It seems Samsung might have accidentally jumped the gun on the official announcement of the Galaxy A16 5G. While there hasn’t been a formal unveiling yet, details about the phone have surfaced on the Samsung Netherlands website. This budget-friendly smartphone boasts 5G connectivity and promises a lengthy software support commitment, making it an interesting option for those seeking an affordable phone with future-proof features.
The information reveals a phone equipped with an Exynos 1330 in Europe. It’s expected that other regions including Southeast Asia may receive a version with a MediaTek processor (specific model not confirmed yet). The processor seems to be paired with 4GB of RAM. Storage options include 128GB, expandable via a microSD card slot for additional storage flexibility.
The display of the Galaxy A16 5G is a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution, offering a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Whether you’re watching videos, browsing the web, or gaming, the A16 5G promises crisp visuals.
The camera department features a triple-lens setup on the back. The main sensor is a 50MP shooter, accompanied by a 5MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro lens for capturing close-up details. On the front, a 13MP camera handles selfies and video calls.
Powering the A16 5G is a 5,000mAh battery, which should offer all-day usage on a single charge for most users. The phone also supports 25W fast charging, so you won’t have to wait long to get back up and running.
Samsung Outclasses Other Entry-Level Smartphones with 6 Years of Updates
One of the most exciting aspects of the Galaxy A16 5G is Samsung’s software support commitment. The phone is confirmed to receive six years of Android version updates, ensuring you have access to the latest features and security patches for years to come. This extended support goes beyond what many budget smartphones offer, making the A16 5G a compelling option for users who want to keep their phone for the long haul.
Pricing & Availability
While the official announcement and pricing haven’t been revealed yet, the Samsung Netherlands website suggests it will be available in Turquoise, Light grey and white. The Galaxy A16 5G is currently listed (at the time of writing) for €249 (approximately RM1,133) on the Netherlands and French Samsung websites.
Stay tuned for further details on the official launch and pricing of the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G!
Samsung is really going all in when it comes to Galaxy AI this year. The company’s focus seems to be carving a dedicated niche for Galaxy AI in its flagship Galaxy devices. That isn’t changing with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE or Fan Edition. The phone comes with what Samsung officially refers to as the “Full” Galaxy AI experience. If that’s anything to go by, we are about to see a lot more variation in the Galaxy AI experiences across the Galaxy devices.
So, what exactly comes under the hood with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE? This year, the company is striving for parity with the S24 series when it comes to internals. Of course, parity in this case doesn’t outdo the S24. That said, the S24 FE is coming with a slightly downclocked version of the Exynos 2400 called the Exynos 2400e. While it may seem that it may be an intentional handicap to the S24 FE, the smartphone is getting a larger vapour chamber than the S23 FE which will allow for better cooling and better performance. The S24 FE is also getting a major bump when it comes to the battery with a larger 4,700mAh battery. It will also have 8GB of RAM.
Display-wise, the new Fan Edition comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with support for HDR10+. It’s also coming with the same camera setup as the S24 and S24+. The S24 FE has a triple sensor setup for its main camera with a 50-megapixel wide sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor and an 8-megapixel telephoto sensor which supports 3x optical zoom. Up front is a 10-megapixel selfie camera. Together with the hardware, the S24 FE is also getting the same ProVisual engine that comes with the flagship S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra. This engine allows you to take the same quality Nightography pictures that have made previous Galaxy S series phones stand out. It also supports Super HDR.
The phone also still supports fast charging at 25W. Samsung is touting that you’ll be able to get a 50% charge in 30 minutes of charging. It also supports wireless power share and fast wireless charging
A Fan Edition with the Full Suite of Galaxy AI
While the Galaxy S24 FE is the more affordable edition of this year’s Galaxy flagship, Samsung is not cutting any corners with Galaxy AI. In fact, they’re touting that this phone will have the “FULL” Galaxy AI experience. What this means is that features that we’ve seen in other Galaxy Flagships like the Galaxy S24 series and the Galaxy Z series will be coming in all its AI glory to the S24 FE.
You’ll be able to use features like Circle to Search, Voice to text transcription and even Live translate on the Galaxy S24 FE. All these features and more will be available on the S24 FE with One UI 6.1 at launch. That said, it seems like Galaxy AI will be coming to other smartphones in a more limited capacity later on with how Samsung is presenting this smartphone.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy S24 FE will be available in Mint, Grey, Graphite and Blue at launch. It will be available in 2 variations in Malaysia based on its internal storage. The 256GB version of the FE will be retailing for RM3,299 while the 512GB version will be retailing for RM3,899.
Internationally, the Galaxy S24 FE will retail for USD$649.99 for the 128GB version and USD$709.99 for the 256GB version.
As Foldable smartphones become more mainstream, we see brands push to stand out from the crowd with everything but the kitchen sink. Large cover displays, even larger cover displays, interactive cover screens, and even fully interactive home screens built for flip phones. Each one seems to be “better” than the rest.
So how’s Samsung looking to separate itself from the pack? Well, it seems like this year, it’s all about Galaxy AI. Samsung’s approach to integrating generative AI experiences is what stands out, but is that enough to justify the increased price point? We’re looking to answer that with our in-depth review of the Galaxy Z Flip6.
Design
Samsung’s latest approach to flip phones isn’t turning its tried and true form factor on its head in any way. In fact, the company is doubling down on the design cues it introduced with the Z Flip5 and is using them to bring even more software features that make the experience more refined. Let’s start off with the cover screen – the surface we’re sure you’ll be interacting with the most. It’s the same design as last year’s Flip5, with the same folder-esque design that allows a sneak peek into your smartphone. However, Samsung has brought some, more thoughtful experiences to the cover screen allowing you to access more with one screen and reduce swiping between panels. We’ll cover this more extensively in the software portion of the review.
