Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year is set for July 9, with the highly anticipated Galaxy Z Fold7 stealing the show. Not only will this model hit the shelves in August, but it promises to set a new benchmark for "folding flagships" with a suite of groundbreaking enhancements.

The Fold7's immediate standout feature is its "ultra-thin" design. Numerous real-life photos and renders reveal a stunning 4.5mm thickness when unfolded, marking a 1.1mm reduction from its predecessor. Its folded state is equally impressive at 8.9mm, and with a weight of approximately 215g, it offers a grip akin to traditional flagship smartphones. Samsung achieved this by introducing a new generation of Armor Aluminum frame and glass ceramic back cover, coupled with an innovative "waterdrop + brush" hinge that provides a larger bending radius and more uniform force distribution, rendering screen creases virtually invisible.

The display retains a dual-screen design but with maximized dimensions: a 6.5-inch outer screen and an 8.2-inch inner screen, both equipped with 1-120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels featuring increased peak brightness and minimal creases, even with the standard screen protector. For the first time, Samsung has eliminated the digitizer layer from the inner screen to achieve a slimmer profile, temporarily omitting native S Pen functionality. However, internal testing is underway for a new active pen solution that does not rely on a traditional digitizer layer.

The camera system has undergone a significant overhaul: the main camera adopts the 200 MP 1/1.3″ sensor from the S25 Ultra, complemented by a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 10 MP 3× telephoto lens. All three lenses are flush with the body, providing a seamless integration with the device's back. With the support of AI ISP and One UI 8's new imaging algorithms, the Fold7 delivers exceptional performance in high-magnification zoom and night scene multi-frame fusion, rivaling traditional flagship smartphones.

Under the hood, the Fold7 is powered by the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which outperforms the 8 Gen 3 in both CPU and GPU capabilities. It offers RAM options of 12 GB and 16 GB, and up to 1 TB of storage. Despite maintaining a nominal battery capacity of 4400 mAh, the more energy-efficient chip combined with the latest LTPO frequency control technology is expected to deliver an improved battery life curve compared to the Fold6. Charging specifications remain unchanged at 25W wired and 15W wireless.

The foldable design's durability has also been enhanced: the new UTG glass is 15% thinner yet more impact-resistant, and the hinge has passed TÜV certification for 400,000 folds. IP48 protection is currently undergoing internal testing. Color options include officially leaked Jet Black, Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Green Mint, all featuring low-saturation hues complemented by a ringless lens design for a cleaner aesthetic.

Samsung continues its pricing strategy from last year, offering "flagship performance without a price increase": the starting price for the 12 GB + 256 GB variant is expected to remain at $1,899 (approximately ¥14,299 in China). However, for those aiming for the top-tier 16 GB + 1 TB variant or the ceramic special edition, the budget will need to exceed $2,299. Amidst fierce competition in the Android foldable market, Samsung has positioned the Fold7 as a game-changer with comprehensive improvements in "thinness, strength, and aesthetics." If you're still on the fence about whether foldable smartphones can replace traditional flagships, this generation might just be the perfect time to embrace the foldable revolution.