Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live: Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra and more

Is it lastly time for a foldable cellphone?

This is Mark Spoonauer, world editor in chief for Tom’s Guide, taking on our Samsung Unpacked stay weblog. And I’ve one basic query I hope Samsung can reply at the moment. Can the corporate get mainstream buyers enthusiastic about foldable telephones? Apple’s rumored iPhone Flip remains to be apparently years away, and whereas Samsung has some competitors from the likes of Motorola and OnePlus, it stays the most important participant in a small pool.

How small? While the foldable cellphone market grew 49% in Q1 in keeping with Counterpoint Research, the general market share for foldables is predicted to be simply 1.5% by the top of the 12 months, says TrendForce. That means there’s loads of room for development but in addition nonetheless a serious impediment for Samsung to beat. With the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, the corporate must display that its telephones are more sturdy and why its foldables are value ditching a standard slab for. 

Galaxy Watch 7 Sleep Apnea Alerts?

Here’s a last-minute Samsung Unpacked rumor to not sleep on. According to 9to5Google, a brand new sleep apnea monitoring characteristic is displaying up on older Galaxy Watches forward of the occasion. It’s apparently a part of One UI Watch 6, which is out there on Galaxy Watch 4, 5 and 6. 

According to the report, the app wants two nights minimal to detect any indicators of sleep apnea on the Galaxy Watch. From there, the watch tracks what number of “relative decreases in blood oxygen” the consumer has per night time. This can decide if the consumer has average to harmful sleep apnea.

A a lot wanted digicam enhance for the Flip

The Galaxy Z Flip collection’ digicam has usually been ignored, and it feels just like the {hardware} hasn’t had any significant upgrades for the reason that launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 3. That could also be set to vary this 12 months, rumor is that Samsung will lastly substitute the 12MP essential digicam with one thing more substantial.

That’s proper, we might lastly see a 50MP sensor land on a Galaxy Flip — permitting the Z Flip 6 to take sharper and increased decision photographs than ever earlier than. Considering a few of Samsung’s largest flipping rivals, just like the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 and Oppo Find N2 Flip have upgraded their essential lens to 50MP, it ensures the Z Flip 5 is on a a lot more even footing. 

Of course we received’t understand how the telephones examine till we will take a look at the Z Flip 6 for ourselves — and see what kind of post-shot software program trickery Samsung is using on its new telephones.

 Hip to be sq.?

A persistent rumor surrounding the Galaxy Watch 7 involved the look of the smartwatch. Specifically, early rumors pegged the up to date watch to maneuver away from the round shows on latest fashions in favor of a more squared-off look, marking a return to the Galaxy Gear days.

Leaked Galaxy Watch 7 images have since come out, although, and they showcase a watch with the identical rounded face as earlier than. So that’s a smartwatch rumor we might must put to mattress — no less than for Samsung’s commonplace watch. The Galaxy Watch Ultra, in distinction, has appeared in leaked photos of its personal with a sq. watch face. So add that to the potential variations between the 2 fashions. 

Z Fold 6 redesign ultimately? Don’t rely on it

The Galaxy Z Fold collection has stored the identical primary design for the reason that very starting. When the cellphone is folded, you find yourself with a taller and skinnier construct than you’d sometimes get from a smartphone — providing an expertise that feels more claustrophobic and much less comfy in consequence. But early rumors, courting again to shortly after the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, prompt that issues could also be altering this 12 months.

Sadly, whereas some hoped for a grand redesign to higher match the likes of the Pixel Fold and the OnePlus Open, more latest rumors have painted a really completely different story. Leaked specs have claimed each the Z Fold 6’s shows can have completely different side ratios to the Z Fold 5, suggesting some form of sizing change is coming.

Unfortunately leaked renders showcase a cellphone that appears more or much less similar to its predecessors. On prime of that leaked specs from Evan Blass embrace full dimensions for the handset, and recommend a measurement distinction of only a few millimeters. So in case you had your coronary heart set on a Samsung-made model of the Pixel Fold you might find yourself being moderately dissatisfied. 

About that Galaxy Z Flip 6 cowl show

While monitoring latest Galaxy Z Flip 6 rumors, we have been alarmed to listen to that the Z Flip might include a downgraded LCD outer show. Fortunately, it now appears that this is not the case, and it’s going to be AMOLED similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 final 12 months.

It can be bizarre for Samsung to downgrade the quilt display of its new Z Flip, contemplating it was solely new final 12 months. However, with part costs frequently rising increased, maybe it isn’t unthinkable that Samsung would look to chop prices the place it might. Something to look out for when the total specs sheets get revealed.

Rumored watches, in contrast

Having a tough time conserving your Galaxy Watch 7 rumors straight out of your Galaxy Watch Ultra rumblings? We’ve damaged down the chatter about each seemingly additions to Samsung’s watch lineup for this Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Galaxy Watch 7 comparability.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra figures to be greater and more sturdy with a longer-lasting battery. Also search for it to value a whole bunch of {dollars} more than the beginning worth for the Galaxy Watch 7.

