Galaxy Z Fold 7: Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at its Galaxy Unpacked event in New York, with a slimmer, more lightweight fold and significant hardware upgrades. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the removal of S Pen support, a feature that had become part of the Fold lineup since the Z Fold 3. This shift in direction suggests an emphasis on portability and aesthetics for the Fold lineup.

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No More S Pen: A Major Shift

S Pen capability was among the most prominent features to enjoy for productivity and artistic work on the Fold’s large internal screen. But Samsung has removed it from the Fold 7. Samsung reasoned that they required an additional digitizer layer to enable the stylus to function, which would have made the phone thicker, something they were not keen to do this time.

Thinner and Lighter Than Ever

In pursuit of an even slimmer design, Samsung has slimmed down the unfolded thickness of the Fold 7 to 4.2mm from 5.6mm and reduced the weight to 215g from 239g. The Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest large-format foldable phone with these improvements. It emphasizes user ease and portability and establishes a new boundary for foldable technology.

Larger Display and Improved Visuals

The Fold 7 has a larger 8-inch Infinity Flex Dynamic AMOLED 2X internal screen, which is 11% larger than the previous one. Inner and outer displays both support a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate and reach 2600 nits of peak brightness. Samsung has also removed the under-display camera and replaced it with an ordinary 10MP front camera for better distinction and stability in selfies and video calls.

Improved Camera and Performance

Internally, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which offers class-leading performance. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the first fold with a 200MP main rear camera, supported by a 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto lens featuring 3x optical zoom. Battery capacity remains 4400mAh with 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

Strong Build and Toughness Enhancements

Samsung has made a promise to improve the device’s durability. An Armor FlexHinge, in combination with a titanium-covered screen and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, allows for a more durable construction. The Fold 7 has an IP48 rating, which protects it against dust and minor water splashes, a utilitarian boost in durability.

What This Does for the S Pen’s Future

The removal of S Pen functionality on the Fold 7 and Samsung’s earlier step in removing Bluetooth from the S Pen on the Galaxy S25 Ultra demonstrate a clear change in direction. The stylus is being driven away from an intrinsic productivity tool to a leaner accessory. Long-time S Pen users might be dismayed as the role of the tool within Samsung’s flagship ecosystem becomes less defined.