Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: The new AI gadgets hands-on

Samsung unveiled some new AI-focused gadgets at its Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris. We were able to test the devices on site.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6/Z Flip6: New foldable smartphones with AI

Samsung’s foldable smartphones have had a successor. The Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 build on the previous devices and bring with them some innovations. The devices now have rounded corners, a faster processor, a brighter screen and a new ultra-wide-angle camera. The Fold’s external display is a little wider and the Flip has a new wide-angle lens and a larger battery.

But the focus is particularly on the new software. OneUI 6.1.1, which is based on Android 14 from Google, is preinstalled. Samsung promises seven years of software and OS updates, as much as only Google. The company has built some new AI features into the software, including a real-time translator and auto-zoom.

You can immediately notice the new design when hands-on. Samsung is once again relying on a colorful palette of colors. The Z Fold’s external display could have been wider, like the Honor Magic V2 or the Google Pixel Fold. It’s easier to type messages, but it doesn’t work optimally.

Much more interesting is a function that allows users to transform a simple drawing on the screen into an AI image. This works surprisingly well. Similar styles can also be applied to your own portrait photos.

In addition, both hinges of the devices have been revised. Both the Fold and the Flip now lie perfectly on top of each other when closed, which also enables IP48 certification.

Samsung continues to pay dearly for both devices. The Flip starts at 1,199 euros with 12 gigabytes of RAM and 256 gigabytes of internal storage. The Fold starts in the same version from 1,999 euros.

Samsung Galaxy Watch7/Ultra: New watches with more performance

In addition to smartphones, there were a number of wearables on display. It all started with new watches, a successor to the Galaxy Watch6 and the first Galaxy Watch “Ultra”.

The Galaxy Watch7 adopts the design of the Galaxy Watch6 and appears again in a small 40 mm and a larger 44 mm version. Inside is an Exynos W1000, Samsung’s first 3nm processor. This was developed for the watch and is also used in the Watch Ultra. In addition, the memory is now larger (32 gigabytes). A new sensor should provide more accurate health data. Both watches have dual-frequency GPS.

For the first time, Samsung is also building AI into the smartwatch, which comes with the brand new WearOS 5. This allows the watch to suggest context-based answers and calculate a “health score” using all the data.

The first Galaxy Watch “Ultra” also gets the same features, the design of which is a mixture of the Galaxy Watch7 and Apple Watch Ultra. The watch is aimed at “extreme and professional athletes” and has a new mechanism for the straps, which are double-locked (and therefore more secure on the wrist). The watch is MIL-STD-810H certified and 10ATM and IP68 dust and water protected.

There is a new “action button” on the watch that directly calls up the sports menu. The watch supports a triathlon mode (several sports in a row) as well as a race against your old time. The battery life is almost 100 hours in energy saving mode. Unfortunately, the watch does not have a rotating bezel or rotating crown, which limits navigation exclusively to the touch display.

While the Galaxy Watch7 starts at 319 or 349 euros, Samsung wants 699 euros for its Ultra model.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3/Pro: Samsung now also has a stick

Samsung has tried a lot of designs for their headphones in the past. From buttons on the Galaxy Buds 1/2 to a bean on the Galaxy Buds “Live”. Now, like pretty much every other manufacturer, the new Galaxy Buds models are relying on the “bar design”. Samsung explains this with the proximity of the microphone to the mouth, which allows them to record better sound.

The headphones are available in a basic and a pro version. The big difference is the “channel” design, instead of an open one. This means that the headphones are plugged directly into the ear canal, instead of just being placed inside like the basic model. In addition, the speaker on the Pro model is even better and the rod has LEDs to display status information.

On the software side, Samsung has also built AI into the headphones, so notes or conversations can be translated directly from spoken conversations. The test will show how well this works. The Pro model can also optimize the sound based on ambient noise.

Samsung wants 179 euros for the Buds3, the Pro model costs 249 euros.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: An alternative to the smartwatch?

The Galaxy Ring has been highly anticipated after being announced with the Galaxy S24 at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked in February. The ring will be available in nine sizes and three different colors, without a subscription model, but with an impressive RRP of 449 euros.

What do you get for it? A simple ring with titanium alloy that measures steps, pulse and sleep with a seven-day battery life. Since the ring is also 10ATM and IP68 dust and water protected, it can also be used in water. Samsung has also built in some software functions that allow the ring to be used, for example, as a remote shutter release for the smartphone camera.

When hands-on, the ring feels very light, but this can also give the impression that the materials are cheap. The charging case looks nice, but it takes a few tries before you figure out how to put the ring in the case. We are excited to see how the ring performs in everyday testing.

Also interesting:

• Samsung Galaxy S24: This is how you protect your new smartphone
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 in the test: Foldable mini tablet without compromises?
• Honor Magic V2 RSR: The foldable luxury smartphone in everyday testing
• Apple Intelligence: AI from Apple is apparently not available in the EU

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