Samsung's latest flagship smartphones and wearables are lighter and slimmer, and also incorporate enhanced AI capabilities to appeal to premium consumers.
Samsung, which pioneered the foldable smartphone category in 2019, faces increasing competition in this niche market. According to data from Canalys, Samsung's share of foldable smartphone shipments is expected to decline from 81% in 2022 to 63% in 2023, highlighting the importance of this latest launch.
Samsung has responded to market pressure by significantly revamping its foldable lineup.
- The widescreen Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be the lightest and slimmest version in the series, aiming to attract new customers to this form factor.
- The clamshell Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts longer battery life, a higher-resolution camera and a new vapor chamber for improved cooling — enhancements that address key issues identified through customer feedback.
After three years of keeping prices steady despite rising material costs, Samsung has implemented a modest price increase: The Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099.99 and the Z Fold 6 at $1,899.99, up $100 from last year's models.
Samsung has introduced several new AI-powered features, including:
- “Listening mode” provides simultaneous voice interpretation when paired with Galaxy Buds earphones.
- It will work with Google to develop new AI search features, such as circling a math problem on the screen to see a step-by-step solution.
The company has also made significant enhancements to its Galaxy Watch product.
- The new 3-nanometer chip makes launching and processing applications three times more efficient than last year's model.
- The watch is US FDA approved as a sleep apnea monitoring device.
- New features include measuring Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling enthusiasts and diabetes-related advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
Samsung's commitment to health monitoring is further demonstrated with the introduction of the Galaxy Ring. Retailing for $399.99, the smart ring comes in three colors – gold, silver and black – and features a titanium frame with 10ATM water resistance and an IP68 rating. It is designed to be slim and lightweight, measuring 7mm wide and 2.6mm thick, weighing between 2.3-3g depending on size.
The Galaxy Ring functions primarily as a health tracker, with an accelerometer, optical heart rate sensor, and skin temperature sensor. It can monitor sleep, heart rate, and activity, and introduces new metrics powered by Galaxy AI, including Energy Score and Health Tips. The ring has a 6-7 day battery life and comes with a unique transparent charging case that holds 1.5 times the charge.
Jack Leatham, industry analyst at Canalys, highlighted the importance of AI-powered health and fitness features in wearables, noting that it is “core to attracting brand-switching customers in the premium segment” and essential to differentiating Samsung from other smartwatch vendors.
The Galaxy Ring is only compatible with Android phones running the Samsung Health app, and some features are exclusive to Galaxy phones. A standout feature for Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 users (soon to be available for the S24 too) is the ability to control your phone's camera or disarm an alarm by double-pinching the ring.
While the Galaxy Ring shows promise in hardware design and ecosystem integration, its success will ultimately depend on tracking accuracy and solid battery performance. Samsung's foray into the smart ring market, along with its enhanced features in foldable phones and smartwatches, demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation across the wearables and smartphone sectors.
The new product lineup, which includes flip phones, watches and rings, will be available in Korea, North America and Europe from July 24, marking a significant step in Samsung's strategy to innovate and compete in the high-end smartphone and wearables markets.
(Image courtesy of Samsung)
See also: EU investigates Microsoft-OpenAI, Google-Samsung AI deals
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