Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Our Verdict: If you are choosing between Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy S26+, display quality is the main reason to lean one way. The Z Fold has a larger 8-inch screen, its Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera; the S26+ mainly responds with a sharper 513 PPI display, its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a larger 4,900 mAh battery. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. The Z Fold is the better fit for display quality, while the S26+ is the one to consider for portability.

Over a full contract, the S26+ works out around £816 all-in, about £528 less than the Z Fold 7.

Expert Rating
3.9
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.7" 8"
Display
Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1440 x 3120 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch
513 367
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
Chipset
Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
4,900 mAh 4,400 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Android 16 Android
SIM Type
nano-SIM and 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
5.4, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 mm
Weight
190 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance
IP 68 IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£32.79/mo (£29.00 upfront) £54.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£799.00 £819.99
Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Expert Rating 3.9
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.7" 8"
Display Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1440 x 3120 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch 513 367
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
Chipset Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 4,900 mAh 4,400 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Android 16 Android
SIM Type nano-SIM and 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 5.4, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 mm
Weight 190 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance IP 68 IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £32.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
£54.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £799.00 £819.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S26+
Samsung Galaxy S26+

24 Months

256GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£32.79 per month, £29 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

24 Months

256GB

Jet Black

Refurbished

30GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£54.79 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S26+ or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is cheaper on contract at £815.96 over the life of the deal from £32.79 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S26+'s 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ uses a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ features a 50 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 Samsung Galaxy S26+ or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £799.00.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 use?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is powered by the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (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 Samsung Galaxy S26+ or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is the more portable of the two: it's 25g lighter at 190 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is slimmer at 4.2mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is rated IP 68, 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 Samsung Galaxy S26+ and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 run?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ runs Android 16 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.