Despite being captivated by the innovative design and looks of a clamshell foldable, I haven’t been able to get one due to the hefty price tags or the lack of performance. However, that might change this year, with the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. Here are five reasons why I’m genuinely excited about the arrival of the foldable.

Near-Flagship Specifications at a Cheaper Price

While the flagship Galaxy Z Flip 7 is widely rumored to come with an edge-to-edge cover screen (much like the Moto Razr Ultra series) and run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) SoC, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE could borrow its design and specifications from the current-generation clamshell: the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Most recently, a report (via Phone Arena) sheds some light on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE’s specifications, and from what it looks like, the clamshell will be largely based on the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

For instance, the Flip 7 FE could feature the same 3.4-inch folder-shaped cover screen and the 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED inner screen. The refresh rate, screen technology, and peak brightness settings should remain the same as the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Besides the displays, the purported foldable could use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) SoC, the same chip that powered the various 2024 Android flagships (like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6). Along with 12GB of RAM, the chipset should be able to handle demanding workflows with ease.

The report also contains information about the Flip 7 FE’s cameras, including a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10MP selfie camera. As mentioned earlier, the number of cameras and the resolution sound similar to those of the Flip 6, unless Samsung tweaks the aperture or the size of the sensors.

Last but not least, the leaked specifications also contain a 4,000 mAh battery (with support for 25W wired and 15W wireless charging), which, yet again, is the same advertised capacity as that of the Flip 6.

If the report is anything to go by, and Samsung indeed borrows all the Flip 7 FE hardware from the Flip 6, it might as well use the same frame, hinge mechanism, and IP rating (IP48 to be precise), making the phone as durable as last year’s flagship.

To summarize, Samsung’s first flip-style Fan Edition model could be as good as last year’s flagship, but at a more affordable launch price (and perhaps an even better discounted price in a few months from launch).

Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE Could Cost Less Than £1,000

The same report mentions the expected price of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which is less than £1,000.

To recall, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 came out at £1,049 or $1,099.99, putting it in the most expensive category. However, we expect the Flip 7 to debut at the same price, so Samsung needs to create a broader price gap between the flagship and the Fan Edition variant.

Here, I’d like to appreciate Motorola’s 2025 Razr lineup and its pricing. While the baseline Razr costs $700, the Razr+ (with a larger cover screen and a more powerful chipset) costs $1,000. Finally, the top-specced variant in the lineup, Razr Ultra (with 512GB of storage and Snapdragon 8 Elite chip), is priced at $1,300.

You see what I’m saying? The uniform $300 difference creates a distinct segmentation, allowing buyers to purchase the model that fits their budget and signaling the perceived feature differences between them. The pricing isn’t pushing a prospective buyer into cutting corners with the baseline variant or overspending on the top-tier Razr Ultra.

Samsung should do something similar with its Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. The clamshell should cost at least $200 to $300 less than the 2025 flagship for it to be a compelling option. Otherwise, it will end up boosting the sales of the flagship variant, defeating the entire purpose of releasing a Fan Edition variant.

Only a substantial gap between the flagship clamshell and the FE variant will make it appeal to a broader audience, including those willing to experience the technology but held back by the steep pricing.

In markets like India, where the Flip 6 is currently available for under Rs. 80,000 (around $940, less than 20% of the launch price), Samsung will have to be very cautious with the placement of the Flip 7 FE.

Extended Software Support

In the last few years, Samsung has improved its software support policy to a great extent. Every Samsung flagship (and even some mid-range devices) now comes with seven years of operating system and security updates.

With the same promise, the Flip 6 should get software updates till 2031. However, with a 2025 release date, the Flip 7 FE, hoping that Samsung doesn’t cut any corners, should still get new One UI updates in 2032, i.e., one additional year over the Flip 6.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 should also enable all the Galaxy AI features currently available on the latest Samsung flagships (and most likely, the ones that might launch exclusively with the Flip 7 and Fold 7).

Samsung Might Release The Fan Edition Foldable This Year

According to a Counterpoint report, Samsung’s foldable market share of 70% in Q3 2023 reached 56% in Q4 2024, whereas brands like Huawei, Honor, Motorola, and Xiaomi thrived. Whether it’s due to the increased competition from the Chinese brands or the timely arrival of Motorola’s foldable lineup in the United States, Samsung is losing a significant chunk of its foldable market share, and it’s concerning.

This is why the release timeline of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is crucial, and so is an early release. However, the rumor mill seems divided about the purported clamshell’s launch. Even though there are a few rumors about the Flip 7 FE’s debut alongside the flagship Flip 7 (and the Fold 7) in July 2025, others suggest that the foldable won’t arrive until the fourth quarter of this year.

In March, a report by the Korean publication The Bell (via 9To5Google) suggested that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE launch could be delayed due to problems with the production of the Exynos 2500 chip. However, a more recent report (referred to at the beginning of the article) mentions Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as the chipset of choice for the foldable (possibly to remedy the situation and release the phone in time).

Another Korean report suggests the projected production of 240,000 Flip 7 units, 170,000 Flip 7 FE units, and 160,000 Fold 7 units. It also states how the production will kick off in May 2025, readying the phones in time for a July launch.

From what it looks like, Samsung could unveil the Fan Edition clamshells in July, but perhaps with a delayed availability to give the flagship foldables enough breathing room. Either way, I am confident and excited about a 2025 launch.

Flip 7 FE Could Pressure Other Brands to Step Into the Segment

While there’s a $700 Moto Razr that you can buy in the United States, not all foldable manufacturers are making an effort in that direction. However, Samsung’s entry into the segment can change that, as it will not just test the segment and prove its validity to others, but also set a benchmark for what consumers can get at a certain price point.

In more ways than one, Samsung’s affordable clamshell has the potential to make foldables mainstream, changing the perception of devices forever. As more buyers get a flip-style smartphone, it will attract more manufacturers in the segment, sparking healthy competition and bringing innovation to value foldables.

Compared to Motorola, Samsung has an upper hand in scale and supply chain. Its recent flagships arrived in all major markets simultaneously, and there’s no reason why the company shouldn’t be able to replicate the same with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE.

To summarize, the capable processor, extended One UI software support (with Galaxy AI features), and a relatively affordable price point excite me about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. After all, it might just be the first foldable I purchase.