From 17.1 Millimeters to eight.9 Millimeters: The Journey Behind a 48% Discount in Thickness
Unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in New York on July 9, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is 48% thinner than the unique Galaxy Fold. Whereas general thickness1 declined by 29% throughout the primary six generations — from the Galaxy Fold in 2019 to the Galaxy Z Fold6 in 2024 — a big 26% discount was achieved in simply the previous yr. This streamlined design displays Samsung Electronics’ continued developments in hinge engineering and product design, delivering a extra refined consumer expertise.
To focus on this milestone, Samsung Newsroom explores how the Galaxy Z Fold sequence has redefined thinness in foldable smartphones from 2019 to in the present day.
Making its debut in 2019, the Galaxy Fold was Samsung’s first system to introduce the idea of foldable smartphones. With a most folded thickness2 of 17.1 mm and a most unfolded thickness of seven.6 mm, the system supplied the general public its first take a look at foldable show know-how. This revolutionary type issue ushered in a brand new cellular expertise, permitting customers to get pleasure from a widescreen show from the palm of their hand.
Launched in 2020, the Galaxy Z Fold2 featured the Hideaway Hinge — consisting of greater than 60 inside elements for smoother, extra versatile folding. The precision-engineered hinge built-in seamlessly into the system’s physique, lowering the utmost folded thickness to 16.8mm and a most unfolded thickness to six.9 mm.
In 2021, the Galaxy Z Fold3 grew to become much more compact — measuring a most thickness of 16.0 mm when folded and 6.4 mm when unfolded — whereas additionally introducing help for the S Pen and IPX8-rated water resistance, each firsts for the sequence. Armor Aluminum was utilized all through the system to spice up sturdiness, and the upgraded Sweeper know-how helped forestall mud and international particles from getting into the hinge. These enhancements enabled a thinner, sturdier design with out compromising usability.
Launched in 2022, the Galaxy Z Fold4 introduced notable enhancements in each weight and thickness. The gear-based hinge was changed with a linear motion mechanism, lowering inside elements and leading to a most folded thickness of 15.8 mm and an unfolded thickness of 6.3 mm. This redesign supplied a sleeker profile and improved ergonomics whereas sustaining the system’s strong efficiency.
In 2023, the Galaxy Z Fold5 launched the Flex Hinge, an revolutionary hinge mechanism with 4 drive shafts that enabled the show to twist inward in a water-drop form, changing the normal Hideaway Hinge. This development enabled the 2 halves of the telephone to shut extra evenly, minimizing the display screen crease and eliminating the hole when folded. The end result was a extra compact type issue, with a folded thickness of 13.4 mm and an unfolded thickness of 6.1 mm.
Unveiled in 2024, the Galaxy Z Fold6 delivered a good slimmer silhouette — simply 12.1 mm when folded and 5.6 mm when unfolded. That includes a refined construction and design of a symmetrical twin rail hinge, the system could possibly be folded flat or opened to numerous angles between 75 and 115 levels for better versatility. This streamlined construct additional enhanced portability and on a regular basis usability.
Now the thinnest Galaxy smartphone ever, the Galaxy Z Fold7 embodies years of design evolution. With a folded thickness of simply 8.9 mm and an unfolded thickness of 4.2 mm, the system units a brand new customary for slender foldables. On the core is the Armor FlexHinge — a brand new structural innovation that fuses superior supplies with an optimized design for superior sturdiness and compactness. Whereas the quilt show of the Galaxy Z Fold6 measures 6.3 inches (158.9 mm), the Galaxy Z Fold7’s cowl show extends to six.5 inches (164.8 mm) to extend usability when the system is folded. The principle show3 additionally spans 8.0 inches (203.1 mm) when unfolded, providing an 11% bigger display screen space than its predecessor — the largest within the Z Fold sequence so far.
With every new era, the Galaxy Z Fold sequence has superior in each type and performance — lowering thickness whereas increasing what’s potential in a cellular system. On the coronary heart of this progress is Samsung’s steady innovation in hinge know-how. Because the Galaxy Z Fold sequence pushes the boundaries of smartphone design, Samsung stays dedicated to unlocking transformative experiences with next-generation engineering and a foldable type issue like by no means earlier than.
1 Unfolded thickness is measured from the principle show to the rear glass. Folded thickness is measured from the quilt show to the rear glass.
2 Most folded thickness refers back to the thickest level of the system when it’s folded shut, which is at its hinge.
3 Measured diagonally, the Galaxy Z Fold7’s fundamental show measurement is 203.1 mm within the full rectangle; precise viewable space is much less as a result of rounded corners.
