Samsung shares exclusive details about its ultra slim Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Samsung is turning the page to a thinner, lighter chapter with its upcoming Galaxy Z foldables, which could redefine foldable phone design. The seventh generation of its book-style Galaxy Z Fold, debuting at its Unpacked event, will feel closer to what you might already have in your pocket, according to Drew Blackard, Samsung's senior vice president of mobile product management. "More than ever, these devices will very much resemble that traditional form factor," Blackard told CNET in an exclusive interview. "It'll feel like a traditional bar-type smartphone, but it'll have all of the benefits of a foldable." Samsung has consistently been dropping hints about its upcoming phones, which are expected to include the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and the more budget-friendly Z Flip 7 FE. The company's focus has seemingly been on the Fold, with a more advanced camera and plenty of AI. The first generation of the Galaxy Z Fold, which debuted in 2019, was about 29% thinner and around 37 grams lighter than its predecessor, and now we can expect a similar leap between the Z Fold 6 and the Z Fold 7. Based on those numbers, it's possible the Z Fold 7 could be about 0.34 inches thick when closed and weigh just over 200 grams, making it even thinner and lighter than the Oppo Find N5, and about the same weight as the iPhone 16 Pro. The design changes coming to the Z Fold 7 are supported by customer feedback, with 33% of Fold users telling the company they want improved portability, while 28% wanted flagship cameras, according to Blackard. A major barrier for people wanting to make the leap to foldables is price, with last year's Galaxy Z Fold 6 costing $1,900, while the Z Flip 6 was marked at $1,100. The rumored Z Flip 7 FE could tap into a strategy that seems to be working well for Motorola, releasing foldable phones at different pricing tiers, so customers don't have to break the bank. This could potentially give Samsung a leg up, as the best way to get more traction is on price point at this stage, even if that comes with a slight trade-off on camera. Making the Z Fold 7 feel as close to a standard phone as possible could help lure new customers who are hesitant to step outside of their comfort zone. It's a pretty big commitment for the average user to switch something they depend on so much, and nobody wants a trade-off, especially when you're going to make that big transition. Samsung says the design changes are a response to consumer feedback, and the company is ready to meet the challenge of selling the feel of thin by promoting hands-on experience. With the release of the S25 Edge, the company worked with retail partners to adapt the phones' security fixtures to adhesive brackets, so customers can actually pick up the phones and feel how light they are. Providing that same experience with a phone like the Z Fold 7 could help dubious consumers see what all the hype is about. Despite the apparent success of the Galaxy Z line, foldables remain a niche market, with around half of smartphone owners saying they're not interested in buying a foldable phone, according to a CNET survey from August. One key player could help change that: Apple, which is rumored to be developing its own foldable iPhone. Apple's potential entry in the market later in 2026 could indeed help legitimizing and democratizing the category, according to Thomas Husson, principal analyst at Forrester. Samsung, for its part, doesn't seem perturbed about the possibility of rising competition, with Blackard saying, "We definitely take pride in being the pioneer of the category. Competition will come, and we welcome that. I think it'll only push us to be more innovative."