hand expertise
- Lack of colours makes it really feel not very attention-grabbing
When you’ve tried a latest Samsung flip telephone, you’ll discover the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE immediately acquainted as it’s just about similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It is a polished folding telephone expertise, even when I discover the entrance display limiting (extra on that under).
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE has the identical weight and measurements because the Flip 6, however it’s thinner and lighter than the Razr 2025, which is wider, thicker, and heavier — but the textured end on the latter makes it extra snug to carry within the hand.
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The squared design is not probably the most pleasant within the hand, and it may be uncomfortable in sure positions to grip the telephone for a very long time. That mentioned, it’s a crucial design to allow the completely different flex modes. The hinge is incredible and lets you hold the telephone open throughout a broad vary of levels, and just like the Flip 6, there’s loads of nifty software program methods to optimize the expertise on this mode.
Unfolded, the principle show is identical 6.7-inch show discovered on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, full with a 120Hz refresh charge, HDR10+ help, and as much as 2,600 nits of peak brightness. Whereas the crease is extra pronounced than on the Flip 7, it’s nonetheless a wonderful all-around show.
The duvet show measures 3.4 inches with a folder-like design, a 60Hz refresh charge, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 safety. It’s the identical because the Flip 6, besides this yr’s mannequin is considerably brighter at 2,600 nits of peak brightness. Like most flip telephones, you can even use the duvet show as a viewfinder to take selfies utilizing the principle cameras. That mentioned, the bigger cowl show on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 makes the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE really feel dated.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE design is as robust because the Flip 6 final yr, however whereas utilizing the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, I’ve found that one thing is lacking. It is taken me weeks to pinpoint it: it is missing character.
A few of this is because of Samsung’s alternative of colours, or full lack of them. I feel Samsung utterly missed the mark right here; whereas the black and white coloration choices are commonplace, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE goes up in opposition to the Razr 2025, which is available in a number of colours, together with a stunning inexperienced colorway.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: {Hardware} and specs
- Principally-flagship specs sheet much like the Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Notable modifications in processor from Qualcomm to last-gen Exynos 2400
- Solely 8GB of RAM limits its capabilities
Inside the brand new Galaxy telephones
Very like the design, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE has just about similar specs to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, apart from one key bundle: the processor and RAM.
Whereas Qualcomm has powered nearly all of Samsung’s foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE ditches Qualcomm in favor of Samsung’s personal Exynos 2400 processor. Samsung is utilizing the identical 4nm fab course of used to create the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 within the Flip 6, however that was Qualcomm’s flagship processor on the time, and the Exynos is a step under.
In each day utilization, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE’s efficiency is usually acceptable, however there is a noticeable lag in comparison with the finest Android telephones at this value. The RAM may trigger this, as Samsung has paired this processor with simply 8GB of RAM, a notable downgrade from the 12GB used within the Flip 6.
| Class | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE |
|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 2400 |
| Show | Predominant show: Cowl Show: |
| OS | Android 16 |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Safety | Facet-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh Li-Ion |
| Charging | 25W wired |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: Folded: |
| Weight | 187 grams |
Look past the processor, and you will largely get a flagship telephone with almost similar specs to final yr’s flagship.
So long as you do not want the best possible efficiency, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE delivers a stable expertise. Sure, it does wrestle beneath heavy load, however no extra so than the Razr 2025, so that is most likely to be anticipated on this low cost flip telephone class.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Cameras
- A incredible all-around digital camera
- Class-leading digital camera efficiency
- Some stutter brought on by Exynos
One space the place the lag is especially pronounced is within the digital camera, with some images going through noticeable delays in capturing the picture after you press the shutter button. This has led to some blurry footage and frustration in direction of the telephone, however apart from this, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE digital camera truly stands out as being among the many finest on a flip telephone.
It options the identical triple digital camera array because the Flip 6, that means it nonetheless boasts a flagship digital camera. The digital camera is considerably higher than the Razr 2025, and simply as succesful because the flagship Galaxy Z Flip 7.
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Like many telephones, the 50MP foremost digital camera additionally affords 2x in-sensor cropping, in addition to 4x and 10x presets. The latter may be very succesful and outperforms Motorola’s base folding telephone. Sure, it’s not as succesful because the Galaxy S25 Extremely or flip telephones just like the Huawei Pura X, however it’s extra succesful than the same dual-camera array on the ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge.
