Samsung nails it: AT&T eyes Galaxy Z Fold 7 and tri‑folds

Samsung’s Fold 7 Shakes Up the Folding Phone Landscape

When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched, it stunned everyone who had watched the competition inch toward thinner, lighter designs. For several years Samsung had released incremental upgrades, each a solid device that simply didn’t compete for the world’s thinnest phone title. That title is currently held by the Honor Magic V5, and previously by the Oppo Find N5. The Fold 7 finally entered the arena and re‑defined what a folding phone can achieve.

What Makes the Fold 7 So Groundbreaking?

• Thickness and Weight – It is the thinnest and lightest folding phone yet. Its sleek chassis feels remarkably compact.
• Customer Response – Record pre‑order numbers at both Samsung and carriers indicate that customers are delighted. The drive to pre‑purchase is unprecedented across the market.
• AT&T Insight – In a conversation with AT&T’s Vice President of Mobile Devices and Accessories, Jeff Howard explained how carriers perceive the Fold 7 and what the future of folding phones looks like.

Carriers: How Do Customers React?

• Pre‑Order Boom – The Fold 7 has blasted past‑pre‑order records at both Samsung and major carriers, showing major appetite for the device.
• High Satisfaction – Early adopters have reported high satisfaction with both performance and design, reinforcing the phone’s market appeal.
• Strategic Positioning – Carriers plan to leverage the Fold 7’s popularity to promote value‑added bundles and carrier‑specific firmware.

Where Does the Future of Folding Phones Head?

• Innovation Focus – Samsung is set to continue refining foldable technology, pushing for even lighter and more durable designs.
• Competitive Edge – By opening the category to consumer and carrier perspectives, Samsung establishes a new benchmark that rivals will need to match.
• Expanding Market Influence – The Fold 7’s success signals a broader acceptance of folding devices, potentially making them a standard offering in both consumer and business segments.

In sum, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not just another iteration; it marks a milestone in folding phone design that has already reshaped expectations and sparked a new era of mobile innovation.

Samsung figured out what foldables should be

Galaxy Z Fold 7 Breaks the Mold with Ultra‑Slim Design

When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 debuted, even the most seasoned foldable enthusiasts fell short of the surprise scale. The device’s incredibly thin chassis is, by far, the lightest I’ve seen on a folding phone.

Consumer Test Highlights Striking Impression

• 30 everyday smartphone users tried the Fold 7.
• The majority praised the phone’s reduced bulk.
• Engineer Jeff summed it up: “It’s finally thin enough for me to carry.”

Precision Engineering at Play

Jeff noted the Fold 7’s success demanded “incredible attention to detail.” As an engineer, he appreciates the meticulous work that made the phone’s slender form truly feasible.

Leadership Praise for Samsung’s MX Division

Jeff also delivered accolades to TM Roh, the current CEO of Samsung’s Mobile Experiences (MX) division. “Since moving from engineering to CEO, Tim has been pushing his team for a while. I think they finally nailed what foldables should be,” Jeff remarked.

Why AT&T picks some folding phones and not others

Samsung Unveils the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

Alongside the Fold 7, Samsung released two new folding models: the Flip 7 and the more budget‑friendly Flip 7 FE.

Flip 7 – The Flagship

The Flip 7 is the company’s latest flagship flip phone, featuring a striking 4.1‑inch main display. It builds on the 6‑year legacy while adding fresh design elements and performance upgrades.

Flip 7 FE – The Affordable Choice

The Flip 7 FE closely mirrors last year’s Flip 6. Its main difference lies in the price tag and carrier availability. Most major carriers have omitted the FE model from their line‑up, a decision explained by Samsung’s marketing head:

• “Our customers demand cutting‑edge technology, and they are patient when it comes to trying new things. They always want the latest and greatest.”

US Market Challenges

While some countries allow customers to pay upfront for a phone, the US market relies heavily on installment plans. The $300 price gap between the Flip 7 and Flip 7 FE becomes less meaningful when spread over 36 months. In fact, the monthly difference stalls at just a couple of dollars.

Attracting Purchases – The Galaxy Z Fold 7

To entice buyers, Samsung partners with carriers to offer compelling Galaxy Z Fold 7 deals. On AT&T, you can save up to $1,100 on a new Fold 7 by trading in any old phone and a new line. The Next Up Anytime program further allows you to acquire a new folding phone every year.

