Samsung’s new foldables are getting a much needed update to reflect a new era spearheaded by Galaxy AI. The new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB of RAM. Both come with some meaningful updates that make them easier to use and more useful. The Z Fold6 is slimmer and sleeker than ever before with more powerful features that take Galaxy AI to the next level. The Flip6, on the other hand, takes self expression and customisation to the next level with more accessories.
Tag Archives: Galaxy Z Flip
Flip Out with the Galaxy Z Flip5 & Galaxy Z Fold5 in Flip Town!
Samsung is cooking up something in the vibrant Golden Triangle…and has unleashed Flip Town! From now until 31 August, visit Flip Town to try out the latest Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 before they hit the stores!
To start your Flip Town adventure, start at the Bukit Bintang crossing, where you’ll see six Galaxy Z Flip5 lifestyle visuals by local Malaysian artists. This will also be your opportunity to snap OOTDs while flipping the cityscapes around you for Instagram-worthy moments.
If you head on over to Optimist Coffee on Jalan Bukit Bintang, you can also take pictures with loan units of the phones at the selfie stations until 13 August . Don’t forget to claim your free stickers! There are also convex mirrors that will allow you to experiment with unique angles to make your photos pop. Samsung is also giving out free coffee when you follow the @GalaxySpaceMY page.
Next – this one’s for the BTS ARMY! Look out for the wall poster of BTS’s Jimin and strike your best poses next to the giant Galaxy Z Flip5 prop. Don’t miss out on visiting the Flip Town Experential Zone, where you can take photos with the wall poster of BTS’s Suga with the FlexCam. Snap more photos with loan phones at this pop-up station until 16 August for fresh, trendy shots next to Suga.
Stay connected with the Flip Town community by using the hashtags #GalaxyZFlip5, #GalaxyZFold5, #JoinTheFlipSide, #MYFlipTown. You can also follow @GalaxySpaceMY and @samsungmalaysia for updates.
If you’re itching to own the Galaxy Z Fold5 or Galaxy Z Flip5, pre-orders are now available until 17 August 2023. Visit the Samsung website to learn more.
The New Galaxy Z Flip5 Debuts with FlexWindow and a Gapless Hinge
Samsung’s foldable devices were one of the first devices to make it on the scene. This year, the company is working on refining the smartphone experience with new software enhancements and features as well as fine-tuning the design with meaningful updates. The new Galaxy Z Flip5 is leading the charge with an even bigger cover display – now known as the FlexWindow and a refined hinge.
The cover display of the Galaxy Z Flip5 has been supersized and replaced with a 3.4-inch display which covers the whole top cover of the smartphone. The new FlexWindow comes with a totally revamped experience with more functional widgets and a whole new user experience. Like its predecessors, the FlexWindow will still support features like using it for epic selfies with FlexCam and glancing notifications. Using gestures, you’ll be able to access features like Samsung Wallet to access IDs, boarding passes and payment cards as well as widgets from your favourite apps.
The second biggest change is the hinge that the Galaxy Z Flip5 uses. Samsung has reduced the number of moving parts in the new Flex hinge. This has not only reduced the thickness of the Flip5 by about 2mm but has also eliminated the gap on the smartphone when closed. Yes – there is no gap in the hinge when closed.
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip5 comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. This is complemented by up to 512GB of internal storage and up to 12GB of RAM. The Z Flip5 comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The cover display is a Super AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate.
The main camera of the Flip5 is a dual camera setup with a 12-megapixel wide sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. On the front, is a 10-megapixel selfie camera. The new foldable’s cameras come with Nightography which Samsung has been pushing with their flagship Galaxy S23 series and Galaxy A series. It also comes with auto-framing to help enhance the hands-free camera experience with Flex Mode.
