Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 5: A major leap

Samsung's foldable lineup has become known for its incremental upgrades, which don't amount to much from generation to generation. However, if you wait two or three years for upgrades to accumulate, a new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold device becomes significantly more appealing. So, how does the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 factor into this pattern?

With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung adds a few tangible upgrades that make it a compelling foldable compared to prior models. This generation features larger screens, a massive chip upgrade, and a new 200MP camera. That instantly makes it an enticing upgrade for Galaxy Z Fold 5 owners. Let's break down how these two models compare, and whether it's time for you to upgrade.

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

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 5: Pricing and availability

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Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked of the year introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 9, 2025. The foldable phone is available for pre-order starting now, and will hit wider availability later this month.

It's more expensive, starting at $1,999 for the 256GB, with optional 512GB and 1TB configurations available. You can get an exclusive Mint colorway from Samsung's online store, or otherwise can choose from Silver Shadow, Blue Shadow, and Jetblack colors.

The previous model, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, cost $1,799 in 2023. It's not as easy to find in 2025, but is massively discounted when available. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 was sold in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage configurations.

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

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have a vaguely similar appearance, featuring a triple-camera system on the back. However, that's where the similarities end. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has the new, boxy and rectangular design introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It also features a redesigned hinge that closes completely flat, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will have a slight gap between the two displays when closed.

The triple-camera system on the back of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a slightly-different housing compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, forming an oval shape similar to that of the Galaxy S25 Edge.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 also sports the narrower cover display, measuring 6.2 inches with a 1:9 aspect ratio. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a wider 6.5-inch AMOLED 2X panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio.

The main display of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 larger, too, measuring 8 inches. It's an AMOLED 2X display panel with 2,600 nits of peak brightness and support for 120Hz variable refresh rates. By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 only offers a 7.6-inch foldable screen.

The new foldable measures 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm when folded and weighs just 215 grams, making it thinner and lighter than any other model. This makes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 significantly thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which measures 132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6mm when unfolded and weighs 253 grams.

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

For the first time, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is launching with a new version of Android. It's debuting with One UI 8, which is based on Android 16. This is made possible due to Google's new rollout pace for Android, which sees new version upgrades released in the second quarter of each year. Samsung's foldables are the first new devices to ship with Android 16 ready right out of the box, following Google's update for Pixels earlier.

The new phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, which brings overall improvements and superior AI processing. It's a big upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which powers the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Unfortunately, both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 have the same battery capacity and charging speeds. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a 4,400mAh capacity and can charge at up to 25W with a cable, the same as the newer model.

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

Samsung has been notoriously complacent with its foldable cameras, but that's finally changing this year. The company added a new 200MP sensor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, matching the 200MP primary camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition — exclusively sold in China and Korea. It finally puts Samsung's foldable on par with cameras like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Edge.

It replaces the old 50MP primary camera sensor found on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Otherwise, the Galaxy Z Fold 7's camera hardware is the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 5's lenses. Both devices have a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto lens with up to 3x optical zoom.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a 10MP cover camera and 4MP under-display camera, the newer Galaxy Z Fold 7 bumps the folding display camera to 10MP.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 5: Should you buy it?

For existing Galaxy Z Fold 5 owners, the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 brings major changes that make for an enticing upgrade. It's significantly thinner and more durable, with advanced foldable display technologies, a better hinge, and dust resistance. The chip upgrade, Galaxy AI features, and 200MP primary camera round out the improved experience.

However, it's a tall ask to pay $1,999 for a new phone just two years after investing $1,799 in a Galaxy Z Fold 5. That's even tougher when you consider that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have the same charging speeds and battery capacity. Still, if you can look past the price, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 provides a ton of upgrades over the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Samsung's foldable lineup has become known for its incremental upgrades, which don't amount to much from generation to generation. However, if you wait two or three years for upgrades to accumulate, a new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold device becomes significantly more appealing. So, how does the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 factor into this pattern?

With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung adds a few tangible upgrades that make it a compelling foldable compared to prior models. This generation features larger screens, a massive chip upgrade, and a new 200MP camera. That instantly makes it an enticing upgrade for Galaxy Z Fold 5 owners. Let's break down how these two models compare, and whether it's time for you to upgrade.

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

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 5: Pricing and availability

Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked of the year introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 9, 2025. The foldable phone is available for pre-order starting now, and will hit wider availability later this month.

It's more expensive, starting at $1,999 for the 256GB, with optional 512GB and 1TB configurations available. You can get an exclusive Mint colorway from Samsung's online store, or otherwise can choose from Silver Shadow, Blue Shadow, and Jetblack colors.

The previous model, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, cost $1,799 in 2023. It's not as easy to find in 2025, but is massively discounted when available. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 was sold in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage configurations.

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

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have a vaguely similar appearance, featuring a triple-camera system on the back. However, that's where the similarities end. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has the new, boxy and rectangular design introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It also features a redesigned hinge that closes completely flat, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will have a slight gap between the two displays when closed.

The triple-camera system on the back of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a slightly-different housing compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, forming an oval shape similar to that of the Galaxy S25 Edge.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 also sports the narrower cover display, measuring 6.2 inches with a 1:9 aspect ratio. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a wider 6.5-inch AMOLED 2X panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio.

The main display of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 larger, too, measuring 8 inches. It's an AMOLED 2X display panel with 2,600 nits of peak brightness and support for 120Hz variable refresh rates. By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 only offers a 7.6-inch foldable screen.

The new foldable measures 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm when folded and weighs just 215 grams, making it thinner and lighter than any other model. This makes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 significantly thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which measures 132.6 x 153.5 x 5.6mm when unfolded and weighs 253 grams.

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

For the first time, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is launching with a new version of Android. It's debuting with One UI 8, which is based on Android 16. This is made possible due to Google's new rollout pace for Android, which sees new version upgrades released in the second quarter of each year. Samsung's foldables are the first new devices to ship with Android 16 ready right out of the box, following Google's update for Pixels earlier.

The new phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, which brings overall improvements and superior AI processing. It's a big upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which powers the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Unfortunately, both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 have the same battery capacity and charging speeds. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a 4,400mAh capacity and can charge at up to 25W with a cable, the same as the newer model.

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

Samsung has been notoriously complacent with its foldable cameras, but that's finally changing this year. The company added a new 200MP sensor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, matching the 200MP primary camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition — exclusively sold in China and Korea. It finally puts Samsung's foldable on par with cameras like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Edge.

It replaces the old 50MP primary camera sensor found on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Otherwise, the Galaxy Z Fold 7's camera hardware is the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 5's lenses. Both devices have a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto lens with up to 3x optical zoom.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a 10MP cover camera and 4MP under-display camera, the newer Galaxy Z Fold 7 bumps the folding display camera to 10MP.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 5: Should you buy it?

For existing Galaxy Z Fold 5 owners, the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 brings major changes that make for an enticing upgrade. It's significantly thinner and more durable, with advanced foldable display technologies, a better hinge, and dust resistance. The chip upgrade, Galaxy AI features, and 200MP primary camera round out the improved experience.

However, it's a tall ask to pay $1,999 for a new phone just two years after investing $1,799 in a Galaxy Z Fold 5. That's even tougher when you consider that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have the same charging speeds and battery capacity. Still, if you can look past the price, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 provides a ton of upgrades over the Galaxy Z Fold 5.