New photos of Samsung’s next foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold7 , have leaked : this time they are “real”, not renders – after all, there are only a few days left until the presentation and it is plausible that the first demo units are already available at retailers. The photos show a really, really thin smartphone , as the many rumors circulating in recent months had anticipated. It may not be exactly record-breaking, but it is very close.
For reference, the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone is currently the recently unveiled Honor Magic V5, which measures just 8.8 mm when closed. Rumors circulating so far instead speak of around 9 mm for the Z Fold7. In short, we’re getting very close, but the comparison with the previous-generation model, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which measures a whopping 12.1 mm when closed, is even more emblematic. Three millimeters removed in just one generation, in short.
As we have already said in the past, the 4.5 mm for half represents a bit of a theoretical maximum limit beyond which you cannot go, due to the size of the USB-C port—already at 4.5 mm you have to implement rather particular solutions at the construction level. To go even lower you would have to think about either removing the port (and therefore for example rely only on wireless charging) or proposing different thicknesses for the two halves.
Meanwhile, some details have also emerged on the official cases . Apparently there will be at least five, according to what our colleagues at NieuweMobiel.NL discovered . It is practically the same range seen for the current Z Fold6:
- Transparent . The cheapest and most basic: €49 .
- Clear with grip . As above, but with a loop on the back to slide your finger through, making the grip more secure. €53 .
- Transparent with magnets . It is used to ensure compatibility with magnetic Qi2 wireless charging, in other words Apple’s MagSafe style. The magnets are not integrated into the actual smartphone, you have to rely on the case. €57 .
- Silicone . Protection for both halves of the smartphone and integrated kickstand. The expected price is €69 .
- Carbon Shield . It is made of carbon fiber and is the most expensive of all, but apparently it only protects the back half. We are talking about 89€ .
