Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Our Verdict: Hardware priorities split the decision here, with the Apple iPhone Air strongest for the sharper 18MP selfie camera, the lighter 165g body versus 215g and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 stronger for the larger 8" screen versus 6.5", the higher-resolution 200MP rear camera against 48MP, the larger 4400mAh battery, with the usual caveat that capacity is not the whole battery-life story. The Apple iPhone Air is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £620, roughly £330 less than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Software preference matters as well, because this is an iOS versus Android choice as much as a hardware comparison. That makes the Apple iPhone Air the value-led pick, unless the larger 8" screen versus 6.5" on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is worth paying extra for.

The iPhone Air is the cheaper one to own: around £881 over a typical contract, £463 less than the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Expert Rating
3.9
12 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.5" 8"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch
444 367
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
3,149 mAh 4,400 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 mm
Weight
165 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£29.99/mo (£139.00 upfront) £54.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£589.99 £944.99

Prices updated 11 July 2026

Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Expert Rating 3.9
12 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.5" 8"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch 444 367
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 3,149 mAh 4,400 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 mm
Weight 165 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £29.99/mo
£139.00 upfront
£54.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £589.99 £944.99
Prices updated 11 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone Air
Apple iPhone Air

24 Months

256GB

Light Gold

10GB

Data

£29.99 per month, £139 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

24 Months

256GB

Jet Black

Refurbished

30GB

Data

£54.79 per month, £29 upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone Air is cheaper on contract at £881.16 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £139.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Apple iPhone Air's 6.5", the Apple iPhone Air has the sharper display at 444 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Apple iPhone Air uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Apple iPhone Air features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 200 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Apple iPhone Air is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £589.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Apple iPhone Air is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 use?

The Apple iPhone Air is powered by the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 uses the Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Apple iPhone Air is the more portable of the two: it's 50g lighter at 165 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is slimmer at 4.2mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Apple iPhone Air is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rated IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 run?

The Apple iPhone Air runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.