This year’s Galaxy Z Flip5 will also be foregoing the BESPOKE edition we’ve come to expect from the Flip line up. Instead, Samsung is introducing the FlipSuit Case which allows you to customise your Flip5 without the hefty price of a new phone. All you have to do is pop on the case and use one of the NFC enabled plates and it will seamlessly synchronise your FlexWindow with the design of the case. Samsung informs us that there will be new designs and exclusive partnerships coming at a later date.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Z Flip5 will be available in Mint, Graphite, Lavender and Cream at launch. Additional colours like Yellow, Green, Gray and Blue are available exclusively on Samsung.com.
In Malaysia, the Flip5 will be retailing at MYR4,499 for the 256GB version and MYR4,999 for the 512GB version. Internationally, it will be available starting at USD$999.
Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 start today and end on August 17 2023. Pre-orders will be entitled to a free double storage upgrade worth MYR500 and up to 40% off purchase-with-purchase on Samsung accessories, Samsung Care+, Galaxy Tablets, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds series. If you pre-order from the Samsung Online Store, you’ll be able to get an e-voucher worth up to MYR600 on your next purchase.
During the pre-order period, trade-ins of older devices will be entitled to an additional rebate of up to MYR600 under the Enhanced Trade-in Program.
Samsung’s New Galaxy Z Flip4 Launches with BESPOKE Customization
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is arguably the most popular foldable smartphone series to date. With the introduction of the Z Flip3 last year, the smartphone saw an increased adoption worldwide. Even in Malaysia, the foldable has found its space in the hands of users.
The Galaxy Z Flip4 builds on the successes of the Flip3; making smaller, minute changes to optimise durability and use features. The smartphone has a smaller footprint thanks mostly to its slimmer hinge and bezels. Aside from that, it would seem like the smartphone is the exact same device from last year. However, the smaller bezels and hinge contribute to a better in-hand feel and a more immersive user experience.
Flagship Class Specifications
This year’s Z Flip4 also comes with a top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. Like previous entries into the Z Flip series, the Z Flip 4 will not be supporting additional memory with a microSD card.
When it comes to displays, the smartphone comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz Adaptive refresh rate. The Infinity Flex Display comes with an FHD+ resolution of 2640×1080 pixels in a 22:9 aspect ratio. On the front cover, the display is a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED Display with a 260×512 pixel display.
On the camera front, the Galaxy Z Flip4 comes with a dual camera setup for its main shooter. This comes with a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for its main sensor. This sensor has an f/1.8 aperture, 83˚ field of view and a 1.8μm pixel size. It is also equipped with Dual Pixel autofocus and optical image stabilization. This is complemented by a 12-megapixel Ultrawide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, 123˚ field of view and a 1.8μm pixel size. On the front is a 10-megapixel Selfie camera with an f2.4, 1.22μm pixel size and an 80˚ field of view.
The smartphone runs on a 3,700mAh battery which supports 25W super fast charging. Samsung is touting a 50% charge in 30 minutes. It also supports Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless Power Share. Similar to the Galaxy Z Fold4, the Z Flip4 comes with IPX8 water and dust resistance and has Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.
Software and Features That Up the Ante
Of course, when it comes to the Z Flip4, it cannot only be about the specifications. Samsung has baked in a whole lot of features into the software this time around. Many of these features made their debut with the Galaxy S22 series and continue to be included in the Z Flip4’s OneUI 4.1.1.
One such feature is Nightography. The feature, powered by Galaxy AI brings a whole new meaning to night photography on Samsung devices. It allows stunning photos to be taken in dark, low-light situations. Galaxy AI takes multiple exposures and composites them into a stunning final image.
Together with that hallmark camera feature, the Galaxy Z Flip4 is also introducing FlexCam. FlexCam allows users to use the camera in multiple different orientations and angles thanks to the hinge of the Z Flip4. In addition, users are also able to hold the smartphone like a handicam for better angles and control while shooting. It also allows you to take photos and videos hands-free.
Personalise Your Own BESPOKE Edition Galaxy Z Flip4
After what looks to be a successful staged introduction of their BESPOKE edition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 will launch with BESPOKE customisation in select countries. For the first time, it will be available in Malaysia as well.
