In 2025, Samsung has raised the bar again by launching two powerhouse devices: the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy S25 Edge. While both are premium smartphones, they cater to slightly different audiences. But which one truly deserves your money? Let’s compare them across the most important categories: design, performance, display, cameras, battery, and software.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs S25 Edge
Design & Build: Foldable Innovation vs. Sleek Tradition
Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents Samsung’s most advanced foldable yet, featuring:
- Ultra-slim profile: 8.9mm folded, 4.2mm unfolded – thinner than most smartphones when open
- Lightweight construction: 215g (24g lighter than previous Fold models)
- Dual displays: 6.5″ cover screen (1080×2520) and 8″ main screen (1968×2184)
- IP48 rating (water resistance only, no dust protection)
Galaxy S25 Edge offers classic smartphone refinement:
- Sleek unibody design: 5.8mm thickness, 163g weight (significantly lighter)
- Single 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (1440×3120)
- Superior durability: IP68 rating (full dust/water resistance)
- Titanium frame with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 protection
| Aspect | Z Fold 7 | S25 Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | Foldable AMOLED | Flat AMOLED (Edge) |
| Thickness | 8.9mm (folded), 4.2mm (unfolded) | 5.8mm |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus 3 | Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 |
Key Difference: The Fold 7’s transformative design comes with durability compromises, while the S25 Edge provides more robust everyday protection.
Display Technology: Bigger vs. Sharper
Z Fold 7 Display Advantages:
- Larger canvas: 8″ foldable AMOLED (1968×2184, 368ppi) ideal for multitasking
- 120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rate on both screens
- Higher peak brightness: 2600 nits vs. S25 Edge’s unspecified brightness
- Nearly invisible crease (major improvement over previous Folds)
S25 Edge Display Strengths:
- Higher pixel density: 513ppi vs. 368ppi
- More conventional 19.5:9 aspect ratio better for media consumption
- No moving parts or potential long-term folding issues
| Feature | Z Fold 7 | S25 Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 8″ (unfolded) | 6.7″ |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz adaptive | 120Hz adaptive |
| Brightness | 2600 nits (peak) | 2500 nits (peak) |
Professional Insight: While the Fold 7 offers unprecedented screen real estate, the S25 Edge provides superior pixel density for sharper images.
Performance & Hardware: Nearly Identical Powerhouses
Both devices share Samsung’s top-tier 2025 hardware:
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2×4.47 GHz + 6×3.53 GHz)
- GPU: Adreno 830 (1200 MHz)
- RAM: 12GB standard (Fold 7 offers 16GB option with 1TB storage)
- Storage: UFS 4.0 (256GB/512GB/1TB options)
| Spec | Z Fold 7 | S25 Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM Options | 12GB/16GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB–1TB | 256GB–512GB |
Benchmark Notes: Both score similarly in tests (AnTuTu ~1.99M), making performance differences negligible for most users.
Camera Systems: Versatility vs. Specialization
Z Fold 7 Camera Setup:
- 200MP main (f/1.7, OIS) – same sensor as S25 Edge
- 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120˚ FoV) with dual pixel PDAF
- 10MP telephoto (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom)
- Dual 10MP front cameras (cover & main displays)
- 8K video recording at 30fps
📖 Want to dive deeper into the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s camera performance and software?
Click here to read the full Z Fold 7 review
S25 Edge Camera Advantages:
- 200MP main (f/1.7) with 2x “optical quality” zoom via pixel binning
- 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
- Lacks dedicated telephoto lens
- Single 12MP front camera
| Camera | Z Fold 7 | S25 Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Main Sensor | 200MP (f/1.7) | 200MP (f/1.7) |
| Zoom | 3x optical | Digital zoom only |
| Selfie | Dual 10MP | Single 12MP |
Photography Verdict: The Fold 7 offers more camera versatility with its telephoto lens, while the S25 Edge relies on computational photography for zoom capabilities.
Battery Life & Charging: Endurance vs. Innovation
Z Fold 7:
- 4400mAh battery (typical)
- 25W wired charging (50% in 30 mins)
- 15W wireless charging
- All-day battery life with moderate use
S25 Edge:
- Smaller 3900mAh battery
- Same 25W wired charging (55% in 30 mins)
- Similar 15W wireless charging
- Better efficiency due to single display
| Feature | Z Fold 7 | S25 Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 4400mAh | 3900mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W wireless | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| Real-World Use | ~6-7 hours SOT | ~7-8 hours SOT |
Real-World Note: Despite its larger battery, the Fold 7’s dual displays result in similar endurance to the S25 Edge.
Software & AI Features: One UI 8 vs. One UI 7
Z Fold 7 Advantages:
- Ships with Android 16 and One UI 8
- Enhanced multitasking: Up to 8 simultaneous apps
- Fold-optimized AI features like app continuity between screens
- 7 years of OS updates (through 2032)
S25 Edge Software:
- Android 15 with One UI 7
- Traditional smartphone interface
- Same 7-year update promise
Productivity Edge: The Fold 7’s larger screen and software optimizations make it superior for productivity tasks.
Price & Value Proposition
Z Fold 7 Pricing:
- Starts at $1,999/£1,799/€2,099
- Positioned as a premium productivity device
- Often available with trade-in discounts up to $1,000
S25 Edge Pricing:
- Starts at $1,299/£1,249
- More affordable flagship option
- Frequent carrier deals bringing price below $1,000
Value Assessment: The S25 Edge offers better value for traditional smartphone users, while the Fold 7 justifies its premium for those needing tablet functionality.
Conclusion: Which Samsung Flagship is Right for You?
Choose Galaxy Z Fold 7 if you:
- Need tablet-like productivity in your pocket
- Value cutting-edge foldable technology
- Don’t mind the higher price for transformative functionality
- Can accept slightly compromised durability
Choose Galaxy S25 Edge if you:
- Prefer a traditional smartphone experience
- Want better durability and dust resistance
- Need a more affordable flagship option
- Don’t require large-screen multitasking
Both devices represent the pinnacle of Samsung’s 2025 technology, with the Z Fold 7 pushing boundaries of form factor and the S25 Edge refining the classic smartphone formula. Your decision ultimately depends on whether you prioritize innovation or tradition in your mobile experience.
Final Thought: As noted in reviews, the Z Fold 7 is “the best folding phone available” while the S25 Edge remains “one of the most polished traditional flagships“.