Samsung’s foldable phones, while innovative, have recently felt somewhat stagnant. Competitors like Huawei, Oppo, and Honor have pushed the boundaries with daring designs and cutting-edge hardware, leaving Samsung playing catch-up. However, leaks suggest a shift in strategy with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7, slated for a global launch in the second half of 2025.
Leaked renders and a video from OnLeaks (via Android Headlines) offer a glimpse of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. While the overall design remains familiar, a significantly slimmer profile stands out. The leak indicates a thickness of just 9.5mm, a notable 1.5mm reduction compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It’s even thinner than the special edition Z Fold released earlier this year.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will reportedly retain the 8.2-inch inner foldable display and the 6.5-inch outer OLED screen. Under the hood, we can expect Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. Disappointingly, the battery capacity remains at 4,400mAh with no significant charging improvements mentioned.
The camera system, however, could see a substantial upgrade. Rumors suggest a 200-megapixel primary sensor, putting the Z Fold 7 on par with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The ultrawide and telephoto lenses are expected to remain at 12 megapixels and 10 megapixels, respectively.
Beyond the Z Fold 7 and its clamshell counterpart, the Flip, Samsung may have another trick up its sleeve. Inspired by Huawei’s Mate XT, a tri-fold phone is rumored to launch around July. Drawing inspiration from the Galaxy Flex G concept showcased at CES 2022, this device is said to feature two displays divided into three sections by two creases. The left and right portions fold inwards, creating a layered design. Production will reportedly be limited, with availability restricted to select markets.
While the thinner profile of the Z Fold 7 is a welcome refinement, the lack of significant upgrades in other areas raises questions. With fierce competition in the foldable market, Samsung needs more than incremental improvements to regain its leading edge. The rumored tri-fold phone, however, hints at a more ambitious approach and could be the game-changer Samsung needs.