The Galaxy Z Flip4 BESPOKE Edition will offer custom designs of the smartphone. Users will be able to choose from a selection of glass backs, fronts and frame options. Users will be able to choose from Black, Silver, or Gold frames and Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki or Red face and back plates depending on your region. There are a total of 75 combinations available for the BESPOKE Edition.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Z Flip4 will be available in four colours off the shelf: Bora Purple, Blue, Pink Gold and Graphite. Users will be able to t choose between 128GB, 256GB and 512GB versions. The BESPOKE Edition will only be available in 256GB. Prices are as follows:
| Model | RRP |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 (128GB) | RM4,099 |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 (256GB) | RM4,399 |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 (512GB) | RM4,899 |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition[1] (256GB) | RM4,599 |
[1] Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition is exclusively available on samsung.com/my
Samsung’s Offering MYR200 off Your Purchase of the Galaxy Z series
Samsung’s next Unpacked event is around the corner. The company is looking poised to reveal a whole new slate of devices that will be pushing their Galaxy Ecosystem forward. It looks like there will be three hero devices: the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and the Galaxy Watch 5 that will be gracing the event.
We’ve recapped all the details we know to date in our rumour round-up articles. The Fold4 looks to be leading the pack with S-Pen compatibility, a larger screen and more user-friendly dimensions. The new foldable also looks to be packing a few firsts for the company and aesthetic changes that will undoubtedly make it a winner for Samsung’s new generation of foldable.
Together with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung will also be introducing its follow-up to the popular Z Flip 3 – the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The new Flip 4 looks to be coming with some tech updates. More importantly, the smartphone’s aesthetics are getting a minor update which will bring even more functionality. In addition, we’re looking to see where Samsung takes their BESPOKE edition this year. Last year’s introduction saw an unprecedented level of self-expression and customizability.
The Galaxy ecosystem wouldn’t be complete without a device focused on health. That’s wear where the new Galaxy Watch 5 fits in. The previous Galaxy Watch 4 saw Samsung adopt Google’s Wear OS as its OneUI Watch. This time, we’re excited to see where Samsung takes the Watch’s functionality and how it adapts Wear OS even further.
That aside, it looks like Samsung is getting things ready for a big bang. In addition to teasing like there’s no tomorrow, they’re also touting a whole new level of self-expression. That comes in addition to the MYR200 e-voucher they are offering to those who sign up at their Unpacked website for the latest info. This voucher can be used for the pre-order after the Unpacked Event.
Since you’re reading this, it’s no surprise that you’re excited to catch the action first-hand. Well, you can watch the Unpacked Event on August 10, 2022, at 9 pm (Malaysian Time) at:
Samsung is Back in Fast Charging Game
Other than the whole high-resolution camera fad, there is also the fast-charging fad. While smartphone camera technology has started to reach its peak, manufacturers started finding gains elsewhere. They had to. That other thing is even faster chargers than before.
Manufacturers of modern smartphones understand the value of time. That is why fast charging technology is a big thing. They also understood that smartphone battery capacities will just get bigger as battery technology progresses. Fast charging technology ensures that your smartphone does not need to stay plugged in the entire day before you get going again. All of them wanted to ensure their smartphones are charging faster than before. All of them except for Samsung that is.
While every other manufacturer has started pushing their smartphones to charge at more than 40W, Samsung stuck with charging even their flagship at a maximum of 25W. You still get to charge your Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra in about two hours though. Still, even Lenovo allows your devices to charge at 120W speeds. That also means your devices charge to full in less than an hour.
Samsung might be changing their minds for the future of fast charging though. Samsung is planning to bring two new chargers to market. The first is a 65W power adapter they call Samsung Power Adapter Trio (EP-T6530). As per its codename, it charges at up to 65W on a single port, but it also splits its power to three ports if necessary. The second USB Type-C power will charge at 25W, while the third USB Type-A port can charge at up to 15W. Of course, you have to share the 65W if you plan to plug in more than one device.