How a lot will the brand new telephones value?

Foldable telephones are usually not cheap, with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 providing beginning costs of $999 and $1,799, respectively. You’d think about if Samsung hopes to get its foldables within the palms of more individuals, it will be working to decrease the price of the Flip and Fold — or on the very least, keep the present costs.

Rumors paint a bleaker image for the costs of the brand new foldables, with the pretty dependable OnLeaks (aka Steve Hemmerstoffer) predicting a worth hike for each the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. Specifically, the leaker suggestions every cellphone to value $100 more than their predecessors.

OnLeaks isn’t the one one. A separate rumor additionally factors to increased Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 costs in Europe.

Would Samsung actually cost more for its foldables at a time when it’s dealing with elevated competitors? We’ll discover out later at the moment.

Last likelihood to avoid wasting $50 on an upcoming Galaxy machine

If you have got your coronary heart set on pre-ordering one of many rumored Galaxy units set to be unveiled at Unpacked later at the moment, it can save you your self a bit of money — however provided that you hurry. If you head over to Samsung’s website and reserve one of many new units, you earn $50 credit score to spend on one of many new merchandise. 

But you must do it earlier than Galaxy Unpacked begins at 9 a.m. Eastern time (6 a.m. Pacific time / 2 p.m. U.Ok. time).

At the time of writing which means you have got simply over 5 hours to present Samsung your particulars and save that money. Considering we’ve heard rumors a couple of potential worth hike for the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 foldables, any further financial savings are positively one thing you’ll reap the benefits of.  

More competitors for the Flip

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t the one flip phone-style foldable garnering consideration this week. Motorola launched new variations of its foldable Razr cellphone on the finish of June, and we’ve now had an opportunity to evaluate each fashions.

The Motorola Razr Plus (2024) is a direct competitor to the Samsungs Flip, because it has the identical $999 beginning worth because the Galaxy Z Flip 5. It’s received a bigger cowl display, a brand new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and digicam enhancements. (Most individuals will just like the 50MP essential lens on the Razr Plus; the addition of a telephoto lens on the expense of an ultrawide digicam might show to be a more controversial swap.)

But don’t sleep on the $699 Motorola Razr (2024). The lower-cost foldable requires some compromises — the chipset isn’t as highly effective, and we observed some digicam efficiency points in low gentle. But Motorola addressed one of many largest points with the 2023 mannequin by increasing the quilt show from a tiny strip to a more helpful 3.6-inch panel. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 might have competitors from each instructions.

Galaxy Ring potential worth

Samsung has given us take a look at the Galaxy Ring, but it surely’s been fairly mum about what it will cost for the sensible ring. That seemingly involves a head at the moment, since we think about Unpacked will embrace an enormous reveal on the Galaxy Ring’s pricing and availability.

In the meantime, all we will do is speculate about potential Galaxy Ring costs. Most sensible rings value round $300, although that is simply the value for the ring itself. Some units additionally include month-to-month subscription charges if you wish to get something out of your wearable.

For what it is value, leaked Galaxy Ring pricing suggests you may pay between $300 and $350 for the Galaxy Ring. That’s a bit of bit more costly than the Oura Ring, however you may additionally pay for a subscription with that product. It’s unclear if Samsung will even cost a recurring charge at this level. 

Potential shade choices

Color choices are at all times a serious focus main as much as main cellphone releases, and that is particularly the case with the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip, since having an eye catching design is a part of the cellphone’s enchantment. Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 shade rumors have been pretty constant from the get-go.

Based on each rumors in addition to a collection of leaked renders that look fairly official to our eye, it sounds just like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will are available pink, darkish navy blue and silver. Look for brighter choices with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is tipped to characteristic silver, inexperienced, gentle blue and yellow. If none of these choices seize you, Samsung sometimes gives unique colours at its web site, so keep tuned.

Eat my mud

One of essentially the most often cited issues about foldable telephones is their sturdiness — persons are reluctant to pay wherever from $999 to $1,799 for one in all Samsung’s foldables if there’s an opportunity that the machine might… effectively… cease folding. And one of many issues that may convey units to their knees faster than you may assume is mud.

That’s a priority for the present foldables from Samsung, which have a resistance ranking for water however not for mud. That makes potential Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip consumers cautious of mud moving into their would-be telephones and wreaking havoc on the movable elements that trigger the cellphone to open and shut.

Given that background, you may perceive why my colleague Richard Pirday is happy a couple of characteristic tipped for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. The new telephones are anticipated to have an IP48 ranking. That means the telephones will probably be ready to withstand mud in addition to survive a dunk in water. If true, it is an enchancment that might make individuals really feel lots more reassured about shopping for a foldable cellphone.

Meet the Galaxy Watch’s Bioactive Sensor

The Galaxy Watch 7 can be prone to be on the agenda at Galaxy Unpacked, although Samsung has already given us a take a look at one of many new options coming to the watch. Samsung previewed the BioActive well being sensor that will probably be part of its upcoming watches.

