Samsung recently unveiled a trio of new folding phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the flagship Galaxy Z Flip 7. As a lucky recipient of a Galaxy Z Flip 7 sample ahead of its release, I embarked on a 48-hour journey with the device, documenting my experiences from unboxing to usage.
Day 1, Hour 0:
Upon unboxing the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in the sleek ‘Blue Shadow’ color, I was immediately drawn to the new cover screen, referred to as the ‘FlexWindow’. The minimalistic box contained the phone, paperwork, a SIM ejection tool, and a USB-C to C cable. The absence of a power brick was noted, but the 25W charging speed didn’t require one.
Day 1, Hour 1:
Setting up the device proved to be a bit of a challenge, with the Smart Switch app causing delays during the transfer process. A few hiccups with the setup led to the realization that a wired transfer might be more reliable in the future. Additionally, the pre-installed bloatware and Samsung’s recommended apps were a minor annoyance.
Day 1, Hour 2:
As I prepared for a pub quiz, I explored the functionalities of the cover display, particularly enjoying the ease of taking selfies and the compact size of the phone. The convenience of the cover screen for quick tasks like adjusting settings and checking notifications was evident.
Day 1, Hour 5:
During the pub quiz, the large 6.9-inch internal display impressed me with its size and clarity. Despite its size, the phone remained pocket-friendly, and the fingerprint sensor on the power button provided seamless unlocking. The day ended with the phone being stowed away for the night.
Day 2, Hour 15:
The lightweight nature of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 was highlighted in the morning as I engaged in light phone usage. The device’s weightlessness and efficient fingerprint sensor were standout features, making it a joy to carry around.
Day 2, Hour 19:
A slow charging experience with the 25W charger left me frustrated, as the phone took over two hours to reach a full charge from 11%. The limited capacity of the battery and the sluggish charging speed were notable drawbacks.
Day 2, Hour 20:
Exploring the capabilities of the cover screen revealed limitations with third-party apps, which required a workaround to enable. Despite the inconvenience, the flexibility to adjust settings and run certain apps on the cover screen added utility to the device.
Day 2, Hour 22:
Criticisms of Samsung’s ‘Now Brief’ feature on the cover display arose due to its quirky and sometimes irrelevant messages. However, the overall experience with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 was positive, with standout features including the quality of the OLED displays and the performance of the Exynos 2500 chipset.
In conclusion, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 impressed with its stunning displays and efficient performance, despite some minor drawbacks. Stay tuned for more insights on the rear cameras and gaming performance in the next installment of the review.