The highly anticipated samsung galaxy Z Fold 7 is on the horizon, expected to debut at the company’s next Unpacked event in July 2025 in New York City. Rumors have strongly suggested Samsung is focusing heavily on design refinements, particularly aiming for a significantly slimmer profile compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 6. This move is intended to make Samsung’s premium foldable more competitive and user-friendly. However, even before its official unveiling, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 appears to have already lost the race for a potentially coveted title: “world’s thinnest foldable phone.”
Just a week ahead of Samsung’s rumored event, competitor honor announced its new foldable, the Honor Magic V5. Honor wasted no time claiming the title, touting the Magic V5 as the “world’s thinnest.” This preemptive strike by Honor steals some of the potential thunder from one of the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s key rumored improvements, regardless of whether Samsung’s device ends up matching or even slightly exceeding the V5’s slimness. The psychological victory of claiming the title first can significantly impact market perception.
The Race for the Thinnest Foldable: Honor’s Early Claim
The competition in the foldable phone market is intensifying, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of design, particularly aiming for thinner, lighter devices that feel more like traditional smartphones when folded. Samsung’s efforts with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are clearly aligned with this trend, reportedly targeting a drastic reduction in thickness. However, the timing of Honor’s announcement has shifted the narrative.
Honor Magic V5: Dimensions and Details
Honor’s new flagship foldable, the Magic V5, was unveiled with impressive dimensions. The company claims the device measures just 8.8mm when folded and an incredibly slender 4.1mm when unfolded. These figures are crucial as they are the basis for Honor’s “world’s thinnest” declaration. While the Magic V5 initially launched in China, where Samsung holds a relatively minor market share, Honor plans a wider global rollout, bringing this ultra-thin competitor to more regions.
The Industry Standard for Measuring Thinness
It’s important to note how foldable phone thinness is typically measured. The dimensions cited, like the Honor Magic V5’s 4.1mm unfolded, usually refer to the device’s main frame. They do not account for the camera housing bump, which can add several millimeters to the overall thickness at the camera module area. This is a standard practice across the industry. Therefore, any leaked or official dimensions for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will likely also exclude its camera bump, ensuring a fair comparison based on the primary chassis depth.
Samsung’s Response: Galaxy Z Fold 7’s Design Goals
Despite Honor’s early claim, Samsung’s ambition to significantly slim down the Galaxy Z Fold 7 remains a key highlight based on leaks. The focus isn’t just on being thin but on creating a more refined and premium device overall. Samsung aims to set a new standard for its flagship foldable.
Rumored Z Fold 7 Dimensions and Display
Leaks and CAD renders circulating online suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is indeed targeting dimensions comparable to or very close to the Magic V5. Rumors point towards the Fold 7 achieving an incredibly thin profile, potentially positioning it right alongside the Honor device in terms of physical measurements. Furthermore, Samsung is reportedly working on significantly reducing bezels, with tipsters suggesting the Z Fold 7 could feature incredibly slim 1mm bezels around the inner display. This is a notable improvement over the Z Fold 6’s 1.9mm bezels. The slimmer bezels and a slightly adjusted form factor (rumored 158.4 x 143.1mm unfolded) could allow for a larger 8.2-inch inner AMOLED display, up from the Z Fold 6’s 7.6 inches, offering users more screen real estate.
Beyond Thinness: Performance and Camera Leaks
While thinness and design are key focuses, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to pack top-tier performance. It will likely be powered by Qualcomm’s latest flagship chip, rumored to be a version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Camera specifications for the Fold 7 are also part of the leak cycle, with some reports hinting at a significant upgrade, potentially including a 200MP main camera sensor. However, the rumored 4,400mAh battery capacity has been noted by some as potentially modest compared to trends towards higher battery densities in flagship phones. This suggests Samsung might have prioritized thinness and weight savings, potentially making trade-offs on battery size.
Navigating a Competitive Market: Other Challengers Emerge
The foldable market is dynamic, with players like Honor constantly innovating. But other competitors are also developing devices that could challenge the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s standing, not just on thinness, but on features and overall value. Samsung operates in a global arena where device specifications and pricing play a critical role in market share.
OnePlus Open 2 / OPPO Find N5: A Feature-Packed Rival?
Beyond Honor, brands like OPPO and OnePlus are also making strides. The upcoming OPPO Find N5, expected to launch globally as the OnePlus Open 2, is also rumored to be exceptionally thin – potentially even touted as the thinnest foldable ever made. Crucially, the OnePlus Open 2 is confirmed to include features that were notably absent or less advanced on previous models and could challenge the Fold 7. This includes robust IPX8/IPX9 water resistance and, significantly, 50W wireless charging. The inclusion of high-speed wireless charging addresses a key user desire and positions the OnePlus Open 2 as a strong contender that doesn’t sacrifice features for thinness in the same way some competitors might.
Geographic Market Dynamics: China vs. Global
The competitive landscape varies significantly by region. Honor’s immediate focus on China with the Magic V5 has less direct impact on Samsung’s dominant position in markets like the United States, often considered Samsung’s playground for high-end devices. However, as Honor and other Chinese brands expand globally, their innovative designs and aggressive pricing strategies pose a growing challenge to Samsung’s leadership in the foldable category worldwide. The features and marketing claims established early in one market can influence perception globally.
