5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Z Fold 7 (and why)

Samsung showed its latest crop of foldable devices earlier this month, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 showing its worth at the top of the heap. It gets some notable improvements with a re-engineered hinge, a stronger interior display with ultra-thin glass and titanium reinforcement, and it’s the lightest Fold yet. 

Also: I spent a week in New York City with the Samsung Z Fold 7 – and it spoiled me big time

It’s also the most expensive Z Fold in Samsung’s catalog, and the company removed S Pen support, which is sure to disappoint hard-core stylus fans. If you were planning to pick up the Z Fold 7, you would be wise to consider a few of these alternatives before you click that buy button. Here are your best options on the market right now – and why.

1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

Samsung has perhaps the best alternative, especially if you’d like to stay inside its ecosystem, with last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 6. You may miss the marginally slimmer hinge and improved interior display of this year’s upgrade, but last year’s model addressed one of my long-term complaints by bringing the cover screen into a more standard smartphone aspect ratio. 

For stylus fans, you’ll enjoy still having full S Pen Fold Edition support as well.

Also: 24 hours later with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Why I’m leaving the S25 Ultra behind

While last year’s model isn’t a huge discount when purchased through Samsung’s store, it’s likely that retailers will be interested in moving old inventory out to make room for the newest release, and with that may come some steep discounts. 

Some major retailers, for example, currently have last year’s unlocked model on sale right now without the need to trade in an old device or sign up for a payment plan to lock it in. On top of that, you’ll benefit from another six years of software and security updates, keeping the device relevant for years to come.

2. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

As a Pixel fan, I appreciate Google’s take on foldables with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which feels in some ways like the Z Fold 7’s calmer, more thoughtful cousin. Google’s second foldable to date has beautiful, flat edges, an unmistakably Pixel-shaped camera module, and a redesigned 6.3-inch cover display that feels like a standard smartphone when folded. 

Google’s flavor of Android is free of Samsung’s marketing cruft, and future OS updates are practically guaranteed to hit this device on launch day. Not to mention, those updates will continue for another six years, bringing the device all the way to Android 22.

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025

Photography remains Google’s calling card, and the Fold variant features a solid 48-megapixel main sensor, combined with Google’s Tensor-driven computational pipeline, which delivers excellent photographs in both daylight and low-light scenarios. 

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a solid all-around choice for a few hundred dollars less than the Z Fold 7.

3. OnePlus Open

OnePlus keeps proving it can play in the big leagues when it spots a trend worth chasing. The OnePlus Open debuted in October 2023, yet its roomy outer display set a standard, and its super-fast 67-watt SuperVOOC charging still impresses. 

I was able to bring the battery from empty to full in about forty-five minutes, a feat that makes Samsung’s unchanged 25-watt system look positively sluggish by comparison.

Also: OnePlus Open Apex Edition hands-on: Easily the best-looking foldable phone I’ve seen

Street prices swing from time to time, dipping to around $1,500 with trade-in incentives, and you can buy with confidence knowing OnePlus has ruled out the release of a 2025 successor. The company’s shorter software update promise, however, is worth noting, considering this is an older device. 

Four years of platform upgrades and five years of security patches limit long-term value compared to the Z Fold 7, but for anyone who wants rapid charging and a well-executed fold without paying two grand, the Open remains a compelling pick.

4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Not everyone chasing Samsung’s foldable crop wants a tablet-sized phone in the palm of their hands. The Galaxy Z Flip 7, also just announced, offers the latest hinge design, a larger and much more useful 4-inch cover display, and a starting price of around $900 less. You still get the satisfaction of being on the cutting edge of foldable technology while saving a ton of cash in the process. 

Also: I tried the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 – these 3 features make it worth upgrading to

It’s also far easier to pocket as the Flip continues to zero in on ergonomics. One-handed use feels natural because the center of gravity sits closer to your palm, and the stubbier design unfolds into a conventional smartphone rather than a mini tablet. 

Samsung even beefed up the hinge’s dust resistance to an IP48 rating, meaning tiny specs of dust and dirt will have a hard time making their way into those moving parts. If you crave Samsung’s foldable future but refuse to haul a tablet everywhere, the Z Flip 7 is an excellent choice.

5. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Don’t get me wrong, foldables are cool because they are different, but often what you are paying for more than anything else is that unique design. 

If, on the other hand, you have plenty of money to drop on a smartphone that can handle almost everything else, just get the Galaxy S25 Ultra, one of my favorite smartphones of 2025.

Also: Why I recommend the Samsung S25 Ultra over competing Android phones (and it’s $250 off)

The flat titanium frame is far more likely to survive a drop onto concrete compared to the Fold’s aluminum frame. Samsung’s camera engineers have saved their best hardware for the Ultra flagship, along with dual telephotos that are guaranteed to beat the Z Fold 7’s output. 

Throw in some of Samsung’s best-performing battery endurance to date with its 5,000mAh capacity, and you have a phone that’s built for users who refuse to compromise. Oh, and you’ll still have that embedded S Pen hiding inside the frame.

Don’t get me wrong, Samsung deserves recognition for pushing folding displays even further into the mainstream, but the playing field continues to become ever more competitive. Evaluate how you use a phone day in and day out, then pick the device that aligns with those habits. 

Follow my latest tech reviews and projects across social media. You’ll find me on YouTube at YouTube.com/@JasonHowell, on X (formerly Twitter) at @JasonHowell, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/thatjasonhowell.

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