Foldable phones are finally hitting a point where they don’t feel like prototypes anymore, but the question of whether they actually fit into your daily life remains. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a $1,900 (€1,420 in Ireland) tablet that folds into a phone, yet early reviews suggest it carries some serious compromises in battery, camera, and basic ergonomics.
Display: 7.6-inch main, 6.2-inch cover (estimated) · Battery: 4400 mAh · Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy · S Pen support: Yes (separate case) · Starting price (Europe): €1420 · Weight: Under 240 g (rumored)
Quick snapshot
- Official Samsung listing confirmed for 2025 (Samsung official product page)
- 4400 mAh battery and 25W capped charging (Droid Life)
- Exact weight and thickness not confirmed by Samsung
- Irish carrier pricing not yet published by Three, Eir, or Vodafone
- Irish carrier deals (Three, Eir, Vodafone) expected to surface ahead of launch
- Unboxing and long-term reviews will clarify battery and camera performance
| Spec | Z Fold 7 |
|---|---|
| Announced | 2025 |
| Main display | 7.6-inch AMOLED 120Hz |
| Cover display | 6.2 inches (estimated) |
| Battery | 4400 mAh |
| Weight | Under 240 g (rumored) |
| S Pen support | Reportedly removed |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Starting price (Europe) | ~€1420 |
Upsides
- Large 7.6-inch multitasking screen
- Improved hinge durability over earlier models
- Galaxy AI features baked in
Downsides
- High price – nearly double the Z Flip 7
- Camera quality trails the Galaxy S series
- Inner screen crease still visible; fragile
- Battery degrades faster than expected
Is there going to be a Samsung Fold 7?
Official confirmation from Samsung
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is real and has been officially confirmed. Product pages on Samsung’s own website (official manufacturer storefront) list the device, alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 7, as a 2025 model. This is not a rumor or leak — Samsung has published it.
Expected release timeline
Based on Samsung’s historical launch cadence and the product page being live in mid-2025, expect a formal launch event in the second half of 2025, with Irish availability following closely. Android Faithful (tech analysis outlet) confirms the device is already being reviewed by media.
The catch: Even with official confirmation, actual street dates for Ireland — especially through carriers like Three, Eir, and Vodafone — remain unconfirmed.
How much will the Z Fold 7 cost?
Samsung official pricing
Official list price from Samsung Ireland sits around €1,420, based on comparative data published by Ceno.lv (price comparison aggregator). That puts it above the Z Flip 7 by several hundred euros and into true premium territory.
Carrier and retailer deals in Ireland
Irish buyers will likely see the Z Fold 7 on bill-pay plans from Three Ireland, Eir, and Vodafone. At the time of writing, specific pricing from these carriers has not been published. However, if past Fold launches are a guide, expect €60-€100 per month on a 24-month contract with upfront handset costs.
The trade-off: At full retail price in Europe, the Z Fold 7 costs about the same as a high-end laptop and roughly 1.5x the price of a Galaxy S25 Ultra. You are paying for the folding mechanism + Galaxy AI, not raw hardware value.
What are the disadvantages of Z Fold 7?
Durability concerns
- Inner screen is more fragile than a standard glass slab — reviewers note it can scratch and dent
- Opening the device is reportedly more difficult than on previous models
- No S Pen support out of the box — Samsung has reportedly removed it
These issues are flagged by multiple reviewers, including Droid Life (tech review outlet) and a hands-on reviewer on YouTube.
Camera compared to slab flagships
- No periscope zoom — zoom shots reportedly look soft and inconsistent (Android Faithful)
- The camera bump causes wobble when the phone is placed flat on a desk
- Camera quality trails the Galaxy S series by a clear margin
Thickness and weight
- Reviewers describe the Fold 7 as feeling more like a folding tablet than a phone, even with its wider cover screen
- Wobbles on flat surfaces due to uneven camera bump weight distribution
S Pen compatibility limitations
- S Pen support now reportedly removed — a step backwards from the Fold 6
Battery and charging
- 4400 mAh battery is small for a device with two displays
- Battery life reportedly declines noticeably over time, making users think about charging more often (Long-term reviewer on YouTube)
- Charging speed capped at 25W wired, 15W wireless
Irish buyers expecting a true flagship phone get a folding tablet with a 2022-era charging speed and a battery that degrades faster than the price would suggest. The Fold 7 asks you to pay a premium for innovation but skimps on the fundamentals like battery, camera, and charging.
The implication: the Fold 7’s battery, charging, and camera limitations make it a device for multitasking enthusiasts, not all-day users.
Is the Z Fold 7 better than the Z Flip 7?
Screen size and multitasking
The Z Fold 7 opens to a 7.6-inch AMOLED main display vs the Z Flip 7’s 6.7-inch panel. That difference matters if you often run multiple apps side by side or read documents. The Fold 7 is a genuine mini-tablet; the Flip 7 is a regular phone that folds in half.
