There’s a New Shining Star in Samsung’s Galaxy and Thanks to AT&T Wireless, I’m Flipping Over It

Like clockwork, each year Samsung releases new models of its most popular phones. On July 25, 2025, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 began shipping. People love the Galaxy Z Flip phones because of their compact size and folding display, not to mention the phone’s advanced capabilities.

Compared to last year’s model, the 2025 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs using a new and more powerful processor, has a longer battery life, and offers the latest Galaxy AI and Google Gemini AI tools and features baked into the Android 16 operating system. I’m a huge fan of the Flip’s design, because when folded, there’s a 4.1-inch cover display that allows users to monitor alerts, alarms, and notifications generated by the phone without having to unfold it. And when folded, the phone easily fits in a shirt or pants pocket.

When unfolded, you get access to a stunning, 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x Exfinity Flex Display FHD+ touchscreen display. It offers up to a 120Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits. Plus, because this phone supports the Android 16 operating system, it’s loaded with more advanced features, enhanced security and privacy tools, and more customizable options than ever before. Even the phone’s Armor FlexHinge has been enhanced to provide more durability and a smoother opening and closing process.

As you’re about to discover, some other things about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 are very similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6 (last year’s model). Shortly after Samsung announced its newest smartphone, the folks at AT&T Wireless were generous enough to send me a review unit of the phone. This allowed me to test it out and compare it firsthand with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. 

Keep reading to discover more about my experience using the phone, and whether or not upgrading to the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a worthwhile investment. (Spoiler alert: This latest phone is very appealing.)

New and Improved Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Features

Samsung continues to be a pioneer in the foldable and Android smartphone categories. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy smartphones (such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge) continue to be among the most popular mobile devices in the world. But compared to these phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is different. It offers a more compact design that folds.

As I compared this year’s Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 with last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 6, it was easy to notice that from the outside, both smartphones are very similar (but not exactly the same in terms of size and weight). This year, instead of being available in your choice of seven housing colors, you can choose between Blue Shadow, Jetblack, or Coralred. There’s also a Mint color, but it’s only available if you purchase the phone online from Samsung’s website.

The following table lists some of the key differences between the two phone models.

Feature	Galaxy Z Flip 7 (2025)	Galaxy Z Flip 6 (2024)
Cover Display	4.1-inches	3.4-inches
Cover Display Brightness	2,600 nits	1,600 nits
Cover Display Resolution	1,048 x 948 pixels	720 x 748 pixels
Main Display	6.9-inches	6.7-inches
Main Display Resolution	2,520 x 1,080 pixels	2,640 x 1,080 pixels
“Now Brief” Feature	Yes	No
Battery	4,300 mAh (Up to 31 hours)	4,000 mAh (Up to 23 hours)
Measurements (Open)	3.37 x 2.96 x 0.54 inches	3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 inches
Measurements (Folded)	6.56 x 2.96 x 0.26 inches	6.50 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches
Weight	6.63 ounces	6.6 ounces

In terms of what’s the same between the two models, it starts with 5G cellular connectivity. Plus, the camera hardware in the phones is identical. However, new features have been integrated into the Camera app and other tools related to photography and videography thanks to Android 16 and the latest Galaxy AI and Google Gemini AI features. That said, Android 16 comes preinstalled on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but Galaxy Z Flip 6 owners can upgrade to the latest version of the operating system for free.

Both versions of the phone come with 12GB of RAM and your choice of either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. The water resistance rating of both phones is also the same (IP48). This means the phone is water resistant, but not fully waterproof. Both Flip phones come with an impressive collection of preinstalled apps, including all of Google apps and services. 

I am also a huge fan of how the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (and the older version of the phone) offer a vast selection of customization and personalization options, as well as the ability to download and install apps from the Google Play Store. As a result, both versions of the phone are extremely versatile communications, entertainment, productivity, and health/fitness tools with AI functionality designed to streamline tasks and help users stay better informed and organized.

Both Samsung and Google (the developers of Android 16) have once again enhanced the security and privacy features related to the phones. Some of these features are user-adjustable, while others simply work automatically and behind the scenes.

Who Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Appeal To?

