The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has been making waves recently, and it’s easy to see why. Samsung has poured a lot into this foldable, making it thinner and more refined than ever before. While it might not boast the absolute best hardware in the foldable space, it’s arguably the most complete folding phone we’ve seen to date. Samsung might have finally cracked the code to making foldable phones mainstream. But before you drop nearly two thousand dollars on this device, let’s explore some compelling alternatives that might better suit your needs — or your budget.
Alternative 1: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Last Generation, Still Great
If you’re intrigued by the Fold 7 but hesitant about the price, stepping back just one generation with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 could be a smart move. Samsung pioneered foldable phones, and the Z Fold 6 was the pinnacle of their foldable portfolio until recently.
Compared to the Fold 7, the Z Fold 6 is slightly heavier and thicker, but the differences in display size are minimal. The cover display on the Z Fold 6 measures 6.3 inches versus 6.5 inches on the Fold 7, and the main folding display is just a bit smaller. Camera-wise, the Z Fold 6 sports a 50MP main sensor compared to the Fold 7’s impressive 200MP, but since both default to 12MP photos, the practical difference is subtle.
Storage and performance are also close matches: the Z Fold 6 offers 256GB of base storage, 12GB of RAM, and packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset — powerful enough for most daily tasks. Battery capacity clocks in at 4,400mAh, identical to the Fold 7, and it shares the same 10MP telephoto and 12MP ultra-wide lenses.
Best of all, the Z Fold 6 is significantly cheaper. You can find refurbished units for as low as $800, making it a tempting choice for those who want to experience foldables without breaking the bank.
Alternative 2: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold – The Pixel Experience in a Foldable
Next up is a foldable that’s been a favorite for many: the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. There’s an ongoing debate about who makes the best foldables — Samsung or Google — but having a Pixel foldable option adds great diversity to the market.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is thicker and heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, though users tend to get used to the heft. It boasts an 8-inch inner display, matching the Fold 7, and features a larger 4,650mAh battery along with 16GB of RAM.
Camera specs include a 48MP main sensor, a 10.8MP telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide lens. While not the absolute best cameras on the market, the Pixel’s renowned image processing elevates photo quality significantly.
One of the biggest draws of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is its software experience. The Pixel UI offers unique features such as Call Screen, Hold for Me, and Now Playing — my personal favorite. Plus, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the only foldable set to receive the upcoming Material You 3 Expressive UI makeover as part of Android 16 QPR 1.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is already cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and with some searching, you can find even better deals. If you want a foldable now and don’t want to wait, this is a solid choice. However, keep in mind that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is just around the corner, so patience might pay off.
Alternative 3: OnePlus Open – A Stylish Yet Older Foldable
While not the best foldable on the market today, the OnePlus Open remains a noteworthy alternative, especially if you find one at a good price. For a while, it was the best foldable available in the US.
The OnePlus Open sports a sleek design that feels ahead of its time, with a large circular camera housing and a leather back option. Its cover display is smaller than the Fold 7’s, and the inner display measures 7.82 inches — just a bit smaller than the Fold 7’s 8-inch screen.
It does offer some advantages over the Fold 7, including a larger battery, faster charging, and a base storage of 512GB. However, the phone only has an IPX4 water resistance rating, lacks wireless charging, and runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which is a generation behind Samsung’s latest. Plus, it only has two software updates left, covering Android 16 and 17.
Given these factors, I wouldn’t recommend buying it brand new, but if you’re new to foldables and want to try one without spending a fortune, the OnePlus Open could be a decent entry point.
Alternative 4: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – The Best Slab Phone You Can Get
Now for those who might not be sold on foldables at all, there’s a fantastic non-foldable option that’s actually cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 7: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. This phone is arguably the best Android flagship you can buy right now.
While it doesn’t fold, it matches the Fold 7’s specs in many ways — notably sharing the same 200MP main camera sensor. But the S25 Ultra goes further by offering two telephoto lenses (a 50MP 5x and a 10MP 3x), a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a larger 3,500mAh battery compared to the Fold 7’s 4,400mAh, and faster 45W charging.
Importantly, the S25 Ultra retains S Pen support, which the Fold 7 completely drops. And here’s a sentence I rarely say: the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the cheaper alternative by about $700. If you want the absolute best phone experience without the foldable gimmick, this is the device to consider.
Alternative 5: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 – A Fun and More Affordable Fold
If you want a foldable that’s fun but don’t necessarily need the top-tier specs, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is worth a look. It’s Samsung’s best flip phone to date and addresses a major flaw of its predecessor by featuring a full 4.1-inch 120Hz cover display.
With some tweaks using Good Lock, you can even run any app on the cover display, adding versatility. When unfolded, the Flip 7’s 6.9-inch display is larger than the Fold 7’s cover display and matches the S25 Ultra’s screen size.
The Flip 7 offers unique features like using the cover display as a viewfinder when the phone is half-closed — something the Fold 7 can’t do. It runs on an Exynos chipset, which is a downside compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite found in the Fold 7.
While not for everyone, especially those specifically seeking a foldable tablet experience, the Flip 7’s price is almost half that of the Fold 7, starting at around $1,100. This could free up budget for additional Samsung ecosystem products like a Galaxy Watch Ultra or headphones.
Conclusion: Plenty of Alternatives to Explore
It’s clear that if the $2,000 price tag of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 makes you hesitate, there are plenty of excellent alternatives — both foldable and non-foldable — worth considering. Whether it’s the last-gen Z Fold 6, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with its unique software experience, the stylish OnePlus Open, the powerhouse Galaxy S25 Ultra, or the fun and affordable Galaxy Z Flip 7, you don’t have to compromise on quality or features.
What’s exciting is the current Android landscape where you can choose from slab-style phones, flip-style phones, and fold-style phones without sacrificing specs like you might have a few years ago. The choice ultimately depends on your budget, preferences, and what kind of phone experience you want.
So, are you leaning towards the Galaxy Z Fold 7, or is one of these alternatives catching your eye? Let me know your thoughts!