Then there is the Samsung Type-C Power Adapter (EP-T4510). This one look more like the regular Samsung charger that you get from your Samsung box. It offers only a single USB Type-C port but charges at a maximum of 45W for super quick charges for your smartphone.
Speculations around Samsung’s upcoming release of these chargers’ points to an even faster charging Samsung Galaxy S22 device. The 65W charger also points to a possible Samsung Chromebook or more Windows Laptops coming our way. None of the current Samsung devices charge at 45W, let alone 65W. Currently, everything is just speculations until Samsung reveals them next year though.
Samsung Flips For Style with the Galaxy Z Flip3
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip was always a looker when it comes to smartphones. The foldable was a vibrant, striking clamshell that focused on looks rather than raw power. The Galaxy Z Flip3 inherits that blatant rambunctiousness and ups the ante when it comes to performance. Once again focusing on style, the device is sleeker and more compact than ever.
The Galaxy Z Flip3 improves on some of the pain points of the Flip. In particular, Samsung has supersized the cover screen making it more useful. The screen is also hidden behind a black accent which adds to the style and attitude of the Z Flip3. The cover screen is now a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display. The main screen is a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 22:9 aspect ratio. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Z Flip3 is more power-packed than its predecessor. It comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 mobile platform. The 5nm processor promises a more powerful and efficient experience when it comes to the user experience of the device. This paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage should be enough power to get you through the day. It is definitely bolstered by the 3,300mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging.
It also comes with 5G support on both Sub6 and mmWave spectra. This is complemented by LTE, WiFi 6, GPS and Bluetooth connectivity. The Flip3 also has baked in eSIM support. The cameras on the Z Flip3 are dual 12-megapixel sensors; a dual pixel wide-angle sensor with support for OIS and an ultra-wide-angle sensor. On the front is a 10-megapixel selfie camera for all your selfie needs.
Of course, like the Fold3, the Galaxy Flip3 also comes with enhancements to the software experience. Samsung optimised apps to allow them better functionality on the foldable display of the smartphone. These optimisations have also been implemented in a number of partner apps.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Flip3 will be available in Cream, Green, Lavender, and Phantom Black. Gray, White, Pink colour options will be available exclusively from Samsung.com. It will be priced from USD$999.99*.
The Galaxy Flip3 will be available for pre-order starting on 11 August 2021 in select regions. Retail availability will begin on 27 August 2021. Pre-orders of the Flip3 are entitled to a year of Samsung Care+ protection which covers accidental damage including water damage, screen replacement and back cover replacement. A special Thom Browne limited edition will also be available for pre-order at the same time.
Official Specfications
*USD to MYR conversions taken from xe.com at the rate of USD$1= MYR4.23955 on 12 August 2021 at 1am.
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2021 Event is Happening Tonight! What is Unfolding?
Samsung’s biggest Unpacked event for the year 2021 is happening tonight (11th August 2021). We say tonight because we are in Malaysia at +0800 GMT and the event will go live at 10.00 p.m. local time. It is also one of the most exciting Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event for a few reasons.
1. No Notes
Samsung has made a name for itself in the innovation industry. They introduced their Galaxy line-up 10 years ago with the first Samsung Galaxy S that went on the be one of the best-selling, if not the best-selling smartphone in its day. It showed what and Android smartphone is capable of in the hands of an experienced mobile phone manufacturer. It propelled Samsung into the limelight of modern smartphone world too.
A year later they introduced a smartphone that was heavily criticized by pundits around the world. It was a humungous device that comes with an accessory that was thought to be dead, or rather old fashioned. The first Samsung Galaxy Note was not received very well at all initially (I liked the idea though). But the Galaxy Note line-up was later known as one of the devices that really defined Samsung as a smartphone brand and sealed its hold of the Android smartphone market.
Sadly, we are not going to be getting any new Samsung Galaxy Note devices this year. As per Samsung’s reports from the end of 2020 and early 2021, the Samsung Galaxy Note series will be laid to rest and will be discontinued. There are still rumours surfacing around a final Samsung Galaxy Note device coming in 2022, but we are not entirely hopeful. This is the first time as well in 10 years that Samsung is not launching a Samsung Galaxy Note device for the year.
