Samsung has officially confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold7 will not support the S Pen, marking a major shift in the foldable’s design philosophy. The company found S Pen usage “extremely low” among Fold users and prioritized a thinner, lighter device instead. The result? At 8.9mm folded and 215g, the Fold7 is Samsung’s thinnest, lightest foldable yet. This puts Samsung neck-and-neck with the OPPO Find N5’s 8.93mm folded thickness and within striking distance of the Honor Magic V5’s 8.8mm record. How does this thickness achievement change the foldable landscape? Samsung has created a device that measures nearly half as thin as the original Galaxy Fold while maintaining durability standards.
Designer: Samsung
The Galaxy Z Fold7 measures 4.2mm when unfolded, which translates to approximately 8.9mm when folded (accounting for the protective gap between displays). Samsung didn’t quite claim the thickness crown, but they’ve essentially matched the competition while maintaining the familiar feel of a traditional smartphone. After spending a couple of hours with the Galaxy Z Fold7, this represents more than incremental improvement. Samsung has created one of the thinnest mainstream foldable phones while keeping it accessible to users who want a device that feels like the S25 Ultra when closed. The Z Fold7 achieves Samsung’s goal of making foldables feel like regular phones while competing at the highest level.
Key Changes:
S Pen support removed for the first time since Fold3
8.9mm folded thickness (vs. 12.1mm on Fold6)
215g weight (down from 239g)
8-inch main display, 6.5-inch cover screen
200MP camera, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, up to 16GB RAM
Design Engineering That Actually Works
The cover screen expanded to 6.5 inches with a 21:9 aspect ratio, making it easier to hold and type on than ever before. The main screen grew to 8 inches, making it the most expansive display on a Galaxy smartphone. Testing every Z Fold generation reveals that the cramped typing experience on previous cover screens always killed daily usability. The Z Fold7 eliminates that completely. The cover screen now feels like a complete smartphone experience instead of a notification preview.
Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold6, Samsung shaved off 3.2mm when folded and reduced weight by 24 grams. During brief testing with the device, focusing on using only the cover screen for basic tasks revealed it never felt limiting. The proportions work for one-handed use, typing feels natural, and apps display properly. This is the first time you could see using a Z Fold as your primary device without constantly unfolding it for basic tasks.
Samsung’s Armor Flexion hinge represents a fundamental rethinking of foldable design. The water-dropping geometry with multi-rail structure disperses stress across multiple points. This creates more internal space, allowing the display to fold with a gentler curvature. The crease reduction is the most noticeable improvement in initial testing. Previous Z Fold devices had creases that felt intrusive and distracting. The Z Fold7’s crease integrates naturally into the user experience.
When folded, Samsung states it measures almost as thin as the S25 Ultra (8.2mm), putting Samsung in elite company with the thinnest foldables available. The hinge mechanism provides confident tactile feedback during folding operations. Samsung engineered a hinge that disappears when closed while maintaining structural integrity. The device feels solid throughout the folding motion. Samsung has joined the elite thickness club while maintaining mainstream appeal. The gap between the thinnest foldables is now measured in fractions of millimeters rather than full millimeters. This achievement proves Samsung can compete on engineering while keeping foldables accessible to mainstream users rather than just tech enthusiasts.
Samsung made deliberate material decisions that enhance the user experience. Gorilla Glass Victus on the cover screen provides familiar tactile feedback. Advanced armored aluminum forms the frame, creating structural rigidity while reducing weight. The main display incorporates a titanium layer for protection, with ultra-thin glass that feels like typing on a solid surface.
The weight hits you first. At 215 grams, this weighs less than many traditional smartphones while giving you an 8-inch display. Within minutes of holding it, the difference from previous Z Fold models is immediately apparent. This doesn’t feel like two phones stuck together anymore. It feels like a single device that happens to unfold.
The 8-Inch Display Experience and Notable Changes
The display expansion from 7.6 to 8 inches creates genuine productivity space. This additional screen real estate transforms multitasking from a gimmick into a necessity. During testing, running three apps simultaneously without feeling cramped becomes natural. Email, calendar, and messaging apps work together naturally with breathing room.
Samsung launched the Z Fold7 with One UI 8 built on Android 16, making it the first Samsung device to ship with Android 16. Galaxy AI integration transforms the large screen into a productivity powerhouse. Gemini optimization includes floating windows and adjustable layouts with conversation continuity between displays. The AI Result view offers multiple layout options that show promise. Drag-and-drop functionality between apps makes content creation intuitive.
Samsung made two significant changes to the inner display that will affect different users differently. The inner selfie camera is no longer under the display. Samsung replaced the under-display camera with a traditional 10-megapixel punch-hole camera that offers higher quality and a wider field of view. This makes group selfies much more practical on the large screen, letting you fit more friends and family into the frame. However, this means there’s now a visible camera cutout on the main display, which some users preferred to avoid. The visible camera cutout on the main display represents a step backward for users who preferred the seamless under-display camera, even if it means better selfie quality.
