Why Your Flip Phone Just Became a Photography Powerhouse

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

The camera wars just took an unexpected turn. While flagship phones pushed past 200MP, foldables remained stuck with compromise cameras—until now. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 already packs the same 200MP Isocell HP2 sensor found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and reports suggest Samsung is planning to integrate flagship-grade camera systems across its entire foldable lineup. But here's the kicker: Samsung isn't alone in this race.

What you need to know:

• Game-changing hardware: Samsung's Z Fold 7 features the same 200MP Isocell HP2 sensor used in premium Galaxy S series phones

• Competition heating up: Motorola's upcoming Razr 60 Ultra will sport dual 50MP cameras with advanced telephoto capabilities

• Processing power: These foldables pack flagship chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Elite to handle the computational demands

The days of accepting mediocre cameras on flip phones are officially over. Let's break down why this shift matters and what it means for your next upgrade.

Samsung leads the charge with flagship sensors

Samsung made the first major move by bringing its 200MP Isocell HP2 sensor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This isn't some watered-down version either – it's the exact same Type 1/1.3-inch sensor with f/1.7 aperture that powers the Galaxy S25 Ultra's impressive photography capabilities.

Think of it this way: you're getting camera hardware that can produce images suitable for cropping extensively without losing quality, rivaling dedicated cameras in resolution. The HP2 sensor uses sophisticated pixel binning to produce 12.5MP shots by default, combining 16 pixels worth of data for better low-light performance and dynamic range. When you need maximum detail, the full 200MP mode delivers what professionals demand.

Samsung's implementation goes beyond just megapixels. The HP2 includes Dual Slope Gain technology and Smart-ISO Pro, which work by capturing both high and low ISO data simultaneously in a single frame. This eliminates the motion blur risks that plague traditional multi-frame HDR while dramatically improving exposure range – exactly what foldables need to overcome their historically challenging low-light limitations.

This puts the Z Fold 7's photography capabilities on par with phones costing $300-400 less while adding unique foldable advantages like hands-free shooting positions and dual-screen preview capabilities that traditional flagships simply can't match.

Motorola answers with lens versatility

Where Samsung focuses on sensor size, Motorola is betting on lens versatility—addressing the zoom limitations that have plagued flip phones since their modern revival. The upcoming Razr 60 Ultra will feature dual 50MP cameras on the rear cover, plus another 50MP sensor embedded in the foldable screen – giving users flagship-level photography from multiple angles.

Early leaks suggest Motorola's approach includes telephoto capabilities, a rare feature in flip phones that neither Samsung's Z Flip 6 nor previous Razr models offered. This processing muscle enables real-time HDR across all three cameras simultaneously, something that requires serious computational photography chops.

The hardware specs reveal Motorola's serious intentions. The Razr 60 Ultra packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with up to 18GB of RAM and storage options reaching 2TB – the kind of computing power needed for processing multiple 50MP image streams without the lag that would make a flip phone feel sluggish.

What's particularly telling: During press previews, Motorola revealed that 25% of Razr customers upgraded from iPhones, suggesting these camera improvements could sway even more premium smartphone users toward foldable designs—especially when they offer photographic capabilities those users can't get elsewhere.

The broader industry momentum builds

This camera revolution extends beyond Samsung and Motorola, with market forces creating the perfect conditions for premium foldable cameras. Honor's Magic V Flip brings a 50MP Sony IMX906 main sensor with f/1.9 aperture, plus Shape Memory Alloy OIS technology for improved low-light performance – a feature typically reserved for premium flagships.

Here's what's driving this transformation: Market research shows that mobile CMOS sensor market value grew from $8.3 billion in 2020 to $14.1 billion in 2023, reflecting a 19.3% growth rate. This economics shift means foldable manufacturers can now source flagship-grade sensors at price points that make premium camera foldables viable at sub-$1,500 retail—enabling the current wave of camera-focused foldables.

The consumer demand supports this supply-side improvement. Over 68% of smartphone users globally cite low-light performance as a critical purchase factor, exactly where these new sensors excel with their larger apertures and advanced pixel binning capabilities.

Technology advances are solving foldable-specific challenges too. Omnivision's latest 0.61μm pixel sensor, unveiled in 2023, enables 200MP resolution in compact modules suitable even for front-facing cameras – exactly what foldable phones need for their space-constrained designs when folded.

What this means for your wallet and photo library

Here's the reality check: these camera upgrades come with flagship pricing that reflects their genuine capabilities. Honor's Magic7 RSR launches at €1,799, while Samsung's Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099. But you're getting genuine flagship camera performance in a uniquely flexible form factor that enables shooting angles impossible with traditional phones.

The storage implications require serious planning. 200MP files can reach 25-30MB each, making the 1TB and 2TB storage options in upcoming Razr models suddenly essential rather than excessive—especially if you plan to shoot in maximum resolution regularly.

Performance-wise, our testing reveals that the sweet spot lies in leveraging computational photography rather than chasing maximum resolution. Recent comparisons found Samsung's 200MP mode sometimes produces images with less visible detail than pixel-binned shots, while single 48MP iPhone files can reach 65MB compared to 5MB for equivalent 12MP shots.

PRO TIP: Focus on these foldables' improved HDR processing and dynamic range benefits rather than maximum megapixel counts for real-world photography advantages.

The flip phone photography revolution is just getting started

This convergence means choosing between cutting-edge cameras and innovative form factors is officially over—enabling entirely new photography workflows like simultaneous dual-angle shooting and hands-free time-lapse positioning that traditional smartphones simply cannot replicate. Samsung's ALoP technology promises to solve the camera bump problem by positioning telephoto lenses flat within the phone's frame, perfect for sleek foldable designs that need to fold completely flat.

The timing couldn't be better for photographers and content creators. Throughout our five years of foldable reviews, we've consistently noted camera limitations as the primary reason professionals stuck with traditional flagships. With the Motorola Razr's 25% iPhone conversion rate already proving demand exists, these camera advances remove the last major barrier to mainstream professional adoption.

Your next flip phone won't just fold in half – it'll capture photos that rival dedicated cameras while fitting in your pocket in ways traditional smartphones never could, completing shooting workflows that were impossible before. That's not just evolution; it's revolution, one pixel at a time.