Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 on test: a sudden cinematic twist
The Flip 7 is a real step forward in terms of design
While the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is thinner than its predecessor, the Z Flip 6 was 14.9mm, it's still bulkier than non-foldable phones like the Galaxy S25.
Something else that has surprised me is that I haven't enjoyed the phone's length – the 6.9-inch display features a 21:9 ratio for the Super AMOLED screen.
I thought I’d enjoy the longer space for scrolling and running through apps, but the persistent ‘weird’ feeling that something isn't quite right lingers.
It’s something that one would get used to, but I was a bit bummed out that I didn’t like the longer display.
That is, until today.
The thickness conundrum
While the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is thinner than its predecessor (the Z Flip 6 was 14.9mm), it’s still bulkier than non-foldable phones like the Galaxy S25 (and certainly more than the S25 Edge, which is only 6.4mm).
Yes, it’s more durable – the new Armour Flexhinge (a new design that makes the phone stronger for folding and unfolding) is an improvement, and the IP48 rating means this thing is more protected than ever.
Overall, though, the form factor has merely intrigued me, and it’s a long way from feeling like I’m a flip phone convert in any way.
But today I used it to watch the new Ironheart series on Disney+, which is filmed in a 21:9 aspect ratio. I was annoyed that it displayed in 16:9 format, meaning it had black bars above, below and around the screen.
So I zoomed in, and it was a cinematic revelation – it fitted the display of the Z Flip 7 perfectly.
It was one of the few moments in recent years when a phone has properly impressed me – this is partly due to my never having reviewed a flip-style foldable phone before, so this screen-filling wonder drew me in.
But it’s also because the Flip 7 is a real step forward in terms of design – the Z Flip 6 has a noticeable bezel around the outside, and while the screen edge on the Flip 7 is hardly invisible, it’s a lot thinner.
A retro-futuristic moment
When I started watching, I was transported back to 2009, the year I reviewed the nonsensical LG BL40 Chocolate, a device that was one of the first to have a 21:9 ratio screen.
That’s probably a little bit harsh. This was a time when smartphone designs were very fluid, as brands didn’t know what would stick.
Back then, the 4.01-inch screen looked gargantuan, and it was such a novelty. Of course it was – it was very hard to get 21:9 video onto the device as there wasn’t even an app portal on it, much less a video player.
But I still loved watching widescreen videos on it, mainly because it just felt right.
Compare that phone from a decade and a half ago with the Flip 7’s AMOLED display, with the 2K (1080 x 2520) resolution (and 2,600 nits peak brightness) and it’s easy to understand why I was so taken.
It made me feel bad for ignoring the 21:9 screen format as a sideshow – I’ve not reviewed any of the new Sony Xperia phones that come in this screen ratio, such as the Xperia 1 VI or the 10 VI.
The move by Sony to embrace this screen style for its smartphones seemed like it was just to be different – the Xperia 1 VI ($1,399, around $300 more than the Flip 7) comes with high-end screen tech and ‘proper’ cameras, positioning it more like a device for filmmakers rather than the everyday user.
Given Sony’s screen tech and film background, this made sense. But now I see I’ve been missing out, and I find myself constantly reaching for the Flip 7 to watch a little bit of widescreen content, even though my lovely OLED TV is also available.
One little flaw
There's one thing that still irks me about this screen size, though – and it’s something Samsung needs to address.
When I started watching Ironheart, I was constantly checking to see if it was still in the 21:9 format – some content is partly filmed in this aspect ratio, and I was worried that when the scene changed, I would suddenly be zoomed in and miss some of the action.
It would be great if Samsung could automatically recognise this and adjust the phone's screen size accordingly, so I know I’ve never missed anything. Maybe it’s already doing that, and I’ve just not used the right video to check.
And maybe this issue should be laid at Disney’s door – if you’re watching 21:9 content on Netflix, for instance, it’s automatically zoomed in to fill the screen, and it won’t display the black bars all around, unlike on Disney+.
But I don’t feel confident that it’s always the case, and it would be great to feel secure that I’m always watching videos in the most immersive way possible.
