What about the screen when it's folded and unfolded? is it more likely to scratch at places like the beach or from bits in your pocket?
Both the Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold look really good to be fair.
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Galaxy Z Fold7/Flip7
- Thread starter Zito Abroad
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What about the screen when it's folded and unfolded? is it more likely to scratch at places like the beach or from bits in your pocket?
Both the Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold look really good to be fair.
Interesting. You heavy into using the built-in speakers on phones? Never really been a thing with me... either I'm using some bluetooth headphones or (portable) speakers.
I've taken mine to the beach twice and put my torras case that protects the hinge just to be safe. Had zero damage.
I just feel like, for the price, that's the sacrifice that broke the camel's back. I also don't want to go back to the days of repositioning my hand when watching video or gaming, due to accidentally covering the only speaker.
Understandable. But even if Apple had done dual speakers... most likely have poor performance out of them due to the form factor.
This is one of the reasons i decided against the Air. I went ahead and ordered the 17PM. The brighter screen with supposed anti reflective coating, better battery life, and possibly improved cameras ultimately enticed me enough to give it a try. As I’m on the iPhone upgrade program it’s no more money out of my pocket monthly and I’ll likely sell a phone and pay the loan off a little early. Will probably roll with this and the ZF7 till the iPhone foldable comes along.
I had the Fold 4 for two years. No scratches or changes to the crease. I do always use a case. When I traded it, it looked brand new. I shouldn't have traded it for the 6. The 6 was good but I love the 7.
I have to come clean…after my earlier claim that I’m not upgrading my iPhone this year either (currently using 15 Pro Max), I decided to preorder an Air this weekend for pickup Friday.
I’m ultimately planning to move my primary number into my new Pixel 10 Pro Fold next month (primary in an Android for first time in a long time) so figured good opportunity to switch from chunky 15 Pro Max to light and thin Air as my secondary phone.
If I didn’t have the 3 lenses available on my Pixel, I probably wouldn't switch solely to an Air but feels like a nice alternative to my main foldable. I’ll try it for a couple weeks and decided whether to keep or return at that point.
The reason I ask is because at the moment there's a deal where if I trade in my S24 Ultra, I can get the Fold 7 for £1000 along with a free pair of Buds Pro 3 and a Galaxy Chromebook Go.
After 20+ years with endless MacBooks Pro, Airs, iPhones every year since 2007, iPads Pro, iPads Mini, iMacs, Homepods, TVs, iPods etc. I've switched to Samsung Galaxy Fold 7.
Since 2007 I've tested over 350 devices and wrote endless articles on iOS and Android incl. mobile gaming in magazines and blogs.
Back in 2010, my favorites were Sony Xperia X10 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S and HTC Desire with Android Froyo.
From 2010 to 2020, I got the flagships from Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Xiaomi etc. and tested the hardware as well as software a lot. Android phones made some progress and at the same time in 2020 Android felt just as same as 2010 to me - not smooth, laggy, buggy, inefficient, not logical, with micro freezers and heat during AAA games. It was not even close to be good enough to be used as main device.
Then between 2020 and 2025, something changed. The UI of both iOS and Android became more and more similar, at least for Xiaomi and Samsung. Also the AI happened and Apple completely missed it while other companies made huge steps forward. AI system integration, Gemini 2.5, Veo 3, Imagen 4, Nano Banana as well as Samsung's generative eraser are simply incredible.
When I got the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it's Android 16 with UI 8 looked as clean and beautiful as iOS used to be before 7 and especially before 26 which is an insult to every iPhone user.
The UI is super smooth, everything just works fine. It feels like good old days when iOS was working just fine. For the first time, I installed every app I had on iOS and the whole system is working great through the day incl. AAA gaming, photo and video processing etc.
I'm waiting for the next year's iPhone Fold and watching the situation for both iOS and Android.
In my opinion, Android is the OS to use currently.
If you would show me this message 15, 10 or 5 years ago, I would not believe that I said that. I always was on Apple's side and many thousands of people got Apple devices because of my influence.
It's very sad that in the last years iOS became an insult to the customers, just like Siri.
It hurts to see Apple like this.
Since 2007 I've tested over 350 devices and wrote endless articles on iOS and Android incl. mobile gaming in magazines and blogs.
Back in 2010, my favorites were Sony Xperia X10 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S and HTC Desire with Android Froyo.
From 2010 to 2020, I got the flagships from Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Xiaomi etc. and tested the hardware as well as software a lot. Android phones made some progress and at the same time in 2020 Android felt just as same as 2010 to me - not smooth, laggy, buggy, inefficient, not logical, with micro freezers and heat during AAA games. It was not even close to be good enough to be used as main device.
Then between 2020 and 2025, something changed. The UI of both iOS and Android became more and more similar, at least for Xiaomi and Samsung. Also the AI happened and Apple completely missed it while other companies made huge steps forward. AI system integration, Gemini 2.5, Veo 3, Imagen 4, Nano Banana as well as Samsung's generative eraser are simply incredible.
When I got the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it's Android 16 with UI 8 looked as clean and beautiful as iOS used to be before 7 and especially before 26 which is an insult to every iPhone user.
The UI is super smooth, everything just works fine. It feels like good old days when iOS was working just fine. For the first time, I installed every app I had on iOS and the whole system is working great through the day incl. AAA gaming, photo and video processing etc.
I'm waiting for the next year's iPhone Fold and watching the situation for both iOS and Android.