The Fold 7 Ecosystem: Leaked Cases and Pricing
Understanding the full picture of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 involves looking at more than just the device itself. Leaked information about accessories and pricing provides valuable context about Samsung’s strategy and what consumers can expect to pay for the premium experience.
Official Galaxy Z Fold 7 Case Lineup Revealed
Accompanying the device launch will be a range of official accessories. Leaks have revealed details about at least five official case options for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, providing protection and added functionality. These include:
Silicone Case: Available in multiple colors (Black, Blue, Grey, Light Green), offering basic protection and grip for around €69.
Clear Case: A transparent option to show off the phone’s design, often the most affordable at around €49, though susceptible to yellowing.
Clear Grip Case: A transparent case with an integrated handle on the back for improved one-handed use, priced slightly higher at approximately €53.
Clear Magnet Case: A transparent case featuring a circular magnetic array on the rear, enabling compatibility with magnetic chargers and Qi2 accessories. This adds functionality at around €57.
- Carbon Shield Case: The most premium option, made from lightweight and durable carbon fiber, available in black, offering robust protection for approximately €89.
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This diverse lineup suggests Samsung anticipates users wanting various levels of protection and functionality for their expensive foldable investment.
Anticipating the Price Tag: European Increases, US Uncertainty
Price is always a critical factor for premium devices like the Z Fold. Recent leaks from European retailers indicate a significant price increase for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in Europe. The 256GB model is listed at approximately €2,227, a jump of €200 compared to the Z Fold 6. The accompanying Z Flip 7 is also seeing a price hike. While this suggests higher costs for European consumers, the situation in the United States remains less clear. Some reports suggest the US pricing might remain the same as the Z Fold 6’s launch price of $1,899, potentially due to market strategy or tariff considerations. Official confirmation will be needed at the Unpacked event.
What to Expect from the Galaxy Z Flip 7
While the Z Fold 7 often captures the headlines, the clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip 7 is also set for notable upgrades, aligning with the push for sleeker designs. Leaks suggest the Z Flip 7 will also feature thinner bezels, leading to a larger 4-inch cover display (up from 3.4 inches on the Flip 6) and potentially a slightly larger main screen as well. The folded thickness is rumored to be a svelte 6.9mm. Both new foldables are expected to launch with the latest software (Android 16/One UI 8) and include durability improvements like IP68 water and dust resistance and refinements to minimize the screen crease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Honor Magic V5 claim the “world’s thinnest” title before the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launches?
Honor announced its Magic V5 foldable just before Samsung’s anticipated Unpacked event for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Honor Magic V5 was unveiled with claimed dimensions of 8.8mm folded and an impressive 4.1mm unfolded. By announcing these specific, record-setting dimensions and marketing the device as the “world’s thinnest” first, Honor preempted Samsung’s ability to make the same claim for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, even if Samsung’s device ends up being similarly thin. The title belongs to the company that officially claims it first with supporting measurements.
How might the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 7 features and leaked prices compare to competitors like the OnePlus Open 2?
Based on leaks, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 aims for ultra-thinness and likely packs a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and potentially a 200MP camera. However, competitors like the upcoming OnePlus Open 2 (OPPO Find N5) are also targeting thinness while adding potentially desired features like confirmed 50W wireless charging and IPX8/IPX9 water resistance, which might offer better value or feature sets for some users. Leaked European prices show the Z Fold 7 starting around €2,227, a notable increase, while US pricing is uncertain but rumored to potentially stay at $1,899. The OnePlus Open 2’s pricing and global availability are still TBD, making a final comparison difficult until both devices are officially announced.
What official accessories are rumored for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and what do the leaks reveal about them?
Leaked information indicates Samsung plans to launch at least five official cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. These include a standard Silicone Case (€69), a basic Clear Case (€49), a Clear Grip Case with a built-in handle (€53), a Clear Magnet Case with magnetic compatibility (€57), and a premium Carbon Shield Case made of carbon fiber (€89). These leaks reveal Samsung’s intent to offer a range of options providing different levels of protection, functionality (like grip or magnetic attachment), materials, and price points to complement the Z Fold 7 device.
Conclusion
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents Samsung’s continued commitment to refining the foldable phone experience, with a strong emphasis on achieving a significantly slimmer and more premium design. While Samsung’s engineering efforts are clearly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with foldable form factors, the competitive landscape means that innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Honor’s early announcement of the Magic V5, claiming the “world’s thinnest” title, highlights the intense race among manufacturers and demonstrates how timing can impact market narratives. Furthermore, devices like the rumored OnePlus Open 2 signal that thinness must be balanced with other sought-after features like advanced water resistance and high-speed wireless charging.
As Samsung prepares for its Unpacked event in July, the full picture of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will emerge, including its exact dimensions, final specifications (like battery and camera details), and confirmed global pricing. While it may have missed the chance to claim the “world’s thinnest” crown outright due to Honor’s timing, the Z Fold 7 is still poised to be Samsung’s most refined and powerful foldable yet. The leaked accessories and pricing information add further layers to the picture, suggesting a premium offering with diverse customization options, albeit potentially at a higher cost in some regions. Ultimately, how the Galaxy Z Fold 7 stacks up against the competition will depend not just on its individual merits, but also on how Samsung positions it in a market rapidly filling with innovative, thin, and feature-rich foldable alternatives.