This aside, the cinematic experience that the 21:9 ratio screen provides is not something to be sniffed at. The flip-style smartphone might not be to everyone’s taste, but if you like watching videos on the go and have invested in the higher-end streaming services, you’ll find a lot to like here. - https://www.digitaltrends.com
I thought I’d enjoy the longer space for scrolling and running through apps, but the persistent ‘weird’ feeling that something isn't quite right lingers.
It’s something that one would get used to, but I was a bit bummed out that I didn’t like the longer display.
That is, until today.
The thickness conundrum
While the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is thinner than its predecessor (the Z Flip 6 was 14.9mm), it’s still bulkier than non-foldable phones like the Galaxy S25 (and certainly more than the S25 Edge, which is only 6.4mm).
Yes, it’s more durable – the new Armour Flexhinge (a new design that makes the phone stronger for folding and unfolding) is an improvement, and the IP48 rating means this thing is more protected than ever.
Overall, though, the form factor has merely intrigued me, and it’s a long way from feeling like I’m a flip phone convert in any way.
But today I used it to watch the new Ironheart series on Disney+, which is filmed in a 21:9 aspect ratio. I was annoyed that it displayed in 16:9 format, meaning it had black bars above, below and around the screen.
So I zoomed in, and it was a cinematic revelation – it fitted the display of the Z Flip 7 perfectly.
It was one of the few moments in recent years when a phone has properly impressed me – this is partly due to my never having reviewed a flip-style foldable phone before, so this screen-filling wonder drew me in.
But it’s also because the Flip 7 is a real step forward in terms of design – the Z Flip 6 has a noticeable bezel around the outside, and while the screen edge on the Flip 7 is hardly invisible, it’s a lot thinner.
A retro-futuristic moment
When I started watching, I was transported back to 2009, the year I reviewed the nonsensical LG BL40 Chocolate, a device that was one of the first to have a 21:9 ratio screen.
That’s probably a little bit harsh. This was a time when smartphone designs were very fluid, as brands didn’t know what would stick.
Back then, the 4.01-inch screen looked gargantuan, and it was such a novelty. Of course it was – it was very hard to get 21:9 video onto the device as there wasn’t even an app portal on it, much less a video player.
But I still loved watching widescreen videos on it, mainly because it just felt right.
Compare that phone from a decade and a half ago with the Flip 7’s AMOLED display, with the 2K (1080 x 2520) resolution (and 2,600 nits peak brightness) and it’s easy to understand why I was so taken.
It made me feel bad for ignoring the 21:9 screen format as a sideshow – I’ve not reviewed any of the new Sony Xperia phones that come in this screen ratio, such as the Xperia 1 VI or the 10 VI.
The move by Sony to embrace this screen style for its smartphones seemed like it was just to be different – the Xperia 1 VI ($1,399, around $300 more than the Flip 7) comes with high-end screen tech and ‘proper’ cameras, positioning it more like a device for filmmakers rather than the everyday user.
Given Sony’s screen tech and film background, this made sense. But now I see I’ve been missing out, and I find myself constantly reaching for the Flip 7 to watch a little bit of widescreen content, even though my lovely OLED TV is also available.
One little flaw
There's one thing that still irks me about this screen size, though – and it’s something Samsung needs to address.
When I started watching Ironheart, I was constantly checking to see if it was still in the 21:9 format – some content is partly filmed in this aspect ratio, and I was worried that when the scene changed, I would suddenly be zoomed in and miss some of the action.
It would be great if Samsung could automatically recognise this and adjust the phone's screen size accordingly, so I know I’ve never missed anything. Maybe it’s already doing that, and I’ve just not used the right video to check.
And maybe this issue should be laid at Disney’s door – if you’re watching 21:9 content on Netflix, for instance, it’s automatically zoomed in to fill the screen, and it won’t display the black bars all around, unlike on Disney+.
But I don’t feel confident that it’s always the case, and it would be great to feel secure that I’m always watching videos in the most immersive way possible.
This aside, the cinematic experience that the 21:9 ratio screen provides is not something to be sniffed at. The flip-style smartphone might not be to everyone’s taste, but if you like watching videos on the go and have invested in the higher-end streaming services, you’ll find a lot to like here. - https://www.digitaltrends.com
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