Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 has finally arrived with its thinnest design yet at 8.9mm when folded and a premium $2,000 price tag. While this foldable certainly brings impressive upgrades like a 200-megapixel camera system and an 8-inch inner display, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Whether you’re concerned about the hefty price increase, miss the S Pen functionality, or simply want different features, there are compelling Android alternatives that might better suit your needs.
Let’s explore five outstanding smartphones that offer unique advantages over Samsung’s latest foldable flagship.
1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – The Complete Powerhouse
Why choose it over the Z Fold 7: If you want Samsung’s absolute best technology in a traditional form factor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers everything the Z Fold 7 offers—and more—in a single, durable package.
The S25 Ultra stands as Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2025, featuring a massive 6.9-inch QHD+ display that rivals the Z Fold 7’s outer screen in usability while offering superior brightness and outdoor visibility. The device comes equipped with the same Snapdragon 8 Elite processor found in the Z Fold 7, paired with 12GB of RAM and the iconic S Pen functionality that Samsung removed from the new foldable.
What makes the S25 Ultra particularly appealing is its camera system. While the Z Fold 7 boasts a 200MP main sensor, the S25 Ultra combines this with a comprehensive telephoto setup offering 100x Space Zoom capabilities—something the foldable can’t match. The battery life is also superior, thanks to the larger 5000mAh capacity compared to the Z Fold 7’s 4400mAh battery.
For professionals who rely on the S Pen for note-taking, sketching, or precise navigation, the S25 Ultra becomes the obvious choice. The integrated stylus offers pressure sensitivity and advanced features that many users have come to depend on, making the Z Fold 7’s omission of S Pen support a dealbreaker.
2. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold – The AI-First Foldable Alternative
Why choose it over the Z Fold 7: Google’s approach to foldable phones prioritizes artificial intelligence and photography, offering a more refined software experience with unique features you won’t find on Samsung devices.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features both a 6.3-inch cover display and an 8-inch internal folding display, powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip with 16GB of RAM. While the hardware might seem less impressive on paper compared to Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Pixel’s strength lies in its intelligent software integration.
Google’s computational photography continues to set industry standards. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold delivers exceptional photo quality even with seemingly modest camera specifications, thanks to advanced AI processing that enhances every shot. Features like Magic Eraser, Best Take, and enhanced Night Sight make it a photographer’s dream device.
The software experience also stands out significantly. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers the largest foldable display available, providing more screen real estate than even an iPad mini when unfolded. Google’s clean Android implementation, guaranteed quick security updates, and exclusive AI features create a more streamlined user experience compared to Samsung’s sometimes overwhelming One UI interface.
For users who prioritize photography, clean software, and cutting-edge AI capabilities, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a compelling alternative that focuses on intelligence over raw specifications.
3. OnePlus Open – The Value-Oriented Foldable Champion
Why choose it over the Z Fold 7: Despite being released in 2023, the OnePlus Open continues to offer exceptional value with flagship-level features at a significantly lower price point.
The OnePlus Open features fantastic design elements, including a distinctive circular camera bump and premium leather back option, while offering 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM by default. These generous storage and memory configurations come standard, whereas Samsung charges premium prices for similar specifications on the Z Fold 7.
The device’s 4805mAh battery with 67W charging capabilities provides excellent longevity and quick refueling that matches or exceeds the Z Fold 7’s charging speeds. The displays hold up remarkably well against 2025 standards, with both outer and inner screens offering crisp, vibrant visuals suitable for everyday use and productivity tasks.
What makes the OnePlus Open particularly attractive is its availability at discounted prices, making it one of the most affordable ways to enter the premium foldable market. For users who don’t need the absolute latest specifications but want a proven, reliable foldable experience, the OnePlus Open represents outstanding value.
The OxygenOS software provides a cleaner, less cluttered experience compared to Samsung’s One UI, appealing to users who prefer a more stock Android feel with thoughtful customizations.
4. OnePlus 13 – The Performance Beast
Why choose it over the Z Fold 7: If you want the ultimate in performance, camera quality, and battery life without the complexity and compromises of a foldable design, the OnePlus 13 delivers flagship excellence in a traditional form factor.
The OnePlus 13 features a superior camera setup with 50MP primary, ultrawide, and telephoto cameras, offering more versatile photography options than the Z Fold 7. The camera system provides consistent, high-quality results across all lenses, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts who want reliable performance in various shooting scenarios.
Battery performance sets the OnePlus 13 apart significantly. Its massive 6,000mAh battery is the largest among flagship smartphones, paired with 80W wired charging speeds that outpace most competitors. This combination ensures all-day usage even with heavy multitasking and rapid charging when needed.
The device also offers premium materials and design choices, particularly the Midnight Ocean color with leather backing that provides a luxurious feel and improved grip. The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor delivers flagship performance while the large 6.8-inch display offers excellent visibility without the bulk of a foldable device.
For users who prioritize camera excellence, exceptional battery life, and premium build quality over innovative form factors, the OnePlus 13 provides a compelling traditional smartphone experience.
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – The Proven Predecessor
Why choose it over the Z Fold 7: Sometimes the previous generation offers the perfect balance of features, proven reliability, and better value, especially when considering the Z Fold 7’s significant price increase.
While the Z Fold 7 offers improvements in thickness (8.9mm vs 12.1mm) and weight (215g vs 239g), the Z Fold 6 provides most of the same core functionality at a potentially lower price point. The differences in display size are minimal, and the Z Fold 6’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor remains extremely capable for all current applications and games.
The Z Fold 6 retains S Pen compatibility, a feature that Samsung controversially removed from the Z Fold 7 to achieve its thinner profile. For users who rely on stylus input for productivity tasks, note-taking, or creative work, the Z Fold 6 becomes more functional than its newer sibling.
The 50MP camera system on the Z Fold 6, while not as impressive on paper as the Z Fold 7’s 200MP sensor, provides reliable, high-quality photos that meet most users’ needs. The real-world difference in photo quality may not justify the substantial price increase for many buyers.
With available discounts and promotions, the Z Fold 6 often represents better value for money, especially for users who want Samsung’s foldable experience without paying premium prices for incremental improvements.
Making the Right Choice for Your Needs
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 certainly represents Samsung’s most advanced foldable smartphone, but it’s not necessarily the best choice for every user. Whether you prioritize camera excellence, software simplicity, value for money, or specific features like S Pen support, these five alternatives offer compelling reasons to look beyond Samsung’s latest foldable flagship.
Consider your primary use cases, budget constraints, and must-have features when making your decision. The smartphone market in 2025 offers incredible diversity, ensuring that there’s a perfect Android device for every type of user—including those who might be tempted by the Z Fold 7’s impressive specifications but find better value elsewhere.