YES, you read the headline right – a long-time iPhone user is ready to switch to Android.
It’s a move few people are prepared to make and it’s understandable.
Jamie Harris trying Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip 7[/caption]
I love the new external display when it’s folded[/caption]
It’s so light and thin too[/caption]
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 – buy from £1,049
Companies ring-fence their tech so some only work with their own gadgets or at the very least perform better with their own.
Prime example, I love my Apple Watch but it doesn’t work with an Android phone.
It’s frustrating, so ultimately we’re all forced to pick a side.
And if you dare to switch over, well, there’s a whole lot of headache making that work too, backing everything up and signing into all your apps all over again is just the beginning.
As The Sun’s principle smartphone reviewer I’m very used to this process by now and have tested countless Android devices, many of which are great bits of kit.
But iPhone has remained my main handset for a good ten years or so now.
Suddenly, I’ve found the urge to switch and it’s because of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Find out why in my full review below.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Look and feel
My first reason for switching is quite simple – the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is just so pretty.
I’ve had a try of all the previous Galaxy Z Flip handsets, as well as other clam shell-style flip phones on the market.
But the Galaxy Z Flip 7 feels like it’s finally got it right.
The colour I have is blue shadow, with an aluminium frame and glass back that feels premium.
Samsung has drastically improved the smaller external display you can use when closed – known officially as the FlexWindow.
I feel like the Flip 7 has injected a bit of much needed fun into mobiles again, all within a stylish body
The FlexWindow display now wraps around the two cameras so it blends in, rather than cutting a box around them.
You can show slick animations like falling confetti which adds to the beautiful charm of the Flip 7 that makes me want to use it as my main smartphone.
And when you flip open the handset the display is ever so slightly bigger than the Flip 6, measuring in at 6.9-inches with that unavoidable crease along the middle only really visible at certain angles.
It weighs only 188g, so the Flip 7 feels mega light in my hands and even more so in my pocket.
It fits so nicely in my pocket[/caption]
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Performance and features
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs on Samsung’s own take on Android 16, known as One UI 8 – and it’s one of my favourites around.
While there are some Samsung apps I don’t really want – such as Samsung’s own web browser – others like gallery and calendar are much simpler than Google’s own.
But the beauty of it is the choice is yours, whether you prefer Samsung’s, Google’s or some other from the Google Play Store.
I love how vibrant the FlexWindow is – I notice people giving it a stare on the train
Features haven’t changed a great deal from all the AI we’ve seen on recent Galaxy phones but you can use Gemini, Google’s powerful AI chatbot, on the cover screen.
One really neat addition is support for Samsung Dex, which allows you to plug your phone into a computer display and it will run like a PC computer alongside a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
It’s the first time Samsung has introduced this on its foldables, so you literally have a PC-like experience ready to use in your pocket.
Samsung continues to offer seven years of security and operating system updates, so you won’t have to pay for an expensive upgrade anytime soon as long as you keep the phone in good physical condition.
Who offers free updates longest?
The longer you receive updates, the longer you can safely continue using your smartphone – with the latest features thrown in too for free.
Samsung
For the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung said it would provide at least seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates.
OnePlus
At the launch of the OnePlus 13, OnePlus committed to at least four years of Android updates and six years of security updates.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi offers four years off Android updates and five years security updates.
Google
For the Pixel 9 series, Google said that devices would receive at least seven years of support.
The chip that keeps things running is the Exynos 2500.
This is Samsung’s own chip instead of the leading Snapdragon 8 Elite found on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 counterpart.
However, most people won’t notice any real difference.
This bit of kit runs smoothly through any app I throw at it.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Battery
Samsung has given the Flip 7 a battery boost compared to last year’s Flip 6.
It’s bigger – 4300mAh – without making the overall phone physically bulkier.
Having used the Flip 7 as my main phone for a week, the battery just about gets me through the day with general use of emails, WhatsApp, web browsing, YouTube and Spotify.
However, the battery charging speeds haven’t been upgrade from its predecessor, sticking to 25W wired and 15W wireless.
It took just under half an hour to get the battery to 50 per cent.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Camera
The camera department hasn’t really changed at all since the Flip 6.
While the Fold 7 gets a mighty 200-megapixel main snapper, the Flip 7 is only 50-megapixel.
Alongside that is a 12-megapixel ultrawide and 10 megapixel selfie.
That said, I don’t have any complaints about the results with some detailed, vibrant pictures produced.
And obviously you have the added bonus of being able to turn the Flip 7 into a stand, so you can easily take group photos without using the lower quality selfie camera (and awkward angles of the person taking the selfie).
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Price
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts from £1,049.
If you get in fast, Samsung are offering a free storage increase, with the 512GB model selling for the same price as the 256GB model.
Don’t forget, if you trade in an old phone you can reduce the price tag further, knocking off up to £453.
There’s also the new Galaxy Club which allows you to spread the cost and get 50 per cent of the price back when you upgrade between months 12 and 15.
There are four colours options available.
- Blue Shadow
- Jetblack
- Coralred
- Mint (Samsung.com exclusive)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 – buy from £1,049
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Verdict
By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
So, why am I prepared to switch from iPhone after all this time?
I feel like the Flip 7 has injected a bit of much needed fun into mobiles again, all within a stylish body.
I love how vibrant the FlexWindow is – I notice people giving it a stare on the train.
It’s also great to see Dex support now so I can use it as a PC-like experience, I might even use it at work.
However, with a radical overhaul of iOS expected later this year, Samsung – and others – will have to make sure I’m not tempted back if Apple steps up big time.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
