It didn’t take long after the first batch of renders hit the web for us to get a more grounded look at what could be Samsung’s biggest foldable refresh in years. Thanks to a new hands-on video from Korean YouTube channel TheSINZA, we now have a full look at a Galaxy Z Fold 7 dummy unit, and it’s starting to feel like Samsung might finally be taking its foldable competition seriously.
In the video, the dummy gets stacked up against both the Z Fold 6 and the Z Fold SE (that regional exclusive we never got our hands on), and the differences are hard to miss. After several years of small, cautious tweaks, this model feels more like a confident step forward.
Slimmer, Bigger — and About Time
Let’s start with what everyone will notice first: this thing is slim. Unfolded, the Fold 7 measures just 4.5mm thick. Sure, that’s a touch thicker than earlier rumors had us hoping, but still — we’re looking at a foldable that clocks in under 10mm when closed. That’s in line with what most modern foldables aim for, and it brings Samsung’s device much closer to the sleekness of regular slab phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The sharp corners, flat edges, and polished metal frame we saw last year are all still here, and honestly, it works. Visually, the phone looks cleaner and more refined, and it finally feels like Samsung is catching up to what rivals like Honor, OnePlus, and Google have already nailed down.
Not Everything Is Perfect
Of course, no design change comes without a few compromises. The camera bump is huge — like, noticeably sticking out. That means laying this thing flat on a desk won’t be easy without a case to level things out. And the volume and power buttons (the latter of which houses the fingerprint sensor) look a little too thin, even for a foldable. We’ll have to see how that plays out in real-world use.
The Outer Display Finally Makes Sense
Perhaps the most exciting shift here is one we’ve been waiting on for a long time: the outer display is wider and looks more like a traditional phone screen. Gone is the awkward, narrow panel of past Folds. The Z Fold 7’s front display leans more into S25 Ultra territory than the Z Fold 6, which is a big win for usability.
For years, Samsung stuck with a tall, skinny outer screen while its competitors moved on to more practical dimensions. This time, it looks like they finally listened — and the result is a foldable that doesn’t feel like a compromise when closed.
Big Reveal Coming Soon?
With Samsung’s next Unpacked event rumored for July 9, we won’t have to wait long to see if the final product lives up to what this dummy is showing us. But if this early look is any indication, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be the major redesign fans have been hoping for since the Fold line first debuted. So far? It looks promising.
