The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 merges aspects from both the past and the future, infused with a hint of acquired technology and a blue tint. The Blue Shadow colorway is the most recognizable, yet the highlight is the newly introduced, much larger cover screen. Measuring 4.1 inches, it’s the largest external display found on a flip phone to date.

The “acquired” component is the Exynos processor housed within. While earlier international versions of the Galaxy Z Flips employed Exynos, U.S. models generally opted for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors, which are usually favored. There’s optimism that Samsung will switch back to Snapdragon in upcoming versions.

Regarding the “something old,” one ongoing challenge is how applications are presented on the external display, which Samsung designates as the Cover Screen. Even with enhancements, it’s not significantly improved compared to the Galaxy Z Flip6. Samsung’s hesitance to fully leverage this display is aggravating, though it doesn’t spoil the overall experience of the phone.

Following Samsung’s unveiling of the Z Flip 7 alongside its sleek counterpart, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I took the Flip 7 to St. Louis for a five-day assessment.

The most significant enhancement of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is its expansive Cover Screen, a direct response to consumer needs. Earlier models featured larger displays but included clunky notches for cameras. Activating applications on this screen involves a 13-step process, which might discourage less tech-inclined users.

The 4.1-inch AMOLED screen is vibrant, achieving 2,600 nits of peak brightness and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Although not every app works with the Cover Screen, a substantial number do. After initial setup, incorporating apps is relatively easy, even if Samsung appears to deter this by necessitating extra steps.

Samsung’s hesitation to fully back applications on the Cover Screen is clear, requiring access to the Labs section and installation of a separate app from the Galaxy store. The Flex display enforces the use of Samsung’s keyboard, which doesn’t support voice typing, irrespective of the default keyboard. Having to open the device for basic setup is inconvenient.

Despite these obstacles, the Cover Screen impresses. Most applications function effectively, and the display reaches the edges of the phone.

The hardware is sturdy, featuring an armor aluminum shell and a re-engineered hinge for a sleeker appearance. The phone’s squared design makes one-handed opening tricky, yet the closing “Thwap” is gratifying. The buttons lack pronounced elevation, making them hard to find without visual confirmation. The 6.9-inch AMOLED main screen is larger than earlier versions, with a reduced crease.

Equipped with a 4,300 mAh battery, the phone is capable of lasting throughout the day, especially with regular Cover Screen usage. It tends to generate heat, likely due to external temperatures rather than the device itself.

The internal software mirrors that of other Samsung devices, with OneUI 8.0 built atop Android 16. OneUI 8 introduces 90:10 multitasking, enabling two applications to function simultaneously with customizable screen space. Flex Mode, engaged by partially folding the phone, enhances the foldable design by converting the lower part into a control panel within supported apps.

Samsung Dex, available on the Flip7, turns the phone into a computing unit when connected to a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, providing a Windows-like interface. This feature proves especially beneficial for productivity while on the move.

The Flip 7 features AI capabilities present in other Samsung devices, including camera enhancements and AI photo editing. Significant advancements include Gemini on the Flex screen, allowing multimodal abilities with the external camera. At the St. Louis Zoo, Gemini Live accurately recognized creatures, though it was excessively talkative.

The Exynos 2500 processor, manufactured on a 3nm process, powers the Flip 7. Unlike its predecessors, all Flip 7 models utilize Exynos processors. Although Snapdragon processors often outperform Exynos, the Flip 7’s performance is satisfactory, with minor lag observed in camera software and Dex.

Battery life is impressive, lasting all day even with heavy usage. The device isn’t designed for multi-day use but operates effectively with the Cover Screen.

The camera system consists of a 50MP main camera with 2x zoom, a 10MP main screen camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The 10MP selfie camera is less practical due to the Cover Screen’s preview window. The hinge allows for innovative photography, functioning as a tripod for selfies and a grip for video recording.

Photo quality varies with lighting, delivering excellent performance in bright conditions and mixed results in low-light situations. The camera software permits up to 10x zoom, but quality declines after 4x. Grain is apparent in low-light images, and video quality is less forgiving.

In summary, the camera setup performs well in bright light but faces challenges in darker settings.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is an enjoyable, foldable smartphone with an appealing design. Retailing at $1,099, it is more affordable.