I recommend the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 to smartphone users with everyday communications needs who also want to tap the full capabilities of the Android operating system, Galaxy AI, and Google Gemini AI. It also appeals to those who want a phone that conveniently folds into a compact size that’s easy to carry. This typically includes younger users, and anyone looking for a stylish, full-featured smartphone.

When unfolded, users benefit from a main display that’s the same size and brightness as Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra. But when folded, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers an outside cover display. It can be used to showcase information and take advantage of certain apps and widgets without opening the phone.

When folded, the cover display showcases the time, date, and content from user-selected widgets. As the phone generates alerts, alarms, or notifications, these too get displayed. Plus, the cover screen allows users to see Caller ID information and answer incoming phone calls, again without opening the phone. Controlling audio when using a streaming music app, for example, is also possible. Of course, the phone’s digital assistant is available with the phone open or closed using voice commands and requests.

If you’re a power user, someone whose primary focus is on photography or videography, or serious gaming, there are better smartphone options to choose from. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is designed more for business and power users. The Galaxy S24 Ultra currently offers the most advanced camera systems of any smartphone, but it too appeals to power users and gamers. 

And then there are high-end smartphones specifically designed for gamers, like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro or RedMagic 10 Pro. These offer enhanced speed and gaming performance when experiencing Android or cloud-based games. That said, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 can be used to play Android games too, plus stream audio and video content, serve as an eBook reader, play audiobooks/podcasts, and do so much more when it comes to serving as a mobile entertainment device.

Everything You Love About Android, Plus the Latest Galaxy AI and Google Gemini

One of the great things I immediately noticed when I powered on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for the first time is that right out of the box, it comes with all of the preinstalled apps most users will want or need in their everyday lives. And for existing Android phone users, by signing into your existing Google account the Galaxy Z Flip 7 syncs data, documents, files, photos, music, and other content from your old phone with just a few on-screen taps.

With the help of both Galaxy AI and Google Gemini, artificial intelligence features now integrate more seamlessly into the Android 16 operating system, all of the Google apps and services, plus many other apps you may use. These AI tools are designed to provide information when it’s needed, make you a better communicator, help you improve your time management and stay more organized, and become a more prolific content creator.

Thanks to AI, writing emails, composing text messages, editing photos, translating content between languages, summarizing content (text or audio), finding answers, sharing data between apps, and gathering information from the internet is easier and more streamlined than ever.

Beyond making and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages, surfing the web, managing email, taking photos, shooting video, playing games, and handling countless other tasks, the new Now Bar feature allows the phone to better organize and share alerts, alarms, notifications. It also summarizes app-specific information in a more organized and clutter-free way on the cover screen, lock screen, and home screen. AI is used to intelligently populate the Now Bar window with the information that’s most important to you.

In addition to being made from materials that allow the phone to be more durable than previous models, you can expect up to 9% better performance from the phone’s CPU, 23% smoother graphics from the GPU, and 22% faster AI performance from the NPU – compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 6. With the help of selectable and customizable widgets, the phone’s cover screen, lock screen, and home screen can better showcase information that’s of the most and relevant interest to you.

Snap Photos, Shoot Video, and Create Content Using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

The camera system built into the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 might not be as advanced as what you can find in the company’s flagship Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it’s more than adequate for shooting impressive, high-resolution still images with incredible detail and accurate color, or for capturing video at up to 4K (60fps). 

On the back of the phone, there’s a 50MP wide camera with 2x optical zoom capabilities, as well as a 12MP ultra wide camera with up to 10x digital zoom capabilities. The front camera offers 10MP resolution for taking selfies, shooting vlog-style video, or participating in video calls and virtual meetings. 

One perk of using the Flip phone is that when it’s closed, you can use the 50MP rear-facing camera as a front-facing camera (and the cover display as your viewfinder) to take higher resolution selfies, or capture vlog-style video also at a higher resolution.

While the camera hardware may be different, the AI and apps used for shooting still pictures and high-definition video, and then editing that content is the same as what you get from other higher-end Samsung phones running Android 16. This includes the behind-the-scenes use of AI to help you capture the best light, sharpest detail, and most vivid color wherever and whenever you’re using the cameras – day or night. AI can also be used to help you frame your shots, add real-time custom filters, and ensure the colors depicted (including skin tones) are accurate. 

