Samsung has concluded its Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 event, marking another milestone in the company's foldable device evolution. The Korean tech giant unveiled a refined lineup of next-generation smartphones and wearables, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Watch 8 series taking center stage. While the event lacked the revolutionary surprises some hoped for, Samsung delivered meaningful improvements that address long-standing user concerns and push foldable technology toward mainstream adoption.
The event provided an industrial backdrop that seemed fitting for devices that blend cutting-edge technology with practical durability. With foldables representing Samsung's most innovative product category, the stakes were high to demonstrate that these devices have moved beyond early-adopter novelties to become viable alternatives to traditional smartphones.
You can watch the full event here:
Galaxy Z Fold 7: The Ultra Experience in a Foldable
The star of the show was undoubtedly the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which Samsung boldly describes as its thinnest and lightest foldable yet. This latest iteration represents a significant camera upgrade that finally brings the Fold series in line with Samsung's premium Galaxy S Ultra lineup. The centrepiece improvement is a new 200MP main sensor – a substantial leap from the 50MP module that had remained unchanged since the Z Fold 4.
This camera upgrade addresses one of the most persistent criticisms of Samsung's book-style foldable. Previous generations compromised on photography capabilities, presumably due to space constraints and the engineering challenges of fitting flagship-level camera hardware into the complex folding mechanism. The Z Fold 7's camera system now includes pixel-binning technology that combines multiple pixels into larger ones for better low-light performance, similar to what Samsung offers in its Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Key specifications showcase the engineering refinements:
6.5-inch cover display (up from 6.3 inches) with improved aspect ratio for better one-handed use
8-inch main foldable display (up from 7.6 inches) approaching small tablet territory
200MP main camera with new sensor technology and improved computational photography
Ultra-wide camera with 100-degree field of view and autofocus capabilities
3.2mm thinner when folded, addressing portability concerns
24g lighter than its predecessor, improving daily usability
Android 16 (One UI 8) pre-installed with foldable-optimised features
Improved hinge mechanism with enhanced durability rating
The pricing strategy reflects Samsung's confidence in the improvements. At $1,999, the Z Fold 7 represents a modest $100 increase from the Z Fold 6's launch price, positioning it as a premium but not unreachable option. Samsung's messaging emphasises that this is finally the foldable that delivers the 'everyday portability of a traditional phone' combined with 'the expanded power and flexibility of a tablet when unfolded.'
Industry analysts suggest this pricing strategy aims to maintain momentum in the foldable market while competitors like Google, OnePlus, and Chinese manufacturers increase pressure with their own offerings. Samsung's early lead in foldables gives it advantages in supply chain optimisation and manufacturing scale that help justify the premium pricing.
Galaxy Z Flip 7: Bigger Screen, Better Battery
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 takes a more incremental approach, focusing on practical improvements that address real-world user feedback. Samsung's clamshell foldable has found success with users who appreciate the compact form factor and nostalgic flip phone aesthetic, but previous generations suffered from limited battery life and a small cover display that restricted functionality.
The most significant upgrade is the expanded 'Flex Window' cover display, which now wraps around the camera module in an innovative design that maximises screen real estate. This approach allows Samsung to offer a larger display without dramatically increasing the device's footprint when closed.
Notable upgrades include:
4.1-inch cover screen (up from 3.4 inches on Z Flip 6) enabling more app functionality without unfolding
6.9-inch main display (increased from 6.7 inches) approaching flagship smartphone screen sizes
4,300mAh battery (up from 4,000mAh) addressing the most common user complaint
0.4mm thinner when unfolded, improving the in-hand feel
Enhanced Flex Mode capabilities with improved app compatibility
Improved crease visibility and screen durability
Android 16 (One UI 8) with flip-specific optimisations
Samsung's research indicates that Z Flip users frequently use the cover display for quick tasks like checking notifications, controlling music, and taking selfies. The larger 4.1-inch screen enables more complex interactions, potentially reducing the need to unfold the device by up to 30% according to Samsung's internal testing.
Pricing for the Z Flip 7 is expected to remain competitive with the Z Flip 6, likely starting around $1,099.99. This aggressive pricing strategy positions the Z Flip 7 as Samsung's entry point into premium foldables, targeting users who want innovative technology without the Ultra-level price tag.
