Reliable Tipster Says All Galaxy Z Fold 7 Thickness Rumors Are WRONG
The rumor mill surrounding the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is churning once again and the focus is squarely on its potential thickness. A reputable tech tipster has more or less said all the prior rumors are just wrong. Let’s take a look at what’s been said so far.
Our initial glimpse into the Z Fold 7's dimensions came courtesy of a collaboration between Android Headlines and the renowned tech tipster OnLeaks. Their renders suggested a remarkably thin 4.5mm when unfolded and 9.5mm when folded (around 9mm without the camera bump). Focusing on the unfolded measurement, 4.5mm would place the Z Fold 7 in close proximity to the Oppo Find N5's 4.2mm, but not surpassing it.
However, this initial report also presented some inconsistencies. The claimed 8.2-inch inner display and 6.5-inch outer display, coupled with the provided dimensions (158.4mm x 143.1mm x 4.5mm), simply didn't add up when compared to existing devices like the Oppo Find N5. As previously highlighted, the dimensions suggested a device that couldn't possibly house an 8.2-inch inner screen. This led to the conclusion that either the screen size or the dimensions provided were likely inaccurate, with the former being the more probable culprit. Adding weight to this suspicion, display expert Ross Young indicated that he had only ever heard of 8-inch inner displays for the Z Fold 7, further casting doubt on the 8.2-inch claim.
Just when things seemed somewhat settled on the idea of a super-thin 4.5mm unfolded, a new report emerged from Tech Maniacs, stating that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would measure a mere 8.2mm when folded. This figure, assuming it refers to the folded thickness without the camera module, throws a significant wrench in the works. 8.2mm is incredibly thin – even slimmer than the already impressively slender Oppo Find N5 when unfolded. The notion of Samsung leaping from being arguably one of the thicker foldables to potentially the thinnest in a single generation seems like a rather ambitious proposition.
Now, the latest twist in this unfolding saga comes from the often-reliable Ice Universe, posting on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Initially, a translation suggested that the Z Fold 7 would be "not thicker than 8.2mm," leading to speculation of an even thinner device. However, a closer look and alternative translations reveal a different picture. Ice Universe actually stated that the thickness is "thicker than this," directly contradicting Tech Maniacs' 8.2mm claim.
Furthermore, in a response to a comment asking if it would be "thinner than 9.5 when closed," Ice Universe replied “definitely.” This runs slightly afoul with the initial report from Android Headlines, which placed the folded thickness at 9.5mm (including the camera bump).
So, where does this leave us? It appears that Ice Universe is suggesting the Z Fold 7 will be thicker than the 8.2mm proposed by Tech Maniacs but potentially thinner than the 9.5mm (with camera bump) reported by Android Headlines.
While Ice Universe has a strong track record for insider information, it's important to maintain a degree of perspective. Even if the Z Fold 7 ends up being slightly thinner than previous rumors, the actual difference might not be revolutionary. We could be looking at a reduction of a fraction of a millimeter, a detail that while technically accurate, might not translate to a drastically different user experience.
The good news is all indications are that the Z Fold 7 will be much thinner than anything Samsung has produced so far. Coupled with a new primary camera, larger screens, a wider cover display, the new Snapdragon 8 Elite and more software improvements, the Z Fold 7 looks like one to watch.