Samsung’s latest budget foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, promises a more affordable entry point into the world of foldable phones. But while the $899 price tag may sound appealing, there’s a catch: most US carriers aren’t offering it. So buyers will miss out on the usual carrier deals and trade-in offers that often make these devices even more accessible.
Unveiled yesterday, during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, the Flip7 FE is positioned as a lower-cost alternative to the $1,099 Galaxy Z Flip7. It shares much of its design and hardware with last year’s Flip 6—such as a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED main display, a 3.4-inch cover screen, a 50MP main camera, and a 4,000mAh battery. It runs on Samsung’s Exynos 2400e chip, offering enough power for everyday use without pushing flagship-level performance.
But unlike the Flip7 and Fold7, which are widely available through Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile with monthly financing, the Flip7 FE has been left out of major carrier lineups. As of launch, only Boost Mobile and Xfinity Mobile are stocking it, with some promotional offers tied to their postpaid plans.
Samsung’s own US website lists the Flip7 FE as an unlocked-only device, and the same goes for retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. That means if you’re interested in picking one up, you’ll either need to pay the full $899 upfront or use Samsung’s own installment financing.
It’s an unusual move for a phone meant to be budget-friendly—especially in a market where a significant percentage of consumers rely on carrier deals to spread out the cost of new devices. The decision may reflect carriers’ hesitation to support a sub-$1,000 foldable with older internals or their preference to push customers toward pricier flagships with higher margins.
Still, the Flip7 FE has a few things going for it: it supports Galaxy AI features, ships with One UI 8 based on Android 16, and is eligible for seven years of updates—matching Samsung’s top-tier phones in long-term software support.
But without carrier support, its reach in the US could be limited. For those willing to go unlocked, pre-orders are now live through Samsung and select retailers.
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