After four months of use, the Galaxy Fold 7 is surprisingly good.

It has been four months since the Galaxy Fold 7 was released, and the initial excitement has subsided as the reality of daily use sets in. After this time, small issues become apparent, giving a true sense of the phone’s long-term usability.

Read the original, comprehensive Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 analysis here.

The Fold 7's thinness remains impressive. While the Fold 6 is decent, especially without a case, the Fold 7's sleek design is unmatched. Four months ago, I predicted that competitors like Honor, Oppo, and Huawei would surpass it, but it remains the top foldable in this key area.

Its thin profile contributes to a modern and premium feel, still eliciting "wow" moments.

The lighter weight continues to be a significant advantage. Unlike heavier phones that weigh down pockets, the Z Fold 7's 215 grams make it more manageable. Switching between the Fold 6 and 7, the difference in weight is noticeable.

While larger screens are appreciated, the absence of a crease is the true advancement in the Samsung Z Fold 7. Switching between the Fold 6 and 7 emphasizes the improved experience of an uninterrupted surface. Although the Fold 6's crease isn't a deal-breaker, the Fold 7's smooth screen is more visually appealing and less distracting.

Larger displays are preferable, and the Galaxy Fold 7 achieves an ideal balance.

The Galaxy Fold 7 addresses the common complaint of small, narrow cover screens on Samsung foldables.

The Fold 6's compact size has its merits, offering a blend of portability and a large display when needed. However, the narrow cover screen becomes problematic when typing longer messages. The Fold 7's wider display has reduced typos and improved the user experience, making it less stressful to use.

The Fold 7's 6.5-inch cover display feels optimal. A wider screen might make the phone too large for convenient daily use.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider.

The lack of S Pen support is my biggest concern. To achieve its thin design, Samsung removed the digitizer layer required for S Pen functionality.

The issue is that the first Fold with a large, flat, crease-free display lacks S Pen support.

Standard styluses and Bluetooth pens don't offer the responsiveness of a real S Pen.

While it wasn't a major issue in my initial review, I now realize I would have preferred a slightly thicker design to retain S Pen support, as there are no viable alternatives.

The Fold 7 launched with One UI 8, which initially made Dex feel more restrictive. While it improved resolution and aspect ratio support, it lacked some user-friendly features like window management and keyboard shortcuts. Samsung has addressed some early problems, such as forcing apps into full-screen mode, but Dex is still not as good as it was in One UI 7.

To maintain Dex's relevance, Samsung should focus on improving it rather than taking features away. With minimal effort, it could be a standout feature.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Battery Performance:

Battery Life Estimate: 5h 31m (Ranked #125 in the past 2 years, average is 7h 21m)

Browsing: 14h 18m (Average is 17h 31m)

Video: 6h 38m (Average is 10h 19m)

Gaming: 8h 43m (Average is 10h 14m)

Charging:

25W Charger: 46% in 30 min, Full charge in 1h 23m (Ranked #100 in the past 2 years)

15W Wireless Charging: 26% in 30 min, Full charge in 2h 18m (Ranked #23 in the past 2 years)

Visit PhoneArena Battery Score for comprehensive battery and charging details.

The Galaxy Fold 7's 4400mAh battery usually lasts through the day, but sometimes it ends with only 15–20% remaining.

Although the battery capacity isn't huge, battery life has been adequate. As competitors explore silicon-carbon batteries for greater capacity, Samsung should focus on improving battery technology.

Besides S Pen support, a next-generation battery with higher capacity and reduced weight is a key improvement for the Galaxy Fold 8.

In conclusion, the Galaxy Fold 7 is Samsung's most refined foldable to date and a significant upgrade for Fold 4 and Fold 5 users. However, Fold 6 owners can wait for the next model, particularly if S Pen support is important.

The design improvements, such as the thinness, light weight, and crease-less display, have held up well. The Z Fold 7 has not been surpassed in these aspects, especially in the US market, where it mainly competes with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Now is an opportune moment to purchase the Galaxy Fold 7 at a reduced price (around $1600 or lower) as it won't be replaced soon. This is an excellent value for a powerful and functional smartphone.

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