Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: everything announced at the July 2024 event – The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2024-07-12T13:18:03+00:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/23958922https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1David Pierce<![CDATA[Samsung’s new folds, flips, and Apple clones]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/12/24197065/samsung-galaxy-fold-flip-airpods-vergecast2024-07-12T09:18:03-04:002024-07-12T09:18:03-04:00
As the rest of the tech industry seems to mostly shift to overproduced infomercials for their product launches, Samsung is holding fast to its love for giant live events in huge arenas. This year, at Unpacked in Paris, the company announced a whole lineup of new gadgets. The new Fold and Flip look nice but also a bit uninspired; the Watch Ultra and Buds 3 look almost too familiar; and the Galaxy Ring might be the beginning of something really cool.
On this episode of The Vergecast, we talk through all of Samsung's announcements and try to figure out whether "Apple products but for Android" is actually a winning strategy. It might be! Plus, …
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Quentyn Kennemer<![CDATA[Here’s where you can preorder the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/10/24195208/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-flip-6-preorder-buy-price-release-date2024-07-10T12:10:56-04:002024-07-10T12:10:56-04:00
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 most notably add the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset. It has a dedicated neural processing unit for the growing list of Galaxy AI and Google Gemini features present in Android 14 and One UI 6. Samsung refined their outward design with a flatter profile and less curvature around the corners and edges while making internal room for better cooling properties. Both devices also get an IP48 rating for protection against dust and water. They previously didn’t have an ingress protection rating for dust, though the “4” in that slot means it’s not exactly dust-tight — it only guarantees protection against objects 1mm or larger.
The Z Fold 6 also lasts a bit longer on the same battery capacity, Samsung says, while the Z Flip 6 gets a slightly bigger battery to claim similar improvements. The Z Flip 6’s camera also gets an upgraded 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor with 2X optical zoom. Below, we’ll delve into a few more specifics about each smartphone and show you where to preorder them for the best bonuses and upgrades.
How to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The cover display on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is slightly larger than last year’s model at 6.3 inches — a marginal 0.1-inch increase with a very slight resolution bump to compensate. The internal display has the same 7.6-inch size with a hardly noticeable jump in pixel density but gets a significant brightness boost to 2,600 nits.
Samsung says the Z Fold 6 will offer the definitive Galaxy AI experience, with tailor-built features that make meaningful use of the larger display’s full expanse. The hinge and glass are a bit more durable, too, and the display crease is said to be less pronounced.
Rear cameras on the Z Fold 6 are largely the same as before with identical 50-megapixel wide-angle and 10-megapixel 3X telephoto options, but the 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor is said to have better low-light performance. Its larger vapor chamber is another big change meant to keep things cool during ray-traced gaming and other heavy activity that can heat up the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at $1,899.99 for the base 256GB model, which is a $100 increase compared to the starting price we’ve grown accustomed to with older releases. It’s available in silver, pink, and navy at Amazon, Best Buy, and all major carriers. If you purchase through Samsung’s website, you can also unlock exclusive black and white options.
While preorders last, Samsung is offering 12 months of Samsung Care Plus coverage and up to $1,200 of credit with qualifying trade-ins when purchasing a carrier-specific model from its website. You can also get double the storage for free (from 256GB to 512GB or from 512GB to 1TB) if you preorder from Samsung, carriers, and retailers by July 23rd.
Amazon includes a $300 gift card with each Galaxy Z Fold 6 preorder. You can get the same deal in an SKU that bundles a pair of Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for $2,149.98, an increase that exactly matches their $249.99 MSRP.
Best Buy will also send you a $300 e-gift card when purchasing any Galaxy Z Fold 6. You’ll receive the gift card in your email inbox after your phone has been shipped or picked up. You can save another $100 upfront when opting in to the retailer’s carrier activation service, which would bring your total down to $1,799.99.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 refines the foldable experience with newly built Galaxy AI features and the processing power to match thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.
You’ll need to look a bit harder to notice differences on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The 6.7-inch primary display and 3.4-inch cover display are the same size as they were last year, though Samsung has bolstered the latter’s utility with smart message replies and other fun changes. Most of the material changes compared to the Z Flip 5 are internal — it has a slightly bigger 4,000mAh battery and a newly minted vapor chamber to support the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. You’ll also get 12GB of RAM in the starting configuration, which is a decent bump from the older model’s 8GB.
As for the camera system, the Z Flip 6 gets an upgraded 50-megapixel wide-angle main sensor with a 2X optical zoom and up to 10X digital zoom with AI-assisted enhancements. The 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor remains unchanged.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 also comes in $100 higher than older models, now starting at $1,099.99 for a 256GB model. It’ll be available at Amazon, Best Buy, major carriers, and Samsung directly — the latter has exclusive peach, black, and white colors to entice you, in addition to the standard silver, pink, navy, and mint colors that will be available everywhere.
