NEW YORK—One of Samsung’s biggest product launch events was in PCMag’s home city this year, and we were among the first to score an up-close look at the company’s newest folding phones and watches.
The star of the show was the Z Fold 7. This foldable is so thin and refined our mobile phone analyst Eric Zeman calls it “something to behold.” Samsung also delivered an expected yearly update to the Z Flip 7, and introduced a less expensive version called the Z Flip 7 FE.
Beyond phones, Samsung showed off the latest versions of the Watch 8. All the devices are packed with AI, including the ability to talk to Google Gemini Live about what you’re doing on the phone and seeing in the camera.
If you weren’t able to tune into the livestream, here’s a breakdown of what you missed.
Thinner, More Powerful Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999.99 and is available to pre-order today at Samsung.com. It will be available at carriers and retailers nationwide starting July 25, and comes in two storage options: 256GB and 512GB.
Why buy? Well, if you’re into foldables, this is the thinnest and lightest version we’ve seen yet from Samsung. In fact, it’s 26% thinner than its predecessor, the Z Fold 6, and a whopping 48% thinner than the original. That could make it an even more compelling alternative to a typical, slab-style phone, since you’re getting a larger screen with only a touch more bulk. (It’s 8.9mm thick compared to the iPhone 16’s 7.80mm.)
But there’s one big drawback of the slim new design: It no longer works with the S Pen.
Z Fold 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
Z Fold 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
Performance-wise, the phone boasts a best-in-class processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which powers AI features like real-time translation and the many other AI goodies Samsung added to enhance performance. Happily, they shouldn’t drain the battery too much. With a 4,400mAh pack, you can expect all-day power.
The camera image quality is particularly impressive. At 200MP, it’s almost professional-grade, with an extra touch of color and brightness. Galaxy AI automatically enhances the image quality, refining the lighting and boosting key details so photos and videos stay sharp and vivid, even in low light. You can also edit the photos more easily with AI tools optimized for the the large screen (when the phone is unfolded).
Z Fold 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
Z Fold 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
Samsung’s AI features exceed what Apple is offering today. Its AI agent, powered by Google Gemini, knows what you’re typing and seeing if you share your screen, so you can collaborate with it on daily tasks. You can also chat with it about what you’re seeing in your phone’s camera, so it can do things like add an event from a paper invitation to your phone’s calendar. Long press the phone’s side button to activate it.
The AI continually learns your preferences to provide personalized suggestions. When you ask it questions, the answers appear in a designated section of the phone’s large screen so your view “remains unobstructed and visible,” Samsung says. That’s one more benefit of having an extra-large screen.
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Flipping Fun: Meet the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and 7E
The updated Z Flip 7 is a compact, pocket-sized device loaded with features. In keeping with this year’s theme of making thinner but more powerful devices, the Z Flip 7 is extra slender with new ways to interact with Google’s AI.
The Z Flip 7 starts at $1,099.99. New this year, Samsung added a more affordable option, the 7E, which starts at $899.99 with an option for less storage—128GB versus the 256GB starting storage for the 7.
Z Flip 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
The Flex Window got some major upgrades this year. This screen, the external one that’s visible while folded, is the brightest and biggest ever at 4.1 inches edge-to-edge. From here, you can ask the built-in Google Gemini voice assistant questions. It can also also look into your apps and make suggestions for you. In addition, you can type texts, check your schedule, and take photos from this small but powerful screen.
Z Flip 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
You can also create custom wallpapers and emojis, and choose from new clock fonts, for some simple but fun customization.
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The camera is a solid 50MP, which is notably less than the Z Fold 7’s 200MP but still sufficient. It’s designed for taking selfies, and includes a range of real-time filters, auto-zoom options for hands-free shots, and auto-enhancement features for portraits.
It’s Samsung O’Clock: Watch 8 Series
Samsung’s latest versions of the Watch 8 are smart, stylish, and thinner than their predecessors. They are also the first watches to have the Google Gemini Live voice assistant, Samsung says, so you can effectively have conversations with your wrist. (Samsung swears it’s helpful.)
There are three options within the Watch 8 Series. The basic Watch 8 has a typical, techy design. It starts at $349.99 for the Bluetooth model and $399.99 for the LTE model. The Watch 8 Classic could pass as a more traditional watch, albeit one that’s loaded with health tracking features. It starts at $499.99 for the Bluetooth model and $549.99 for the LTE model.
A third version, the Watch Ultra, is the most advanced and durable model geared toward outdoor adventures. This top-of-the-line model starts at $649.99.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
The displays are 50% brighter, making it easier to see the screen while you’re outside, and the GPS provides a more detailed and precise location. As for health-tracking features, the watches track your sleep and can even detect sleep apnea (like the Apple Watch). Samsung has introduced new sleep features, like bedtime suggestions and a Vascular Load tracker, which monitors your stress level during sleep.
The Watch 8 series also comes with an Antioxidant Index, which Samsung says is the first for a smartwatch. It measures carotenoid levels in five seconds. There’s also a running coach, stress alerts, mindfulness trackers, and a daily energy score.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
While you’re on the go, you can talk to the Gemini voice assistant and ask it to do things for you. “For example, you can ask Gemini to find a nearby café and text a friend to meet you there, all in one go,” Samsung says. “Or, if you’re ready to start your workout and you have a goal in mind, simply say, ‘Start a 30-minute run.’ The watch seamlessly initiates the workout in Samsung Health.”
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About Emily Forlini
Senior Reporter