Portability comparison
- Z Fold 7 is heavier and thicker than the Flip 7 despite rumors of weight reduction under 240g
- Z Flip 7 is far more pocketable and one-hand friendly
- The Fold 7’s cover screen is wider this year but still narrow compared to a standard slab phone
Price difference
In Europe, the Z Fold 7 costs nearly double the Z Flip 7’s expected price. For most users in Ireland, the Flip 7 offers 80% of the foldable experience at half the price.
What this means: If you prioritize portability and value, the Z Flip 7 wins. If you genuinely use a tablet daily and want to combine that into one device, the Fold 7 makes sense — but only if you are willing to compromise on camera and weight.
Here’s how the two foldables compare side by side:
| Feature | Z Fold 7 | Z Flip 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Main display | 7.6-inch AMOLED 120Hz | 6.7-inch AMOLED 120Hz |
| Cover display | 6.2-inch | 3.4-inch (estimated) |
| Battery | 4400 mAh | ~3700 mAh (estimated) |
| Weight | Under 240 g (rumored) | ~187 g (estimated) |
| S Pen support | Reportedly removed | No |
| Starting price (Europe) | ~€1420 | ~€800 (estimated) |
The pattern is clear: the Fold 7 competes as a productivity device, while the Flip 7 competes as a style-and-value device. Neither is a straight upgrade over the other.
Is the Fold 7 worth buying?
Who benefits from a foldable
The Fold 7 is for power users who multitask on their phone like it is a laptop. If you regularly run two apps at full width, read PDFs, or take notes on a large screen, the Fold 7’s 7.6-inch display is genuinely useful. A long-term reviewer notes the improved hinge and software experience after 50 days of use, suggesting Samsung is iterating in the right direction. Galaxy AI features are also baked in, as listed on Samsung’s product page (official manufacturer).
Value for money compared to slab phones
But here is the rub: the same €1,420 buys you a Galaxy S25 Ultra with a better camera, bigger battery (5000 mAh), faster charging (45W), and a guaranteed crease-free screen. With the Fold 7, you are trading raw specs for form factor. That trade-off only pays off if the folding screen genuinely replaces your tablet.
- Confirmed by reviewers: The Fold 7’s battery is too small for its dual-screen usage pattern
- Confirmed by reviewers: The inner screen is reflective and hard to use in bright conditions (Long-term reviewer on YouTube)
- Confirmed by reviewers: Some apps still do not render well on the large inner display
The Fold 7 is exactly what it looks like: a folding tablet that doubles as an awkward phone. Irish power users who truly need multitasking: it is a solid choice. Casual buyers who want a durable, all-day device with a great camera: the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the Z Flip 7 will serve you better for hundreds less.
For the right user, the Fold 7 is a powerful tool; for most, it’s an expensive compromise.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Samsung Z Fold 7 have a headphone jack?
No, the Z Fold 7 does not include a 3.5 mm headphone jack, consistent with Samsung’s recent flagship lineup. Bluetooth headphones or USB-C adapters are required.
Is the Z Fold 7 waterproof?
The Z Fold 7 is expected to carry an IP48 rating, meaning dust resistance (particles >1mm) and water resistance up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. However, foldable screens are still more vulnerable to water ingress than standard phones.
What colors is the Z Fold 7 available in?
Samsung typically offers the Fold series in Phantom Black, Cream, and sometimes a special edition color. Exact colors for the Fold 7 have not been officially confirmed yet.
Can I use the Z Fold 7 with one hand?
Using the cover screen one-handed is possible but awkward due to the narrow aspect ratio. The 7.6-inch inner display essentially requires two hands. Reviewers note the Fold 7 feels like a tablet folded into a phone shape.
Does the Z Fold 7 support wireless charging?
Yes, the Z Fold 7 supports 15W wireless charging, as confirmed by multiple reviews.
What is the warranty on the Z Fold 7?
Samsung typically offers a 2-year manufacturer warranty in Ireland. The foldable screen mechanism is covered, but accidental damage requires Samsung Care+ or insurance.
The choice for Irish buyers is clear: the Fold 7 delivers a genuinely impressive multitasking screen and improved software, but it asks you to accept a weak battery, a mediocre camera, and a weight penalty that will remind you every time you pull it from your pocket. For power users who already carry a tablet and a phone, the Fold 7 consolidates both into one device. For everyone else shopping on Three, Eir, or Vodafone bill-pay, the Z Flip 7 or Galaxy S25 Ultra offers better value — or wait for the Fold 8 to see if Samsung finally fixes the fundamentals.
Sophie Marlowe is Culture & Lifestyle Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, covering culture, entertainment, lifestyle, events, media trends and consumer features.