Samsung Unveils Budget Friendly Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE with Z Flip 7 at Unpacked 2025, Samsung has made a bold move to broaden the appeal of its foldable smartphones by introducing the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, the first budget-oriented model in its “Fan Edition” lineup, alongside the premium Galaxy Z Flip 7 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, 2025, in New York City. The Z Flip 7 FE, priced at $899, offers a more accessible entry into the foldable market, undercutting the standard Z Flip 7’s $1,099 starting price.
While the FE model mirrors the design and core features of the Galaxy Z Flip 6, the Z Flip 7 boasts significant upgrades, including a larger edge-to-edge cover screen and enhanced battery life. Both devices are available for preorder in the United States, with general availability set for July 25, 2025, promising to intensify competition in the clamshell foldable market against rivals like Motorola’s Razr series.
A New Era for Foldables: Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 and its more affordable sibling, the Z Flip 7 FE, mark Samsung’s latest effort to refine and democratize foldable technology. The Z Flip 7, priced at $1,099 for 256GB and $1,219 for 512GB (both with 12GB of RAM), introduces notable upgrades over its predecessor, the Z Flip 6. Its standout feature is a 4.1-inch AMOLED cover screen, now nearly borderless, wrapping around the dual cameras for a sleek, modern look.
This FlexWindow supports a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, a significant leap from the Z Flip 6’s 3.4-inch, 60Hz, 1,600-nit cover display. The internal 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, up from 6.7 inches, also maintains a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600 nits, offering vibrant visuals and smooth interactions.
The Z Flip 7 FE, starting at $899 for 128GB and $959 for 256GB (both with 8GB of RAM), is designed to attract cost-conscious consumers while retaining the foldable allure. It closely resembles the Z Flip 6, featuring a 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen with a 720×748 resolution and a file-folder-shaped cutout for the cameras, paired with a 6.7-inch internal AMOLED display at 2640×1080.
Both models maintain the same camera setup as the Z Flip 6: a 50MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, and a 10MP f/2.2 selfie camera. However, Samsung has enhanced image processing on the Z Flip 7 with features like 10-bit HDR video, portrait enhancements, and a one-handed zoom slider, while the FE model benefits from these software improvements without hardware downgrades in photography.
Performance and Design Innovations
The Z Flip 7 is powered by Samsung’s cutting-edge Exynos 2500 chipset, a 3nm processor with a 10-core CPU and an Xclipse 950 GPU based on AMD’s RDNA architecture, delivering robust performance for tasks from browsing to Galaxy AI-driven features. In contrast, the Z Flip 7 FE uses the older Exynos 2400, previously seen in some Galaxy S24 models, paired with 8GB of RAM, making it slightly less powerful but still capable for most users.
Both phones run One UI 8 on Android 16, incorporating advanced AI features like Gemini Live, accessible directly from the cover screen, and Enhanced Nightography for superior low-light photography. The Z Flip 7 also introduces support for Samsung’s DeX desktop mode, a first for the Flip series, enabling a PC-like experience when connected to an external display.
Design-wise, the Z Flip 7 is slimmer at 6.5mm when unfolded (13.7mm folded) and weighs 188g, slightly heavier than the Z Flip 6 due to its larger 4,300mAh battery, a notable upgrade from the 4,000mAh cell in its predecessor and the Z Flip 7 FE. Both models support 25W wired charging (0-50% in 30 minutes), wireless, and reverse wireless charging, but the Z Flip 7’s larger battery promises up to 31 hours of video playback.
The Z Flip 7 features an improved Armor FlexHinge for smoother folding and durability, paired with an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for protection. Available in Blue Shadow, Jet-Black, Coral-Red, and Mint (Samsung.com exclusive), it offers more vibrant options than the FE’s Black and White colorways.
Market Positioning and Competition
The Z Flip 7 FE’s $899 price point aims to make foldables more accessible, but it faces stiff competition from Motorola’s Razr 2025, priced at $699, and Razr Plus 2025 at $999. Critics note that the FE’s pricing, only $200 less than the Z Flip 7, may not be aggressive enough to capture budget-conscious buyers, especially since it lacks the Z Flip 7’s larger cover screen, newer chipset, and DeX support.
Social media posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with users praising the FE’s specs but questioning its value compared to Motorola’s offerings. Samsung counters this with pre order incentives, including free storage upgrades (256GB to 512GB for the Z Flip 7, 128GB to 256GB for the FE) and trade-in deals offering up to $1,100 off at carriers like Verizon.
Availability and Consumer Appeal
Preorders for both devices opened on July 9, 2025, through Samsung.com, the Shop Samsung app, and major U.S. carriers and retailers like AT&T and Amazon. General availability begins July 25, aligning with Samsung’s typical release timeline. The Z Flip 7’s enhancements, particularly the larger cover screen and battery, position it as a premium choice for foldable enthusiasts, while the FE targets those seeking a foldable experience at a lower cost without sacrificing core features like the camera system. Posts on X, such as Samsung Mobiles, highlight the Z Flip 7’s “bold capability” and AI-driven features, generating buzz among tech fans.
Samsung’s introduction of the Z Flip 7 FE signals a strategic push to expand the foldable market, but its success will depend on whether consumers see the $200 savings as compelling enough compared to the standard model or competitors. With Prime Day 2025 deals offering discounts on older models like the Z Flip 6, shoppers have more options than ever. As Samsung continues to innovate, the Z Flip 7 and FE models reinforce its leadership in foldables, blending style, functionality, and accessibility for a growing audience.
