Galaxy Fold 7's enhanced portability delivers better hands-on experience
A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 device is tested during Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday (local time). Korea Times photo by Nam Hyun-woo
NEW YORK — The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 foldable smartphone concentrates on enhancing the user experience with slimmer, lighter designs, shifting the focus of smartphone competition back to form and feel.
When tested during Samsung’s Unpacked event in Brooklyn, Wednesday, the Fold 7 felt significantly less bulky and heavy compared to previous foldable smartphones, reducing strain noticeably on the wrist and fingers, as well as discomfort from carrying the phone in a pocket.
The Fold 7 has undergone a highly noticeable reduction in both weight and thickness. It now weighs 215 grams, 24 grams lighter than the previous Galaxy Z Fold 6 and 3 grams lighter than Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The 24-gram reduction makes a significant difference in actual use. This reporter typically holds the phone with three fingers supporting the back and the pinky finger bearing the weight at the bottom, and usually feels pain in the pinky as a consequence of using the smartphone for nearly eight hours a day in such an ergonomically bad posture. Compared to the S25 Ultra or the Fold 6, the Fold 7 puts far less pressure on the pinky, making it noticeably more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 device is tried out at Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday (local time). Korea Times photo by Nam Hyun-woo
When folded, the Fold 7 is now just 8.9 millimeters thick, down from 12.11 millimeters in the previous model, to compete with the bar-type Galaxy S25 Ultra's 8.2 millimeters. This proves especially handy in hot weather, when people go without a jacket and end up slipping the phone into a pants pocket.
However, the overall weight and thickness reduction makes the camera island stick out more noticeably. When unfolded and placed on a table, the phone feels wobbly and harder to keep steady.
A comparison between Galaxy Z Fold 7, right, and Galaxy Z Fold 6 at Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday (local time) / Korea Times photo by Nam Hyun-woo
During testing, this reporter had the chance to try Gemini Live, a new multimodal artificial intelligence assistant. By sharing the screen or camera, the user can show Gemini what is happening on their screen or in the real world, and ask questions to receive instant insights.
The new One UI 8 also maximizes the strength of the foldable display. The user interface combines large-screen multitasking seamlessly with tools that understand user preferences.
The slimming trend extended beyond the Fold 7 to the Galaxy Watch 8, which was unveiled at the same event. The new Watch 8 series features a thinner and more minimal design, and mesaures 8.6 millimeters thick, 11 percent slimmer than its predecessor.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 44-millimeter model / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
The slimmer profile translated to a more comfortable wearing experience during testing. The thinner design allowed the watch to sit closer against the wrist, and the newly introduced Dynamic Lug System concealed the lugs, creating a sleeker look.
The Watch 8 also became the first smartwatch to introduce an antioxidant index feature, allowing users to measure their carotenoid levels in just 5 seconds. This enables users to clearly see how changes in their diet or lifestyle affect their body, offering motivation to build healthier habits.
A Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is tested at Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday (local time). Korea Times photo by Nam Hyun-woo