Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review - Best Foldable Phone for Productivity Under 200,000 BDT
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review - Best Foldable Phone for Productivity Under 200,000 BDT
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the latest iteration of Samsung's flagship foldable, offering a tablet-like experience that folds into a phone. With improved durability, a larger cover display, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it's the ultimate productivity device. This review covers the foldable experience, multitasking capabilities, camera performance, and whether it's worth the premium price.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details | Main Display | 7.6-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QXGA+ | Cover Display | 6.3-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HD+ | Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | RAM | 12GB / 16GB | Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Rear Camera | 50MP OIS + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto (3x) | Cover Camera | 10MP | Under-display Camera | 4MP | Battery | 4400 mAh, 25W | OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1.1 | 5G | Yes | Durability | IP48 water resistance |
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The Galaxy Z Fold 7 comes in Samsung's premium black box. Inside, you get the phone, a USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and some documentation. No charger is included. The first thing you notice is how refined the Fold has become. The hinge is smooth, the crease is less noticeable, and the phone feels more durable than previous generations. When folded, it's a thick but usable phone. When unfolded, it's a beautiful 7.6-inch tablet that fits in your pocket.
Design and Build Quality
The Z Fold 7 features a refined hinge mechanism that allows the phone to fold completely flat with no gap. The phone measures 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2mm when folded and 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3mm when unfolded. It weighs 255g, which is lighter than previous generations but still heavy.
The cover display has been enlarged to 6.3 inches, making it more usable as a regular phone. The main display has a less noticeable crease, and the under-display camera is better hidden. The phone has an IP48 rating for water resistance - the first foldable with official dust resistance (the 8 means dust resistance).
The phone is available in three colors: Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream.
Displays
The Z Fold 7 has two excellent displays:
Main Display (7.6-inch)
The 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and QXGA+ resolution (2176 x 1812) is stunning. Colors are vibrant, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes everything smooth. The crease is still visible under certain lighting conditions but is much less noticeable than previous generations.
Cover Display (6.3-inch)
The 6.3-inch cover display is now larger and more usable. It has a 120Hz refresh rate and HD+ resolution (2260 x 904), making it feel like a normal phone when folded.
Display highlights:
- Both displays have 120Hz refresh rates
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X with excellent color accuracy
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on cover display
- Improved under-display camera (less visible)
- Less noticeable crease
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor is the most powerful chip available for Android. Performance is outstanding, with no lag or stutter in any app or game.
Performance test results:
- AnTuTu score: Approximately 2,100,000+
- Geekbench 6 single-core: ~2,350
- Geekbench 6 multi-core: ~7,400
Multitasking is where the Fold shines. You can run up to 3 apps simultaneously on the main display, and the large screen makes productivity tasks like email, document editing, and video calls much easier.
Multitasking and Productivity Features
The Z Fold 7 is a productivity powerhouse. One UI 6.1.1 includes several foldable-specific features:
- Multi-window: Run up to 3 apps simultaneously on the main display
- App pairs: Save combinations of apps to open together
- Flex mode: Use the phone in a tent position for hands-free video calls
- Taskbar: Similar to a PC taskbar for quick app switching
- S Pen support: The main display supports the S Pen (sold separately)
- Continuity: Apps seamlessly transition from cover to main display
Camera
The triple camera system is similar to the S25 Ultra, though with fewer zoom capabilities.
50MP Main Camera with OIS
The 50MP main camera captures excellent photos with natural colors and good dynamic range. OIS helps with low-light shots.
12MP Ultrawide Camera
The 12MP ultrawide camera is decent for landscapes and group photos.
10MP Telephoto Camera
The 10MP telephoto camera offers 3x optical zoom, which is less than the S25 Ultra's 5x or 10x zoom.
Cover and Under-display Cameras
The 10MP cover camera takes good selfies, and the 4MP under-display camera is hidden beneath the main display. The under-display camera is lower quality, suitable for video calls but not for serious photography.
Video Recording
The Z Fold 7 can record 8K video at 30fps and 4K video at 60fps.
Battery Life and Charging
The 4400 mAh battery is smaller than regular flagships, and battery life is average. With the large 7.6-inch display, you'll likely need to charge by the end of the day.
Battery test results:
- Video playback: 12+ hours
- Mixed usage (mostly folded): Full day
- Mixed usage (mostly unfolded): 6-7 hours screen-on time
Charging is a weak point. The 25W wired charging takes about 30 minutes to reach 50% and about 80 minutes for a full charge. 15W wireless charging is available but slow.
Software - One UI 6.1.1 with 7 Years of Updates
The Z Fold 7 runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1, which includes foldable-specific features. Samsung promises 7 years of OS updates and security patches, matching the S25 series.
Connectivity
The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and has a USB-C 3.2 port. No headphone jack.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons | 7.6-inch tablet that folds into a phone | Very expensive (over 180,000 BDT) | Excellent multitasking and productivity features | Heavy (255g) | IP48 water and dust resistance (first for foldables) | Slow 25W charging | S Pen support for note-taking | Camera not as good as S25 Ultra | 7 years of OS updates | Under-display camera is low quality | Less noticeable crease | No charger included |
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Samsung Z Fold 7 vs Google Pixel Fold 2
The Pixel Fold 2 costs about 150,000 BDT. The Samsung offers better multitasking software, S Pen support, IP48 dust resistance, and 7 years of updates. The Pixel offers a better camera (Pixel computational photography) and cleaner stock Android.
Verdict: Choose Samsung for productivity features and updates. Choose Pixel for camera and clean software.
Samsung Z Fold 7 vs OnePlus Open 2
The OnePlus Open 2 costs about 140,000 BDT. The Samsung offers better software support (7 years vs 4 years), IP48 dust resistance, and S Pen support. The OnePlus offers faster charging and a lower price.
Verdict: The Samsung is worth the premium for the software support and durability.
Who Should Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Productivity-focused users: Multitasking on a large screen is a game-changer
- Business professionals: Great for email, documents, and video calls
- Tech enthusiasts: Foldables are the future of smartphones
- Users who want a tablet and phone in one device
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Budget-conscious users: The Fold is very expensive
- Users who want the best camera: The S25 Ultra has better cameras
- Users who want fast charging: 25W is very slow
- Users who want a lightweight phone: 255g is heavy
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the best foldable phone for productivity. The 7.6-inch tablet display that folds into a phone is a transformative experience for multitasking, reading, watching videos, and getting work done. The improved durability with IP48 water and dust resistance addresses a major concern for foldable buyers, and 7 years of updates ensures longevity. The slow charging, heavy weight, and high price are significant drawbacks, but for users who want the ultimate productivity device, the Z Fold 7 is unmatched. If you can afford it, the Fold 7 is a glimpse into the future of smartphones.
Rating: 9.3/10
Price: 184,999 BDT (12GB/256GB)
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 waterproof?
Answer: Yes, it has an IP48 rating, meaning it's water-resistant and has some dust resistance - a first for foldables.
Question 2: Does it come with an S Pen?
Answer: No, the S Pen is sold separately. The phone supports the S Pen Fold Edition.
Question 3: Is the crease noticeable?
Answer: The crease is less noticeable than previous generations but is still visible under certain lighting conditions and angles.
Question 4: How long does the battery last?
Answer: With regular use (mostly folded), you'll get a full day. With the main display unfolded frequently, you'll get 6-7 hours of screen-on time.
Question 5: How many updates will it get?
Answer: Samsung promises 7 years of OS updates and security patches, matching the S25 series.