I held the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 - these 3 features make all the difference this year

The new FlexWindow, which refers to the external display, now spans from end to end, similar to that found on the Motorola Razr Ultra. The Super AMOLED FlexWindow on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 measures 4.1 inches versus the 3.4 inches on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, making it the largest ever in its series 

This is enabled in part by the thinner 1.5mm bezels, which are barely noticeable when looking at the screen. The larger screen experience also applies when the phone is open. The unfolded main display now measures 6.9 inches, compared to the 6.7-inch screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It's not a night-and-day difference per se, but still an upgrade for multimedia consumption and general browsing.

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In addition, both the FlexWindow and main display have a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600 nits of peak brightness. The FlexWindow also supports Samsung's VisionBooster, a feature that enhances outdoor visibility, making it the brightest and highest-functioning FlexWindow yet. 

Of course, we'll put it to the test during our actual review, but the specs for now are generally impressive, especially given the new experiences that Samsung has enabled users to experience on the cover screen, including easier Gemini AI access.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7's appeal lies in its clamshell design, which makes it more pocket-friendly than most smartphones on the market. However, to maximize portability, the phone needs to be as thin and light as possible, and Samsung made strides in that direction by optimizing its dimensions.

When folded, the Z Flip 7 measures only 13.7mm (down from 14.9mm last year). When unfolded, it's only 6.5mm thick (from 6.9mm). While the differences may seem minimal when compared side by side, the newer phone is noticeably slimmer in the hand, making it a more suitable option for traveling and lighter outfits.

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Despite the smaller form factor, it packs a 4,300mAh battery, which Samsung claims powers up to 31 hours of video playback time. That's the largest capacity we've seen on a Z Flip model. For comparison, its predecessor had a 4,000mAh battery which supported up to 20 hours of video playback. 

Power users may also favor Samsung's Exynos 2500 processor (which replaces the Qualcomm Snapdragon from last year), geared to enhance the portable PC-like experience -- aka DeX mode -- when plugged into a monitor. 

Samsung was quick to jump on the generative AI wave with its suite of Galaxy AI features back in 2024. The AI tools have been sprinkled across One UI to unlock photo and audio editing experiences, Circle to Search, Gemini assistance, and more. And with the Z Flip 7's larger cover screen, you can now access those same tools before you even unfold the device.

For example, Gemini Live is now accessible on the cover screen, whether through a long press of the side button or through the app. It can assist with answering questions or access apps that take action for you, such as creating a note or adding a calendar event. 

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More notably, users can now also share the camera with multimodal AI on FlexCam. This allows them to prop their phone up and use the camera to get multimodal Gemini assistance from Gemini Live, including receiving fashion tips or DIY prompts.

Another convenient use of the Flex Window is the addition of the Personalized Now Bar and Now Brief. This makes it easier for you to check real-time information and receive briefings tailored to your routines and interests without even having to open the phone. For example, Now Brief may suggest actions such as weather alerts if it sees an event on your calendar to help you stay prepared.