Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22nd in London will likely see the debut of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. However, consumers seeking a premium foldable experience without the latest flagship price can now purchase last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 for $500 off at Best Buy.

The discounted Z Fold 7 features a thin and lightweight design, dual Dynamic AMOLED displays, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset with 12GB of RAM. The center crease on the unfolded display is reportedly imperceptible, and the upgraded camera system is considered among the best for foldables. While battery life is not exceptional and the embedded stylus was removed, the phone offers a high-end foldable experience.

Leaks suggest the Z Fold 8 will offer incremental updates, primarily a larger battery with faster charging and potential screen enhancements. The $500 discount makes the Z Fold 7 a compelling option, especially given the industry trend of minor year-over-year upgrades. This deal prompts consideration of whether frequent generational updates are necessary, particularly when older models remain highly capable and software support promises extend for years.