Samsung launches three new foldable smartphones as it fends off Chinese rivals

On Wednesday, Samsung introduced three innovative foldable smartphones, showcasing both high-end and budget-friendly options as the company aims to attract consumers to this evolving category. The key highlights of this launch include the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which features a book-like folding design, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, reminiscent of classic clamshell flip phones. Additionally, Samsung revealed a more affordable variant, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 SE. This refresh of Samsung's foldable lineup comes at a crucial time as the tech giant faces stiff competition from Chinese brands like Honor and Oppo. Just last week, Honor unveiled the ultra-slim Magic V5 folding phone, while Oppo rolled out its own sleek offering, the Find N5, earlier this year. According to Counterpoint Research, Samsung's share of the global foldable phone market has decreased from 54% to 45% within a year, highlighting the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 impresses with its slim profile, measuring just 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) when closed and 4.2 millimeters when opened, while weighing only 215 grams (7.62 ounces). The device boasts a 6.5-inch cover screen and an expansive 8-inch main display, surpassing its predecessor in size. It also features advanced camera technology, including a 200-megapixel main lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and dual 10-megapixel front cameras. However, the battery capacity of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is relatively modest at 4,400 milliampere-hours (mAh), especially compared to Honor's Magic V5, which houses a 6,100 mAh battery, and the 5,600 mAh battery of the Oppo Find N5. Samsung claims that its device can deliver up to 24 hours of video playback. The starting price for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in the U.K. is set at £1,799 ($2,434). The Galaxy Z Flip 7 also showcases a thinner design at 6.5 millimeters when opened, compared to its predecessor's 6.9-millimeter depth. It features a 4.1-inch cover screen and a 6.9-inch main display, along with a 50-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor on the back, plus a 10-megapixel camera on the main display. The device is equipped with a larger 4,300 mAh battery, promising 31 hours of video playback on a single charge. Alongside the Flip 7, Samsung is introducing a budget-friendly variant, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which is slightly smaller and thicker than the premium model. The retail prices start at £1,049 for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and £849 for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. Samsung also emphasized the AI capabilities of the new Fold and Flip models. This year, the company continues its partnership with Google, utilizing the Gemini language model to enhance AI features. Both devices are powered by Samsung and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, designed to facilitate more on-device AI processing. New AI-powered camera features have been introduced, such as a tool that suggests people and objects to erase from photos, and an audio eraser that can eliminate unwanted background noise from videos. Additionally, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 enables users to access Google’s AI assistant app, Gemini Live, while capturing live videos, offering advice on outfit choices. Sheng Win Chow, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, noted that merely improving physical design won't be enough to persuade users to transition to foldable phones. He emphasized the importance of redefining the user experience, stating, “The next wave of competition will come from software — how vendors use the foldable form factor to deliver truly differentiated experiences.”