Last Tuesday, I watched my friend Alex fumble with his Galaxy Z Fold7 at Starbucks, trying to take a quick photo of his latte while balancing his laptop bag. The phone was half-open, the camera app confused about which screen to use, and by the time he figured it out, the foam art had already started to fade. “This thing is supposed to be the future,” he muttered, shoving it back in his pocket. I nodded knowingly because three months ago, that was me.
I remember the exact moment I fell for the Galaxy Z Fold7’s promise. Walking past the Samsung store, seeing that gorgeous unfolding animation on the demo unit, imagining myself as some sort of tech wizard who could seamlessly transition between phone and tablet modes. The sales rep made it look effortless. The YouTube reviews were glowing. Everyone said folding phones were finally ready for prime time.
Three months later, my Galaxy Z Fold7 lives in my desk drawer more often than my pocket. And honestly? That drawer is starting to feel like a graveyard of expensive mistakes.
The honeymoon phase that fooled me completely
Those first few weeks with the Galaxy Z Fold7 felt magical. Opening it had this satisfying tactile feedback, like cracking open a leather-bound journal. The inner display was genuinely impressive for watching videos, reading articles, and getting work done on the go. I found myself showing it off to coworkers, feeling like I’d grabbed a piece of 2025 and brought it back to today.
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The multitasking capabilities seemed revolutionary at first. Running three apps simultaneously, dragging content between them, using the phone like a tiny laptop during flights. For about six weeks, I convinced myself I’d made the smartest tech purchase of my life.
But then reality started chipping away at the fantasy.
“The problem with folding phones isn’t the technology itself,” explains tech analyst Sarah Chen from Mobile Insights Research. “It’s that they’re trying to be everything to everyone, and that inherent compromise creates daily friction points that most people don’t anticipate.”
The real problems nobody talks about
The Galaxy Z Fold7’s front screen is where the illusion breaks down fastest. It’s tall, narrow, and genuinely awkward for everyday tasks. Typing feels like threading a needle, especially if you have larger hands. I’ve sent more typo-riddled texts in three months than in the previous three years combined.
Here are the daily annoyances that slowly wore me down:
- One-handed use becomes nearly impossible when the phone is folded
- The weight distribution feels unbalanced, making it prone to drops
- Apps constantly get confused about which screen configuration to use
- The hinge collects lint, dust, and debris like a magnet
- Battery life takes a significant hit when using the large inner display
- Wireless charging only works properly when the phone is completely flat
The most frustrating part? The constant decision-making. Every time I pulled out my Galaxy Z Fold7, I had to consciously choose: small screen or big screen? Quick task or immersive experience? One hand or two? Regular phones never make you think about this stuff.
| Daily Task | Traditional Phone | Galaxy Z Fold7 Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Quick text reply | Effortless | Awkward on front screen, overkill when unfolded |
| Taking photos | Instant | Confusion about which camera to use |
| Pocket storage | Natural fit | Bulky, catches on fabric |
| One-handed use | Standard | Nearly impossible |
| Battery anxiety | Rare | Constant concern |
Why the future might not be folding after all
After three months of living with the Galaxy Z Fold7, I’ve come to a sobering conclusion: just because we can fold phones doesn’t mean we should. The technology is impressive, but it solves problems that most people don’t actually have while creating new ones that are genuinely annoying.
Marcus Rodriguez, a UX designer who’s tested dozens of folding phones, puts it bluntly: “Folding phones are a solution looking for a problem. Most people just want a phone that works reliably for calls, texts, photos, and apps. Adding mechanical complexity rarely makes that experience better.”
The Galaxy Z Fold7 shines in specific scenarios. If you’re reading documents for hours, editing spreadsheets on the go, or need a portable second monitor, it can be genuinely useful. But for 90% of smartphone tasks, it’s either overkill or unnecessarily complicated.
What really bothers me is the durability anxiety. Every time I folded or unfolded the device, I wondered about the hinge’s lifespan. Samsung promises 200,000 folds, but psychological wear happens much faster than mechanical wear. I found myself babying a $2,000 phone in ways that felt ridiculous.
The expensive lesson I learned the hard way
My Galaxy Z Fold7 experience taught me that innovation for innovation’s sake isn’t always progress. Sometimes the best technology is invisible technology that just works without demanding constant attention or decision-making.
“Folding phones represent incredible engineering achievement,” notes device reviewer Tom Patterson. “But great engineering doesn’t automatically translate to great user experience. The most successful devices disappear into your daily routine rather than constantly reminding you of their complexity.”
After switching back to a traditional flagship phone, the relief was immediate. No more awkward typing on narrow screens. No more weight anxiety. No more choosing between phone mode and tablet mode. Just a device that does phone things really well.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 isn’t a bad phone, it’s just a phone that asks too much of its users. In a world where we want technology to simplify our lives, folding phones add layers of complexity that most people simply don’t need. Maybe the future of phones isn’t about folding at all, but about perfecting the rectangle we already love.
FAQs
Is the Galaxy Z Fold7 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you specifically need tablet functionality on the go and don’t mind daily usability compromises for phone tasks.
How durable is the Galaxy Z Fold7’s folding mechanism?
Samsung rates it for 200,000 folds, but the psychological stress of worrying about durability can be more exhausting than any mechanical issues.
Does the Galaxy Z Fold7 fit in regular pockets?
It fits, but it’s noticeably bulkier and heavier than traditional phones, and tends to catch on pocket fabric.
Is typing on the front screen really that difficult?
Yes, the narrow aspect ratio makes typing awkward, especially for people with larger hands or those used to standard phone keyboards.
What’s the biggest advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold7?
The large inner screen is genuinely excellent for reading, watching videos, and multitasking when you have time to sit and focus.
Would you recommend folding phones to others?
Only to people who have specific use cases that require tablet functionality and are willing to accept daily usability trade-offs for phone tasks.