Samsung’s Unpacked event may have been another virtual affair, but it’s evident that the company is making a severe statement kicking off the back half of the year. We have the inside scoop on what products were announced, when they’ll come out and how much they’ll cost.
Not surprisingly, the swarm of leaks leading up to Unpacked gave us all a clear idea of Samsung’s new products. They were spot-on, giving us details about the Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4, so you could say that the event didn’t leave us entirely on the edge of our seats. Both its new folding phones are definitely in the running for the best smartphones of the year.
But there’s more. If you already know that you want one of the new smartphones, early reservations have been available on Samsung’s website with discounts for reserving early. You can sign up for one now through the link below.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Made For Content Creators
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the latest clamshell smartphone from Samsung. Samsung calls the Z Flip 4 a tool for self-expression, which is obvious from the phone’s new features. You can use the FlexCam feature to shoot video, all of which is optimized for posting to social media apps like Instagram and Facebook.
Notably, the Cover Screen makes it easy to snap a selfie through the Quick Shot feature, even displaying previews of the selfie in Portrait Mode. The camera also has a 65% brighter sensor for better photos. It’s also powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform; in other words, it’s faster and more responsive than any Z Flip.
If you’ve owned a flip phone from the 2000s, you know how the external screens were used for notifications and customizations. The Cover Screen has the same premise and makes it easy to control your SmartThings scenes, respond to a text, and even unlock your car. And with the expanded 3,700mAh battery, you can charge up to 50% in just half an hour.
Samsung steered heavily into customization with the Z Flip 4, allowing users to choose Galaxy Themes for both the Cover and Main screen and even choose to use a GIF or video as the background.
While the Z Flip 4 could be for anyone that wanted it, content creators will get the most use from it. The enhanced battery and greater creative functions make it perfect for staying front and center in your friend’s social media feeds.
The Galaxy Z Flip4 starts at $1,000 and will be available on August 26 from Samsung.com and several other retailers.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: The Most Powerful Foldable
Can’t get enough foldables? Samsung’s gunning for the top because the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is heralded as the company’s most powerful smartphone to date.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s larger screen makes multitasking a breeze. The phone/tablet is designed with productivity in mind; you can copy and paste links and photos from one app to another using Google Meet, and even get access to the full Microsoft Office suite. The display makes it easy to see more information on the screen at once and offers S Pen support to streamline note-taking.
There’s also a 50MP wide lens and 30x Space Zoom lens for better photography than before. Snap photos of documents, or use the cameras to appear in greater detail during Zoom meetings. The camera has a 23% brighter sensor and enhanced processing power, so you can surely count on it to produce detailed and crisp images no matter the conditions.
Gaming isn’t looked over, though. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform and a 5G connection make it possible to play many of your favorite games on the go, and the 7.6-inch screen and 120Hz refresh rate make it easy to see every pixel.
Anyone who appreciates power in a smartphone will enjoy the Galaxy Z Fold4. If you’re a business owner, the productivity apps will make it easy to keep things running even while you’re on the go, but the powerhouse device also caters to mobile gamers.
Expectedly, we knew that there would be a premium attached to this foldable. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 will be available on August 26, starting at $1,800, which undoubtedly puts it well ahead of the pack in terms of cost, but that’s the price for experiencing next-generation technology.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Even More Fitness Tracking
Over on the wearables side, the Galaxy Watch 5 is the latest smartwatch in Samsung’s arsenal, featuring more powerful health and vital tracking than ever before.
The best smartwatches are known for their tracking capabilities, helping you stay on top of your fitness level and caloric burn. The Galaxy Watch 5 takes this to a new level thanks to Samsung’s BioActive Sensor. It tracks your Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart Signal, and Bioelectrical Impedance through one sensor to tell you your heart rate, stress level, and even blood oxygen level. The sensor comes in more direct contact with your wrist than ever to provide more accurate results.
The Sleep Score rating helps you know how well you sleep, while automatic SmartThings integration can dim the lights, cool your bedroom, and create an ideal sleep environment. It sounds like having a personal butler to get ready for bedtime, except he lives on your wrist.
Improving on its predecessor, it also has a 13% larger battery, giving eight hours of sleep tracking with just eight minutes of charge.
The Galaxy Watch 5 is the next logical option for smartwatch users. If you’re a fan of Samsung devices and you used the Galaxy Watch 4, the Watch 5 has everything you’ve come to expect with a lot of new improvements — plus, the Watch 5 Pro is much more durable thanks to its Sapphire Crystal casing, making it the ideal choice for people into extreme sports.
Both Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are available for pre-order right now, and their general release at retail stores will be on August 26. The Watch 5 will start at $280 for the Bluetooth version and $330 for the LTE version, while the Watch 5 Pro will start at $450 for the Bluetooth version and $500 for the LTE version.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
For audio lovers, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is the next iteration of true wireless earbuds from Samsung and improves on the Buds 2 in several significant ways.
The main focus of the Buds 2 Pro is comfort. Samsung has redesigned the earbuds to fit more snugly and comfortably, with increased moisture resistance for walking or working out in the rain. They’re undeniably the most comfortable earbuds yet from Samsung. Additionally, it has an IPX7 weather resistance rating, so you don’t have to worry about getting too sweaty — they can handle it.
Intelligent Noise Cancellation makes these an even better pick for the gym. After all, who wants to hear the guy next to you grunting like he’s at Crossfit? No one. That’s why the ANC mode lets you choose the level of sound you want to come through. You’ll be able to hear conversations but drown out everything else.
Call switching makes it easy to jump between your music and an incoming call on your phone, tablet, watch, or even PC. And the 24-bit Hi-Fi audio experience gives you greater sound clarity than ever, thanks to the built-in woofer and tweeter. You can expect up to 30 hours of battery life on the case and up to 8 hours on the Buds 2 Pro.
Honestly, the Buds 2 Pro doesn’t have a set audience: everyone appreciates good earbuds, and if you’re a Samsung user, these will color-match whatever new device you purchase. With options in Bora Purple, White, and Graphite, the Buds2 Pro have a style option for everyone. If you use earbuds for any reason, you won’t go wrong with the Buds2 Pro.
Although information on availability isn’t available yet, leaked details on pricing suggest an MSRP of $230.
Samsung Wants To Help Save The Planet
In addition to all the new products, Samsung has announced an initiative called Galaxy for the Planet. This program seeks to improve recycling and repurpose materials to reduce waste output.
An example is the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which has been made with repurposed fishing nets. Another example is how the Galaxy Book 2 Pro and the Galaxy Tab S8 all use repurposed nets. Samsung used more than 90% recycled materials for the Buds 2 Pro.
Another step Samsung is taking is eliminating single-use plastics, like all the finicky little wrapping papers in many products. Biodegradable materials such as recycled paper will take their place. This single step alone will save nearly 51,000 trees through the Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy Z series.
The company says it plans to be rid of all single-use plastics by 2025 and is taking even further steps to reduce ewaste by upcycling older devices into medical diagnoses equipment.
