Samsung Unpacked 2024: AI, new foldables and buds

Samsung just rocked the stage at Unpacked 2024 in Paris last week, unveiling some seriously cool stuff. We’re talking about the all-new Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, and the Galaxy Buds3 series. Let’s dive into how these new devices are taking Galaxy AI to the next level.

Meet the new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6

The Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 don’t just look good; they’re packed with AI capabilities that redefine mobile experiences, according to Samsung. The large screen of the Z Fold6 and the FlexWindow on the Z Flip6 are designed to maximise the new Galaxy AI’s potential, offering the user a blend of productivity and creativity.

Samsung’s president, TM Roh, summed it up perfectly: “Our foldables meet the unique needs of every user, and now enhanced by the power of Galaxy AI, Samsung is delivering an experience like never before.”

Why I think you’ll love them: 

• Design and durability: The sleek, symmetrical design is not just a treat for the eyes; it’s also the slimmest and lightest Galaxy Z series ever, with enhanced durability thanks to a dual rail hinge and strengthened folding edge. Enhanced layers on the main screen improve the crease while maintaining strength. The devices also feature Armor Aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making this the most durable Galaxy Z series yet, says Samsung.
• Performance powerhouse: Both foldables are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, optimised for AI processing and boasting enhanced graphics and overall performance. The Z Fold6 features a larger vapour chamber, ensuring you can game and multitask like a pro. For the first time now though, the Z Flip6 also has a vapour chamber.

Galaxy AI: the game changer?

With the introduction of the new Galaxy Z series, Samsung is opening the next chapter of Galaxy AI. This AI powerhouse is all about making your device smarter and your life easier. Here’s a taste of what Galaxy AI brings to the table:

For the Z Fold6:

• Note assist: Translates, summarises, and auto-formats your meeting notes, making it easier to keep track of important details.
• Embedded transcription: Transcribes, translates, and summarises voice recordings directly in Samsung Notes. Texts in PDF files can be translated and overlaid perfectly through PDF overlay translation.
• Composer: Generates text for emails and social media based on simple keywords. For social media in particular, the Composer creates text that reflects your tone by analysing previous posts.
• Sketch to image: Turn your sketches into sophisticated art pieces by generating image options when you simply sketch or draw on the photos in Gallery or Note screen.
• Google Gemini integration: Fully integrated on the new Galaxy Z series, providing your own AI-powered assistant right on your phone. By simply swiping the corner of the screen or saying, “Hey Google”, you can bring up Gemini’s overlay and get help with writing, learning, or planning.
• Interpreter mode: Maximising its unique dual screen form factor, Interpreter comes with a new conversation mode that enables both parties to conveniently view translations on the main and cover screens for more natural interactions.

For the Z Flip6:

• FlexWindow magic: Access Samsung Health updates, control your music, and reply to texts with AI-suggested replies—all without opening your phone. FlexWindow provides access to Samsung Health updates and notifications and also allows you to select the next track you want to listen to on your music widget. Plus, FlexWindow offers more Widgets than ever and allows you to check information from multiple Widgets simultaneously.
• FlexCam: Hands-free camera magic with new Auto Zoom that finds the best framing for your shot by detecting the subject and zooming in and out before making any necessary adjustments. That way, you don’t have to choose between your friends or an incredible backdrop being in the shot – and it’s all hands-free.
• Photo ambient: A wallpaper can change in real-time based on the time and weather. You can also easily create a unified look and feel with suggested screen layout options by analysing your wallpaper — such as moving the clock and changing the frame colour to ensure the background image stands.
• Enhanced camera: New 50MP Wide and 12MP Ultra-wide sensors provide an upgraded camera experience with clear and crisp details in pictures. The new 50MP sensor supports 2x optical zoom for noise-free photos, while offering AI zoom for an advanced shooting experience with up to 10x zoom. Nightography, enhanced with video HDR allows you to capture brilliant videos — even in dim lighting — and goes further by partnering with popular social apps as well. The night capturing feature is now available in-app on Instagram, so you can take amazing photos at night and message or share them directly from within the app.

Galaxy Buds3 Series

Let’s not forget the new Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro, which are redefining how we experience sound and communication through innovative AI capabilities.

• Interpreter mode: Translates lectures directly into your ears, making learning a breeze. If you’re attending a class in a foreign language, you can turn on Interpreter in Listening mode on Galaxy Z Fold6 or Flip6 with Galaxy Buds3 series plugged into your ears. This will allow you to hear the lecture translated directly through your Galaxy Buds, removing language barriers that may exist in your studies.
• Voice command: Control your buds with just a couple of words, allowing you to control functions like playing or stopping music without manually touching the earbuds or a connected smartphone.
• Adaptive sound: Intelligent optimisation of sound quality, no matter how you wear your Buds. The microphones in the Buds3 series analyse both internal and external sound in real time to enhance sound and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) quality through Adaptive EQ and Adaptive ANC. And if you are listening to music, your Galaxy Buds3 Pro will constantly collect and identify surrounding sound and automatically adjust the optimal level of noise and sound without manual adjustment through Adaptive Noise Control, Siren Detect and Voice Detect, all for your convenience.
• Design and fit: The Galaxy Buds3 series comes with a new computational design boasting a comfortable fit. The premium blade design also targets style-centric consumers with an ultra-sleek and modern style complemented with Blade Lights. This new design enables a more intuitive physical experience by allowing you to control the device by simply pinching or swiping up or down on the blade, thereby offering convenience and tasteful aesthetics at the same time. Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro offer two purpose-built design options. Galaxy Buds3 Pro is Canal Type for those looking for immersive sound, while Buds3 is Open Type for people who prefer to use the device in a variety of situations for an extended period of time.
• Audio experience: Galaxy Buds3 Pro is equipped with advanced hardware. Galaxy Buds3 Pro comes with enhanced 2-way speakers with planar tweeter for sophisticated, precise high range sound production, and Dual Amplifiers for a crystal-clear sound experience on the go. And now, thanks to Ultra High Quality Audio that supports a doubled sampling rate with SSC codec, you can listen to a high-resolution audio source as it was intended and enjoy every sound in superb detail. This level of sound quality extends to phone calls, too. With a pre-trained model based on machine learning, the Galaxy Buds3 series is now able to restore the original voice of the speaker in various noise environments while also providing a rich and natural call — similar to the high-quality calls of smartphones — with the Super-Wideband Call feature.

Sustainable and stylish

Samsung is also making strides in sustainability with the new Galaxy Z series and Buds3. Both series incorporate recycled materials, like plastics from discarded fishing nets, and come in packaging made from 100% recycled paper. Plus, they offer up to seven generations of OS upgrades and security updates, ensuring your device stays fresh and secure for years.

Availability and Pricing

• Galaxy Z Fold6 (256GB): R43,499
• Galaxy Z Flip6 (256GB): R25,999
• Galaxy Buds3: R3,999

Pre-orders start on July 10, with fulfilment beginning on July 25. Choose from stunning colours like Silver Shadow, Pink, and Navy for the Fold6, and Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, and Mint for the Flip6.

*supplied