Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 yesterday and its Unpacked event in New York City. The company's events don't spend as much time explaining hardware advancements as they did before since the focus is now on AI. A big chunk of the keynote is now spent on talking about these features. Its devices offer two distinct set of AI features. There's Galaxy AI that Samsung has developed, providing useful features like object earser, summarization of webpages and notes, writing assistant, and more. The company's close collaboration with Google on AI has brought the best Gemini experiences to Samsung devices. Rick Osterloh, Google's SVP of Platforms & Device, delivered a presentation at Unpacked yesterday to detail all of the new Gemini experiences that Google has brought to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. The strategic alliance between the two companies was on full display, underscoring the synergistic relationship between the search and AI giant as well as the dominant Android OEM. Google introduced Circle to Search for mobile gaming help at the event. The feature allows users to get an AI Overview of anything in a game, seamlessly surfacing information which looks particularly good on the Galaxy Z Fold 7's large foldable display.It has also taken advantage of the Galaxy Z Flip 7's larger Flex Window to bring Gemini Live directly to the cover display. This enables users to access Gemini Live's power without even having to unfold their device. Gemini Live can even be connected to native Samsung apps like Calendar, Reminder, and Notes. Lastly, Google has also expanded Gemini to smartwatches with the new Galaxy Watch 8 series.None of this takes anything away from the hardware innovations Samsung has showcased yesterday. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are the most innovative foldable phones on the market right now, with larger and brighter screens, best-in-class hardware, and enhanced durability. Samsung also ships it with the latest One UI 8 software and Android 16 while offering seven years of Android OS upgrades. One UI 8 further refines Samsung's custom software and you can learn more about what it offers in our detailed One UI 8 overview.Evidently, there's a lot that Samsung is getting right. Its hardware remains unmatched, Galaxy AI improves capabilities, and its partnership with Google ensures first access to cutting-edge AI features. On the other hand, it feels like Apple is watching the world pass it by. The complete launch of Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI features, is still pending and iOS 26 hasn't really inspired awe in its community.Apple also lags Samsung in hardware innovation. It refuses to see the writing on the wall and takes a slower approach to adopting new form factors like foldables. The company has nothing else to offer other than its conventional bar-style phones even as Samsung has been in the foldable segment for seven years now. This does beg the question, has Samsung in partnership with Google overtaken Apple? Not in terms of numbers of phones shipped or market share, but in terms of technological advancement and innovation. It's clear to see that there's ample evidence to support that both Samsung and Google, not Apple, are paving the way for the future of smartphones. Pre-order the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Find best deals Want to order your Galaxy Z Fold 7? Go check out our hands-on and decide what color you'll be getting.The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 outshines Apple in the race for innovation and mobile AI appeared first on SamMobile.