When Samsung launched the original Galaxy Fold in 2019, it felt like a glimpse into the future, one that fit in your pocket, but came with a hefty price tag and even heftier compromises. It was thick, fragile, and more concept than consumer-ready. Early reviewers accidentally peeled off its protective top layer, causing the display to malfunction, forcing Samsung to take the phones back.

Six years later, the form factor has evolved. The new Galaxy Z Fold 7 is almost half its original size, at 8.9mm when folded; that’s a dramatic drop from the chunky 17.1mm. And at 215g, it has shed nearly 50g, which makes a difference in everyday use. Its new “Armor FlexHinge” has what it calls a “multirail” structure, which apparently distributes stress more evenly, and reduces the visibility of the crease. It also has a 200MP camera sensor, borrowed from the S25 Ultra, deeper Galaxy AI integration optimised for the Fold, and a more efficient battery. The Z Series also finally gets DeX mode for a desktop experience.