Just like that, I swapped my iPhone for the Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 (Because size matters)

It’s royal blue, and it perfectly fits in my hand. In fact, it is so tiny yet so mighty that I am retiring my iPhone 14 Pro Max. And no, Samsung hasn’t paid for this review.

iPhone is no longer a symbol of luxury; it recently dawned on me. When I got my first iPhone, it was neither the newest nor the best. I just really wanted an iPhone because Apple was (maybe still is) a status symbol.

But I no longer care—being a boss, a mother, and a runner, I’m in search of convenience. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is simply dragging my shorts down when I run. It’s a brick compared to the Samsung Galaxy Flip 7, which measures just 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7mm when folded.

Essentially, this is the main reason why I am giving up my beloved iPhone. However, after having tested the Flip 7 for a few weeks, I discovered quite a few other features that are handy.

Foldable screen brings back the nostalgia

A flip phone brings millennials like me back to the 2000s, when folder phones became popular. They arrived with a whole array of new features, and also offered the extremely satisfying experience of flipping the phone to take a call.

We used to flip them as hard as possible to make that snapping sound. And then we’d complain that folder phones were not worth the money because they broke quickly.

You can’t really flip the new era foldables in the same way, but they bring something even more satisfying. The Samsung Flip 7 has two screens. And, unlike its predecessors, the cover screen now stretches across the whole surface, making use of every millimeter.

The screen is designed for quick access to some of the main functions—a sort of lite version. You can answer calls, send text messages, check the weather, view stocks, change Spotify tracks, take selfies, and interact with Gemini without unfolding the phone. There are a few other widgets that can be added to the cover screen, too.

When folded at a 90-degree angle or a similar position, the main screen can be split into two displays—meaning you can, for example, watch YouTube while still browsing.

What I found particularly impressive is that you can turn the lower half of the main screen into a typical touchpad and keep using your phone as if it were a laptop. You can even pretend you’re a giant scrolling a tiny laptop.

The biggest challenge is, of course, if you are an iPhone user. Nothing about the Android OS feels intuitive to me, even after three weeks of using it. Something to keep in mind if you are thinking about switching.

Browsing assistance

Well, I’m not a fan of Google, given its extensive data collection practices and dominance in so many markets, leaving publishers like us with no choice but to play its game. I also sit next to a colleague who’s been trying to de-Google himself forever.

But have you noticed that Gemini could be the smart Siri we’ve all been craving?

Since Gemini comes pre-loaded on the Samsung Galaxy Flip 7, it was the first feature to mesmerize me. I kept pointing my camera at various plants at home, asking for their names and how to take care of them. I can’t wait to use it while traveling. Later, I tried Gemini on my iPhone and found it works just as well.

I did notice, though, that when I spoke to it in my native language—Lithuanian—it would occasionally respond in Polish or Russian. That was a bit annoying, but I understand there’s still a development curve for all AI technology.

However, the Galaxy Flip 7 has something else worth checking out: Samsung phones now come with Galaxy AI—Samsung’s own suite of artificial intelligence features. These include:

• Real-time translation of audio calls (though with limited languages)
• Note assist
• Real-time translation of live conversations
• Generative picture edits
• Audio edits
• The Now Brief – a personalized briefing that changes throughout the day
• Browsing Assist

Browsing Assist is actually the feature I found most useful. Essentially, you can circle any part of the screen—be it a news app or a detail in one of your pictures—and you’ll get an immediate response about what you might be seeing. I found it especially helpful for getting context on photos in the media that had no captions.

Verdict: is Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 worth it?

Starting at around $1,100, it’s neither the cheapest nor the best phone out there. Honestly, I wish Apple had gotten into foldables sooner, as I’d still prefer to stay in the ecosystem.

That said, it’s a nice phone if you’re looking for something new and have a thousand dollars to spend. After weeks of testing it, I bought it for a few reasons:

• My husband needed a new phone but wasn’t keen on buying one, so I was happy to gift him my perfect iPhone 14 Pro Max. So I needed a new phone.
• This is my first phone with AI features, and I wanted to immerse myself more in AI for professional reasons.
• It’s small, girly, and pretty—just the size of a compact powder case. Unlike my previous phone, it now fits in every purse, every running vest, and doesn’t drag my shorts down.
• I got a decent deal on it—double the memory and $300 off.

But I’m quite relaxed about spending when I have money. Just as I probably could have lived without my latest expensive dress (which now just sits there, begging to be worn), I could live without shiny new tech. But do I want to?

FAQ