The state of apps on tablets and foldables on Android has left users with a lot to be desired. That said, with Android 12L and the upcoming Android 14, these app experiences are becoming easier to optimize. In fact, it wouldn’t be to farfetched to say that they’ve been one of – if not the main – focus of Google’s Android. One of the pioneering heroes of these experiences has been Samsung with their Galaxy Z series.
Samsung has been actively app optimization globally hand in hand with Google. It’s no different in Malaysia. Over the past few years, they have been actively collaborating with partners from various industries to create new and optimized app experiences when it comes to foldables – in particular for the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold smartphones.
Samsung and their pioneering cohort of partners showcased their apps and experiences for the first time this week. These partners include one of Malaysia’s banks, Ambank, global convenience store chain, FamilyMart, Malaysian telecommunications company, Maxis, Malaysian payment platform, Pay4U and Malaysian Coffee chain, ZUS Coffee. These partners have been developing and optimizing their app experiences in partnership with Samsung and Google.
Each of these apps take advantage of the unique form factors of the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold as well as the additional display real estate on the latter. Each experience advances the customer and user experience of the apps allowing these partners to deliver more meaningful for users and catered uniquely to the Malaysian public. These new, optimized apps are rolling out to the Google Play and Samsung Galaxy Stores.
It’s worth noting that these apps are just the beginning of Samsung’s efforts in Malaysia. The company has already begun working with new partners such as Malaysian cinema chains, Golden Screen Cinemas and TGV Cinemas; Gigi Coffee and Zapp. These partners are expecting to roll their optimized apps in the second half of 2023. They are open to working with even more partners. In the words of Luke Au, Head of Product Marketing, Mobile experience at Samsung Malaysia, “We are passionate about making mobile innovation relevant to consumers… We invite local organisations to be part of this industry collaboration and deliver better experiences to their customers.”
In addition, the company also announced an upcoming hackathon catered for students of local universities and institutions of higher learning to develop new, unique experiences for foldable devices. Stay tuned to techENT as we will share more details on the hackathon as they become available.
It would seem like the Galaxy Note needed to step aside to make way for the ultimate powerhouse productivity series. What exactly is it? The Galaxy Z Fold series of course. Samsung is packing even more features into its Galaxy Z Fold series to gear it up for even better productivity. The Galaxy Z Fold4 is a step in that direction.
The new Galaxy Z Fold4 doesn’t bring a lot of changes in terms of design. However, it brings updated specifications that make it more in line with Samsung’s flagship smartphones than ever before. Samsung has also made design optimisations which have resulted in thinner bezels and a slimmer hinge as well.
First Foldable with Android L-Based OneUI 4.1.1 with a Productivity Power-up
Under the hood, the Z Fold4 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. In addition to the capable processor and ample RAM and storage, the Galaxy Z Fold4 will be the first device to ship with OneUI 4.1.1 based on Android 12L. The new version of Android brings Android optimisations for large displays which include better app scaling, optimised display layouts and also performance optimisations.
Of course, Samsung has also added features to the mix which bring a new level of productivity. The new OneUI interface brings a Taskbar to the interface akin to the one you’re used to on your PCs. This taskbar will house your favourite and recent apps. It will allow you to switch between them with a single interaction. The Fold4 also brings new swipe gestures which allow you to multitask even easier. You’ll be able to resize full-screen apps into the windowed mode or split-screen mode with a single swipe.
In addition, Samsung has partnered with Google and Microsoft for better app compatibility. Google apps will have drag-and-drop functionality on the Fold4. You will be able to quickly drag and drop links, photos and more from one app to the other. Microsoft’s Office suite and Outlook will now also take full advantage of the foldable’s 7.6-inch QXGA and 6.2-inch HD+ displays. The apps have been optimised to take advantage of the foldable display. Increasing the amount of information shows accordingly.
The Fold4 also continues to support the S Pen. However, it doesn’t have a dedicated slot like the S22 Ultra. Samsung has opted to continue supporting S Pen stowage with dedicated accessories and a Fold Edition of the S Pen. The Fold4 will support both the updated S Pen and also previous editions of the S Pen.
Flagship Class Cameras with Nightography
Samsung is also infusing the Galaxy Z Fold4 with its flagship DNA. This includes the camera setup on the foldable. The Z Fold4 will have 30X Space Zoom this year which puts it on par with the Galaxy S22 and S22+.
The Fold4 will adopt a similar camera setup with a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor as the main sensor. This is complemented by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor and a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. This is essentially the same camera setup as the S22 and S22+ complete with Dual Pixel autofocus and optical image stabilization. On the front cover, there’s a 10-megapixel selfie camera while the main display continues to have a 4-megapixel under-display camera (UDC). Samsung claims that the UDC has been updated and functions better compared to the Fold3.
Of course, Samsung is also bringing all the bells and whistles which come with the camera setup. This includes Nightography.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Fold4 will be available in Gray Green, Beige and Phantom Black. It will be available off the shelf with 256GB and 512GB of storage for MYR6,799 and MYR7,299 respectively.