Samsung’s Folding Phones: Reaching the Value‑Focused Market

While the newest Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE won’t appeal to everyone, it’s deliberately crafted for a distinct market: budget‑conscious consumers. For carriers, this translates into a partnership with value‑oriented MVNOs such as Cricket Wireless.

Why the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE Still Matters

• Product Category: The Flip 7 FE and the base Razr are not positioned as “newest and latest technology,” yet Cricket customers love them.
• Buying Behavior: When a Cricket customer considers a full‑price purchase, a value‑type device like the Flip 7 FE fits their needs better.
• Financing Option: Even if financing is available, a price‑competitive phone still offers the best value to the customer.

Jeff’s Admiration for the Galaxy Z Fold 7

Jeff highlighted the Fold 7’s success, noting that the book‑style folding phone form factor has achieved a sweet spot in today’s usage landscape. In our Galaxy Z Fold 7 review, we called it the best folding phone for most people.

Record Sales and Praise

The Fold 7 has seen record sales and has received wide praise, confirming that Samsung has truly hit the sweet spot for the folding phone market.

Tri-folding phones and other form factors

Samsung’s Tri‑Fold Strategy

Galaxy Flex G: The Catalyst

The Galaxy Flex G is widely regarded as the spark that ignited Samsung’s pursuit of a tri‑fold smartphone. Designed to unfold from a standard handset into a 10‑inch tablet‑sized display, the Flex G offers a versatile media experience at a glance.

Industry Conversations

• Product Diversity – Discussions highlighted the growing market for tri‑fold phones and emerging smart glasses.
• AT&T’s Legacy – Known for championing cutting‑edge tech, AT&T was the original partner for the iPhone, later carried Microsoft’s Surface Duo series, and stocked every fold‑style device launched to date.
• Future‑Proof Partnerships – AT&T confirmed no plans to discontinue support for any form factor.

Samsung’s Commitment to Innovation

Samsung’s vision extends beyond a single device. Whether it’s glasses, phones, watches, or wearables, the company pledges a solution that aligns with customer content consumption preferences.

Next‑Gen Tri‑Fold: Galaxy G Fold

Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy G Fold this year, a tri‑fold phone that competes with the world’s first tri‑fold model, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate. The G Fold allows users to unfold a smartphone into a tablet‑sized display, offering a seamless transition between handheld and larger form factors.

Folding Phones: The Size Dilemma

When you fold a phone, every crease adds a thin layer of bulk. Take Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate: 3.6 mm when unfolded, but it swells to 12.8 mm when folded. The difference from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is merely 0.7 mm, yet the extra depth still feels significant in a daily carry.

Jeff Howard’s Question: Is a Tri‑Fold Worth the Size?

“How good is a tri‑fold from a size perspective? It might be a niche play because the use cases aren’t immediately obvious.”

“Will customers continue to grow their screen size needs versus relying on voice input?”

Jeff’s point underlines a core challenge: can a three‑fold design satisfy modern users without becoming a bulky accessory?

Exploring Alternative Form Factors

Innovation isn’t limited to folding panels. A wave of AI‑driven gadgets adopts diverse shapes:

• Google collaborates on a VR headset with Samsung.
• Smart glasses emerge from partnerships with Xreal and Warby Parker.

Smart Glasses: A More Convenient Display?

Imagine wearing glasses that incorporate a miniature screen. “I’ll carry my glasses instead of a 7‑inch display,” users say. This approach delivers content in a hands‑free, eye‑centered manner.

Why the Mobile Landscape Is Thrilling

After two decades of reviewing tech, the rush of experiments and breakthroughs has never felt stronger. Jeff Howard captures this sentiment:

“I’ve been in this industry for over 25 years… There hasn’t been a time when the industry has moved faster.”

“Customers are driving that innovation.”

From folding displays to smart glasses, the potential for new hardware offerings is immense.

Schematics and Thanks

Thanks to Jeff Howard and AT &T for discussing the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with us. One month in, it’s an impressive folding phone worth considering for your next device—although alternative top‑tier options may suit your needs as well. Regardless, AT &T is likely the primary retailer for this cutting‑edge hardware.