Samsung Unveils Thinner, Lighter Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 FE to Defend Premium Foldable Crown

Samsung has officially pulled the wraps off its latest foldable smartphones, showcasing a major design evolution and a clear strategy to stay ahead in the premium device market—even as competition from Apple, Huawei, and Honor heats up.

At its big unveiling event in New York City, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, promising not only slimmer, lighter designs but smarter AI integrations designed to appeal to power users.

Competing in a Changing Smartphone Market

After losing its position as the world's top smartphone maker to Apple in 2023, Samsung is under pressure to differentiate itself in a crowded premium market. While Apple still hasn’t launched a foldable phone, Chinese brands like Huawei and Honor are aggressively expanding their foldable lineups and grabbing market share—especially in China.

Samsung's answer? A clear focus on cutting-edge design, advanced AI features, and strategic pricing aimed at creating a premium “halo effect” for the brand.

A Slimmer, Lighter Foldable Experience

One of the standout promises of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is its drastically refined form factor. Samsung says the new Fold is 26% thinner and 10% lighter than its predecessor. That addresses one of the biggest complaints about foldables: they’re often bulky and awkward in the pocket.

Inside, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, while the Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos chips—keeping performance snappy and future-proof.

Meanwhile, Samsung also revealed a more affordable Flip 7 FE, coming in at $899—making foldables a bit more accessible to those not ready to spend nearly $2,000 on the Fold 7.

Premium Pricing and Strategy Amid Tariff Concerns

Samsung is pushing forward with its premium positioning despite global economic pressures and looming U.S. tariffs. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will retail for $1,999 in the U.S., marking about a 5% price increase over last year’s Fold 6.

The company says it’s accelerating shipments to the U.S. to get ahead of potential tariff impacts. Production remains largely based in Vietnam, with additional output from South Korea and India to diversify supply chains.

If you're thinking about upgrading to one of Samsung’s sleek new foldables, you’ll want the move to your new device to be as seamless as the design itself. That's where Smart Transfer comes in—a third-party data send app that makes moving your data between old and new devices incredibly easy.

Smart Transfer’s WhatsApp transfer feature lets you clone phone files, migrate photos, videos, contacts, and other important files between Android and iOS devices without hassle. No cables, no complicated cloud backups—just fast, secure sharing that ensures you can start enjoying your new Fold or Flip right away.

Foldables as a Niche—But Lucrative—Market

While Samsung’s foldable devices continue to define the segment, analysts caution the market remains niche. Foldables made up just 1.5% of global smartphone shipments, according to IDC, though they command far higher prices than standard smartphones.

For Samsung, foldables account for only 4% of total unit sales, but a striking 16% of sales over $800—underscoring their role as halo products that boost the brand’s premium image.

Facing Fierce Competition from Huawei and Honor

Despite its head start in the foldable category, Samsung is facing serious challenges from Chinese competitors. Brands like Huawei and Honor have launched compelling foldable alternatives with strong sales, especially in China—chipping away at Samsung’s share of the segment.

To stay ahead, Samsung is investing heavily in design and AI. The company also revealed it's working on tri-foldable phones that could debut by the end of the year, showcasing its commitment to pushing the category further.

AI at the Heart of Samsung’s Strategy

Samsung’s mobile chief, Choi Won-joon, emphasized that integrating AI is central to the company’s smartphone plans. Unlike Apple, which has focused on in-house AI development (and faced delays in rolling out certain features), Samsung is working closely with partners like Google to accelerate AI capabilities.

The new foldable phones will be infused with AI-powered experiences meant to differentiate them from standard slabs. Samsung also introduced new smartwatches equipped with Google's Gemini voice assistant, offering intelligent suggestions like recommended jogging routes—further tying its ecosystem together.

The Road Ahead for Samsung Foldables

Samsung’s premium strategy isn’t without risk. High prices and limited mainstream use cases mean foldables are still a niche segment, and shipment growth has flattened since peaking in 2022.

But by delivering sleeker, lighter designs with smarter AI features, Samsung hopes to expand its audience and solidify its dominance—especially in key markets like the U.S., Europe, and South Korea.

Final Thoughts

Samsung’s latest foldable launch shows the company isn’t backing down from the premium fight. With slimmer designs, faster chips, advanced AI, and a broader range of price points, it’s betting that foldables can go from niche curiosity to everyday essential.

And if you're planning to make the leap to one of these innovative devices, don’t forget to make your transition easier with Smart Transfer, ensuring all your memories and important files move with you to your new foldable companion.