2. Folding and Flipping into the Future
While we may not be getting Samsung’s behemoth of the Galaxy Note, they are replacing the line-up with two larger than life devices though. They are replacing the Galaxy Note line-up with two foldable devices: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series. As with any one of Samsung’s innovative devices, these two series have had their fair share of hardships and critics.
While most of the flaws of the first product was sort of corrected when Samsung launched their Galaxy Z Flip device in the same year, its price point is still higher than any flagship device that came before. It was not as stacked, in terms of specifications, as the other flagships around it too. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 last year fixed even more of the Galaxy Fold’s flaw, but it was still the most expensive mass-produced smartphone you can get in 2020.
Thing is Samsung is betting its future in foldable devices. Since Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019, other smartphone manufacturers have started taking notice. Since then, Motorola made the new Razr with a foldable display, HUAWEI also made their foldable line-up (2020) to mimic the form factor of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, OnePlus teased a foldable device just today, and even OPPO is jumping to the bandwagon of a shapeshifting smartphone with rollable displays.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
There are still plenty of unknowns surrounding the new behemoth flagship that is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Like we pointed out, Samsung is betting on foldable devices. The S Pen feature remains a Samsung special though, as we saw on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
That same S Pen capability is touted to be coming to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold line-up too. It makes sense, since the device opens to a large form factor device that would mimic a tablet. Although we are not entirely sure if the S Pen storage is integrated within the body of the Z Fold 3.
The Z Fold 3 is expected to pack Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 5G System on a Chip (SoC). Although we would also like to see Samsung’s own Exynos SoC powering the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3; chances are, we are only going to be seeing a new Exynos chip in the coming year 2022 instead on the Samsung Galaxy S22, or whatever they decide to name the next device. The Snapdragon 888 5G SoC is considered the most powerful chip available for Android devices though, so it may not necessarily be a bad thing.
It will also come with up to 12GB of RAM, as we have seen on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Alongside the ample sized RAM is storage choices from 256GB onward to 512GB. It might make sense for Samsung to up the ante this time with 1TB storage though, since there will be no MicroSD support for the device.
Like the previous Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, there are two displays you can work with on the Z Fold 3, obviously. One is an external display that is supposed to measure at 6.2-inch covered by durable gorilla glass and producing a little more than 720p in terms of resolution. You get a 7.6-inch in display real estate that boasts a little more that QHD+ in resolution inside. Of course, each of the display gets their own punch hole cameras.
Like the older device too, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is supposed to come with a triple camera array that is reportedly packing three 12-megapixel sensors for different functions. This is not a device made for ultimate photography, so that is quite understandable.
In terms of battery, it seems like Samsung might have shrunk it a little bit. The previous Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 had a 4,500mAh battery. While it seems like it makes more sense to fit a similarly sized battery on the upcoming foldable, Samsung is looking to put a 4,400mAh battery to keep its weight down. It could also be an indication to an S Pen cargo hold.
There are also rumours pointing to multiple versions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, which also means there might be a more affordable option for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. That is good news if Samsung is planning to bet its future on the foldable devices.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
We are also expecting to see a certain clamshell device to make the event tonight. It is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip we saw in 2019 too. Instead of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2, they jumped straight into naming the upcoming device the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. As we have discussed in our podcast, it could be because Samsung treated the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G as its second-generation model. It could also to simplify Samsung’s product range and their naming scheme.
More recent leaks show that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 device will be more of lifestyle-centric device. It is supposed to come in more colours than before with a more industrial and minimalistic design language. Apparently also, the device is supposed to come with a larger and more functional external display compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip’s.
Of course, the Z Flip 3 will still command a reasonably premium pricing. You are still getting Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 5G platform. You are also supposed to be getting up to 8GB in RAM and 256GB in storage.
