Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Slims Down, Drops S Pen in Latest Foldable Showdown

In August 2025, Samsung unveiled the latest iteration of its flagship foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The device has undergone a significant redesign, becoming the thinnest and lightest in the series to date. Compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the new model is just 8.9mm thick when folded and 4.2mm unfolded, making it slimmer than even the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra.

While the sleek new design is impressive, it comes at a cost. Samsung has removed the S Pen stylus, a feature that was previously a hallmark of the Fold series and a key productivity tool. The reviewer, a self-professed phone enthusiast, laments this omission, stating that had Samsung kept the S Pen, the Fold 7 would have been their pick for the best foldable phone of the year.

The slim profile of the Fold 7 also presents some ergonomic challenges. The reviewer experienced hand pain and tenosynovitis symptoms in their right ring finger, likely due to the way they had to grip the device to stabilize it. This issue is not unique to the Fold 7, but the reviewer notes that it is more pronounced on this model compared to other similarly sized phones.

Despite these tradeoffs, the Fold 7 does offer some notable improvements. The camera system has been upgraded, with a 200MP wide lens replacing the previous 50MP sensor. The device also features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, which provides a performance boost over its predecessor.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a significant step forward in the foldable phone market, with a sleeker design and improved hardware. However, the removal of the S Pen and the ergonomic issues raised by the reviewer suggest that Samsung may have sacrificed some of the Fold series' productivity-focused features in pursuit of a more portable form factor.