In my opinion, Android is the OS to use currently.
If you would show me this message 15, 10 or 5 years ago, I would not believe that I said that. I always was on Apple's side and many thousands of people got Apple devices because of my influence.
It's very sad that in the last years iOS became an insult to the customers, just like Siri.
It hurts to see Apple like this.
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Hell yeah. I'm with you. iOS used to be the OS that just worked and that's why I'd always switch back to Apple. But now OneUI is so much more efficient that iOS that it wouldn't make sense to go back. Returning to Apple would actually make my daily workflow more difficult.
I don't know much about AI, I don't really use it and don't plan to, but I am surprised (not please) with how Google Calendar is more 'advance' than Apple's Calendar. That being said I don't really know if I'm cool with it reading my gmail and scheduling things from Amazon orders to my private texts. A part of me thinks this is why Apple is pulling back on AI, it feels like it's just too much of an invasion of privacy.
Finally encountered my first bug with the phone. After updating the latest security update the screen would go blank when I unfolded. I googled this and the first result was this.
www.sammyfans.com
Took me 30 seconds to fix it. Meanwhile my iPad Pro 13 will randomly take an extra 5 seconds to unlock via FaceID. Of course the banding issue. And sometimes the monochrome color settings would sneak in some color. This had been happening since iOS26 Developer to iOS26 Official.
There's more but I can't think of any off the top of my head. Ohh Airplay 2 still don't work on both MacOS(current mountain/park) and iPadOS26.
Samsung confirms black or white screen bug on Galaxy Z Fold 7 and how to fix it
Samsung recently launched its Galaxy Z Fold 7 smartphone, and now, some of its users have noticed a strange screen bug. When they open or unfold their phone, the screen sometimes turns completely black or white. Also, the lock screen does not respond when touched, which makes it hard to unlock...
www.sammyfans.com
Took me 30 seconds to fix it. Meanwhile my iPad Pro 13 will randomly take an extra 5 seconds to unlock via FaceID. Of course the banding issue. And sometimes the monochrome color settings would sneak in some color. This had been happening since iOS26 Developer to iOS26 Official.
There's more but I can't think of any off the top of my head. Ohh Airplay 2 still don't work on both MacOS(current mountain/park) and iPadOS26.
Now.... One not so good thing about this phone. Battery life is really struggling. Like bad. I'm going to end my day with 3 hours SOT. Thankfully I didn't have to use it much today but I'm currently at 37% with 2 hours SOT. I should be at more line 70% right now. Same with yesterday. I had to emergency charge my phone at like noon yesterday. There's nothing that's showing on my battery stats that's jumping out at me either.
Clear your system cache.
Power off - Hold down the volume up + power button - Once in Recovery, wipe partition cache. Reboot
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other social media apps will kill battery relatively quick even if you're not using them. I suggest putting to sleep the app you don't use push notifications for. Also another thing that kills battery is Samsung and Google analytics and focused advertising.
You should be getting double those numbers.
PS: things like Hey Google or Hey Bixby will also kill your battery since these things will not allow your phone to go on standby.
Thanks! Dumb question. Where do I find the analytics and focused advertising?
Samsung spying/bloat = Settings - More privacy settings - Send diagnostic data, Android personalization services (off) - Advertising (remove advertising ID), usage and diagnostic information (off)
Google spying/bloat = Settings - More privacy settings - Ads - Ads topic (off), Ads suggestions (off), App recommendations (off)
Hey Bixby = Settings - Bixby - Bixby Voice - Turn off Voice Wake up and 'Hey Bixby'
Hey Google = Google App - Settings - Voice - Turn off 'Hey Google.'
Turning off app refresh = settings > battery > sleeping apps then add apps that you use push notifications for. This wouldn't mess with the data in the app, it just disable its ability to constantly be running while you have it installed. Facebook is notorious for listening to you so they can send you targeted advertising.
And for better battery life I have my performance profile to 'light' and so far I haven't noticed any performance hit, if you're getting poor performance then simply turn it on.
Screen is still 120hz
Dark Mode because I like it.
That's about it, with this I get decent battery life.
Thanks so much! I think I'll disable all of those with the exception of Hey Google since I use that like 5 times per day haha
Well, took a trip to my local Best Buy to get a look at the iPhone Air... disappointed that it's locked down and can't really get the experience feeling the device in hand. But gave a look at the Galaxy Fold 7 and it's certainly impressive! Upon picking it up... immediately I can tell how light it is compared to my Fold 6.
Didn't really test it too much, but notice how unfolding/folding were not as rigid than on my Fold 6... not sure if that has to do with people coming and constantly testing the hinge. I'd wager it gets at least 100 folds a day. Seeing doesn't entice me enough to pull the trigger, but using it made me excited for what's to come with future models...
Didn't really test it too much, but notice how unfolding/folding were not as rigid than on my Fold 6... not sure if that has to do with people coming and constantly testing the hinge. I'd wager it gets at least 100 folds a day. Seeing doesn't entice me enough to pull the trigger, but using it made me excited for what's to come with future models...
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I really considered the fold 7, but I figured that after the novelty wore off, I wouldn't really need or use most of what it would offer. The bigger factor, is the ecosystem, and even though I used to go between Android and Apple every couple of years, now that I have a watch and airpods and things are working, it would be kind of a pain to switch to Android as this point. Its probably by design!