We like to use analogies in our tech reviews, as we believe it is the best way to encapsulate and refer certain tech with more relatable references. Sure, like some tech reviewers, we can easily list down and compare pixel densities of these devices, but can the naked eye really notice them? We bet our bottom Malaysian Ringgit that they can’t.

So when it comes to talking about Samsung’s most expensive and beefiest device of 2025, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 sits comfortably at the top, like UFC’s Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall who rightfully sits on his throne.

However, the Z Fold 7 is not the top dog nor performer in their respective company, like Tom Aspinall. That title is reserved for Alex Pereira in the Light Heavyweight division. In the Samsung household – or at least in our books, it is the S25 Ultra. Heck, Pereira even place above Aspinall in the Pound-for-Pound rankings.

Like both Tom and Alex, the Fold 7 and S25 Ultra are heavy hitters in their own right. They occupy the top echelons as headliners who redefine the categories they are in, and of which their competitors aspire to become. They are packed with all the bells and whistles which other divisions can only dream of having.

The Foldilocks Zone

Now don’t get us wrong. The Z Fold 7 is a monstrously powerful device. It has almost zero flaws. What is there to complain about? It is, by any conceivable metric, a step up from the Z Fold 6. Lighter, sleeker, faster, tougher, and with a massive bump in the camera offering, it is easily the standard bearer of what folding devices measure themselves against.

However, once compared with Samsung’s flagship which is the ‘slightly’ – and we use the term ‘slightly’ very loosely – more affordable S25 Ultra, the Z Fold 7 do trail on aspects which many phone buyers focus on. These areas include camera package and performance, overall GPU AND CPU performance, S Pen support as well as battery performance where the S25 Ultra comes with a larger battery and charges faster.

Yes. Samsung removed the S Pen support from their Z Fold devices, which is indeed a head-scratcher. Why eliminate the best feature that utilises all the screen real estate, Samsung? It’s like having an empty land and instead of turning it into a farm, you paved it up and turn it into a parking lot. Perplexing. Bring it back, please.

The misconception has always been that the more expensive the tech, the better it is. But once you take into consideration the honkin’ RM1,800 disparity (RM2,700 once discount is applied onto the S25 Ultra), economically and financially, the S25 Ultra makes much more sense.

However, what may sway us into getting on board with the Z Fold 7 is its versatility and its intangibles. Let us explain.

Yes, the cover screen of the Z Fold 7, at 6.5-inch is slightly smaller compared to S25 Ultra’s 6.9-inch screen but once in full form, the Z Fold 7 blows its brethren away.

The ability to transform an already sleek and thin ‘closed’ mode of the phone into a mini tablet puts it in a class of its own. Consider this. An iPad Mini has an 8.3-inch screen while the ‘open’ Z Fold 7 is not far behind, with an impressive 8-inch screen. Add in the convenience of not having to pack two separate devices especially when you are on a trip and with Samsung DeX built-in makes the Z Fold 7 the ultimate business traveller companion.

Those who tend to fill their free time with binge-watching shows won’t be disappointed, as the fully open screen serves as a brilliant entertainment alternative when paired with terrible in-flight movie selections. However, on the gaming front, we aren’t big fans of the pointy edges of the Z Fold 7, which digs into our palms – even during quick rounds of CoD Mobile or MLBB. Then again, we are just nitpicking here. Slap on a proper case, and the issue is pretty much negated.

“What about the crease?” you may ask? Well, the law of physics dictates that anything that folds, creases. Materials technology of late has improved tremendously since the first ever Folding device, and we can confirm that while the crease is there, it is barely visible. Those in search of it will find it. Those who are used to it won’t notice it.

The Z Factor

Battery-wise, while some techies may complain about the “measly” 4400mAh battery which in actuality is pretty respectable. The phone would easily go on for two days with casual use.

Should you opt to occasionally utilise the inside screen for entertainment reasons, expect usage time to be bumped down to a-day-and-a-half which is still, very impressive. Sure, it does not have the 45W charging that the S25 Ultra comes with – the Z Fold 7 has a maximum of 25W charging – but it is still serviceable.

The fact that Samsung gave a significant camera upgrade to the Z Fold 7 from its predecessor, the Z Fold 6 also makes it less of a compromise for those who opts for it instead of the S25 Ultra or an iPhone. The strong hinge synonymous with Samsung folding phones eliminates the need for an external tripod. We took the Z Fold 7 along for our short trip to Tokyo recently and caught some brilliant candid pictures at the height of Japanese summer.

Simply put, it’s hard to screw up when you have a camera setup this good.

Regardless whether it’s for work or pleasure, those who travel a ton will greatly appreciate the Z Fold 7’s capabilities of including so many devices into one without much compromise. It’s a proper, flagship-tier device, a mini tablet AND portable PC rolled …. we mean, folded into one.

We cannot talk about smartphones in 2025 without mentioning AI and Samsung has been the loudest banging on the drums of the AI hypetrain in recent years. They are still well ahead of the rest when it comes to image editing and manipulation, especially with deleting undesired objects from photos and even generating content into the ones you’ve taken.

Hey, if you got it, flaunt it. Especially when your closest competitor is comedically faltering at it *cough Apple cough*. It is impossible to explain in writing, so we highly recommend you to walk into any Samsung store nearby for a live demo.

Winding …We Mean Folding Down Statement

In all, the Z Fold 7 is still, and very well the standard bearer when it comes to folding devices no matter what their competitors are churning out – in 2025, at least. It manages to stay ahead with iterative yet meaningful upgrades from the previous generation. However, we are not sure how long this strategy can hold up and we look forward to seeing what Samsung has in store come 2026.

As for those who are still on the fence on whether to spend their hard-earned money on either the Z Fold 7 or the S25 Ultra, we put the convenience of having an extra screen without the need to buy a second device as the tie-breaker. While yes, the S25 Ultra beats the Z Fold 7 on all ‘important’ metrics as mentioned earlier, how much emphasis you put in being able to slide in a tablet into your jeans pocket may ultimately determine whether that disparity is worth the spend.

However, if peak performance, the best camera setup available and S pen capability is what you are after, we recommend you to go with the S25 Ultra instead.

Either way, you win.

Pros

• Overall significant improvement from the Z Fold 6
• Impressive camera package
• The most refined Z Fold device to date
• Tougher cover screen; lest creasing in the inner screen

Cons

• Expensive
• Lacks S Pen support.

Final Score: 80/100

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VITAL STATISTICS

• Platform: Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
• Body: Unfolded: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 mm; Folded: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm ~215g
• Frame: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 2) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
• CPU: Octa-core (2×4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6×3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
• GPU: Adreno 830 (1200 MHz)
• Display: Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
• Memory (Internal): 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
• Main Camera: 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide); 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto); 12 MP, f/2.2, 120? (ultrawide)
• Video: 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps (gyro-EIS), 10-bit HDR, HDR10+
• Sound: Stereo speakers, no jacks given
• Battery: Li-Ion 4400 mAh, non-removable
• Price: Starts from RM 8,399 (256GB, 12GB RAM)

For full detail and latest deals, head on over to Samsung’s official website. 

A review unit of the Z Fold 7 was sent to us courtesy of Samsung Malaysia.