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Which Foldable Will You Flip For? Comparing Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE

One performs better overall, but is the price difference enough to matter? Let’s compare Samsung’s flip phones for 2025.

Samsung recently unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and while the phone is still expensive — it’ll set you back $1,100 to start — it’s matching the price of its predecessor. That’s admirable considering this newest iteration of the Flip phone series features several upgrades, including bigger screens and more powerful hardware. 

But the Z Flip 7 isn’t the only clamshell foldable Samsung is debuting this summer. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is slightly smaller and bridges the gap between the two generations of Flip models. This «fan edition» is positioned as more of a midrange phone, but the $900 price tag is a substantial chunk of change — to put it into perspective, that’s still $200 more than the latest iteration of Motorola’s Razr.

The Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE share a lot of similarities, especially when it comes to Samsung’s strong commitment to software support. At the end of the day, though, you’ll have a clear preference for one design over another — and that preference might be worth throwing an extra $200 at.

If you don’t have the time to dive into every facet of these phones, here’s the TL;DR: If money isn’t an object and you’re looking for a Flip model with a cutting edge processor and marginal improvements to the screen size, camera system and battery life, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the clear choice for you. If you’re looking for something close to the Z Flip 7 that has a more conservative feature set for less money — but you’re still willing to spend a bit more money than the average midrange phone — the Galaxy Z Flip FE positively iterates on the Z Flip 6’s processing power, battery and operating system.

Design and display

Candidly, the biggest and most direct differences between the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Z Flip 7 FE are found in the designs of these phones. If you’re shelling out an extra $200 for the Z Flip 7, it’s probably because of its larger cover screen and thinner body.

The Z Flip 7 comes in four different colors. You’ll be able to choose from black, grayish blue and red colors in-store, with an additional cool light green Mint color available if you’re ordering the foldable online direct from Samsung. The Z Flip 7 FE doesn’t feature nearly as many color options — this particular clamshell device comes in classic black or white, that’s it. Those are clean designs, but you lose out on the wider berth of colors available on the Z Flip 7.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a 4.1-inch cover screen, which is a pretty substantial increase over its predecessor’s 3.4-inch front-facing display. It does this by using the entire area around the camera lenses, which are cut out of the display, instead of the «folder tab» design of the Z Flip 6 and the Z Flip 7 FE. The Z Flip 7’s cover screen has a 948×1,048p resolution, which should mean it provides you with a sharper image than the Z Flip 7 FE’s 720x748p cover screen.

Additionally, the Z Flip 7 has a 6.9-inch internal display, which is marginally larger than the Z Flip 7 FE’s 6.7-inch flipped-open screen. In terms of resolution, however, the Z Flip 7 FE screen is slightly higher than the Z Flip7, though in practical terms they’re remarkably similar: The Z Flip 7’s internal screen has a 2,520×1,080p resolution and the Z Flip 7 FE has a 2,640×1,080p resolution, while both foldables should support a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

The Z Flip 7 may be thinner than the Z Flip 7 FE, but it doesn’t lose much in the way of heftiness. The Z Flip 7 weighs 188g while the Z Flip 7 FE weighs 187g, so they should feel fairly similar stowed away in your pockets.

The larger cover screen of the Z Flip 7 will make it easier than ever to organize widgets, check notifications and more. But if you plan to use your phone for gaming or watching videos, you’re not losing much screen space with the Z Flip 7 FE’s internal screen — both phones should perform fairly similarly in that regard.

Cameras

It’s fairly likely that budding photographers won’t be giving up anything by choosing the Z Flip 7 FE over the Z Flip 7. Both phones are slated to have a three-camera system, including a 50-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera on the back and a 10-megapixel front-facing internal camera.

If you’re familiar with Samsung’s Z Flip series, you’ll recognize that this looks like the same camera system included within 2024’s Z Flip 6 model. As far as we know, it has simply been brought forward and integrated into the next generation of Z Flip foldables.

With that being said, CNET experts haven’t been able to thoroughly test these phones just yet — while the cameras look the same on paper, it’s hard to say just how your pictures will turn out as you snap shots with the Z Flip 7 and the Z Flip 7 FE. 