You should get a similarly sized internal display at 6.7-inch that boasts Full HD+ resolutions with up to 120Hz in refresh rate. We do not expect the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 to come with S Pen capabilities though. Because the device is supposed to be more pocketable than the Z Fold 3, it will come with a rather small 3,300mAh battery and also two cameras on the outside rather than the three you get on the Z Fold 3.
3. New Wear OS in the form of One UI for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch Active 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is supposed to be coming, and for the first time ever, it does not come with Samsung’s own Tizen OS for the Galaxy Watch. It is also the first smartwatch to come with Google’s brand-new Wear OS 3, albeit in a Samsung Galaxy flavour.
Samsung calls the new UI the One UI. They have also confirmed that One UI is based on Google’s latest Wear OS 3. It is also the culmination of Samsung and Google’s partnership to creating a unified Android smartwatch ecosystem. In some sense, it is Google’s attempt to not just improve Wear OS, it is Google finally taking wearable devices seriously.
Wear OS 3 is touted to come with a slew of improvements not just on its own functions. With Samsung’s input from the success of their Tizen OS for wearable series, there are new functions that are integrated into Wear OS as well. At the same time, Samsung and Google Both benefit from an expansion in terms of developer base.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 series is supposed to come with Samsung’s very own Exynos SoC with 5nm process. That also means that it should be Samsung’s most powerful smartwatch so far. At the same time, the new SoC is supposed to allow for a longer lasting battery alongside Wear OS 3.
Reportedly, there are supposed to be more sensors withing the watch for even more accurate health tracking with even more data that can be collected. One such sensor is supposed to be able to detect your blood sugar level.
In term of design though, we are expecting the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series, including its Active counterpart, to come in similar design languages as before. The rotating bezel that acts as a navigation tool should also make a comeback in the Watch 4 series. Of course, the two physical buttons will not be going away anytime soon.
There are supposed to be three sizes that users can choose from in the range. There will be a 42mm, a 44mm, and 46mm watch sizes that should fit a larger variety of users and preferences instead of the two 42mm and 46mm choices from before. All of them comes with 20mm lugs though, for standardisation purposes. They are also supposed to come in either aluminium or stainless-steel build material choices. Either builds will still be 5ATM water resistant and MIL-STC-810G certified though.
4. One UI 4.0 on Android 12
Android 12 has been on beta testing mode for a while now. Google is expecting the first Android 12 devices to be rolling out in September 2021 onward. They are even updating their Google Pixel devices in about the same time frame, which also means we can expect Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 to come with Android 12 with their very own iconic One UI 4.0 flavour.
One UI, if you are not yet familiar with it, is Samsung’s custom skin on top on Android. While One UI started out its early life as TouchWiz UI, the new One UI design language has been dialed back from TouchWiz UX that technically existed since the first Samsung Galaxy S. One UI, while sort of retains some of the old charm from TouchWiz UX, is a completely different beast of an overlay though.
It cleans up the UX to the point that it is near barebones on top of Android. Of course, to ensure that Android on Samsung Galaxy devices takes full advantage of what Samsung’s devices are capable of, One UI still has to add some functionalities to Android as well.
The look and feel of One UI, in the Android world at least, is one that is quite unique to Samsung though, and one of the most intuitive out there. Thanks to Samsung’s own optimisation as well, you cannot possibly think using a Samsung device without the power of One UI. It is especially true when you start working with devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy Note series.
One UI 4.0 though will focus on bringing the best out Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip capabilities. It will optimise Android to the odd display aspect ratio on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 for example. One UI 4.0 will also expand on the multitasking capabilities of Android 12 on the foldable devices, obviously.
Of course, One UI 4.0 does not only highlight the benefits of Samsung’s foldable devices. It will also embrace Android’s Material You design language. In that sense it should be even more customisable for its users. The amount of customisation should reflect very well on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. No two devices you pick up will be the same.
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds started out life as the Samsung IconX. The IconX also kickstarted the whole True Wireless earphones (TWS) industry on its own. It also put Samsung on a path to becoming a one stop shop for all things mobile and seamless integration for Android devices. It spawned the Samsung Galaxy Buds in 2019.
