Samsung shows off new phones, wearables at Unpacked

Galaxy Ring, AI most notable announcements at Paris showcase

Life

10 July 2024

Samsung revealed an array of new products at a packed event in Paris today. As expected, the much-leaked Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 foldables got an official airing, as did two new smartwatches in the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra, and, lastly, the Galaxy Ring, which was shown in a glass case at Mobile World Congress earlier this year.

AI also took up a chunk of the presentation’s run time. Samsung is taking a hybrid approach to AI, keeping as much information on device using Google’s Gemini.

Galaxy Z Flip6 & Fold6

The large screen of the Z Fold, the FlexWindow of the Z Flip and the iconic FlexMode provide more AI capabilities and new ways of communicating, producing and creating, according to Samsung.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold6 and the Flip6 are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the most advanced mobile Snapdragon processor ever, according to Samsung. The Z Fold6 has an improved cooling system with a larger so-called vapor chamber.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has not become cheaper or more expensive. The entry-level model still costs €1,239 for 12GB of working memory and 256GB of storage. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 did become more expensive. For the entry-level model, with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, Samsung is asking €2,059. A 512GB storage variant also appears for €2,169.

Note Assist again provides translations, summaries and automatic formatting of notes. The transcription function enables translations and summaries of voice recordings directly in Notes. Texts in PDF format can be translated and displayed as overlays. The new Composer for Samsung Keyboard generates text based on simple keywords for e-mails and social media apps. For social media, Composer creates text in users’ own style by analysing previous posts. In addition, the S Pen experience is further enhanced with Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Z Fold6’s screen.

Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra

The Galaxy Watch 7 presented is the obvious successor to last year’s popular Watch 6, but we also have an entrely new device in the Galaxy Watch Ultra, with its sturdy metal casing.

The Galaxy Watch 7 lets users track the effectiveness of up to 100 workouts

Users can track more than 100 workouts and build routines by combining different exercises. In addition to the new AI algorithm for sleep analysis, the Galaxy Watch7 offers a sleep apnea feature. This is a simple, proactive tool to detect possible signs of sleep apnea. Users receive real-time readings and alerts for abnormally high or low heart rates with heart rate monitoring and get a better understanding of heart health with an electrocardiogram (ECG).

The Ultra has a Titanium Class 4 frame and a water resistance of 10 atmospheres. It also works at depths from 500 metres below sea level to 9,000 metres altitude.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is a heavy metal alternative to the Watch 7

The Galaxy Watch 7 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra are the first Android smartwatches to be powered by Wear OS 5. This operating system provides higher performance and more efficient power consumption.

The Watch 7 is on sale starting at €329, just like its predecessor. The Watch Ultra is much more expensive with a suggested retail price of €699.

Galaxy Buds3

The Galaxy Buds3 series features a new design with a comfortable fit. The ultra-slim design should appeal to style-oriented consumers. The new design allows the earbuds to be operated by simply pinching or swiping the side.

The new Galaxy Buds3 series enables a new way to communicate thanks to Galaxy AI. For example, when users attend a foreign language class, they can use Interpreter in listening mode on the Galaxy Z Fold6 or Flip6 in combination with the Buds3. This translates the lecture directly through the Buds. With voice command, functions such as playing or stopping music can be controlled with just a few words, without touching the earbuds or the phone.

Sound can also be intelligently enhanced. The microphones in the Buds3 series analyse both internal and external sound in real time to enhance active noise cancellation.

The Buds3 will sell for €189, and the Pro version for €259.

Galaxy Ring

The Galaxy Ring can do almost everything a smartwatch can, but has no screen. All information is transmitted to the Samsung Health app on your smartphone or tablet. It measures heart rate, sleep patterns and energy levels. Unlike competing devices, it does not require a subscription.