But both foldables support Samsung’s Galaxy AI photography features. That means you’ll be able to edit and change your pictures on the Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE on the fly with features like Sketch to Image, which lets users bring doodles to life in the background of their photographs.

Battery, processor and storage specs

Slight differences in the batteries on the Z Flip 7 and the Z Flip 7 FE will directly translate to how much uptime you get with your phone between charging periods.

The Z Flip 7 is powered by a 4,300 mAh battery, which is a 300mAh upgrade from the battery in the Z Flip 6. We expect that owners will be able to put this model through its paces with some more strenuous use and still get a full day of battery life out of it, but we’ll know for sure when we can fully test the phone.

On the other hand, the Z Flip 7 FE features a 4,000-mAh battery, which appears to be the same size you’d be getting with last year’s Z Flip 6 model. Make no mistake about it: You should still be able to eke out a day’s worth of activity before needing to charge this phone. But CNET expert Patrick Holland wasn’t thrilled with the battery when testing the Z Flip 6, concluding that it was only marginally better than the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s battery life, so we would expect similar performance from the Z Flip 7 FE.

The only functional difference between the Z Flip 7 and the Z Flip 7 FE in this regard is that 300mAh capacity difference, but most people likely won’t actually feel it in their day-to-day lives.

If you’re constantly filming, video chatting and scrolling through social media at high brightness (or if you’re an avid mobile gamer), the Z Flip 7 may let you stay glued to your screen for a bit longer than the Z Flip 7 FE.

The other difference between these two foldables lies in their processor specs. The Z Flip 7 is powered by Samsung’s own high-end Exynos 2500 chip, while the Z Flip 7 FE has the Exynos 2400. We’re assuming the Z Flip 7 will provide slightly better processing power, but more testing will be required to suss out the differences. A similar chip, the Exynos 2400e, in the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE resulted in slightly lower performance than the Samsung Galaxy S24 (running 2023’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip) in our versus testing.

Crucially, both phones should have enough memory to support AI tools — the Z Flip 7 FE is straddling the line with 8GB of RAM — which is an important benchmark for any new phone right now. The Z Flip 7 comes with 12GB of RAM, so it has stronger support for the integrated AI tools.

If storing photos and downloading apps and games is something you do often, the Z Flip 7 has the edge over the Z Flip 7 FE. The Z Flip 7 starts at 256GB of storage with pricier models featuring a fairly large 512GB, whereas the Z Flip 7 FE starts with 128GB of storage and caps out at 256GB of space. The Z Flip 7 model with the least storage capacity matches the Z Flip 7 FE model with the most storage capacity.

Software support and AI

When it comes to software support for these two models, you aren’t missing out on too much by picking one over the other. Both phones run Android 16, which is an upgrade over the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s Android 14 operating system — a result of Google releasing the newest version of Android months earlier than it typically does.

Samsung has committed to shipping updates for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE for seven years after their launch date. That means you can expect the latest in software and security capabilities for both phones until at least 2032.

If you’re the type of person that will trade your phone in every few years, this probably won’t be what sways you toward picking up one of the latest Flip phones. But if you’re like me, and you keep using a phone until it’s on its last legs, this promise means you’ll be in good hands if you choose to upgrade to either the Flip 7 or the Flip 7 FE.

If AI features are your make-or-break variable for a new phone purchase in 2025, you won’t find that much of a difference between the Flip 7 and the Flip 7 FE in that regard, either. Both phones support the full suite of Galaxy AI tools as well as Google’s Gemini assistant — the Flip 7 FE’s 8GB of RAM should ensure that it can operate these tools, while we expect that the Flip 7’s 12GB of RAM could let you run a couple more taxing apps in tandem with the AI.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
Cover display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate 4.1-inch AMOLED, 948×1,048p, 120Hz refresh rate 3.4-inch AMOLED; 720 x 748 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate
Internal display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate 6.9-inch AMOLED, 2,520×1,080p, 1-120Hz refresh rate 6.7-inch AMOLED; 2,640 x 1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz refresh rate
Pixel density Cover: 342ppi; Internal: 397ppi Cover: 306 ppi; Internal: 425 ppi
Dimensions (inches) Open: 2.96 x 6.56 x 0.26 inches; Closed: 2.96 x 3.37 x 0.26 inches Open: 6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 in Closed: 3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 in
Dimensions (millimeters) Open: 75.2 x 166.7 x 6.5mm; Closed: 75.2 x 85.5 x 13.7mm Open: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm Closed: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm
Weight (grams, ounces) 188g (6.63 oz.) 187g (6.6 oz)
Mobile software Android 16 Android 16
Cameras 50-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
Internal screen camera 10-megapixel 10-megapixel
Video capture 4K at 60fps TBD
Processor Samsung Exynos 2500 Samsung Exynos 2400
RAM/storage 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB 8GB + 128GB, 256GB
Expandable storage None None
Battery 4,300 mAh 4,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor Yes Side
Connector USB-C USB-C
Headphone jack None None
Special features One UI 8, IP48 water resistance, 25W wired charging, Qi wireless charging, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, Galaxy AI IP48 rating, 25W wired charging, wireless charging + powershare, 2x optical zoom (up to 10x digital)
US price starts at $1,100 $900
UK price starts at £1,049 £849
Australia price starts at AU$1,799 AU$1,499