Since then, there has been many iterations that comes from the humble Samsung Galaxy Buds. While capturing completely different markets, the Samsung Galaxy Buds was often compared to its Apple competition, the AirPods. Since then, the TWS earphones market has grown tremendously too, in terms of market size, demand, and even technology.
The new Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is supposed to feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. It is also reportedly an improved ANC technology that came on Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro. In that sense, there are also more ANC controls on Samsung’s Wearable app too. The ANC is supposed to be capable of blocking out 98% of noise.
In its IPX7 rated body (supposedly) is a powerful 11mm driver and 6.5mm tweeter. It also houses a battery that sllows the Galaxy Buds 2 to last up to 5 hours from a single charge. Its case is supposed come with three extra charges to give it 20 hours of total battery life. We are also expecting Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 to connect to smartphones via Bluetooth 5.2.
All Will be Revealed Tonight at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021
Of course, everything we have written here is a collection of speculations and even hopes that Samsung addresses problems with their older devices. We are extremely excited about Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 with Google Wear OS for the first time. It is also the first time we are looking at Google Wear OS 3 with Samsung’s input.
Everything will be revealed and announced tonight at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 though. Of course, due to the current pandemic situation, Samsung will not be holding a LIVE physical event. Instead, they will be holding the global press conference online. You can watch Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event LIVE on YouTube. We are also including the stream link here, so that you can just watch the announcement here.
Tech & Tonic Podcast S02E08 – Do Foldable Smartphones and Tablets Make More Sense in 2021?
Oops, we mentioned Episode 6 in the podcast!
In truth, there has been plenty happening in the past two weeks, and that is why there was an extra week gap between Episode 7 and Episode 8. Still, we open the week with a leak and rumours from Samsung’s camp. There is a certain foldable tablet that is in the works in their labs. At the same time, the prices of their foldable devices have dropped quite significantly. In that case, does it make sense for you to consider getting a foldable smartphone for 2021? Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 make more sense now that it is priced at only MYR 6,999, a whole MYR 1,000 less than before? What about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip that is now MYR 3,999? Should you bet your money on other folding devices even (save for laptops)?
We discuss this and more on this episode of Tech & Tonic Podcast.
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Gets 128GB Version in Malaysia
A month after the introduction of their new flagship series: the Galaxy S21, Samsung is adding new options to their lineup. The Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra are getting an additional 128GB version on top of the 256GB and 512GB version already in the market. The new variants also come with lower prices starting at MYR3,499 (USD$865.67) for the Galaxy S21.
The new variants lower the barrier of ownership for the series. Bringing the S21 to a palatable price. However, keep in mind that the new S21 series doesn’t come with a microSD card slot; this means you’ll be stuck with only 128GB of memory. However, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be needing more. The new variants keep the RAM spec of the base models. The S21 and the S21+ will have 8GB of RAM while the S21 Ultra will have 12GB of RAM.
Purchases of the Galaxy S21 series will come with a few freebies including the Galaxy SmartTag, the Galaxy Fit2, and the Wireless Charger Trio during the introductory period. These freebies come with the purchase of any S21 series variant.
The introduction of the new variants comes after Samsung revised the pricing for their Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy S20 FE smartphones. The smartphones get a pretty significant repricing with the Galaxy Z Flip getting over MYR1,000 in reduction. It is now available at MYR3,999 (USD$989.28) from the original MYR5,888 (USD$1456.58). The Galaxy S20 FE gets an MYR400 reduction for both the 5G and 4G LTE variants. Their prices are now reduced to MYR2,999 and MYR2,299 respectively.
Pricing & Availability
The smartphones are currently available in the market.
| Model | Price (MYR) |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip | 3,999 |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 FE | 2,299 |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | 2,999 |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 (128GB) | 3,499 |
| Samsung Galaxy S21+ (128GB) | 3,999 |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (128GB) | 4,999 |