Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is here, and on the surface, it’s a marvel of engineering. It’s thinner, lighter, and more refined than any foldable Samsung has ever made. But beneath the polished titanium and dazzling AMOLED displays lies a growing concern: Samsung is quietly stripping away features that once defined its flagship devices.
📱 Design & Display: A Foldable That Finally Feels Like a Phone
The Z Fold 7 is a triumph in form factor. At just 8.9mm thick when closed and 4.2mm when unfolded, it’s slimmer than the Galaxy S25 Ultra and even lighter at 215g. The 6.5-inch cover screen now boasts a more natural 21:9 aspect ratio, while the 8-inch inner display offers a near-tablet experience with vibrant Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels and 2600 nits peak brightness.
Compared to the Z Fold 6, which measured 12.1mm closed and 5.6mm unfolded, the Fold 7 is a dramatic leap forward in portability and comfort. It also ditches the awkward TV-remote feel of earlier Folds, finally delivering a device that feels like a premium slab phone when closed.
📸 Cameras & Performance: Ultra DNA, Folded In
Samsung didn’t hold back on internals. The Fold 7 borrows the 200MP main camera from the S25 Ultra, alongside a 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto lens. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage options.
The S25 Ultra, while still a powerhouse, is bulkier and heavier. It retains the same camera setup but offers a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the Fold 7’s 4400mAh. However, both devices benefit from AI-backed battery optimization and Samsung’s ProVisual Engine for enhanced low-light photography.
✍️ The S Pen Saga: A Stylus Snubbed
Here’s where things get controversial. The Z Fold 7 has completely dropped S Pen support—a feature that once set it apart from other foldables. Samsung claims usage data didn’t justify keeping it, but for power users, creatives, and productivity-focused professionals, this is a major blow. They removed the layer that provides the sensory element for the s-pen.
Even worse, the S25 Ultra’s S Pen has been nerfed. It no longer supports Bluetooth functions like remote camera shutter or air gestures, and latency improvements are minimal. It feels like Samsung is slowly phasing out the stylus experience that once defined the Note series and later the Ultra line.
🧩 The Bigger Picture: A Pattern of Subtraction
Samsung’s recent trend is clear: thinner designs, fewer features. While the Fold 7 is a technical marvel, it comes at the cost of functionality. No S Pen. No 5x optical zoom. No battery upgrade. Meanwhile, the S25 Ultra loses S Pen features and still commands a premium price.
| Feature | Z Fold 7 | Z Fold 6 | S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Pen Support | ❌ Removed | ✅ Supported | ⚠️ Nerfed (no Bluetooth) |
| Main Camera | 200MP | 50MP | 200MP |
| Thickness (Closed) | 8.9mm | 12.1mm | 8.2mm |
| Weight | 215g | 239g | 218g |
| Battery | 4400mAh | 4400mAh | 5000mAh |
🧠 Final Thoughts: Innovation or Erosion?
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is undeniably impressive. It’s the most refined foldable Samsung has ever made. But in chasing sleekness, Samsung is sacrificing the very features that made its devices unique. The removal of S Pen support isn’t just a design decision—it’s a philosophical shift.
If Samsung continues down this path, it risks alienating its most loyal users. Because thinner doesn’t always mean better—and sometimes, less really is less.
Would you trade the S Pen for a thinner phone? Or is Samsung folding under pressure?