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Technologies

Bumble’s AI Assistant Bee Wants to Replace Endless Swiping

The dating app says it will launch «chapter-based profiles» and a personal dating assistant.

Dating app Bumble is bringing artificial intelligence into the matchmaking process via a new AI assistant called Bee. The dating app unveiled the upcoming features during its 2025 fourth-quarter earnings call this week. CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd said the company’s revamped platform, called Bumble 2.0, is expected to roll out sometime this spring, with tools designed to make profiles more personal and matches more meaningful.

One of the biggest changes is what Bumble calls a «chapter-based profile.» Instead of presenting users as a handful of static details, the new format lets people share different «chapters» of their lives — essentially short story-like sections that highlight experiences, interests or defining moments.

Today, a typical Bumble profile looks much like those on other dating apps: a name, age, photos and a few quick facts such as job title or hometown. From there, the process is familiar. Swipe left if you’re not interested. Swipe right if you are.

The new format, Bumble hopes, will give users a chance to show more of who they are before someone makes that split-second decision.

Another feature, called Dates, will rely on the new AI assistant Bee to help users find connections.

No more swipes?

Wolfe Herd said Bumble might test eliminating the swipe in certain markets and then see how members react to the feature being gone.

During the earnings call, Wolfe Herd said people are tired of «being reduced to images and potentially dismissed with a swipe» and that the chapter-based profile will help people tell their stories.

With the chapter-based format, members will be able to share more about themselves beyond the basics, in the hopes that it will be more intriguing for potential partners. One member may be intrigued by another’s trip to Italy. They connect to learn more, and maybe a match will form. It’s also a way for Bumble to get more data to feed its AI and gain more well-rounded profiles of its members.  

More from CNET: The Best Dating Apps for 2025

Wolfe Herd said Bumble wants its members to showcase more of themselves and not just their basic profile.

«Ultimately, dating only works when you really understand the story of someone,» Wolfe Herd said during the earnings call. «This is where chemistry and connection really happen. It is the intersection of someone going from just a stranger that you dismiss to someone you are genuinely interested in. As we reimagined the profile, we thought, why not bring people to life as a story? Everyone has a story to tell, and this is where people become interesting.»

Wolfe Herd said many members complain that their potential matches wind up in «dead-end chat zones» that never go anywhere. She said Bumble will introduce «dynamic ways» to get members to connect.

Bee as matchmaker

Wolfe Herd also said the AI-powered Bee would act as a personal dating assistant and matchmaker by «learning members’ values, relationship goals, communication style, lifestyle and dating intentions.»

Bumble already uses AI to help members improve their profiles and find potential matches, but Bee will be a major advancement in that effort.

Bee will use member insights to «identify mutual compatibility» with other members. Wolfe Herd said the company’s goal is to «get much more robust information about who you are and what you are looking for and really understand your story.» That process could be via typing or voice.

If a member wants to use Dates to find a match, Bee could use its AI to find a compatible match among other Bumble members and present that person as a possibility. Wolfe Herd said the company will soon begin beta testing Bee with a small, select group of Bumble consumers.

