Foldable and flip phones have always fascinated me. There’s something thrilling about a device that breaks the mold of conventional smartphones, offering unique functionality and style. Samsung recently unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 7 at their Unpacked event, and while it brings some exciting updates, it also leaves a few questions unanswered. In this article, I’ll walk you through the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s key features, its drawbacks, and — most importantly — five alternative phones that might better suit your needs and budget.
🌟 What’s New with the Galaxy Z Flip 7?
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a solid flip phone that finally addresses one of the biggest pain points for foldable enthusiasts: it features a full-screen cover display for the first time. This is a feature fans have been asking for years, and Samsung has delivered with a larger 4.3-inch cover display that makes checking notifications and interacting with apps more enjoyable.
Besides the cover display, the Z Flip 7 also boasts a slimmer design than its predecessor, the Z Flip 6, and sports a slightly larger main display. These improvements enhance the overall user experience, making the phone feel more refined and modern.
🤔 Some Confusing Choices in the Z Flip 7
Despite the upgrades, Samsung made some puzzling decisions with the Z Flip 7. For one, it now ships globally with only the Exynos chip instead of the Snapdragon 8 Elite found in previous models, which may impact performance and efficiency for some users.
Charging speeds remain the same as before, and disappointingly, the camera setup hasn’t received any upgrades. It still features a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens, identical to the Z Flip 6.
Perhaps the most significant downside is the price increase to $1,100. While the Z Flip 7 is undoubtedly a great flip phone, that price tag might deter many potential buyers who could find better value elsewhere.
💸 Alternative #1: Galaxy Z Flip 6 – The Smart Budget Choice
If you like the idea of a Samsung flip phone but don’t want to splurge on the Z Flip 7, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a fantastic alternative. During Prime Day, it was available for around $800, and you can often find it even cheaper on platforms like eBay.
While the Z Flip 6 lacks the full-screen cover display of the Flip 7, it still offers a 3.4-inch cover display that’s perfectly fine for notifications and quick interactions. The cover screen refresh rate is 60Hz, which is lower than the Flip 7’s, but for such a small screen, it’s hardly noticeable.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the Flip 6 remains powerful and capable for most everyday tasks. The battery is slightly smaller at 4,000mAh compared to the Flip 7’s 4,300mAh, but this difference won’t dramatically affect your daily use.
The cameras are identical between the two models, so you won’t miss out there. If you’re tempted by the Z Flip 7 FE, I’d actually recommend the Z Flip 6 instead for better value.
📱 Alternative #2: Motorola Razr 2025 – A Fresh Take Outside Samsung’s Ecosystem
If you want to step outside Samsung’s One UI ecosystem, the Motorola Razr 2025 is a compelling flip phone alternative. Released this year, the Razr 2025 offers a bigger cover display than the Z Flip 6, with a 90Hz refresh rate that makes interactions smooth and fluid.
The inner display is also impressive at 6.9 inches with a 120Hz refresh rate, matching the smoothness of the Flip 7’s main screen. Camera-wise, it’s on par with Samsung’s flip phones, featuring a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens.
One advantage of Motorola’s Razr is its Hello UX software, which allows you to run apps directly on the cover screen without fiddling with settings — a neat convenience that some users prefer over Samsung’s approach.
However, there are trade-offs: the Razr 2025 uses slower UFS 2.2 storage and runs a MediaTek Dimensity 7400+ chipset instead of a Snapdragon processor. It also only promises three years of major software updates, which is somewhat disappointing.
Still, at $700 brand new, it’s $400 cheaper than the Z Flip 7 and a solid choice if you want a capable flip phone without breaking the bank.
⚡ Alternative #3: Motorola Razr Ultra – The Premium Flip Phone Experience
If you have a bigger budget and want the best flip phone experience possible, the Motorola Razr Ultra is worth considering. It’s a fully loaded flip phone that might even edge out the Z Flip 7 in some areas.
The Razr Ultra stands out with its unique finishes, including Alcantara and actual wood grain backs, giving it a distinct personality. The cover display is brighter, sharper, and boasts an impressive 165Hz refresh rate—faster than the Flip 7’s cover screen.
The main inner display is also a large 7-inch panel with the same 165Hz refresh rate, delivering buttery-smooth visuals.
