The Most Useful Z Fold Yet? 50 Days With The Fold7

After spending 50 days with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7, I can honestly say this device has changed how I think about foldable phones. As someone who’s tested countless smartphones across Australia’s tech landscape, I was initially sceptical about whether Samsung could finally nail the foldable formula. Spoiler alert: they have.

Living in Sydney and constantly on the move between meetings, content creation, and downtime activities, I needed a device that could handle my demanding lifestyle. The Fold7 has exceeded expectations in ways I didn’t anticipate.

Design and Build Quality That Finally Makes Sense

The first thing that strikes you about the Galaxy Z Fold7 is how dramatically different it feels compared to previous generations. At just 215 grams, it’s actually lighter than Samsung’s own Galaxy S25 Ultra. This weight reduction isn’t just numbers on a spec sheet; it fundamentally changes how you interact with the device daily.

Samsung has achieved something remarkable with the engineering here. When folded, the phone measures a mere 8.9mm thick, making it genuinely pocketable without feeling like you’re carrying a brick. The redesigned hinge mechanism eliminates the annoying gap that plagued earlier models, and the build quality feels premium throughout.

The Advanced Armour Aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the cover screen provide confidence that this device can handle Australia’s harsh conditions. Having dropped it twice onto concrete (accidentally, of course), the Fold7 emerged unscathed.

Display Excellence That Redefines Mobile Computing

The dual-display setup is where the Fold7 truly shines. The 6.5-inch cover screen now feels like a proper smartphone display rather than an afterthought. With a 21:9 aspect ratio, it’s perfectly suited for one-handed use, whether you’re checking emails during your morning coffee or scrolling through social media.

Opening the device reveals the expansive 8-inch main display, which represents an 11% increase in size compared to the Fold6. The nearly square 6:5 aspect ratio is a game-changer for productivity applications. The 2600 nits peak brightness ensures excellent visibility even in Australia’s intense sunlight.

What impressed me most during testing was how natural the transition between displays feels. App continuity works seamlessly, allowing you to start a task on the cover screen and effortlessly continue on the main display.

Fold7 for Gaming Sessions on the Go

One of the genuine delights with the Galaxy Z Fold7 is how it caters to all sides of my digital life. I’m an avid gamer, and I won’t lie, the odd mobile casino session helps pass the time when travelling or waiting around. Whether it’s a quick burst of a fast-paced title or exploring something a bit more strategic, I find the foldable’s big internal screen makes gaming engaging.

Jumping between apps feels smooth, and the large processor keeps everything ticking without lag. Features like split-screen multitasking let me watch a live stream with mates on the cover display while keeping my casino session going on the main screen. Sometimes I load up my go-to platform, which fits perfectly on the Fold7’s expansive display, giving me that immersive experience that just doesn’t happen with smaller phones.

Whether I’m gaming or chasing a bit of luck, the Fold7 is robust, has a crisp display, and makes downtime on public transport or during breaks genuinely entertaining. Battery life ensures these sessions don’t get cut short on long days out either.

Camera Performance That Challenges Flagship Standards

Samsung has finally addressed one of the biggest criticisms of previous Fold devices by incorporating a 200MP main sensor borrowed from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The improvement in image quality is immediately apparent, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

The camera system includes a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. While the zoom range isn’t as extensive as some flagship devices, the overall image quality is consistently impressive. Portrait shots benefit from the larger sensor, delivering sharp details and natural bokeh effects.

Night photography has seen significant improvement. The combination of the larger sensor and Samsung’s computational photography delivers results that rival dedicated flagship phones. Street photography around Melbourne’s laneways produced consistently sharp, well-exposed images even in challenging lighting.

Video recording capabilities are equally impressive, with 4K recording across all lenses and excellent stabilisation for handheld footage.

Productivity Features That Actually Work

The Fold7 excels as a productivity device in ways that previous foldables simply couldn’t match. The larger internal display makes multitasking feel natural rather than cramped. Running three applications simultaneously isn’t just possible; it’s genuinely useful.

Samsung’s implementation of multi-window functionality has matured significantly. The Edge Panel provides quick access to frequently used applications, and the ability to save app pairs for instant launching streamlines workflow considerably. The new 90:10 split-screen option proves particularly useful for reference tasks.

DeX support transforms the Fold7 into a legitimate laptop replacement when connected to an external monitor. Combined with a wireless keyboard and mouse, it provides a surprisingly capable desktop experience for lighter computing tasks.

Galaxy AI integration adds genuine value rather than feeling like a marketing gimmick. Features like Circle to Search and Live Translate work reliably and provide real-world utility. The AI-powered editing tools in the camera app are sophisticated enough to be genuinely useful.

Daily Usage Reality Check

After 50 days of intensive use, several patterns emerged. The cover display handles approximately 85% of daily smartphone tasks comfortably. Quick messages, calls, notifications, and basic app interactions rarely require opening the device.

The main display comes into its own for content consumption, document editing, and multitasking scenarios. Reading PDFs, editing presentations, and managing complex email threads become significantly more manageable on the larger screen.

Battery life consistently delivered a full day of use with approximately 6 hours of screen-on time. The 4400mAh capacity, while modest compared to traditional flagships, proves adequate thanks to efficient power management.

The 25W charging speed feels conservative by 2025 standards but remains practical for overnight charging. Wireless charging and reverse wireless sharing work as expected.

Market Considerations

Pricing remains the Fold7’s biggest challenge in the Australian market. Starting at $2699, it’s a significant investment that puts it firmly in premium territory. However, Samsung’s trade-in programs and carrier deals can offset some of the initial outlay.

Network performance across Australia’s major carriers has been flawless, with excellent 5G reception in metropolitan areas. The dual-SIM capability proves valuable for business users managing personal and work numbers.

Local availability through major retailers like JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and carrier stores ensures good support infrastructure. Samsung’s Australian warranty support has historically been reliable.

The Foldable Future Has Arrived

The Galaxy Z Fold7 represents the first foldable device that doesn’t require significant compromises. The combination of refined hardware, mature software, and genuine productivity benefits creates a compelling package for users willing to embrace the form factor.

While the premium pricing limits mainstream adoption, early adopters and productivity-focused users will find genuine value in the Fold7’s unique capabilities. The device delivers on the long-promised vision of a phone that transforms into a tablet without sacrificing either experience.

For Australian consumers considering the jump to foldable technology, the Fold7 finally offers a mature, reliable option that justifies its premium positioning. After 50 days, I’m convinced this is the foldable Samsung should have released years ago, but better late than never.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 isn’t just an incremental upgrade; it’s the realisation of the foldable phone’s potential. For users who demand maximum functionality from their mobile device, it’s become an indispensable tool that genuinely enhances daily productivity and entertainment experiences.