There is also an exclusive Burgundy colour which will be available only on Samsung’s official website as well as a 1TB version which will retail at MYR8,299.
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.
Get ready to unfold your world of greater experiences at #SamsungUnpacked, August 10, 2022, 9pm MYT.
Register your interest to be entitled to redeem a RM200 e-voucher upon pre-order of the Next Galaxy.* T&C apply.
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.
Source: Samsung
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:
With Samsung’s next Unpacked event around the corner, it’s time we looked at the rumours surrounding one of the devices we’re expecting to see – the Galaxy Z Fold 4. We rounded up the rumours surrounding the Flip 4 earlier this week, you can catch up on that here.
Source: Twitter (@Onleaks)
Unlike the Flip 4, there aren’t too many rumours surrounding the Z Fold 4. However, the first thing that has surfaced is a possible renaming of the lineup. It looks like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is getting a rename. Samsung will be streamlining the names and dropping the “Z”. So, moving forward, the Z Fold 4 will simply be the Galaxy Fold 4. While not official just yet, we hope it’s true. Dropping the “Z” simplifies the lineups and gives them both independent identities. Update (8/8/2022): A new leak shows that Samsung is likely keeping the Galaxy Z moniker.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock – A Story of Incremental Improvements
Samsung seems to be opting for a new tick-tock strategy when it comes to its smartphones. This year, we saw the Galaxy S and Galaxy A series retain nearly identical designs to their predecessors. That seems to be the case with the Galaxy Fold 4. Leaked renders from @evleaks and @Onleaks show the familiar design we saw with the Fold 3.
Source: Twitter (@UniverseIce)
That said, there are minor changes in the sizes of the smartphone that have been rumoured. Of note, it looks like the Galaxy Fold4 will be sporting a different aspect ratio compared to the Fold 3. Up front, on the cover display, the Fold 4 is rumoured to get a slightly wider and shorter panel with a 23:9 aspect ratio. Inside, the main display will be sporting a 6:5 aspect ratio. That said, it looks like the sizes of displays aren’t changing. The Fold 4 will continue to sport a 6.2-inch HD+ AMOLED display on the cover and a 7.6-inch main QXGA+ AMOLED display. Both are rumoured to retain the 120Hz refresh rate. It will come in a tad smaller with its dimensions at 155 x 130 x 7.1mm.
Powerpacked Internals
The Galaxy Fold4 is also tipped to continue being a full-on flagship. It will be coming with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. It looks like this is being complemented with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB of internal. Doesn’t look like the Fold 4 will support memory expansion via a microSD card. There are rumours that the phone may also have an option with 1TB of internal storage. However, there has been no corroboration so far – so we’d take this particular rumour with a grain of salt.
The phone is also tipped to be incorporating a slot for the S-Pen. However, the renders that have surfaced show otherwise. That said, Samsung upped production of S Pens back in April 2022 which could point to it being included in the box with a Fold 4.
It looks like Samsung may be upping the ante when it comes to the fingerprint scanner on the foldable. If the rumours check out, the Fold 4 will be coming with an under-display fingerprint sensor. But this won’t be a normal one, instead, it’s rumoured that the fingerprint sensor will be two-sided. That is to say that one side will be under the cover display and the other under the same place on the main display. However, from the leaked renders, Samsung may have decided against this.
Better Cameras, Same Battery
Together with the updated specifications of the Z Fold 4, it looks like Samsung is finally giving the foldable good cameras. It’s expected that the camera setup for the Z Fold 4 will continue to be a triple camera array. However, it’s getting a bump in the main sensor with a 50-megapixel main sensor. This will continue to be complemented byh a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor. The latter is getting a bump from 2x to 3x this year. The underdisplay shooter is expected to make a return on the inner screen. It’s rumoured that this will be a 16-megapixel sensor. The cover display, on the other hand, is getting a 10-megapixel one.
Together with better cameras, the Z Fold 4 is also getting better protection with the rumoured inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus+. However, when it comes to battery, it seems like we may bee gettingthe same 4,400mAh battery we saw last year. It also looks like the Fold 4 will be giving Samsung’s 45W charging a pass and sticking to the standard 25W charging.
Pricing & Availability
We’re expecting the prices of foldables to get more affordable this year. This could very well be spearheaded by the price point of the Z Fold 4 if rumours are true. Last year, the Fold 3 came in at USD$1,799 a USD$200 price drop from the previous year. This trend may just continue this year especially with rumours pointing to a price drop on b othe the Fold and the Flip.
Source: 91mobiles.com
Source: 91mobiles.com
Source: 91mobiles.com
Samsung has already been offering a an MYR200 voucher if you tune in to their website if you pre-register for a pre-order. The money can be used to redeem a discount on your purchase of their foldable smartphone. Since, this is the case, we expect that pre-orders will begin in select regions immediately after the Unpacked announcement. Given previous announcements and pre-orders, we’re comfortable assuming that Malaysia will be among the first regions to have pre-orders available. We’re expecting availability on the last week of August 2022.
