Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Review: Style Over Substance for AV Fans?

Flip phones are back, but the nostalgia ends at the clamshell design. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, landing six years after Samsung’s foldable debut, promises a mature fusion of retro charm and cutting-edge tech. Boasting a sleek build, upgraded durability, and a cinematic 21:9 display perfect for movies, it aims to be your ultimate pocketable entertainment hub. But does this stylish foldable deliver a five-star audiovisual experience worthy of its premium price tag?

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Key Features Explored

Priced starting at £1049 / $1100 / AU$1799, the Z Flip 7 sits firmly in the premium smartphone segment. Its standout feature is the foldable clamshell design, closing to a compact form with a useful 4.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen for quick interactions and media control – a nostalgic nod to portable music players of old. Unfolded, it reveals a spacious 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display. Crucially for movie lovers, this inner screen boasts a 21:9 aspect ratio, eliminating black bars for cinematic content.

Samsung has made significant strides in durability. The device features an Aluminium Armour frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, and a new Armour FlexHinge designed for smoother operation and a tighter seal. The once-noticeable screen crease is now barely perceptible. Under the hood, it’s powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chipset with 12GB RAM and offers 256GB or 512GB storage options. The Galaxy AI suite is fully integrated, offering features like Circle to Search and Live Translation, backed by a promised seven years of software updates. The camera system includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP front camera, leveraging the cover screen for high-quality selfies using the main lenses. A 4300mAh battery, the largest yet in a Z Flip, promises all-day endurance.

Audiovisual Performance: Picture and Sound Tested

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

The Z Flip 7’s 21:9 main display is theoretically ideal for movies. Testing content like Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning on Netflix revealed a crisp, detailed image with good depth. The OLED panel delivers convincing blacks, and shadow detail in films like Blade Runner 2049 is respectable. Users can choose between Vivid and Natural colour presets, with Natural offering greater accuracy. Motion handling is generally smooth.

However, the display faces challenges. Despite a peak brightness rating matching the Galaxy S25 Ultra (2600 nits), real-world testing showed it to be noticeably dimmer, reducing overall picture impact. The 1080p resolution (397 ppi), while sharp enough for most, falls short of the higher resolutions found on rivals like the iPhone 16 Pro or S25 Ultra. Watching 16:9 content introduces significant black pillar bars. Crucially, when compared directly, the Z Flip 7’s picture lacks the richness, warmer tone, and superior contrast of the Award-winning iPhone 16, according to What Hi-Fi? testing.

Sound performance through headphones is competent. Tidal playback delivers crisp detail, natural vocals, and decent instrument separation. Enabling Dolby Atmos creates a wider soundstage but slightly blurs focus. Dynamics are surprisingly better than the S25 Ultra at higher volumes. Yet again, the iPhone 16 sets a higher bar, offering richer, more textured, natural, and ultimately more emotive audio reproduction.

Final Verdict: A Fashionable Foldable with AV Compromises

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 represents a significant maturation of the foldable format. Its stylish, pocketable design, vastly improved durability, clever cover screen utility, and genuinely useful 21:9 cinematic display make it a conversation-starting device with genuine appeal. For users prioritizing portability and novelty alongside solid everyday features and Samsung’s robust AI and update commitment, it’s a compelling choice.

However, for discerning audiovisual enthusiasts seeking the absolute best picture and sound from a smartphone, the Z Flip 7 falls short of the mark. Its dimmer-than-expected display and competent-but-unexceptional sound quality mean it can’t match the sheer AV prowess of top-tier, non-folding rivals like the iPhone 16 Pro or even Samsung’s own S25 Ultra. While the foldable form offers unique advantages, pure performance takes a backseat to style. If AV excellence is your primary goal, traditional flagship smartphones remain the safer, more impressive bet.

Must Know

1. Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 durable enough for everyday use?
   Samsung has significantly boosted durability with the Z Flip 7. It features an Aluminium Armour frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and a new Armour FlexHinge designed for greater resilience and a tighter seal when closed. The screen crease is also much less noticeable than on earlier foldables. While inherently more delicate than slab phones, it’s built to withstand regular use.
2. How good is the battery life on the Galaxy Z Flip 7?
   The Z Flip 7 packs a 4300mAh battery, the largest ever in a Z Flip model. Samsung claims up to 31 hours of video playback. In real-world testing by What Hi-Fi?, it reliably lasted a full day with moderate to heavy use, including streaming music and video, making it practical for daily use.
3. Can you use the main cameras for selfies on the Z Flip 7?
   Yes, this is a major advantage! You can use the high-quality 50MP main camera or 12MP ultrawide camera for selfies by using the 4.1-inch cover screen as a viewfinder. This results in significantly better selfie quality compared to using the lower-resolution 10MP front camera alone.
4. Is the 21:9 screen on the Z Flip 7 good for movies?
   The 21:9 aspect ratio is excellent for watching cinematic content, as it eliminates the black letterbox bars common on standard 16:9 or taller phones. This provides a large, immersive view for films. However, watching standard 16:9 TV shows or videos results in black bars on the sides.
5. Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 worth the price compared to regular flagships?
   The Z Flip 7 commands a premium price (£1049/$1100 starting) for its foldable technology and unique design. While it offers solid performance and features, What Hi-Fi? testing found its picture and sound quality, while good, don’t quite match the best non-folding flagships like the iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung S25 Ultra at similar or lower price points. Value depends on how much you prioritize the foldable form factor over peak AV performance.
6. Does the Galaxy Z Flip 7 support HDR and Dolby Atmos?
   Yes, the main display supports HDR10+, which is widely used by major streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. The phone also supports Dolby Atmos audio via its stereo speakers (using the earpiece and a bottom-firing speaker) and through compatible wired or wireless headphones.