Samsung Unveils New Foldable Blend On-device AI

Samsung Electronics has rolled out its flagship foldables, reinforcing its leadership in the foldable smartphone market by combining cutting-edge hardware with Galaxy AI and advanced on-device security.

The latest models, which range from Galaxy Z Fold7, Flip7 and Flip7, also debut with the new One UI 8 based on Android 16, enabling intelligent, privacy-conscious workflows across all three devices.

The group business manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Nathan Lee, at a press conference in Lagos said, at the heart of the new Galaxy Z series is Samsung’s commitment to on-device AI processing, which ensures fast, responsive performance without compromising user privacy.

The Galaxy Z Fold7, in particular, is powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite for Galaxy chip, delivering 41 percent better neural processing, 38 percent improved CPU performance, and a 26 per cent boost in GPU capability over the previous generation.

“This hardware acceleration allows for smoother multitasking, faster AI-driven tasks such as real-time language translation, Generative Edits, and Photo Assist, all while reducing dependency on cloud services for sensitive information processing,” he added.

Samsung’s foldables have always been about flexibility, the group head, Mobile Experience Samsung Electronics West Africa, Joy Tim-Ayoola stated, adding that, “With Galaxy AI and One UI 8, we’re taking that to a new level, giving users the tools to do more securely, faster and smarter.”

The Galaxy Z Fold7, which weighs just 215 grams and measures 4.2 mm when unfolded, features an expansive 7.6-inch main display that expands workspace for professionals, creatives, and multitaskers. Users can generate content or perform searches without obscuring the original work, using Split View or Floating Windows to keep everything visible at once. The device also introduces Drag and Drop AI, allowing users to move text or images directly between apps and windows, perfect for real-time collaboration, content creation, or research.

“In tandem, the Galaxy Z Flip7 and Flip7R deliver powerful AI features in a compact form factor. With the newly enlarged 4.1-inch FlexWindow, users can check messages, control apps, or capture selfies without unfolding the device. Powered by the same elite processor, these models offer voice-enabled search, camera sharing, and context-aware assistance, all without opening an app,” head product management, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Stephen Okwara added.

Samsung has also introduced Samsung DeX support on the Galaxy Z Flip7 for the first time, turning the palm-sized phone into a mobile workstation. Users can plug into a screen and access a desktop interface on the go, enabling presentations, edits, and multitasking with ease.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 comes with pro-grade camera systems enhanced by AI processing. Features like Photo Assist and Generative Edit let users remove distractions, adjust image angles, or fill in missing backgrounds using intelligent suggestions. Portrait Studio can refine photos of pets or people, while Audio Eraser now intelligently removes background noise like wind or traffic from videos using smart detection. With One UI 8, Samsung is introducing Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP), a next-gen security layer that creates app-specific encrypted storage environments inside the device. This ensures that sensitive data processed by AI models stays private and doesn’t get shared across apps or systems.

“Whether users are sharing their screens with Gemini Live, accessing sensitive data on the go, or generating content using AI tools, the security infrastructure is designed to protect every layer, from display to cloud sync.,” Okwara added.