Samsung recently hosted its second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, unveiling its latest lineup of foldable devices and other innovative gadgets.
As seasoned tech enthusiasts have come to expect, the event was preceded by numerous leaks, leaving few surprises for the actual announcement.
The showcase primarily focused on Samsung’s newest foldable smartphones, the highly anticipated Galaxy Ring, two smartwatches, and a pair of advanced earbuds. While these products had been the subject of speculation for months, the event provided official details and specifications.
For those who missed the live stream, Samsung has made it available on-demand via their YouTube channel. However, if you’re short on time, we’ve compiled a comprehensive summary of all the significant announcements from the July 2024 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event.
Let’s dive into the details of these exciting new products and their features.
The Galaxy Ring
We’ll kick start things with the Galaxy Ring, a new product category for Samsung. This wearable, first teased at the Galaxy S24 Series launch in January, represents Samsung’s latest foray into health and wellness technology.
The Galaxy Ring, crafted from titanium, packs an impressive array of sensors into its compact form factor. These include an accelerometer, PPG sensors for blood flow measurement, and skin temperature detection capabilities. This array enables the device to track a comprehensive set of health metrics, including sleep quality, heart rate, respiratory rate, and menstrual cycles.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup brings new chips, AI, and better cameras
One of the Ring’s standout features is its Energy Score, which provides users with a holistic view of their health and offers personalized improvement suggestions. Notably, Samsung has chosen not to adopt a subscription model for these services, bucking the trend of many contemporary health tech offerings.
The Galaxy Ring doesn’t stop at passive monitoring. It incorporates automatic workout detection, heart rate alerts, and inactivity reminders to encourage users to maintain an active lifestyle. The device also boasts pinch gesture controls, allowing wearers to interact with their Galaxy smartphones for tasks like taking photos or dismissing alarms.
In an interesting synergy with Samsung’s existing wearable line, pairing the Galaxy Ring with a Galaxy Watch can extend the Ring’s battery life by up to 30%. Speaking of power, the Ring itself is designed to last up to seven days on a single charge and comes with a quick-charging case for added convenience.
Priced at $400 (approximately 51,600 KES), the Galaxy Ring represents a significant investment in personal health technology. However, it’s worth noting that, as of now, the device won’t be available in Kenya.
Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6
We also got to see Samsung’s latest foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. These new models boast a slimmer, lighter profile compared to their predecessors, with enhanced structural integrity.
Samsung has introduced a reinforced folding edge to support the dual-rail hinge, along with improved layering for the main screen to minimize creasing without compromising strength. Both devices feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for increased durability.
Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the same chipset found on the Galaxy S24 Series. The Z Fold 6 incorporates an enlarged vapor chamber for improved thermal management, while the Z Flip 6 introduces a vapor chamber for the first time in the Z Flip series, enhancing cooling efficiency.
In line with 2024 technological trends, these devices incorporate numerous AI features, including a fully integrated Google Gemini app. Users can generate detailed images from sketches and draft emails based on prompts, alongside various AI-powered camera enhancements.
A notable feature for both the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 is the Interpreter app, which leverages the dual-screen format to facilitate more natural conversations. Translations are displayed on both the main and cover screens, with processing occurring on-device for enhanced privacy and speed.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A55: Everything we know so far
The displays have also seen a marginal size bump this year. The Z Fold 6’s main screen is now 2.7mm wider, with the cover screen gaining 1mm in width. From my initial hands-on experience with the Z Fold 6, the outer display, while not as expansive as some competitors’, offers improved usability and refinement.
Both devices feature displays with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, matching the Galaxy S24 and setting a new standard for the Galaxy Fold series.
The Z Flip 6 introduces a significant camera upgrade, featuring 50MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide sensors, mirroring the base Galaxy S24. The primary sensor offers 2x optical zoom, with AI-enhanced zoom capabilities up to 10x. Additionally, the base memory has been increased from 8GB to 12GB.
Pre-orders for both devices are now available, with general release scheduled for July 24. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is priced starting at KES 264,000, while the Z Flip 6 starts at KES 148,000. Pre-orders can be placed at authorized Samsung stores and e-commerce partners from July 11 to July 31.
As an incentive, pre-order customers will receive a slim S-pen case with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or a flip suite case set with the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra
Samsung also showcased its latest high-end smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, alongside the Galaxy Watch 7. The Galaxy Watch Ultra, powered by Wear OS 5, features a new cushion design to enhance protection and aesthetic appeal.
This device is engineered for durability, catering to extreme athletes and adventurers and is a direct competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts an impressive operational range, functioning from 500 meters below sea level to 9,000 meters above.
It offers water resistance up to 100 meters and features a robust titanium frame. Battery life is a key highlight, with Samsung claiming up to 100 hours in power-saving mode and 48 hours with exercise power-saving enabled, positioning it as the longest-lasting Galaxy Watch to date.
Additional features include multi-course workout tracking for activities like triathlons, advanced Personalized Heart Rate Zone monitoring, and an emergency siren for enhanced safety.
The display offers a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for excellent visibility in bright conditions, complemented by a night mode. Samsung has also incorporated sleep apnea detection capabilities and a new programmable Quick Button.
For users seeking a more standard smartwatch experience, the Galaxy Watch 7 is available. This model introduces a 3nm processor, purportedly delivering three times faster CPU performance and 30% better power efficiency. It includes a dual-frequency GPS system for improved location accuracy, enhanced health tracking features, and innovative double pinch gesture controls.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is exclusively available in a 47mm size, priced at KES 73,300. The Galaxy Watch 7 comes in 40mm and 44mm variants, starting at KES 33,700 and KES 37,100 respectively.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Buds 3
Complementing the new smartwatches and foldable devices, Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro. When paired with a Z Flip 6 or Z Fold 6, these earbuds can leverage the Interpreter app to provide real-time audio translation, a feature particularly beneficial for international travelers or language learners.
Both models utilize their microphones to analyze internal and external sound, optimizing audio quality and active noise cancellation. The Buds 3 Pro offer additional features such as adaptive noise control, siren detection, and voice detection for enhanced user experience.
The Buds 3 Pro introduce a new blade-style design with integrated lights. Users can control audio playback through pinching or vertical swiping gestures. These premium earbuds also feature dual amplifiers, planar tweeters, and a super-wideband call capability for superior audio performance.
The Galaxy Buds 3 are priced starting at KES 17,200, while the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are offered at KES 24,000.
