Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the slimmest foldable smartphone ever released. At just 8.9 mm folded and 4.2 mm unfolded, the new flagship combines portability with an 8-inch inner display, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Alongside the launch, Unplugged has relaunched its UP Phone for privacy-focused users, and Samsung has also overtaken Apple in India’s super-premium smartphone market for the first time.

Galaxy Z Fold 7: Slimmer, Smarter, and More Premium

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 sets a new standard in foldable technology. With its Gemini Live AI integration, users can interact with their device through natural, real-time voice commands. The device also boasts a 200 MP main camera, up to 16 GB RAM, and 1 TB storage, making it one of the most powerful foldables to date. However, its €2,109 price tag places it firmly in the luxury category.

UP Phone Relaunch: Privacy Above All

Unplugged has reintroduced the UP Phone, marketed as a Google-free smartphone built for users who prioritize digital privacy. It runs on UnpluggedOS, which comes with ad-blocking, encrypted storage, a kill switch, and a no-logs VPN. While the specs (Dimensity 1200 chip, 8 GB RAM) place it in the mid-range category, its $989 price plus subscription costs reflect the premium placed on privacy.

Samsung Overtakes Apple in India’s Super-Premium Market

In a historic first, Samsung has overtaken Apple in India’s super-premium smartphone market, which includes devices priced above $800. In the first half of 2025, Samsung captured a 49% market share, compared to Apple’s 48%. Strong demand for the Galaxy S25 series and the Z Fold lineup has been central to Samsung’s success.

Smartphone Market Trends in 2025

From foldable innovation to privacy-first devices, the smartphone industry is evolving rapidly in 2025. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 shows how far design and performance have come for foldables, while the UP Phone highlights growing concerns about data privacy. Meanwhile, Samsung’s rise in India demonstrates shifting consumer preferences in one of the world’s largest markets.

With these developments, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of major disruption in the smartphone space, with Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Vivo, and Oppo all competing fiercely for the top spot.