Compact Phones with Folding Screens Poised to Outshine the Galaxy Z Fold 7

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, 2025 promises an exciting lineup of foldable smartphones, with the OnePlus Open 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 taking centre stage. These two devices, along with the HONOR Magic V3, Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, Google Pixel Fold 2, and OPPO Find N5, are set to redefine the boundaries of mobile innovation.

OnePlus Open 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

The OnePlus Open 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 offer distinctive advantages in various aspects, catering to different user preferences.

Display & Design

The OnePlus Open 2 boasts a slightly smaller 7.8-inch foldable display (2268x2440) compared to the Z Fold 7’s 8.0-inch (2184x1968), resulting in a sharper image. The Open 2's crease is reportedly less visible, providing a more natural and comfortable foldable screen experience for reading and multitasking.

Performance

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 utilizes the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (branded Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy) with higher clock speeds (4.47 GHz) and better GPU performance, optimized for demanding tasks such as gaming and AI workloads. The OnePlus Open 2, on the other hand, runs the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 at 3.2 GHz but is well-optimized with Oxygen OS tailored for foldables. Real-world performance differences may be minor, but Samsung has an edge in cutting-edge internals.

Memory & Storage

OnePlus Open 2 offers a larger max RAM of 16GB and storage up to 512GB (UFS 4.0), surpassing the Z Fold 7’s 12GB RAM and 256GB base storage, which can be significant for multitasking and storage-intensive users.

Battery

The Open 2 has a notably bigger 5700 mAh battery versus the Z Fold 7’s 4400 mAh, potentially providing longer usage time despite larger display size.

Durability & Features

Samsung’s Z Fold 7 has higher IP rating (water and dust resistance IP48) and wireless charging support, which the OnePlus lacks. Samsung also promises 7 years of updates, compared to OnePlus’s 4 years OS updates and 5 years security patches.

Pricing

The Open 2 is priced around $2000, competitive but possibly lower than Samsung’s premium pricing given the specs balance.

Other Foldables

While explicit specs from the HONOR Magic V3, Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, Google Pixel Fold 2, and OPPO Find N5 are not detailed here, these devices traditionally offer unique innovations or value points such as:

HONOR Magic V3: Known for strong design and high-end displays, often competitively priced versus Samsung, appealing for users prioritizing value and design.
Xiaomi Mix Fold 4: Often features high-end specs (e.g., camera sensors, fast charging) at lower price points, potentially providing better value for money.
Google Pixel Fold 2: Focuses on a clean Android experience with a stock OS and advanced computational photography, which can appeal to those wanting timely updates and Google Pixel camera advantages, though hardware might lag slightly behind Samsung’s top-tier.
OPPO Find N5: Reports suggest a very compact and ergonomic foldable design with smooth fold technology, possibly outshining Samsung in portability and hinge innovation.

In summary, the OnePlus Open 2 excels in sharper display resolution, larger battery, higher RAM/storage, and a lighter/slimmer design but trails Samsung in chipset freshness, water resistance, and update longevity. Other foldables like the HONOR Magic V3 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 potentially offer competitive pricing and high-end specs. The Google Pixel Fold 2 focuses on software experience and camera computational advantages, while the OPPO Find N5 may provide superior fold mechanics and compactness.

These alternatives can outperform the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 in specific areas such as price, display sharpness, battery life, or software experience, giving consumers options based on their value or innovation preferences. Samsung still holds a strong lead in chipset performance, update support, IP rating, and camera hardware innovation.

Sources: - PhoneArena OnePlus Open 2 vs Galaxy Z Fold 7 Specs Comparison (2025) - Smartprix OnePlus Open 2 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Overview (2025) - YouTube Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs OnePlus Open (2025) - YouTube Comparison: Which One to Buy (2025)

Additional Information:

The Google Pixel Fold 2 features Android Fold UI, specifically designed for Google devices.
The OnePlus Open 2 is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and upgraded Hasselblad camera tuning.
OxygenOS on the OnePlus Open 2 is optimized for foldables, providing a better multitasking UI.
In 2025, several manufacturers are developing foldable phones with cutting-edge displays, top-tier hardware, and revolutionary form factors.
The OPPO Find N5's design emphasizes a premium software experience.
OnePlus is launching the Open 2 in Q4 2025, which might outshine the Z Fold 7.
The HONOR Magic V3 is one of the foldables that might beat the Z Fold 7, featuring a thinner profile at 9.9mm when folded.
The OnePlus Open 2 features a refined triple-hinge design with an almost invisible crease.
The HONOR Magic V3 has a triple 50MP rear camera system and AI-enhanced MagicOS.
The OPPO Find N5 has a compact, book-style fold with almost no crease visibility.
The Google Pixel Fold 2 offers enhanced multitasking and contextual suggestions using Google's AI ecosystem.
The OPPO Find N5's ColorOS is optimized with gestures, floating apps, and AI split-screen.
The HONOR Magic V3 boasts a 5,000mAh battery and 66W fast charging.

The OnePlus Open 2 is set to compete closely with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, offering advantages in display sharpness, larger battery, higher RAM and storage, and a lightweight design. Conversely, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 outperforms in chipset freshness, water resistance, update longevity, and possibly camera hardware. Alongside these two, the HONOR Magic V3, Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, Google Pixel Fold 2, and OPPO Find N5 are expected to bring unique innovations and value points to the growing field of smartphone technology.