Samsung’s recent generations have taught me one thing: I love its Fan Edition lineup. From traditional smartphones to tablets to wearables, it’s won me over time and again, offering just the right mix of specs and price to make sense for those who want a flagship experience without the cost. And, when I heard that it might be expanding to include a foldable phone for the first time, you better believe I was excited.
After all, I have a soft spot for anything and everything that flips, and would love to be able to recommend something that doesn’t cost $1,000. However, I’m slightly disappointed now that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is here. It might turn out to be an impressive option from Samsung, but I’m not sure that it’s a proper Fan Edition launch, and here’s why.
If I wanted a Galaxy Z Flip 6, I would have bought one
When I first saw the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, my mind went to an unexpected place. Honestly, the only thing I could think about was the old clip that went, “On all levels except physical, I am a wolf.” Now, swap the idea of being a wolf for being a Galaxy Z Flip 6 — that’s the same thing, right? Alright, jokes aside, that seems like the method Samsung used to create its latest Fan Edition launch.
Everything about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is just last year’s flip-style flagship, just recolored (in boring black or washed-out white) and paired with a downgraded chipset. It has the same 3.4-inch folder-shaped Flex Window, the same 4,000mAh battery, and the same dual camera setup that we’ve used and trusted for years now. And, in one sense, I suppose it’s a perfect example of Samsung deciding not to fix what isn’t broken.
Samsung knows how to make a great flip phone, but how do I recommend a new one when the previous generation is still so readily available?
However, I don’t think it’s making the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE stand out, either. I’ve touched on it once, but Motorola’s Razr success comes from giving each model a distinct price point. The base Razr (2025) is meaningfully cheaper, with specific cameras, a slightly pared-down cover screen (at least in terms of materials), and a distinct battery and charging setup — it has differences that justify its lower price. Then, if you want to upgrade, there’s the Razr Plus and Ultra, both of which add to the experience without making you feel like you’re upgrading from a previous-generation launch.
In Samsung’s case, the problem with making the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE share so much of the Flip 6’s DNA is, well, you can still find a Galaxy Z Flip 6 without looking too hard. You can get its extra 4GB of RAM, its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, and its much better color options, all while probably saving some money. Sure, you might miss out on one more year of software updates (the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE ships with Android 16 rather than Android 15), but you’re still covered well into the 2030s.
Maybe we’ve just forgotten what Fan Editions are all about
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
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