Samsung Bets Big on Foldables With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 — and Apple Still Has No Response

Samsung has officially unveiled its next-generation foldable smartphones: the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE. Scheduled to launch on July 25, with preorders starting July 9, these devices mark a major milestone in Samsung’s long-term bet that foldables represent the future of smartphones.

With larger screens, lighter designs, and deeper integration of artificial intelligence, Samsung is not just iterating — it’s aiming to make foldables mainstream. Meanwhile, Apple has yet to enter the foldable phone market, leaving Samsung with a unique competitive advantage in the high-end smartphone segment.

What’s New in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7?

• Galaxy Z Fold 7 ($2,000): Features an 8-inch internal screen, lighter design than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and improved resolution.

• Galaxy Z Flip 7 ($1,100): Offers a 4.1-inch full front cover screen when closed and a 6.9-inch internal display.

• Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE ($900): A more affordable version using an older processor and a design closer to earlier Flip models.

In a notable shift, Samsung has used different processors for its foldables: a Qualcomm chip powers the Fold 7, while the Flip 7 runs on Samsung’s Exynos chip. This move reflects the brand’s effort to adapt to supply chain conditions without compromising performance.

Why It Matters

Foldable phones still represent a small slice of the market — less than 2% of global smartphone sales, according to IDC. However, Samsung believes the Fold 7 and Flip 7 series could push foldables closer to the mainstream adoption tipping point.

“We believe that now, with the launch of the Fold 7 and Flip 7, we will be nearing the tipping point of going mainstream,” said Won-joon Choi, Samsung’s mobile COO, in an interview with CNN.

Despite high price tags, analysts say foldables are a profitable segment. Unlike earlier expectations that prices would drop over time, Samsung seems to be positioning foldables as premium alternatives to devices like Apple’s iPhone Pro Max.

No Foldable iPhone Yet

Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone remains unconfirmed and unreleased, with most reports suggesting a potential launch no earlier than 2026. In the meantime, Samsung remains the only major smartphone brand with a full lineup of foldable options, giving it a temporary but significant advantage.

There’s growing evidence that iPhone users are starting to explore foldables. According to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, 8% of new foldable phone buyers in Q1 2024 had switched from iPhones — a notable figure in a highly loyal customer base.

When asked about Apple’s potential entry into the foldables space, Choi said, “We would welcome that.”

The Road Ahead for Samsung

Samsung continues to face growing competition from Chinese brands like Huawei, Honor, and Vivo, particularly in the domestic Chinese market. Just before Samsung’s launch, Honor announced its Magic V5, and Huawei introduced a foldable that opens in two places like an accordion — a design Samsung has teased but not yet commercialized.

To stay ahead, Samsung is leveraging both hardware innovation and AI integration. The new devices offer enhanced compatibility with Google’s Gemini AI assistant, including conversational features and multitasking capabilities unique to foldable form factors. Samsung has also hinted at upcoming partnerships with other AI firms, potentially including Perplexity.

Choi believes AI will reshape how users interact with phones: “I don’t think it’s like 10 years away… But somewhere in between. It’s going to happen.”

Conclusion

With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, Samsung is redefining what a premium smartphone can be — and doing so in a product category where Apple has yet to play. As AI and foldable tech converge, Samsung's strategy positions it at the forefront of the next evolution in mobile computing.

If Apple doesn’t move soon, the foldable market may no longer be up for grabs — it could already belong to Samsung.