Galaxy Z Flip 7 Rumored to Embrace Full-Size Outer Display, Mirroring Motorola Razr+ Design

The highly anticipated Galaxy Z Flip 7 may be poised to deliver a significant design overhaul, according to recent leaks suggesting a complete departure from its predecessors. These leaks indicate that Samsung’s next-generation foldable phone will feature a full-size outer display that gracefully wraps around the camera lenses, a design choice reminiscent of the Motorola Razr+. This potential transformation marks a substantial shift in Samsung’s approach to foldable design, potentially addressing criticisms leveled against previous models and positioning the Z Flip 7 as a more competitive player in the increasingly crowded foldable market.

For several generations, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series has been characterized by its compact, clamshell form factor, but with relatively small and functionally limited outer displays. Early iterations of the Z Flip offered minimalist notifications and basic quick controls on their exterior screens. Meanwhile, competitors like Motorola were pushing the boundaries with larger, more versatile external displays that offered more functionality and a superior user experience.

Samsung responded to this competitive pressure with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, introducing a significantly larger 3.4-inch outer display. This upgrade represented a considerable improvement, allowing users to access more information, respond to messages, and control certain apps without unfolding the device. However, the Z Flip 5’s outer display still fell short of a full-coverage design. Its distinctive folder-like shape left space for the main cameras, resulting in a design that, while functional, was not fully maximized for display real estate.

Initially, it was believed that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 would follow in the footsteps of the Z Flip 5 and Z Flip 6, maintaining a similar design aesthetic with a modestly sized outer display. This assumption was based on earlier CAD-based leaks that suggested a minor incremental upgrade, perhaps increasing the screen size slightly but retaining the overall form factor.

However, these earlier reports now appear to be inaccurate. Updated renders, published by Android Headlines, reveal a dramatically different design direction for the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The updated renders depict a full-size cover display that spans nearly the entire outer surface of the device, seamlessly integrating with the camera module. Instead of the previous folder-like design, the new renders showcase a sleek, edge-to-edge display that promises to offer a more immersive and user-friendly experience.

Furthermore, the size of the rumored display has also been revised. Initial reports suggested a 3.6-inch display, representing a slight increase from the Z Flip 5’s 3.4-inch screen. However, the latest information indicates that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will sport a display closer to 4 inches in size, mirroring the display size of the Motorola Razr+.

The design language of the updated renders bears a striking resemblance to the Motorola Razr+ (2024), a device that pioneered the full-size outer display design in the flip-foldable category. Launched last year, the Razr+ featured a 4-inch external display that revolutionized the way users interacted with flip phones. Previous Razr models had also offered larger displays than their Samsung counterparts, but it was the Razr+ that truly established the full-size outer display as a defining feature of the flip-foldable form factor.

The adoption of a full-size outer display on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 would represent a significant strategic shift for Samsung. It would not only address criticisms regarding the limited functionality of previous Z Flip outer displays but also position the device as a direct competitor to the Motorola Razr+ and other emerging flip-foldable models with similar design features.

According to the source of these leaks, this updated design is said to be the "final" design for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, suggesting that Samsung has made a definitive decision to embrace the full-size outer display concept.

So, what caused the initial misinterpretation of the Z Flip 7 design? According to OnLeaks, a reliable source of smartphone leaks, the initial CAD data was "misinterpreted," leading to the inaccurate renders that were previously circulating. This type of misinterpretation is not uncommon in the world of smartphone leaks. OnLeaks pointed to similar instances with the Pixel 9a and the Galaxy S25 Edge, where initial leaks were later proven incorrect due to the company switching to a different prototype design.

This suggests that Samsung may have been exploring multiple design options for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, potentially experimenting with both the traditional folder-like design and the full-size outer display concept. Ultimately, the company appears to have settled on the latter, likely driven by consumer demand for larger, more functional outer displays and the success of the Motorola Razr+ design.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is expected to launch later this year, presumably in the second half of 2024. If these leaks prove accurate, the Z Flip 7 could be a game-changer in the flip-foldable market, offering a compelling combination of compact design, powerful performance, and a user-friendly outer display that rivals the best in the industry. The adoption of a full-size outer display would not only enhance the functionality of the device but also elevate its overall appeal, making it a more attractive option for consumers seeking a stylish and versatile foldable phone. Samsung fans and tech enthusiasts alike will be eagerly awaiting the official launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to see if these exciting rumors come to fruition.