You’ll get the 12-month Samsung Care Plus benefit for purchasing a carrier model directly from Samsung, plus up to $1,000 toward its cost with qualifying trade-ins. You’ll also get double the storage (up to 512GB) when preordering from Samsung and its retail and carrier partners by July 23rd.
Amazon is throwing in a $200 gift card with Galaxy Z Flip 6 purchases. There’s also a bundle that adds the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for $1,349.98, but it doesn’t save you any money over purchasing the earbuds separately.
Best Buy is currently offering a $200 digital gift card with Galaxy Z Flip 6 purchases, which you’ll receive via email soon after receiving your phone. You can also save another $100 on your purchase if you opt for the retailer to handle carrier activation for you, effectively lowering the price to $999.99.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers slight design and performance upgrades compared to the previous generation. The AI-ready Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 now comes with 12GB of RAM and a vapor chamber for cooling. It also has a new 50-megapixel camera sensor that enables 2X optical zoom.
You may find your carrier of choice has more appealing trade-in and financing terms for the Galaxy Z 6 series, plus bonus offers when adding more devices. Here’s a quick rundown of the numbers we’re seeing so far.
Verizon is offering 36-month financing options for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (starting at $56.11 per month) and Galaxy Z Flip 6 ($33.88 a month). New and existing customers can get up to $800 toward the purchase of either when trading in any Samsung smartphone in any condition.
AT&T will take $1,100 off the Galaxy Z Fold 6 ($52.78 per month before trade credits) or let you walk away with a free Galaxy Z Flip 6 (normally $30.56 per month) when trading in any Samsung smartphone in any condition. New and existing customers can also finance a 40mm Galaxy Watch 7 and a Galaxy Tab A9 Plus for 99 cents per month each on a 36-month term when buying the new foldables.
T-Mobile will take up to $1,100 off the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (normally $79.17 a month for 24 months) and Galaxy Z Flip 6 ($45.84 per month) when adding a line or trading in a qualifying device on its Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plans.
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Sheena Vasani<![CDATA[How to preorder Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, and the Galaxy Ring]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/10/24194952/samsung-galaxy-watch-7-ring-ultra-preorder-buy-price-availability-release-date2024-07-10T10:32:22-04:002024-07-10T10:32:22-04:00
Samsung didn’t just announce new foldable phones and wireless earbuds during its Samsung Unpacked event on Wednesday but also a new lineup of wearables: the Galaxy Watch 7 ($299.99), the Samsung Ring ($399.99), and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra ($649.99). While you’ll have to wait until July 24th until they’re officially available, all of the wearables are available to preorder now in the US.
The new wearables target a wide audience, from casual users to outdoor athletes. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a stylish wearable that’s more of a discreet health tracker, while the Galaxy Watch 7 is a smartwatch that’s more capable with new sleep apnea detection capabilities. Yet it’s not as feature-packed as the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, which, as my colleague Victoria Song wrote in her hands-on impression, is basically the Android version of the Apple Watch Ultra. Built for the active, outdoorsy type, Samsung says it is its most durable watch yet and replaces the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro as Samsung’s premium smartwatch.
We’ve published hands-on impressions of the Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, and Galaxy Watch Ring and will be sharing our reviews soon. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about each new product and all the relevant information so you can place your preorder today.
How to preorder Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7
Powered by the new 3nm Exynos W1000 chip and equipped with a new dual-frequency GPS, Samsung says the Galaxy Watch 7 is faster than its predecessor and can track your location even more precisely. As we noted in our hands-on review, it’s not a significant upgrade, but what is notable is that it now supports FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection features — which is an industrywide first.
Other new features include an upgraded Samsung BioActive Sensor for improved heart rate, EKG, and body composition analysis as well as Galaxy AI-powered features like Energy Score and Wellness Tips. Samsung has also added an Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Index metric, which is supposed to reflect your overall biological aging process.
Aside from new sensors, the wearable also sports some new software. The wearable has been upgraded to Wear OS 5 and One UI 6 Watch, while Samsung’s introduced some new tricks like a double pinch gesture so you can easily control your Samsung Galaxy Watch or phone. Samsung’s also added an AI-powered suggested replies feature, which recommends responses based on your previous conversations.
The Galaxy Watch 7 is available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. The 40mm is available in green and cream, while you can buy the 44mm version in green and silver. The smaller watch starts at $299.99, while the larger wearable retails for $329.99. If you want LTE cellular connectivity, you’ll have to pay an additional $50.
