After months of hypothesis, Samsung has lastly launched a less expensive different to its flagship flip telephone.
The brand new Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a full £200/$200 cheaper than the common Z Flip 7, beginning at simply £849/$899. For a folding flip handset, that’s not unhealthy worth, even when the common Motorola Razr 60 is even cheaper.
Samsung’s FE (Fan Version) line doesn’t precisely have an excellent observe document, with its telephones usually arriving too late, being too costly, or each. However primarily based on my hands-on time with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, I believe that’s about to alter for the higher. Right here’s why.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 Lite
At first look, you possibly can be forgiven for pondering the Z Flip 7 FE was final yr’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 in disguise. The 2 gadgets look extraordinarily alike, particularly when in comparison with the common Z Flip 7 and its new edge-to-edge cowl show.
The Z Flip 7 FE appears to be like dated by comparability, however I’ve to remind myself that this was Samsung’s flagship design simply 12 months in the past. The duvet show would possibly embrace an annoyingly chunky bezel, however the 3.4-inch show continues to be simple to make use of and lots detailed sufficient.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
On the within, I truly want the 6.7-inch, 120Hz AMOLED panel right here to the large 6.9-inch one on the common Z Flip 7. When open, the Z Flip 7 FE feels much more like an everyday telephone.
Don’t fear about sturdiness, both. Similar to the Z Flip 6, the Flip 7 FE has powerful Gorilla Glass Victus on the again, a strong aluminium body and a robust hinge that I believe may survive a few years of day by day use. You additionally get IP48 water and mud resistance – the most effective you’ll get on a flip telephone proper now – that means it could actually survive a dunking in contemporary water and publicity to most small particles.
You might be forgiven for pondering the Z Flip 7 FE was final yr’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 in disguise
The similarities don’t finish there, although. The FE is 6.9mm when unfolded, weighs 187g and contains a 4000mAh battery. A triple digital camera array consists of 50Mp foremost, 12Mp ultrawide and 10Mp selfie lenses, which can also be the identical because the extra premium Z Flip 7.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Two compromises, however one improve
Except you discover a huge low cost, I can’t see why you’d purchase the Z Flip 6 over the Z Flip 7 FE.
The one actual downgrade of word is the chipset, with Samsung’s Exynos 2400 thought to be barely much less highly effective than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Nevertheless, contemplating how rapidly the Z Flip 7 FE responded throughout my hands-on time, I doubt you’ll discover until you’re severe about cell gaming.
Except you discover a huge low cost, I can’t see why you’d purchase the Z Flip 6 over the Z Flip 7 FE
The opposite slight compromise is when it comes to color choices, with simply boring black and white choices accessible on the FE. However, as somebody who’d at all times purchase a black telephone anyway, I actually don’t care. You possibly can at all times add a splash of color by way of a case should you’d like.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
And when it comes to software program, the Z Flip 7 FE undoubtedly has the higher hand. It ships working Samsung’s new One UI 8, which is predicated on Android 16. In the meantime, the Z Flip 6 nonetheless runs Android 15-based One UI 7, with no phrase on when it’ll get the improve.
What’s extra, the Z Flip 7 FE will get OS and safety updates till 2032, whereas the Z Flip 6’s help will finish a yr earlier. Not precisely an enormous distinction, however should you plan to cross it on to a good friend or member of the family after you’re completed utilizing it, this can be important.
Charging continues to be solely 25W, which is difficult to imagine on a premium 2025 telephone
Some issues actually wanted to be modified…
The failure of the Z Flip 7 FE to repair among the Z Flip 6’s largest points isn’t a significant criticism – I’d a lot slightly the common Z Flip 7 had addressed these. Nevertheless, they’re nonetheless price mentioning as the explanation why you won’t wish to purchase it.
The battery continues to be solely 4000mAh, so I can’t see it comfortably and persistently lasting a full day. Charging continues to be solely 25W, which is difficult to imagine on a premium 2025 telephone. And whereas there are some good cowl display enhancements, the shortcoming to simply run any app (with out leaping by a number of hoops) is completely pointless.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a compelling gadget because of its value, and is more likely to be a lot simpler to suggest than the underwhelming Z Flip 6. However when you think about the common Pixel 9, Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 are all cheaper, you’ll in all probability solely wish to purchase the FE should you’re set on a flip telephone.
