Galaxy Z Fold 7’s Battery Might Be Small, But It Should Be Durable
It can be frustrating when a new flagship phone uses the same battery as its predecessor, especially when competitors are making significant leaps by using new technologies. This is the exact sentiment felt by many tech enthusiasts who were disappointed to learn the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 retains a 4,400mAh lithium-ion battery. Chinese manufacturers like Vivo and Oppo have pushed the boundaries with larger silicon-carbon batteries, allowing devices like the Vivo X Fold 5 to boast a 6,000mAh cell while remaining thin.
Despite this specific criticism of its latest foldable, a recent study reveals that Samsung's overall strategy with battery technology may be more effective in the long run. The EU's new energy label system has shed light on a surprising fact: Samsung smartphone batteries have significantly better longevity than those from virtually anyone else.
New Study Crowns Samsung as Battery Longevity Champion Over Apple, Google
According to the data from manufacturer-supplied numbers under new EU transparency rules, new Samsung phones including the Galaxy S25 series and the Z Fold 7 are rated for an impressive 2,000 full charge cycles before the battery has degraded to 80% of its original capacity.
The study found that the iPhone 16 and the new Google Pixel 9 are both rated for only 1,000 cycles. Whatever Samsung is doing with traditional batteries is putting well beyond what other OEMs are apparently doing. While some brands are focusing on massive batteries using silicon and other larger brands are coasting on older battery tech with standard durability, Samsung is doing.. neither of those things. They are holding firm on new battery tech, but clearly doing something to make that tech last much longer.
This extreme focus on battery durability is not a coincidence. I believe it is a direct result of the Galaxy Note 7 disaster in 2016. The global recall of the Note 7 due to batteries overheating and catching fire cost the company billions in losses and immense brand damage. In response, Samsung instituted a new 8-Point Battery Safety Check. This rigorous testing protocol has become a core part of its development process and this mindset falls in line with its focus from simply increasing battery size to ensuring long-term health and safety.
But since we’re talking about Samsung’s reluctance to use silicon-carbon batteries to increase capacity, how do devices using that tech fair in with these tests? Well, the OnePlus 13, which uses a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, is also rated for 1000 cycles. This is honestly not bad given we’ve heard that batteries using silicon suffer from premature damage due the the silicon itself expanding by up to 300% when charging. This expansion and contraction leads to physical damage to the battery and thus lower capacity. As another data point, the OnePlus 13R sticks with a standard lithium-ion battery and adds an additional 200 cycles before hitting 80% capacity.
It is also likely that Samsung might be increasing the density of the battery used in the Fold 7 like they did with the S25 Edge.
For consumers who tend to keep their phones for several years, this longevity could be a major benefit. When combined with Samsung's promise of 7 years of software and security updates, the company is offering a compelling package for long-term use. The study's results suggest that Samsung's strategic focus on long-term battery health is a winning approach for both consumers and the environment.