Right now, Samsung will through in a free watchband when you preorder the Galaxy Watch 7 from them ahead of its release on July 24th. You can also preorder the wearable from Amazon, Best Buy, and Verizon. The latter will offer the wearable for free if you buy any 5G Android smartwatch and trade in qualifying smartwatches.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. It comes with new features like FDA-cleared sleep detection features as well as irregular heart rate notifications.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra offers all the same health features as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7, but it’s geared toward more active, outdoorsy types like divers, runners, hikers, cyclists, and more. As mentioned, my colleague Victoria describes it as similar to the Apple Watch Ultra but with a squircle-shaped case.
Samsung says it’s the most durable wearable in its lineup, with 10ATM of water resistance, an IP68 rating, a titanium case, and a sapphire crystal lens. It also offers more fitness tracking capabilities, like a multisport activity profile, a loud emergency siren, a Functional Threshold Power metric for cyclists, and a Race feature so you can compare your past and current performance. There’s even a Quick Button for easy access to the workout app and other features like the flashlight.
Retailing for $649.99, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in just one size — 47mm — and comes in gray, white, and silver. Like the Galaxy Watch 7, Samsung will also throw in a free watchband when you preorder it from them. However, you can also preorder the wearable from Amazon, Best Buy, and Verizon.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
The 47mm Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is targeted at more outdoorsy folks with dual-frequency GPS, a new multisport activity, an emergency siren, and increased durability.
If you’re looking for a more discreet health tracker than a smartwatch, you might want to take a look at Samsung’s Galaxy smart ring. It offers all the standard health tracking sensors so you can keep tabs on activity, heart rate data, sleep, and even menstrual cycles. It also offers Galaxy Watch AI features like Energy Score and Wellness Tips, though it lacks irregular heart rate notifications and sleep apnea detection features.
After spending a brief amount of time with Samsung’s Galaxy Ring, my colleague Victoria Song said the smart ring shows a lot of promise. She’s yet to test its software, battery life, and the accuracy of its tracking data, but so far, she’s been impressed. The wearable is slick with a well-designed, easy-to-use charging case, while the fact it even works with the double pinch gesture is a cool touch.
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring comes in nine size options and three colors: black, silver, and gold. It starts at $399.99 and is available to preorder from Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy.
Samsung Galaxy Ring
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring smart ring tracks activity, heart rate, data, sleep, and metrics like menstrual cycles. It doesn’t offer irregular heart rate notifications and sleep apnea detection features, but it’s a discreet tracker that looks chic and comes in black, silver, and gold.
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Chris Welch<![CDATA[Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds are blatant AirPod clones in both form and function]]>https://www.theverge.com/24195011/samsung-galaxy-buds-3-pro-hands-on-preview-features2024-07-10T09:00:00-04:002024-07-10T09:00:00-04:00
Alongside its latest folding phones and wearables, Samsung is introducing the new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Galaxy Buds 3. As leaks (and early sales) confirmed, the company has moved away from the subtle in-ear design of past generations to a stemmed look that gives these an AirPods-esque look and feel - especially in white. Both earbuds also come in a gunmetal gray finish that, combined with the angular "blade" design, makes me think of Tesla's Cybertruck. But there's no denying the overall similarities to Apple's massively popular AirPods.
Samsung's press release says the switch was the direct result of "a variety of collected statistical dat …
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Allison Johnson<![CDATA[The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 come with minor updates and higher prices]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/10/24195165/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-flip-6-screen-battery-price2024-07-10T09:00:00-04:002024-07-10T09:00:00-04:00
Hot foldable summer is in full swing, y’all. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
If you had any remaining hopes, despite leak upon leak, that Samsung's foldables would get a major update this year, then I hate to be the bearer of bad news. They're a little more durable, a little lighter, and come with a handful of tiny upgrades. Even so, both models got a boost of a certain kind: higher prices, with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 now starting at $1,899 and the Z Flip 6 at $1,099.
Both phones use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset specially tuned for Samsung, and like the S24 series, they both include seven years of OS and security update support. They're both a little bit sturdier, claiming better resistance to drops thanks to improveme …
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Wes Davis<![CDATA[Where to watch Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/10/24194483/samsung-galaxy-unpacked-watch-live-stream-start-time2024-07-10T07:00:00-04:002024-07-10T07:00:00-04:00
Samsung will trot out its next foldables and some new Galaxy AI features during the summer edition of its Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris, France, on Wednesday. You can expect a new Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a squarish look and a not-square Z Flip 6, both with much brighter screens and longer battery life than their predecessors.