Camera upgrades are notable here: the Razr Ultra sports a 50-megapixel main sensor like the Flip 7 but replaces the 13-megapixel ultra-wide with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, an exceptional feature for a flip phone.
Other highlights include a larger 4,700mAh battery, faster 68W wired charging, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a base storage of 512GB.
The downside? It’s pricey at $1,300—more expensive than the Z Flip 7 and all other alternatives mentioned. Plus, it still only offers three years of OS updates, which feels lacking for such a high-end device.
📱 Alternative #4: Samsung Galaxy S25+ – Classic Slab with Great Specs
Now, if you’re open to skipping the flip factor altogether, for about the same price as these flip phones, you can get a fantastic traditional smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus.
While it’s not as fun or novel as flipping open a phone, the S25+ offers a 6.7-inch sharp display, an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance (compared to the Flip’s IP48), and it runs the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip — unlike the Flip 7’s Exynos processor.
It also adds a third camera: a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, which many users might prefer over an ultra-wide lens depending on shooting style. The battery is larger at 4,500mAh, and charging speeds are faster.
Though it lacks the excitement of a foldable, the Galaxy S25+ is a sensible and powerful option that offers better value and durability.
🔥 Alternative #5: OnePlus 13 – The Best Bang for Your Buck
Finally, if you want to maximize performance and value, the OnePlus 13 is arguably the best phone you can get for your money right now. It’s not a foldable or flip phone, but it beats all the other phones on this list in many ways.
The OnePlus 13 features a triple 50-megapixel camera setup, a massive 6,000mAh battery, and the fastest charging at 80W. The 6.8-inch 120Hz display is stunning, and it runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
Its design might be a bit divisive — with an off-centered camera housing and a midnight ocean blue leather back — but if you appreciate unique aesthetics, you’ll love it.
Oxygen OS is smooth and enjoyable to use, though software update promises are around four years, which is decent but not outstanding. I personally believe phones costing nearly $1,000 should offer at least five years of updates.
While it lacks the flip phone novelty, it’s a powerhouse that offers outstanding value and performance for most users.
🔍 Conclusion: Which Phone Should You Choose?
If you’re set on buying a flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a strong contender with its improved cover display and sleek design. However, its higher price and some questionable choices like the Exynos chip and unchanged cameras might make you pause.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 remains a fantastic value, offering nearly all the features of the Flip 7 at a much lower price, especially if you can find it secondhand or on sale.
Motorola’s Razr 2025 and Razr Ultra provide compelling alternatives with different software experiences and some standout hardware features, though the Ultra comes at a premium price.
For those who prioritize performance, battery life, and camera quality over the flip factor, classic smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus or the OnePlus 13 offer excellent alternatives that won’t disappoint.
Ultimately, flipping a phone open still holds a unique charm and excitement that slab phones can’t replicate. But it’s wise to weigh your options carefully before committing to the latest foldable.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Galaxy Z Flip 7 worth the price increase?
A: While the Flip 7 offers a full-screen cover display and a slimmer design, the price jump to $1,100 might not justify the lack of camera upgrades and the switch to an Exynos chip for many buyers.
Q: How does the Galaxy Z Flip 6 compare to the Z Flip 7?
A: The Flip 6 is a great budget-friendly alternative with nearly identical performance and cameras but a smaller, less smooth cover display. It offers excellent value, especially if purchased secondhand.
Q: What makes the Motorola Razr Ultra stand out?
A: The Razr Ultra features premium materials like Alcantara and wood grain finishes, a bright 165Hz cover display, a large 7-inch inner display, and a rare 50MP ultra-wide camera. However, it’s more expensive and only offers three years of software updates.
Q: Are slab phones better than flip phones?
A: It depends on what you value. Slab phones like the Galaxy S25 Plus and OnePlus 13 typically offer better specs, battery life, and longer software support. Flip phones provide novelty and compactness but may compromise on some specs and price.
Q: Which phone would you personally choose?
A: I’d pick the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for its excitement and unique design, but if budget is a concern, the Flip 6 or Motorola Razr 2025 are great alternatives. For pure performance and value, the OnePlus 13 is hard to beat.
