Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 5: Accumulating advancements

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 sports a new-look design highlighted by a larger cover screen, but is it enough to satisfy longtime clamshell foldable fans? On paper, this is a good thing, as we are finally getting the edge-to-edge outer display we've all been wanting, among other upgrades. However, there are still many similarities between the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and older models.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 might offer enough new features to make you want to trade in your Galaxy Z Flip 5, but the question is, should you do it? Although the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will immediately become one of the best foldable phones, it's not a slam-dunk upgrade for everyone. Let's review how the new model compares to its two-year-old counterpart.

For more news and information on Samsung’s latest foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 5: Design and display

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The Galaxy Z Flip 7 marks the first time Samsung added a larger, edge-to-edge cover display — the kind that can compete with Motorola's Razr Plus and Ultra models. It sports a 4.1-inch Super AMOLED panel that can now swap between 60 and 120Hz refresh rates. This isn't an LTPO screen, so it can't fluctuate quite like the inner display, but it's still a big upgrade.

Unfortunately, it seems like Samsung is still limiting the functionality to just widgets rather than full-fledged apps. The latter is possible on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and 6, but not without jumping through hoops. While the company is expanding the capabilities of the Flex Window with the new Galaxy Z Flip 7, it's still not an unrestricted app experience.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 keeps the boxy, rectangular appearance of the last generation of foldables. The corners are less rounded than the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and the sides are flatter and sharper. Thanks to the slight chamfer on the edges, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 shouldn't be uncomfortable to hold compared to the older model.

In fact, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will probably fit nicer in your hand or pocket thanks to its slimmer chassis. Samsung made the entire package thinner when shut, as it now measures just 13.7mm closed. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 measures 15.1mm when folded for reference. At 187 grams, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is actually a tad bit lighter than the 188-gram Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Crucially, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is more durable, as it's rated for IP48 certification against dust and water ingress. The older Galaxy Z Flip 5 is IPX8, so it can withstand water but not dust. This is a problem since dust and debris can creep their way into the hinge of a foldable phone, breaking the display.

Dust resistance is a big reason to pick the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and the Armor Aluminum side rails, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 coverings, and redesigned FlexHinge are added bonuses in the durability department.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 5: Hardware and specs

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is launching with One UI 8, based on Android 16. The new operating system, paired with a Samsung Exynos 2500 chip, could make for a refreshed and efficient experience. While we don't quite know how the Exynos 2500 will compare to the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform, we can expect Samsung's counter to be less performant.

Samsung says the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is more powerful than its predecessor thanks to the Exynos 2500, which is a 3nm chip. The phone also has 12GB RAM as standard, which will make the latest software feel more responsive and snappy compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The latter's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is still a solid chip for powering through your social and productivity apps, but heavier games should fare better on the Flip 7's newer processor.

For those who trust Snapdragon more than Exynos, though, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 might be more appealing.

In terms of battery life, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 should crush the older Galaxy Z Flip 5. The former has a 4,300mAh capacity, while the latter has a 3,700mAh capacity. Plus, the Exynos chip should actually give the Galaxy Z Flip 7 an advantage in efficiency.

For some reason, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is still stuck with just 25W wired charging speeds — the same as the Galaxy Z Flip 5. People hoping for faster power-up times will be disappointed again by this year's Galaxy Z Flip model.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 5: Cameras

Cameras are an area where the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will best the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The latter has two 12MP sensors on the outside, which are serviceable but not great in terms of capturing very good details. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a 50MP main camera like the Flip 6, with the sensor being unchanged from last year. The secondary ultrawide lens is still a 12MP f/2.2 lens.

Samsung has maintained a 10MP camera in the folding screen for the past few generations, and it will continue on the Flip 7. Aside from the primary shooter, the cameras are consistent between the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 5: Which one should you buy?

While it doesn't make sense to buy the Galaxy Z Flip 5 new in 2025, keeping the one you have is a different story. There are a surprising number of similarities between the two-year-old model and the brand-new one. Slow wireless charging speeds, a limited cover screen, and unchanged secondary and front-facing cameras are some of the big ones.

Still, there are a lot of crucial upgrades between the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Dust resistance, improved durability, and a slimmer chassis are major changes. Bigger screens and a 50MP main camera sensor are nice to have as well. With all that in mind, it might be worth trying to get one more year out of the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

If you're buying new or used, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 or even the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a better option than the aging Galaxy Z Flip 5. The latter's weak durability makes it hard to recommend when stronger options are available.