On July 9, 2025, the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event in Brooklyn, New York, electrified tech enthusiasts with a dazzling showcase of next-generation foldable smartphones.
Under the theme “Unfold Ultra,” Samsung debuted the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, and the budget-friendly Z Flip7 FE, redefining mobile innovation with slimmer designs, advanced AI, and eco-conscious craftsmanship.
Streamed live on Samsung’s YouTube channel, the event drew global attention as the company pushed foldables closer to mainstream adoption.
This article dives into the standout devices, AI breakthroughs, competitive edge, and whether the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event marks a turning point for foldables in the U.S.
New Foldables: Design and Hardware Breakthroughs
The Samsung Foldable Unveil Event introduced three game-changing devices. The Galaxy Z Fold7, at just 4.2mm unfolded and 215 grams, is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest foldable yet, boasting an 8.2-inch inner AMOLED display with 3,000 nits brightness and a 200MP main camera powered by the ProVisual Engine.
Its sturdier hinge and nine recycled materials align with Samsung’s sustainability goals. The Galaxy Z Flip7, measuring 6.5mm unfolded, features a 4.1-inch cover display, a 50MP camera, and a 4,300mAh battery, paired with the Exynos 2500 processor for seamless performance.
The Z Flip7 FE, priced at $899.99, mirrors the Flip7’s design but uses an Exynos 2400e chip and 8GB RAM to cut costs, making foldables more accessible.
These devices, unveiled at the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event, prioritize thinness, durability, and vibrant displays, addressing past criticisms of bulkiness.
AI-Powered Features and Ecosystem Integration
Samsung’s One UI 8, built on Android 16, stole the show at the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event, integrating Google’s Gemini AI for a personalized, multimodal experience.
The Galaxy Z Flip7’s Now Bar displays real-time info like schedules or playlists on the cover screen, while holding the side button activates Gemini Live to analyze outfits or suggest calendar-based activities.
The Z Fold7’s AI Mode enhances productivity with Circle to Search, real-time call summaries, and conversational photo editing.
The Personal Data Engine processes preferences on-device, and Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection ensures data security.
These AI features, highlighted at the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event, make the devices intuitive companions, rivaling traditional smartphones in functionality.
Improvements Over Previous Foldables
Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, the 2025 lineup addresses key flaws. The Z Fold7’s slimmer 8.9mm folded profile and lighter weight tackle user complaints about bulk, while the improved hinge reduces wear concerns.
The Z Flip7’s larger cover display and 4,300mAh battery improve usability and longevity over the Flip6’s 4,000mAh cell.
The Z Flip7 FE introduces a budget option, countering criticism that foldables were too expensive, though it lacks the premium hinge of its siblings.
Unlike the Fold6, which supported the S Pen, the Fold7 drops this feature for a thinner design, a trade-off debated on X.
The Samsung Foldable Unveil Event showcased these refinements, signaling Samsung’s commitment to user feedback.
Competitive Landscape: Samsung vs. Apple, Google, and Others
In the competitive arena, the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event positions Samsung ahead of rivals. Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, expected in 2026, lags, with iOS 19 lacking the multimodal AI of One UI 8.
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Gemini offers robust AI but lacks a foldable form factor, and its Tensor G5 trails the Exynos 2500 in efficiency.
Motorola’s Razr 2025, priced $200 below the Z Flip7 FE, boasts a reinforced hinge but a smaller cover screen. Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate, a tri-fold competitor, is unavailable in the U.S. due to trade restrictions.
Samsung’s lead in foldable design and AI integration, showcased at the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event, gives it an edge, though pricing ($1,099 for Flip7, $1,899 for Fold7) remains a hurdle.
Early Reactions from Reviewers and Consumers
U.S. tech reviewers and consumers are buzzing post-event. TechRadar’s Lance Ulanoff praised the Z Fold7’s “impossibly thin” design, though he noted the S Pen omission disappointed creatives.
On Reddit’s r/Samsung, a user called the Z Flip7’s cover display “a game-changer for quick tasks.” The Verge’s hands-on review lauded the Z Flip7 FE’s value but flagged its weaker hinge.
X posts from early adopters highlight excitement for Gemini Live’s outfit suggestions, though some question battery life.
At the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event’s product zone, attendees like Francisco Javier from Spain raved about the Fold7’s lightweight feel, signaling a strong initial reception.
A Mainstream Moment for Foldables?
The Samsung Foldable Unveil Event 2025 cements Samsung’s leadership in foldables, with the Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and Z Flip7 FE blending premium design, AI innovation, and affordability.
While the $899–$1,899 price range still targets enthusiasts, the FE model broadens appeal, and AI features like Gemini Live make foldables practical daily drivers.
Counterpoint Research notes foldables remain a niche, with durability and cost concerns lingering, but Samsung’s refinements could push adoption.
For U.S. consumers, the 2025 lineup offers compelling reasons to embrace foldables, potentially marking their mainstream breakthrough.
The Samsung Foldable Unveil Event sets a high bar, but sustained innovation and competitive pricing will determine if foldables become the new smartphone standard.
Excited for the Samsung Foldable Unveil Event? Pre-order the Galaxy Z Fold7 or Z Flip7 and claim a $50 Samsung credit at Samsung.com.
NEW VIDEO – Samsung has unveiled their new foldables, Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5: https://t.co/Z19j1WnqdX pic.twitter.com/CUIQmjGoUU
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) July 26, 2023
Also Read: Google Pixel 10 Pro Gemini 2025: Productivity Boost with Privacy Trade-Off
Abdul Basit is a US-based tech writer who covers Apple innovations, Tesla’s EV growth, AI breakthroughs, smartphone trends, and app reviews for global readers.