Samsung Flip 7 FE: Exynos Downgrade Sparks Consumer Doubts

Foldable’s Mid-Year Refresh Sees Price Cut, Performance Questioned

Samsung’s summer smartphone lineup unveiled three new devices, including the highly anticipated Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a dramatically refined design and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 features an expanded external display, the FE model introduces a significant internal change: the Exynos 2400 processor replacing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in its predecessor. This strategic shift, aimed at consumers, raises questions about the competitive standing of Samsung’s in-house chips.

Performance Trade-Offs for a Lower Price?

Priced at approximately 1000 euros, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is positioned as a more accessible foldable. However, it currently sits at a notable premium compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which can be found for under 800 euros. The adoption of the Exynos 2400, a chip previously featured in the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus, replaces the more potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 used in the S24 Ultra. While Samsung has committed to equipping its entire Galaxy S25 line with the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Flip 7 FE’s chip choice is a key differentiator.

Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is here, but it’s rocking the Exynos 2400 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 from the Flip 6. Performance impact and battery life are key questions. pic.twitter.com/xxxxxxxxxx

— Tech Insider (@TechInsider) August 1, 2025

Initial benchmarks reveal a slight performance dip of around 4% compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 6. More concerning, however, is the device’s thermal throttling. Under sustained load, the Exynos 2400 reportedly loses over 50% of its capacity within minutes, a limitation attributed to the inherent thermal constraints of the foldable form factor. This contrasts sharply with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, whose Adreno 750 GPU maintained a more consistent performance.

Display Calibration Sees Minor Improvements

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE retains the same 6.7-inch internal AMOLED display and 3.4-inch external screen as the Flip 6, both refreshing at 120Hz. However, Samsung appears to have refined the display calibration. In “vivid” mode, the device exhibits a lower average delta E, indicating more accurate color reproduction, particularly in SDR content. The white point also shows improvement, measuring closer to the ideal 6500K target. Brightness remains a strong suit, exceeding 1000 nits in SDR and reaching over 2000 nits in HDR, ensuring good outdoor visibility.

Photography Hardware Carried Over

The camera system of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is identical to that of the Flip 6 and the more expensive Flip 7. It features a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10MP front-facing selfie camera. This setup represents a significant upgrade from the Flip 5, largely due to the 50MP sensor, which captures more detailed and vibrant images in good lighting. Portrait mode is particularly effective, delivering natural background blur.

However, low-light performance remains a challenge, with images sometimes appearing over-brightened and lacking sharpness. The absence of an optical zoom lens is a notable limitation, with digital zoom quickly degrading image quality after dark. Video recording is also somewhat restricted, defaulting to Full HD when the phone is closed.

Software and Battery Life Considerations

Running One UI 8.0 based on Android 16, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE benefits from Samsung’s commitment to seven years of software and security updates, matching its flagship counterparts. The battery capacity remains unchanged at 4000 mAh. However, the Exynos 2400’s less efficient power consumption results in a slight increase in battery drain compared to the Snapdragon-powered Flip 6. During streaming tests, the Flip 7 FE consumed 13% of its battery over 2 hours and 25 minutes, compared to 12% for the Flip 6.

Charging speeds are also standard, with 25W wired charging providing a 50% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Wireless charging is capped at 15W.

Market Positioning Puts Value into Question

With its launch price of over 1000 euros, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE faces stiff competition, particularly from the Galaxy Z Flip 6 which is readily available for significantly less. While the FE model offers a slightly better-calibrated screen, the performance downgrade and the lack of other compelling upgrades make the older Flip 6 a more attractive proposition for budget-conscious consumers seeking a capable foldable. As of late 2025, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is available for around $720, a considerable saving that highlights the Flip 7 FE’s challenging market entry.