Samsung is putting you in a tough spot this year. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy S25 Ultra represent the pinnacle of smartphone technology, but they offer completely different experiences. One transforms into a tablet, while the other perfects the traditional smartphone formula. Both cost serious money, so let’s figure out which one actually fits your life.
Two Different Visions of the Perfect Phone
The Galaxy S25 Ultra sticks to what works—a single, gorgeous screen, incredible cameras, and that beloved S Pen tucked inside. It’s Samsung’s answer to “what if we made a traditional smartphone absolutely perfect?”
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 asks a different question: “what if your phone could become a tablet whenever you wanted?” This year’s model finally addresses the biggest complaints about foldable phones. It’s thinner, lighter, and has a much better camera system.
The Philosophy Split
These phones represent two completely different approaches to mobile computing. The S25 Ultra believes in doing everything exceptionally well on one screen. The Z Fold 7 believes in giving you two screens for two different types of tasks.
Design and Daily Living: How They Actually Feel
The Galaxy S25 Ultra weighs 218 grams and measures 8.2mm thick. That might sound chunky, but it feels substantial rather than bulky. The titanium build gives it a premium feel that justified its price tag. The flat edges make it easier to grip, and that signature boxy design has grown on people.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has achieved something remarkable—it’s actually thinner when folded (8.9mm) than many traditional phones, and lighter at 215 grams. Previous Fold models felt like carrying a small book. This one feels like a slightly thick regular phone until you unfold it.
Durability Concerns
The S25 Ultra comes with Gorilla Armor protection—basically Samsung’s toughest glass with an anti-reflective coating. It’s built like a tank and rated IP68 for water and dust resistance.
The Z Fold 7 uses different glass protection and only achieves IP48 rating. That means it handles water well but struggles with fine dust particles. The hinge mechanism inherently creates vulnerability points that a traditional phone doesn’t have.
Screen Experience: One Big vs Two Different
Galaxy S25 Ultra gives you a stunning 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display. It’s flat (no curved edges), runs at 120Hz, and hits 2,600 nits of peak brightness. This is arguably Samsung’s finest single display ever.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 offers two distinct screen experiences. The outer 6.5-inch display finally has normal proportions—no more “TV remote” feeling when typing. Open it up, and you get an 8-inch internal display that transforms your phone into a mini tablet.
Real-World Usage
The S25 Ultra’s single screen excels at everything you normally do on a phone. Social media, photography, messaging, gaming—it all feels natural and refined.
The Z Fold 7 shines when you need to do multiple things simultaneously. Reading while taking notes, video calling while checking your calendar, or watching videos while browsing—the large internal screen makes these tasks genuinely easier.
Camera Capabilities: Where Quality Meets Flexibility
Galaxy S25 Ultra maintains its camera crown with a comprehensive system: 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP 5x periscope zoom. This setup delivers exceptional results across all shooting scenarios.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 finally gets serious about photography. It borrows the same 200MP main sensor from the S25 Ultra—a massive upgrade from previous Fold models. However, it pairs this with a more basic 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP 3x zoom. No periscope zoom means less versatility for distant subjects.
Photography Advantages
The S25 Ultra offers more shooting flexibility and generally superior image quality, especially for zoom photography. Professional photographers and content creators will appreciate the comprehensive camera system.
The Z Fold 7 provides unique shooting angles thanks to its folding design. You can prop it up for hands-free photography or use the outer screen as a viewfinder while taking selfies with the main cameras.
Performance and Software: Power Without Compromise
Both phones run the same Snapdragon 8 Elite processor built on 3nm technology. Performance differences are negligible in real-world use. Both come with 12GB of RAM, though the Z Fold 7 offers a 16GB option with 1TB storage.
Software is where things get interesting. The Z Fold 7 launches with Android 16 and One UI 8, while the S25 Ultra starts with Android 15 and One UI 7 (but will receive the update).
Multitasking Reality
The S25 Ultra handles multitasking like any premium smartphone—split-screen apps, floating windows, and smooth app switching.
The Z Fold 7 transforms multitasking into something completely different. You can genuinely use it like a small laptop, with multiple apps running simultaneously on the large internal display.
Battery and Charging: Endurance vs Convenience
Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. Real-world battery life easily lasts a full day of heavy use.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 includes a 4,400mAh battery with slower 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The smaller battery and dual displays mean you’ll likely need to charge more frequently.
Charging Reality Check
Neither phone charges particularly fast by 2025 standards. The S25 Ultra’s 45W charging is adequate but not exciting. The Z Fold 7’s 25W charging feels slow for a $2,000 device.
Price and Value: Premium Pricing for Premium Features
Galaxy S25 Ultra starts around $1,300 for 256GB storage. It’s expensive but reasonable for flagship smartphone standards.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts around $2,000 for 256GB storage. You’re paying a significant premium for the folding technology and dual-screen experience.
Value Proposition
The S25 Ultra offers exceptional value if you want the best traditional smartphone experience. Every dollar goes toward refining and perfecting familiar smartphone features.
The Z Fold 7 asks you to pay extra for innovation and versatility. You’re essentially buying a phone and tablet in one device, which could justify the premium for the right user.
Making the Right Choice for Your Lifestyle
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you:
- Want the absolute best camera system Samsung offers
- Prefer the reliability and simplicity of a traditional smartphone design
- Value long battery life and faster charging
- Use the S Pen regularly for note-taking or creative work
- Want premium features at a (relatively) reasonable price
Choose the Galaxy Z Fold 7 if you:
- Regularly multitask between multiple apps
- Want a device that can genuinely replace a tablet
- Are fascinated by cutting-edge technology
- Need a larger screen for productivity or media consumption
- Can justify the premium price for the unique form factor
The Bottom Line
The Galaxy S25 Ultra represents smartphone perfection—everything you want in a traditional phone, executed flawlessly. It’s the safer choice that will satisfy the vast majority of users.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents smartphone evolution—a glimpse into how we might use mobile devices in the future. It’s for people who are willing to pay extra and accept some compromises for genuine innovation.
Both phones will serve you well for years to come. The question isn’t which one is better—it’s which one matches how you actually use your phone every day.