Samsung launches next generation of foldable smartphones
Samsung introduced some exciting updates at its Unpacked event on Aug. 10, and the biggest news concerned its slate of foldable phones — already the top-ranked foldables in a market that has tripled in the last year, Samsung noted.
Here are the major announcements:
The Galaxy Z Flip4, which folds horizontally, is strikingly similar to last year’s Z Flip3, with the same two-tone design.
However, the fourth generation of the phone has an enhanced cover screen, which means that users can make calls, read notifications, respond to texts, take selfies and more — even when the Z Flip4 is closed.
Another key change is that this year’s model has a thinner hinge and less noticeable crease where the screen folds. The Z Flip4 comes in four colors: graphite, blue, purple and pink gold.
The Z Flip4 comes with the same 12-megapixel main and ultrawide cameras and a 10MP selfie camera as in the Z Flip3, but its new Flex Cam feature allows users to take pictures and videos from unique angles thanks to how the phone folds.
“I’m particularly excited about flex fold. You can put your device down and record content without using your hands, which is kind of amazing,” said Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram.
Users can also now take better selfies with the rear cameras. Additionally, Samsung’s Nightology feature should allow for better night shots due to a brighter main sensor.
The latest model has other internal improvements, including a larger 3,700mAh battery (up from 3,300mAh), an upgraded 25W fast-charging capability, and a faster processor in the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1.
The Z Flip4 is available starting Aug. 26 at $999, the same price as last year’s Z Flip3, which at the time became the first foldable phone to retail for under $1,000 (a price comparable to other premium smartphones).
Galaxy Z Fold4
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line combines the portability of a smartphone with the larger screen of a tablet, and folds vertically like a book.
As with its Z Flip counterpart, this year’s Z Fold4 is similar in appearance to last year’s Z Fold3, keeping the same 7.6-inch internal folding display and 6.2-inch cover display.
However, thanks to a new hinge, the Z Fold4 is lighter in weight, while being just as durable. The phone has a new taskbar that makes multitasking easier and offers better integration with Microsoft tools.
The Z Fold4 also upgrades to the faster Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, offers up to 1TB of storage, and gets a major boost in the camera department: A 50-megapixel main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto on its rear (the same upgrades that the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus got earlier this year). As with the Z Flip4, the Z Fold4 also offers the Nightography feature, as well as better selfies with the rear cameras.
The Z Fold4 will again start at $1,799.
Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro
The Watch5 Pro (available in 45mm) and the Watch5 (available in 40mm and 44mm) both come with new BioActive Sensors to help users monitor health metrics such as heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Additionally, the watches now offer sleep tracking as well as a new infrared temperature sensor.
The Watch5 Pro is made of more durable materials (like a sapphire crystal display), however, and is geared toward athletes and outdoor adventurers, offering features such as a compass for hikers.
The Watch5 has 10W charging (twice as fast as its predecessor) and a larger battery capacity, and both watches run Google’s WearOS 3.5.
Pricing for the Watch5 starts at $279 and the Watch5 Pro starts at $449.
Galaxy Buds2 Pro
The Buds2 Pro have a new design (in three colors: black, white and purple), cutting-edge active noise cancellation, and an eight-hour runtime on a single charge, which can extend up to 30 hours with the case. The buds now support 24-bit audio for better sound, and thanks to Samsung’s beamforming, calls and videos should sound clearer. The Buds2 Pro retail at $229.
—By Pauline Vu
The information included within this article is AT&T-sponsored content written by a Currently Media editorial contributor. The statements in this article don’t reflect the positions, strategies or opinions of AT&T.
