Samsung announced the seventh generation of its foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, at a festive event in New York. The focus this year is on the Fold model, which features a thinner and more refined design than ever before, though the Flip also received several upgrades. Alongside the design changes, Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Watch 8 smartwatches, including the Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and Watch Ultra 2. Here's everything that happened at the New York launch event.
Galaxy Z Fold 7: Thinner, Lighter, and More Advanced
The new Galaxy Z Fold 7 features subtle yet noticeable upgrades in structure, screens, and camera setup, with design taking center stage. It is one of the thinnest devices in the foldable category – 8.9 mm thick when folded and only 4.2 mm when open, weighing 215 grams. Thin bezels and a wide external screen allow relatively natural use even when closed, offering the feel of a "regular" phone – until it opens. Inside awaits an 8-inch main screen with a particularly bright AMOLED display, a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits, and technology that allows comfortable viewing even in direct sunlight. The screen is 11% larger than the previous model.
The external changes are also accompanied by internal reinforcements: The hinge has been redesigned with a lighter and thinner structure, improved stress distribution, and the outer screen is now made of Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. The frame has been reinforced with Armor Aluminum, and the inner screen is stronger thanks to the integration of titanium panels and 50% thicker Ultra Thin Glass. All of this makes the device more durable for everyday use, while maintaining minimalist design lines.
Another major upgrade is in photography: For the first time in the Fold series, Samsung has included a 200MP main camera with enhanced image processing and low-light shooting capabilities. Accompanying it are a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. In addition to the hardware, AI-based tools have been added for direct photo editing from the phone – including removal of unwanted elements in a photo, composition changes, and smart background completion.
The Fold 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor in a Galaxy-dedicated version, delivering improved CPU and NPU performance compared to the previous model, especially in AI-related tasks. This includes simultaneous translation, visual recognition, real-time image processing, and smooth operation of features like Gemini Live or floating results view.
The device comes with Android 16 and the One UI 8 interface, featuring adaptations for a large screen such as split view, support for writing and drawing assistants, and integration with Google tools like Gemini Live. While these don’t change the nature of the device, they certainly make it a more complete option for users seeking a smartphone that can also replace a tablet and provide a productive work environment – without feeling bulky.
The price? Starting at NIS 7,499, with pre-orders starting this evening. Launch is at the end of the month.
Galaxy Z Flip 7: A Precise Update for Samsung’s Compact Foldable
Compared to the significantly upgraded Fold 7, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 presents a more measured update but includes several useful additions that improve the user experience – primarily a larger 4.1-inch Super AMOLED external display that spans edge to edge and allows for numerous actions directly from it without opening the device: Typing messages, checking the calendar, camera view, and controlling third-party apps. The screen also features up to 2,600 nits brightness and Vision Booster technology to enhance visibility in daylight.
The device structure remains similar to the previous generation but is lighter and thinner – only 188 grams and 13.7 mm thick when folded – making it one of Samsung’s lightest foldables. Despite its compact structure, it includes a large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED inner screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 4,300mAh battery – the largest so far in the Flip series – capable of playing video for up to 31 hours on a single charge.
This year the Flip 7 is powered by a 3-nanometer Exynos 2500 chip, promising improved performance and energy efficiency, along with better support for on-device AI features – whether summarizing texts, voice commands, or editing photos and videos.
The cameras also got an upgrade: A dual rear setup with a 50MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, along with new selfie innovations from the FlexWindow – including a preview screen, Dual Preview feature, new zoom slider, and real-time filters. An interesting addition this year is support for DeX mode, for the first time in Flip models, allowing the device to function as a desktop workstation.
The One UI 8 interface based on Android 16 includes deeper integration of Galaxy AI features – like visual search, notification summarizing, Gemini Live-based voice assistant, and lock screen personalization tools. Alongside all this, Samsung maintained a high level of durability with an Armor Aluminum frame, reinforced FlexArmor hinge, and Victus 2 glass on the front and back. This is a targeted upgrade that strengthens the user experience while preserving the familiar design and usage concept – simple, compact, and selfie-focused.
The price? Starting at NIS 4,099, with pre-orders also beginning this evening and launch at the end of the month.
<br>For the First Time: A More Affordable Version – Galaxy Z Flip7 FE
Alongside the main model, Samsung also announced the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE – the first budget version designed to make the foldable category more accessible to a wider audience. The design is very similar to the regular Flip7 but slightly different in dimensions: The inner screen is slightly smaller (6.7 inches), and the outer screen is reduced to 3.4 inches but still allows quick access to notifications, basic AI features, and camera view.
The specs also reflect a calculated compromise: The processor is the Exynos 2400 model, with 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB internal storage. The cameras are identical to the full model – including a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens – so even the FE can deliver high-quality photography results, including FlexCam modes and hands-free shooting.
The battery is smaller (4,000mAh), but still provides long daily usage time, and the device retains water resistance with IP48 certification. It comes in more basic colors – black and white – and includes most of the One UI 8 features, with an emphasis on a simple, easy, and compact user experience at a more accessible price. For now, the SE model is not expected to arrive in Israel.
Galaxy Watch 8: Three Watches, Personalized to Your Lifestyle
Samsung also introduced the eighth generation of its smartwatches – Galaxy Watch 8, including three different models: Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and the new Watch Ultra. The trio continues the familiar division by usage style – from a daily minimalist design to a rugged outdoor model – but this year with a special focus on comfort, advanced health metrics, and smarter AI capabilities.
The watches have been redesigned with an 11% thinner body and a more comfortable fit on the wrist, according to Samsung’s internal testing. In addition to the improved fit, new sensors were added, including an antioxidant level sensor that can be activated by pressing the back of the watch, along with improved sleep monitoring that includes sleep apnea detection, personalized insights, and guidance for optimal bedtime based on multi-day tracking.
For the first time, Samsung integrated full support for Google Gemini directly from the watch – including voice command activation from the screen, information search, and display of relevant insights like nearby restaurants or synced health data. Together with the new One UI Watch interface, the updated Now bar, personal running coach, and monitoring of vascular pressure levels during the night, this is a systemic upgrade aimed at more precision, more comfort, and deeper connection with the smartphone.