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Given the digital camera specs are similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, it’s no shock that the Flip 7 FE digital camera offers primarily the identical in real-world efficiency as properly. Sure, the previous is quicker at processing and the latter typically struggles when capturing a number of images briefly succession, however in any other case, it’s primarily the identical digital camera expertise.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Battery and charging
- Close to similar battery life to the Galaxy Z Flip 6
- The 25W charging velocity is under common
- Battery is notably smaller than the Razr 2025
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE additionally options the identical battery and charging specs because the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and unsurprisingly, it has just about similar battery life as properly. Which means the 4,000 mAh battery delivers the identical 4 to 6 hours of display time on a full cost as earlier years, though general longevity has improved barely to round 27 hours.
These specs are fairly commonplace amongst Samsung flip telephones, however it’s not fairly as simple: the Razr 2025 prices $100 much less and has a much bigger 4,500 mAh battery with 30W charging. It really works out to be barely slower than the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, however so far as longevity goes, the Razr 2025 lasts significantly longer.
That’s to not say the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE’s battery life is unhealthy; moderately, it may very well be considerably improved. The battery ought to supply a full day’s utilization for a lot of prospects, however if you’re a heavy person, you could must cost it earlier than the tip of the day.
The 25W charging is barely quicker general than the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Flip 7. A 15-minute cost boosts the battery to 30%, whereas a 30-minute cost boosts it to 53%, a rise of 4% and seven%, respectively, over the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Nonetheless, it’s round 10% slower than the 30W charging on the Razr 2025. Complete cost time on the Flip 7 FE is 1 hour and half-hour, eight minutes quicker than the Flip 6, however over half an hour slower than the Razr 2025.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Software program
- Glorious expertise when you unfold the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
- An especially limiting Cowl Display screen expertise
In contrast to Motorola, which has adopted an method that treats the duvet show like a small telephone, Samsung has opted to construct a extra curated expertise with optimized widgets and panels. For some customers, that is greater than acceptable, however should you’re used to the Razr expertise, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE will probably depart you wanting.
That mentioned, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE advantages from the identical enhancements to Good Lock because the Flip 7, particularly that Samsung has considerably decreased the variety of steps wanted to allow any app to run on the Cowl Show.
Regardless of this, it’s nonetheless extra convoluted than Motorola’s method, and whereas it’s good to see Samsung iterate and enhance this expertise annually, there are nonetheless a number of enhancements that I’d prefer to see.
When you’re questioning why somebody would purchase the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE over the Razr 2025, the software program may but show to be a key purpose, as we now have discovered many causes to get pleasure from utilizing One UI 8 because the beta first landed earlier this yr. Motorola has backed its folding telephone with three years of software program updates and 4 years of safety updates, however the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is supported by seven years of each updates. This implies it’ll final significantly longer than Motorola’s base folding telephone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: competitors
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE poses a conundrum for Samsung and carriers. On one hand, it affords one of the best of the Galaxy Z Flip 6; on the opposite, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 remains to be broadly obtainable, options the identical specs, higher coloration selections, and is often obtainable for cheaper. If the costs are similar, select the Galaxy Z Flip 6 for its colours.
Nonetheless, it is also wroth contemplating the Moto Razr 2025. That is one among my favourite telephones proper now as Motorola’s method to the Cowl Display screen is considerably higher than Samsung, with the flexibility to run any app, a bunch of optimized panels inclduing video games, and a number of other methods to reap the benefits of the shape issue.
The Razr 2025 is $100 cheaper and obtainable from all main carriers; it additionally is available in vibrant colours and has higher battery and charging. The important thing downsides? Efficiency and digital camera aren’t pretty much as good as Samsung, and Motorola’s software program dedication of three main updates is lower than half Samsung’s dedication of seven.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You need a no-frills reasonably priced flip telephone
- You need one of the best flip telephone digital camera
- You care about how lengthy your telephone will likely be supported
You shouldn’t purchase this if…
- You need one of the best battery life
- You need a full-featured Cowl Show
- You will get the Flip 6 for a similar or related value
Flip telephones are supposed to elicit a sense, however the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is distinct in simply how detached I really feel in direction of it. The dearth of colours and dated entrance show design detracts significantly from what’s finally a stable flip telephone.
On one hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a good alternative if you would like a no-frills, extra reasonably priced folding telephone, or if the digital camera is equally as necessary because the price range. Plus, at $300 decrease than the Flip 7, it’s a compelling providing. Nonetheless, it’s not as convincing when you think about the alternate options, such because the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or Razr 2025.
Total, whereas the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a reasonably complicated product, it’s a stable telephone by itself however hampered by final yr’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the wonderful Galaxy Z Flip 7. In opposition to the rising competitors, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE struggles to face out though it’s a great, if unspectacular, folding telephone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
A less expensive flip telephone
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE takes one of the best of the Flip 6 and brings a brand new chip and comes at a less expensive launch value. If the dearer Z Flip 7 is not for you, this may very well be the choice.