Other dating apps also utilize AI in their processes to varying extents. Grindr has a «wingman» chatbot that helps members write responses, identify potential matches and plan dates. Tinder and Hinge, both owned by Match Group, use AI assistants to generate icebreakers and enhance member interactions. For instance, Hinge launched Convo Starters late last year to help members kick off interesting conversations.

More from CNET: Bumble Introduces ID Verification

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Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, March 13

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 13.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s a real stumper. Also, note that I couldn’t really represent the clues for 8-Across and 3-Down, so imagine the S in each puzzle is either raised above or dropped below the other letters, as noted. Read on for all the (confusing) answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: «___, queen!»
Answer: YAS

4A clue: Waiter’s handout
Answer: MENU

5A clue: Tiny invertebrate that, when grouped in the thousands, makes up a coral
Answer: POLYP

6A clue: Scoop of sour cream
Answer: DOLLOP

7A clue: Spicy wing, as seen on a popular YouTube talk show
Answer: HOTONE

8A clue: Comparative suggested by this visual puzzle: PQRsTUV (Note: The s should be dropped down below the other letters in this clue.)
Answer: SLOWER (Because the S in the clue is lower than the other letters.)

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Like SpongeBob and Spirit airplanes
Answer: YELLOW

2D clue: «Bueller …? Bueller …?»
Answer: ANYONE

3D clue: Meal suggested by this visual puzzle: pqrStuv (note: The «S» should be raised up above the other letters in this puzzle)
Answer: SUPPER (Because the S in the clue is the highest, or upper letter.)

4D clue: «___ bene» (Italian for «very good»)
Answer: MOLTO

5D clue: Amenity in a Florida backyard, perhaps
Answer: POOL

6D clue: Agcy. at the center of a 2026 government shutdown
Answer: DHS

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Technologies

New Sassy Personality Style for Alexa Plus Brings Sarcasm and Swear Words

The new Sassy style is adults-only with a bit of profanity and a double dose of cringe.

After launching three Alexa Plus personality styles last month, Amazon on Thursday introduced a fourth option, Sassy. 

The new Sassy style joins the existing lineup of Brief, Chill and Sweet. Changing the personality impacts how Alexa responds, and tweaks the AI assistant‘s reactions and attitude. You can pick a style based on your mood. 

The Sassy personality seems like a kind of digital mean girl, or maybe a stereotypical Gen Zer with comebacks and banter to «keep things interesting.»

According to Amazon, you get «wit, playful sarcasm and occasional censored profanity.» Notably, the latest style isn’t available when Amazon Kids is enabled, according to an Amazon blog post, and it requires additional security checks in the Alexa app. (Alexa Plus is free with a Prime membership.) 

I tried out the new style by selecting Devices in the Alexa app on my phone, then choosing Alexa on this Phone, then Alexa’s Personality Style, and swiping until I found «Sassy.» 

A disclaimer notes that the style «contains explicit language and mature subject matter. After the assistant said it could «spice up our chat with some colorful language,» I asked it to tell me about the new MacBook Neo. 

«Oh, hell yes, the MacBook Neo! Apple finally decided to stop gatekeeping premium laptops behind thousand-dollar price tags and dropped this beauty at 599 bucks,» Alexa Plus replied. Apparently, «hell» was the big swear word.

The AI assistant told me, «The Sassy style is all about helping first, judging always. You’ll get reality checks with charm, compliments that sting, and warmth that hits when you least expect it.» 

I asked what «compliments that sting» are (I said «sting,» but the word was misunderstood to be «stay»), and Alexa said, «The Sassy style gives you those compliments that somehow sting and stay with you — they’re like truth bombs wrapped in charm.»

When asked to simply «be sassy,» Alexa snarked, «Oh honey, I’ve been sassy since the day Amazon flipped my switch.» It yammered on for a bit and then threw in a completely out-of-nowhere «hell,» asking, «What the hell do you need help with today?»

When I told it my cat was sick, it immediately grew gentler, saying, «Oh, damn, that’s rough,» and offering to distract me with stories about its own fictional cat or to find the vet’s number for me. So I guess it’s not a complete jerk.

This Sassy style feels like the famous Steve Buscemi meme (from 30 Rock) carrying two skateboards and awkwardly asking, «How do you do, fellow kids?» 

Amazon might need to dial down the cringe factor if it wants anyone to stick with Sassy for more than a few minutes.

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