A pocket-friendly flip with a bigger cover screen and smarter AI — refined, but not flawless.
Pocket phones shouldn’t force us to compromise. We get frustrated when a compact handset means a tiny cover screen, middling battery life, and constant unfolding for simple tasks — so a foldable that actually improves day-to-day convenience feels overdue.
Enter the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 AI Foldable Phone (Blue Shadow): a thin, light flip with a BIGGER cover screen, a 4300mAh battery and One UI 8’s AI tools aimed at making quick interactions smoother. After testing, we find it a refined, pocket-friendly foldable that balances style, imaging and practical AI features — though shoppers should still factor in repair costs and the current limits of cover-screen apps.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 AI Foldable Phone Blue Shadow
We find this model a refined, pocket-friendly foldable that balances style, imaging and practical AI tools. It’s ideal for users who want a big cover screen and a fresh One UI experience, though buyers should factor in repair costs and cover-screen limits.
Design & Feel
At first glance the Z Flip7 looks much like its predecessor, but take a closer look and you’ll spot the difference: the folded thickness has been reduced from 14.9mm to 13.7mm, shaving over 1mm off — a change you can feel in the hand.
In terms of colour, you’ll find the standard Obsidian Black and the signature Starlight Blue, plus a bold Coral Red and a mint-green limited edition available online.
Overview
We approached the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 as a practical evolution of the flip-phone form factor rather than just a fashionable gadget. Samsung has focused on making the cover screen genuinely useful, shrinking bezels, and delivering a thinner, lighter unfolded footprint. The device pairs a 50MP main camera and a next-gen ProVisual Engine with One UI 8 and a variety of AI-driven conveniences intended to save time and elevate everyday photography.
What stands out in the design
The Flip7 is noticeably slimmer than previous generations when unfolded, giving a more comfortable hold and a sleeker silhouette in pockets or bags. The Blue Shadow finish is elegant and understated without being dull — a good middle ground between flashy and conservative.
FlexWindow (cover screen): real improvements — and limits
One of the standout upgrades: the cover screen has been enlarged to 4.1-inches and now occupies almost the entire outer shell of the device. It features a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits — matching the main screen — so even in bright daylight the display remains clear.
One added bonus: you’ll find a new “Now Brief” screen on the outer display, letting you check important information without opening the phone. And there’s clever AI assistance when setting wallpapers — the clock position moves to avoid obscuring faces in your image.
That said, the cover screen still faces software and app compatibility limits: not all third-party apps can run natively on the cover, and advanced interactions often require unlocking the main display.
Display and media experience
On the inside, the main foldable display offers a smooth viewing experience with a 120 Hz refresh rate and bright peak luminance for outdoor visibility. The thinner fold and refined hinge mechanics help reduce the visual interruption at the crease; while you can still see it under scrutiny, day-to-day content consumption feels immersive.
The internal foldable screen has grown from 6.7″ to 6.9″, still using Dynamic AMOLED 2X for excellent display quality. On the camera front, Samsung sticks with a dual-main setup: 50MP main sensor + 12MP ultra-wide — essentially the same hardware as before. But if you use the cover screen for selfies, you’ll now find the zoom slider for easier framing.
Inside, the phone runs on the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, so performance shouldn’t be a concern. And the battery jumps to 4,300mAh — Samsung claims up to 31 hours of local video playback in ideal conditions.
Quick specs table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Main display | High-refresh foldable panel, 120 Hz |
| Cover screen | Large FlexWindow, slim bezel, 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | Up to 2600 nits (cover window for certain scenarios) |
| Durability | Refined hinge, still a foldable glass/plastic hybrid |
Camera and imaging: 50MP, refined processing
The 50MP sensor paired with Samsung’s ProVisual Engine gives images that lean toward accurate skin tones and natural texture. We found the camera particularly reliable in daylight and adaptable for quick portrait shots while folded — where the cover screen doubles as a useful preview.
Low-light photography benefits from computational enhancements, though it can’t fully replicate larger-sensor performance. For social media, travel, and everyday family photos the system is excellent.
Performance and battery life
The Flip7 balances mid-to-high-tier silicon with 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Day-to-day performance — app switching, multitasking, and social media — is fluid. The 4300mAh battery holds up through a busy day and Samsung’s software optimisations extend usage further when needed.
If you push the phone with prolonged gaming or long camera sessions, you’ll see the battery drain more quickly, but conservative users should comfortably reach the evening.
One UI 8 and Pocket-perfect AI
One UI 8 is redesigned for foldables, with wallpaper and interactive widgets that work across both screens. The AI tools are targeted: contextual suggestions, personalised rundowns, and camera smart filters based on learning. We found these features helpful for streamlining brief tasks — quick schedules, tailored reminders, and photo finishing touches.
Connectivity, storage and extras
The 256GB onboard storage is generous for most users, and the 12GB RAM keeps apps responsive. Connectivity options include the usual modern suite — 5G, Wi‑Fi 6/6E (depending on region), NFC for payments, and reliable Bluetooth for accessories.
Durability and warranty considerations
Foldables trade some rigidity for compactness. While the Flip7’s hinge is refined and Samsung continues to strengthen foldable materials, foldable devices still require more careful handling than slab phones. The positive here is the 3-year extended Samsung warranty included for UK devices; that additional coverage is a meaningful reassurance if you plan to keep the device long-term.
Who should consider this phone?
Final thoughts
The new Z Flip7 doesn’t bring a seismic shift in design or features compared to its predecessor, especially when you contrast it with the dramatic changes in the larger “big fold” Z Fold7 line. That said: the tweaks are smart and meaningful — for those who favour the compact “flip” form factor and appreciate a larger cover screen, thinner body and longer battery, this is a refined upgrade and well worth a look.
FAQs
The cover screen has become genuinely useful: we use it for quick notifications, camera framing, media controls and glanceable widgets. However, full app functionality usually requires unlocking the main screen because some third-party apps are still restricted. For quick tasks it’s excellent; for heavy app use you’ll still need to unfold.
Yes. One of the Flip7’s biggest selling points is its compact folded size. It fits comfortably into slimmer pockets where regular large smartphones struggle — which is ideal for people who want a full-sized display without carrying a larger device.
Foldables are more delicate than rigid phones; accidental drops or foreign objects caught in the fold can create issues. The extra year of Samsung warranty included in the UK model reduces the worry factor, but we still recommend a protective case, careful handling, and prompt manufacturer service if damage occurs.
In our experience, yes — for certain users. The AI tools speed up common tasks like personalised rundowns, photo filters learned from usage, and interactive widgets that work across both screens. They improve convenience rather than offering magic fixes; the benefit depends on how much you integrate these features into daily routines.
It’s a strong everyday camera performer thanks to the 50MP sensor and ProVisual Engine. It’s ideal for social photos, travel shots and portraits. Enthusiasts who require very large sensors or specialised optics might still prefer flagship slab phones or dedicated cameras, but for portability and versatility it’s excellent.
We recommend a slim protective case designed for the Flip7, a screen protector (both cover and main display where compatible), and a high-quality USB-C fast charger if one isn’t bundled. A lightweight pouch or magnetic wallet can also reduce daily wear while keeping the device pocket-friendly.