Fitness editor James Frew has the BioActive well being sensor particulars, however the TLDR; model is that it is an embedded in Samsung smartwatches, and this upgraded model boasts optimized sensor placement which ought to result in more correct readings for issues like coronary heart fee monitoring. There’s more house on this chip, too, together with enhancements to the LEDs used to measure your coronary heart fee. 

An Olympic setting

The timing and setting of this Unpacked is a bit of more fascinating than your typical Samsung occasion. While Samsung tends to carry its product launches in New York or San Francisco, this 12 months’s Unpacked is going down in Paris. And it is occurring simply weeks earlier than the Paris Olympics will get underway.

In reality, Samsung moved up Unpacked from its standard finish of July/starting of August window in order that the product launch might participate in Paris forward of the Summer Olympics. Partly, that is as a result of Samsung is likely one of the occasion’s sponsors. But I’m guessing the varieties of merchandise Samsung goes to introduce at the moment are additionally behind the corporate’s alternative in settings. As I wrote this weekend, well being and health monitoring are going to take heart stage at Unpacked, to the purpose the place the foldable telephones will seemingly be overshadowed.

By the best way, my colleague Kate Kozuch is in Paris attending Unpacked, so search for stories from her later within the day.

Oura will get prepared for the Galaxy Ring

If at the moment is the day that brings the launch of the Galaxy Ring — and all indicators level to sure — the chief rival to Samsung’s sensible ring is not taking the information mendacity down. Right earlier than Galaxy Unpacked, Oura introduced plans to convey AI options to its Oura Ring.

The newly unveiled Oura Advisor is a set of AI-based instruments that can analyze knowledge to provide you with actionable recommendation on bettering your sleep and well-being. Or as Oura places it, the Advisor characteristic out there to Oura Ring Gen 3 homeowners will faucet into “”AI to empower [you] to realize [your] well being targets with customized insights, suggestions, and encouragement.”

Your transfer, Samsung.

Unless Samsung has a shock up its sleeve, ne product we will not be seeing at the moment at Galaxy Unpacked is the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE. That’s the cheaper model of the Galaxy Z Fold that may strip away some options — overlook about S Pen assist, for instance — in trade for a cheaper price.

For some time, there was a gradual stream of rumors a couple of potential low-cost foldable from Samsung displaying up on the summer time Unpacked occasion. But in May, stories surfaced that Samsung was tabling work on this explicit machine. Reportedly, the issue is that Samsung frightened a couple of lack of differentiation from the full-featured Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The FE model of the Fold might not be totally useless. There’s speak it might present up at the beginning of subsequent 12 months alongside the Galaxy S25. But that is an Unpacked occasion for one more time.

Galaxy AI, take two

Samsung’s present foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 — already boast some Galaxy AI options, as Samsung introduced the capabilities it launched with the Galaxy S24 launch to latest flagships, together with the final Fold and Flip. That means capabilities like Circle to Search and Chat Assist are already part of the Samsung foldable expertise.

Samsung figures to develop Galaxy AI options at Unpacked at the moment. We know this as a result of Samsung informed us as a lot in a blog post last month by Won-Joon Choi, who occurs to move the corporate’s cellular R&D workplace in its Mobile Experience enterprise. “Our foldables are the most versatile and flexible form factor in Samsung Galaxy and when combined with Galaxy AI, these two complementary technologies will together unlock all new possibilities,” Choi wrote on the time.

What type Galaxy AI options designed for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 may take is unclear, however no less than one rumor suggests a Fold-specific functionality that can faucet into generative picture modifying. According to the rumor, you can take any drawings you make on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and have AI instruments spruce them as much as look more stylize.

That’s seemingly simply the tip of the iceberg in relation to Galaxy AI options coming to Samsung’s telephones, as I believe AI must be a characteristic that units Samsung’s foldables aside from the group.

Up shut with the Galaxy Ring

It’s approach too early to select an MVP of Unpacked, contemplating we’re nonetheless hours away from the beginning of the occasion. But it’s totally clear that there is lots of consideration across the Galaxy Ring, the sensible ring that can mark Samsung’s first entry into this new market of well being trackers.

Samsung confirmed off the ring briefly at its January Unpacked occasion and then gave us a take a look at the completely different colours throughout February’s Mobile World Congress. What Samsung hasn’t informed us is a worth but or what the Ring will have the ability to do.

Leaks have crammed in some particulars on the latter query no less than. According to leaks, the ring is meant to measure each coronary heart fee and stress ranges, and it is extensively anticipated to watch sleep patterns as effectively, with snore detection options to doubtlessly diagnose sleep apnea. Other potential options embrace the flexibility to measure pores and skin temperature and predict menstrual cycles.

Some stories even declare that the Galaxy Ring might embrace an ECG sensor in addition to a further sensor to measure blood movement. Those rumored capabilities appear more far-fetched to us, nonetheless.