Why Samsung Killed S Pen Support
Most significantly for productivity users, Samsung has officially confirmed the removal of S Pen support from the Z Fold7. According to Samsung, “S Pen usage on the fold was extremely low, and the things that users value more were the size and weight of this device.” By removing the digitizer layer, Samsung increased the ultra-thin glass layer thickness for better durability while reducing device weight. This eliminates a key differentiator for users who relied on pen input for productivity tasks, but it directly contributed to the device’s impressive thinness and weight reduction.
The decision affects productivity users who rely on stylus functionality for note-taking and precise input. Samsung prioritized mainstream appeal over power user features, supported by user research indicating preferences for size and weight over stylus functionality. This trade-off directly enabled the thickness achievement while improving structural integrity. The removal of S Pen support will disappoint users who relied on stylus functionality for productivity tasks, though Samsung’s data suggests this affects a small percentage of users. These changes show Samsung prioritizing mainstream appeal over power user features, supported by user research indicating preferences for size and weight over stylus functionality.
Camera Performance That Delivers
The 200-megapixel main camera brings Ultra-series performance to the foldable form factor. Samsung engineered a slimmer actuator, making it 18% thinner to fit within the device profile. This eliminates the camera compromise that plagued previous foldables. The ultra-wide camera now supports autofocus for detailed macro photography. The 3x telephoto lens benefits from Pro Visual Engine enhancements.
Video recording defaults to 10-bit HDR, providing four times wider color range. In brief camera testing, the system performs like what you’d expect from a $2,000 smartphone. The Pro Visual Engine gets a next-generation upgrade with advanced noise analysis. The system distinguishes between moving and static objects for cleaner low-light footage. Samsung made the camera system a selling point rather than an afterthought.
Extended testing of the Z Fold7’s camera system over the coming weeks will include a dedicated deep dive session focused specifically on camera performance. Expect a detailed follow-up article that explores the 200-megapixel sensor’s capabilities, Pro Visual Engine improvements, and how the camera system performs across different shooting scenarios. The initial impressions are promising, but the real test will be how it handles various lighting conditions and use cases.
Most significantly for selfie users, Samsung replaced the under-display camera with a traditional 10-megapixel punch-hole camera. This change offers higher quality and a wider field of view, making group selfies more practical on the large screen. The trade-off is a visible camera cutout on the main display, but the improved results justify this decision for most users.
Performance and Battery Life
The customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor keeps multitasking smooth across both displays. Enhanced CPU, GPU, and NPU performance handles demanding tasks without thermal throttling. The 4400 mAh battery powers both screens with improved efficiency despite the larger 8-inch display. Samsung’s ecosystem integration extends capabilities through DeX mode, Galaxy Buds connectivity, and Galaxy Watch integration.
The device launches with One UI 8 built on Android 16, making it the first Samsung device to ship with Android 16. Galaxy AI integration transforms the large screen into a productivity powerhouse. Gemini optimization includes floating windows and adjustable layouts with conversation continuity between displays.
Pricing and Specifications
Samsung positioned the Z Fold7 at $1,999.99 with three storage configurations: 256GB and 512GB models include 12GB RAM, while the 1TB model upgrades to 16GB RAM. The device comes in Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Silver Shadow, with an exclusive Mint color available on Samsung.com. Seven generations of OS updates ensure the device remains current through 2032. The pricing reflects Samsung’s positioning as a premium productivity device.
The camera module integrates cleanly into the rear panel without disrupting the design flow. Samsung eliminated visual clutter throughout the device. The Z Fold7 feels cohesive rather than assembled from competing priorities. Samsung has created a device that measures nearly half as thin as the original Galaxy Fold while maintaining durability standards. The device is included in Samsung’s Self Repair Program, showing confidence in build quality.
After a couple of hours with the Z Fold7, extended testing becomes the next priority. The initial impressions suggest Samsung has addressed most major criticisms of foldable technology: weight, thickness, camera quality, software optimization, and durability. This feels like the phone Samsung should have made from the beginning in terms of form factor and build quality. The Z Fold7 proves that foldable technology has finally reached maturity while competing at the highest level on thickness. The compromises that remain are design choices rather than technical limitations, backed by user research and data. Extended daily use will reveal how these initial impressions hold up, particularly for users who relied on the removed features.
FAQ: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
Q: Does the Galaxy Z Fold7 support the S Pen?
A: No, Samsung has officially removed S Pen support to make the device thinner and more durable.
Q: How thin is the Z Fold7 compared to competitors?
A: At 8.9mm folded, it’s nearly as thin as the Honor Magic V5 (8.8mm) and OPPO Find N5 (8.93mm).
Q: What are the RAM and storage options?
A: 12GB RAM for 256GB/512GB models, 16GB RAM for 1TB model.
Q: What’s new about the camera?
A: 200MP main camera, improved ultra-wide with autofocus, and a punch-hole selfie camera replaces the under-display version.
Q: When can I buy the Galaxy Z Fold7?
A: Samsung has announced pricing at $1,999.99, with availability details to be confirmed.
The Z Fold7 represents Samsung’s entry into the elite thickness club while maintaining mainstream appeal. The trade-offs Samsung made, removing the digitizer layer for S Pen support, directly enabled this thickness achievement while improving durability. The device feels like the phone Samsung should have made from the beginning in terms of form factor and build quality.
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