Galaxy Watch 8 Series: AI Comes to Your Wrist
Samsung's wearable strategy took a significant leap forward with the Galaxy Watch 8 series, which introduces three distinct models targeting different user segments. The headline feature across all variants is the integration of Google Gemini, marking the first time Google's advanced AI assistant has been available directly on a smartwatch without requiring phone connectivity.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic brings back the beloved rotating bezel that was absent from recent generations, responding to user feedback that touch-only navigation felt less intuitive. Meanwhile, the Watch Ultra introduces an attractive new blue colour option alongside enhanced outdoor capabilities and extended battery life.
Samsung's partnership with Google represents a strategic shift toward more sophisticated on-device AI processing. The watches can now handle complex queries, provide contextual assistance, and even generate responses without needing to communicate with a paired smartphone, provided they have Wi-Fi or LTE connectivity.
Advanced health monitoring features showcase Samsung's continued leadership in wearable wellness technology:
Real-time running coach with personalised training recommendations based on form analysis
Vascular Load monitoring providing insights into cardiovascular stress and recovery
Antioxidant Index measurement through beta carotene detection using LED sensors
Sleep apnea detection with FDA-cleared monitoring capabilities
Advanced ECG monitoring with irregular rhythm notifications
Partnership with Xealth for connected care features enabling healthcare provider integration
The pricing strategy reflects the differentiated positioning: Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349, the Classic model at $499, and the Ultra at $649. All models are available for pre-order immediately with general availability from July 25, positioning them well for the back-to-school and early holiday shopping seasons.
Android 16 and AI Integration: The Software
One of the most significant announcements was Samsung's commitment to shipping Android 16 (One UI 8) out of the box on all new devices – the fastest Android OS rollout Samsung has achieved. This represents a major shift in Samsung's software strategy, moving from being months behind Google's releases to launching alongside the latest Android features.
Android 16 brings substantial improvements for foldable devices, including enhanced multitasking capabilities, improved app continuity when folding and unfolding, and better integration with Google's AI services. Samsung's One UI 8 overlay adds foldable-specific optimisations that take advantage of the unique form factors.
The AI integration extends beyond hardware to encompass a comprehensive software experience. Samsung is offering six months of Google AI Pro free with Galaxy foldable purchases, providing users access to advanced AI capabilities including:
Enhanced photo editing with AI-powered object removal and scene optimisation
Real-time language translation across multiple apps and interfaces
Intelligent productivity features that learn user patterns and suggest optimisations
Advanced voice assistance with contextual understanding of foldable usage scenarios
Samsung's Annika Bizon, VP of Product and Marketing for Samsung UK & Ireland, emphasised the significance of this AI integration: 'As AI becomes the new UI, people need devices that learn, understand, and anticipate their needs. The new Galaxy foldables combine powerful hardware with Galaxy AI in ultra-thin and ultra-sleek form factors, empowering users to achieve previously unimaginable tasks.'
What Wasn't Announced: The Missing Pieces
While Samsung delivered solid updates across its core foldable lineup, several anticipated announcements were notably absent from the Brooklyn event. The most significant omission was any substantial update on Samsung's rumoured tri-foldable device, tentatively called the Galaxy G Fold, which has been the subject of intense speculation and leaked prototypes.
Industry sources suggest Samsung is taking a cautious approach to tri-foldable technology, observing how competitors like Huawei's Mate XT perform in the market before committing to mass production. The complexity of manufacturing a device that folds in two places, combined with concerns about durability and user experience, may be causing Samsung to prioritise refinement of its existing dual-fold designs.
Equally absent were developments related to Project Moohan, Samsung's XR headset initiative developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm. While early demonstrations showed promising mixed reality capabilities, Samsung appears to be taking a measured approach to market entry, potentially waiting for Apple's Vision Pro ecosystem to mature and provide clearer market direction.
The focus on core foldable and wearable product lines, rather than experimental form factors, suggests Samsung is prioritising market consolidation over revolutionary innovation in 2025. This strategy aligns with broader industry trends toward refinement and accessibility rather than bleeding-edge experimentation.
Availability and Next Steps
All announced devices are available for pre-order immediately, with general availability scheduled for July 25. Samsung is offering early reservation bonuses including $50 credits toward new Galaxy devices for customers who reserved ahead of the event.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 represent Samsung's most refined foldable offerings to date, addressing key user concerns while maintaining the innovative form factors that set these devices apart. The Galaxy Watch 8 series brings meaningful AI integration to wearables, potentially setting new standards for smartwatch capabilities.