Samsung Unpacked, the company’s annual event, took place on Wednesday, August 10, and indeed, there was a lot to unpack. The company released two new versions of its popular Galaxy Z Flip and Fold phones, the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4, along with a new pair of true wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and its latest smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 5.
Here’s a rundown of the key things to know about each new product, all of which are available for pre-order starting August 10, 2022 and for purchase starting August 26, 2022 at samsung.com/ca, Samsung Experience Stores and various retail/carrier partners across Canada.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Now in its fourth generation, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 boasts upgraded camera features, a larger battery, and expanded customization options. Still maintaining a compact clamshell design, it can be partially folded in order to activate FlexCam and shoot hands-free video or capture larger group selfies at different angles. Thanks to the Samsung-Meta partnership, FlexCam is also optimized for popular social platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. You can take selfies right from the Cover Screen using Quick Shot or start a recording and switch to Flex mode to continue, hands-free, without having to stop the video in between. Naturally, it’s a feature that will appeal mainly to content creators and vloggers. In addition to capturing photos and videos right from the Cover Sceen, you can also make calls and reply to texts.
The camera itself offers a 65% brighter sensor powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform. The 3,700mAh battery, meanwhile, means the phone last longer and you can leverage Super-Fast charging to get the phone back up to half full in just 30 minutes.
Aesthetically, the phone has a slimmer hinge, straightened edges, and a contrasting hazed back glass and glossy metal frame and is IPX833 water resistant. Customize the look further using Galaxy Themes for both the Cover and main screens and create your own using new clock designs and backgrounds that include images, GIFs, and videos.
The Galaxy Z Flip4 comes in Bora Purple and Graphite as well as new colours Pink Gold and Blue. The 128GB model is $1,260, the 256GB version $1,330, and the 512GB one for $1,500. There’s also an expanded Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition, available in 256GB for $1,400, that comes in glass colours and frame options that provide 75 combinations from which to choose.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
Also seeing a fourth-generation revamp, the Samsung Galazy Z Fold includes a Flex mode as well, and is the first Samsung device to ship with Android 12L, a special version of Android created by Google for devices with larger screens, including foldable phones.
The phone includes a new Taskbar that provides a PC-like layout with access to favourite and most recently used apps. There are new swipe gestures, the ability to switch full-screen apps to pop-up windows, or even split the screen. In other words, it’a a multitasker’s dream.
For productivity, you’ll get access to Google apps, including Chrome and Gmail, with support for drag-and-drop for copying and pasting links, photos, and other content from one app to another. Use Google Meet, and, through a partnership with Microsoft, Office and Outlook as well. It also works with Samsung’s S Pen.
The Galaxy Z Fold4 has an upgraded 50MP wide lens and 30x Space Zoom lens and sports various camera modes, including the larger zoom activated on Capture View Mode, Dual Preview, and Rear Cam Selfie. It also has a 23% brighter sensor, and enhanced processing power for capturing clear images, even at night.
Equipped with a 7.6-inch main screen with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and less visible Under Display Camera (UDC), you can watch content hands free using Flex Mode or, for apps that aren’t optimized for this feature, use the new Flex Mode Touchpad to pause, rewind, and play videos, or zoom in and out of content while Flex mode is activated.
With the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform and hyper-fast 5G30, along with a slimmer hinge, lighter weight, and narrower bezels, the wider screen enables easier one-handed interactions while using the Cover Screen.
This version of the phone is also more durable with an Armor Aluminum frames and hinge cover along with exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the Cover Screen and rear glass.
Durability of the Main Screen panel is also enhanced, thanks to the optimized layer structure. The phone is also water resistant.
The Galaxy Z Fold4 and Standing Cover with Pen case comes in Graygreen, Moon Beige, and Phantom Black. The 256GB model is available for an MSRP of $2,270 and the 512GB model for $2,430.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless Earbuds
Samsung didn’t stop at phones, introducing a new pair of true wireless earbuds as well in its growing Galaxy line-up. The premium Galaxy Buds2 Pro are more compact in design, measuring 15% smaller than the previous generation buds, and with a more secure fit to prevent rotation, making them ideal for wearing during exercise and other fitness activities. They offer Hi-Fi 24-bit Audio, high dynamic range, and active noise cancellation (ANC). Auto Switch technology makes it easy to connect to a Galaxy device with the touch of a button and Samsung’s codec allows for music transfer without a pausing. The coaxial two-way speaker, meanwhile, helps make sounds richer.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro are available for $290 and come in Graphite, White, and Bora Purple.
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Series
The latest addition in Samsung’s growing smartwatch line is the new Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro, which come equipped with optical heart rate (PPG), electrical heart signal (ECG), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) sensors to deliver readings on critical data like heart rate, blood oxygen level, and stress. Additionally, you can track blood pressure and take an ECG test, right from your wrist.
The Watch5 Pro is the most durable smartwatch in the line-up, designed for active individuals and outdoor enthusiasts. Samsung says the Watch5 Series offers more accurate tracking of fitness and wellness metrics thanks to increased surface area and more direct contact with your wrist.
Developed in partnership with Google, the watches run on Wear OS Powered by Samsung and includes features like a Body Composition measurement tool for a snapshot of your overall health and wellness, and recovery data, including post-cardio heart rate and customized recommendations on water consumption based on sweat loss. Take advantage of GPX, available for the first time on a Galaxy Watch, and head out on a hike and record and share it with fellow trail-lovers on the Samsung Health app with Route Workout.
The sleep tracker in the Watch5 has been improved, offering Sleep Scores that monitor different stages of sleep along with snore detection, blood oxygen levels, and advanced Sleep Coaching, providing month-long guided programs.
There’s also an enhanced fall detection features that will notify an emergency contact if you or a loved one has stumbled or fallen out of bed.
With a 13% larger battery than the Watch 4 and eight hours of sleep tracking after just a quick eight-minute charge (30% faster than the Watch 4), it’s also the first smartwatch display from Samsung to feature a Sapphire Crystal harder outer layer.
In other features, you can use Google Assistant to do things like queue up a Spotify playlist. Speaking of music, there’s also access to new apps, including SoundCloud and Deezer. Soon, you’ll also be able to use Google Maps from your wrist without the need for a smartphone to be connected. One UI Watch 4.5, meanwhile, offers a better typing experience, makes it easier to make calls, and includes more accessibility features.
The Galaxy Watch5 comes with a rugged D-Buckle sport band and in new neutral colour options, with the large 44mm option available in Graphite, Sapphire, and Silver and the small 40mm option in Graphite, Pink Gold, and Silver, which features a Bora Purple strap that pairs perfectly with the Galaxy Z Flip4. The Galaxy Watch5 will start at $349 for the Bluetooth version and $419 for the LTE version.
For adventure seekers, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro will be available in Black Titanium and Gray Titanium, with a 45mm display, starting at $559 for the Bluetooth version and $629 for the LTE version.
Design your own watch by selecting the model, size, case colour and strap for up to 1,032 unique combinations in the Galaxy Watch5 Bespoke Studio on Samsung.com.
Samsung is offering a slew of promotional offers on all the new devices that includes savings on price for early pre-orders, bonus products, deals with trade-ins of eligible older-model devices, and bonus Samsung Care+ plans and deals on extended plans.