Samsung has unveiled its latest flagship smartphones and wearables, emphasizing lighter, slimmer designs and enhanced AI features to appeal to premium consumers.
Facing growing competition in the foldable phone market, Samsung's share of foldable shipments fell from 81% in 2022 to 63% in 2023, per Canalys data, underscoring the significance of this launch.
Samsung's updated foldable lineup includes:
- Galaxy Z Fold 6: The lightest and slimmest in its series, with a wide screen, aimed at attracting new users.
- Galaxy Z Flip 6: Offers longer battery life, a higher resolution camera, and a new vapor chamber for better cooling, addressing customer feedback.
For the first time in three years, Samsung has raised prices due to rising material costs. The Z Flip 6 is now $1,099.99, and the Z Fold 6 starts at $1,899.99, each $100 more than last year's models.
Samsung also introduced new AI-powered features:
- Listening Mode: Simultaneous voice interpretation with Galaxy Buds.
- Google Collaboration: New AI search functions, including step-by-step solutions to math problems.
Enhancements to Galaxy Watch products include:
- 3-nanometer Chip: Triples booting and processing efficiencies.
- US FDA Approval: As a sleep apnea monitoring device.
- New Features: Measures functional threshold power (FTP) for cyclists and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) for diabetes.
Samsung's Galaxy Ring, priced at $399.99, is a new health tracker. Available in gold, silver, and black, it features a titanium frame, 10ATM water resistance, and an IP68 rating. It measures 7mm wide and 2.6mm thick, weighing between 2.3 and 3g depending on the size. Key features include:
- Sensors: Accelerometer, optical heart rate sensor, and skin temperature sensor.
- Monitoring: Sleep, heart rate, activity, and new AI-powered metrics like Energy Score and Wellness Tips.
- Battery Life: Lasts 6-7 days with a unique, transparent charging case holding 1.5 charges.
Industry analyst Jack Leathem highlights the importance of AI-powered health and fitness features in wearables, crucial for attracting premium segment switchers and differentiating Samsung from competitors.
The Galaxy Ring is compatible with Android phones running the Samsung Health app, with some features exclusive to Galaxy phones. For Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 users, it can control the phone's camera or dismiss alarms with a double pinch gesture, a feature soon available on the S24.
Samsung's new products, including foldable phones, watches, and the ring, will be available from July 24 in South Korea, North America, and Europe, marking a major step in their strategy to innovate and compete in the high-end markets.