Then, when it comes to editing photos and video, the tools offered by Google Photos and the Gallery app allow you to transform your content into eye-catching works of art, again with the help of AI. Never before have so many powerful editing tools been accessible and so simple to use by everyday people.

To test the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7’s camera setup, I spent a few hours at Borderland State Park and Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. I also experimented by taking photos (and shooting sample video) in low-light situations, while in motion, and capturing fast-moving subjects. From a hardware standpoint, the cameras performed admirably, but my experience was very similar to when I used the Galaxy Z Flip 6. That said, I did find the Camera app, Google Photos app, and Gallery app (all three come preinstalled) are more intuitive to use than ever. These apps provide some very impressive tools for capturing, viewing, editing, enhancing, and sharing photos and videos directly from the phone.

The following are just a few sample images I took that showcase some of the camera capabilities of the phone.

Great Deals Are Available from AT&T Wireless and Other Service Providers

Many of the popular cellular service providers in the U.S., including AT&T Wireless, are celebrating the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 by offering generous promotional, trade-in, and product bundle offers. In other words, you can purchase this phone without paying full price. 

Be sure to check with your existing cellular service provider to shop for the best deal, but also check with competitors to see additional deals if you’re willing to switch carriers when you activate the new phone (and keep your existing smartphone’s phone number).

If you have an eligible phone to trade in, and you activate the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 with AT&T Wireless (as a new or existing customer), you can get the new phone for free thanks to $1,100 in monthly bill credits over a 36 month period. This deal includes 0% ARP for 36 months and no money down. 

Another deal includes being able to finance the phone for 36 months for $30.56 per month (for the 256GB version) or $33.89 per month (for the 512GB version). Of course, eligibility requirements must be met and restrictions may apply.

Meanwhile, if you know you want to upgrade your smartphone every year to the newest model, AT&T Wireless (and some other providers) have a plan for that too. For example, when you pay an extra $10 per month (added to your monthly service plan), AT&T offers its Next Up Anytime plan. It allows you to return your existing phone and upgrade to the newest phone without worrying about the remaining balance on your installment plan. With this plan, you can enjoy using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 until the Galaxy Z Flip 8 launches next year, and then be among the first to get the new phone in your hands.

To discover deals from other cellular service providers and popular smartphone sellers, follow any of these links:

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Boost Mobile
• Samsung
• T-Mobile
• Verizon Wireless

My Final Thoughts: Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Worth It?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is an impressive smartphone, but it’s not perfect. Smartphones that run Android 16 suffer from the same issue that iPhone users will experience when they upgrade to iOS 18. In an effort to make the phones extremely customizable, integrate AI functionality, and include enhanced privacy and security tools, these latest versions of the mobile operating systems now offer so many user-adjustable options (via Settings) that people who are not tech-savvy can easily become overwhelmed. 

Android 16 puts more power and functionality at your fingertips than ever before, but setting up the phone and then adjusting all of the available settings takes longer than ever, and the best options to choose are not always obvious. Many tasks, like customizing the lock screen and home screen (as well as the phone’s cover screen), now take longer, because so many additional customization options and widgets are available. This is also true for settings related to privacy and security.

Once the initial setup and customization tasks are completed, and you become acquainted with the changes between Android 15 and Android 16, you’ll likely discover (like I did) that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a really nice overall design, excellent performance, and provides the tools needed for the phone to adapt to your needs, habits, and lifestyle. Yes, this smartphone has a very cute appearance, but it’s ready to help you tackle all of your everyday mobile communication, productivity, time management, web surfing, email, organizational, heath/fitness, and entertainment tasks, plus so much more.

If you’re an Apple iPhone user looking to make the switch to Android, or you currently use an older Android smartphone, upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a viable and affordable option for most people. That said, if you’re already using the Galaxy Z Flip 6, you’d definitely notice performance improvement if you upgrade to this year’s model, but the positive impact on your everyday life probably won’t be as dramatic.