The biggest difference you may notice from the get-go is the slimmer form factor of the Galaxy Flip6. While there’s no change in the actual measurements, Samsung’s new design approach has definitely given the appearance of the phone itself being slimmer and easier to manoeuvre in one hand. There’s more traction when you grip the phone and it feels – somehow – more ergonomic. This is largely due to the more angular design of the phone overall; something we saw even with the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year.
That said, the best improvement comes in the improvements that come with the hinge. While outwardly there doesn’t seem to be much in terms of visual updates. Samsung has updated the hinge mechanism to be more efficient and have a simpler design. This has translated into a phone that is a lot lighter than its predecessor. Not only that, the crease which has become the one pain point in any foldable smartphone is less apparent even after prolonged use over 2-3 weeks. While it is visible at some angles, there is less of a palpable dip where the crease is.
Lastly, when it comes to design, I, personally am in love with the new colour offerings from Samsung. The new more muted pastel colours are definitely more aesthetic and fitting for the Flip line which has become Samsung’s “express yourself” foldable. My personal favourite at the time of writing is the Blue and Mint. However, the crafted black is a close second to these. The introduction of the more masculine “Crafted Black” is also a plus for the Z Flip6.
Hardware
Samsung isn’t just showing some change in the design aesthetics of the Z Flip6, it’s also bringing some much-needed updates to the Flip’s hardware giving it more versatility and power under the hood. These improvements don’t necessarily revolutionize the user experience much, but some of them do impact the features and the user experience.
Samsung’s One UI interface has unified the user experience across devices – more or less. The near-homogenous experience is not a bad thing as users coming from a standard smartphone have less of a hurdle adapting to the new smartphone. However, the unified UI appearance also hides the many improvements that Samsung has made on a software level when it comes to One UI.
Let’s start off with the accessibility upgrades that come with One UI 6.1.1 – this also applies to Samsung flagships like the S24 series. The notification shade of One UI 6.1.1 is more useful. The screen brightness slider is also equipped with quick toggles for dark mode and eye comfort when you open the full notification shade. On top of that, Samsung has updated the design to be cleaner and less cluttered overall. The quick toggles are stored within their own space. This has been made a little further from surrounding items and in a different shade for better visual separation. It also makes sure you know exactly how many quick toggles you have and allows you sort it the way you like it.
Aside from this, Samsung has been hard at work improving foldable device experiences when it comes to its UX. This started with Samsung’s version of Android 12L which optimised Android itself for better large screen experiences. With the Flip6, Samsung perfects these optimisations even more with new modes and ways to use the smartphone.
Of course, like all Flip devices in the past, you’re able to use the smartphone semi-folded with the lower screen becoming a touchpad in FlexMode. However, Samsung has made this feature even more useful when it comes to the camera app. For people like me who have shaky hands, you’ll be able to have a little better control with a more camcorder-like interface when you have the Flip6 semi-open. This will hopefully give you more stability but it also gives you easier access to all your camera settings easily when shooting.
In addition to this, One UI on the cover screen comes with a whole slew of new optimizations that allow you to make the Z Flip6 truly yours. The extensive customizability starts with the screen saver where you’ll be able to choose from a vast selection of wallpapers and set it up the way you want it. This also plays into Samsung’s Flipsuit cases which bring a new level of interactivity when it comes to personalization. That said, the biggest change is the useful addition of multiple widgets into one screen – something we’ll go into further detail in the multitasking section.
Performance
The performance of Samsung’s Flip series is now truly on par with Samsung’s other flagships in all aspects aside from the camera. This also includes the introduction of features that extend the user experience and tweaks that make the smartphone more efficient when it comes to battery life while squeezing every ounce of performance from the hardware.
Multitasking & Productivity
Multitasking and productivity have become a mainstay in any version of One UI. However, there haven’t been many features that have made the Flip a multitasking device until now – this is particularly true when it comes to the improvements on the cover display.
The interface on the cover display comes with a new mode which allows you to set up multiple widgets on a single tile. This has been one of the most impactful features of the Flip6. You’ll be able to set up to four compatible widgets on a cover screen tile. This allows you to get all of the information you need from things like Samsung Health at one go or set up a screen with quick widgets to use apps like recorder. This came in clutch for me on multiple occasions when I was doing interviews – it made things quick and efficient, to say the least.
In addition to this, the Galaxy Z Flip6 comes with the usual split-screen features that we’re used to seeing in any smartphone. This allows you to use two apps simultaneously when needed. Need more? The popup window will allow you one additional window. That said, these run-of-the-mill productivity features are just par for the course of any smartphone at this point.
Call Quality & Connectivity
The Flip6 has crisp call quality and a bevvy of connectivity options including 5G as we would expect from an industry leader like Samsung. The Z Flip6 that we got for review isn’t the usual one for the Malaysian market with dual SIM capabilities. However, you could use the eSIM capabilities of the smartphone to get the same result.
Being a flagship device, it comes as no surprise that the Z Flip6 comes with all the bells and whistles that you’d expect when it comes to connectivity. As mentioned, it comes with 5G support which gives you access to blazing fast speeds where available. In addition to this, you have WiFi 6e support (yes, tech enthusiasts it only has WiFi 6e and not WiFi 7; maybe next year?). This should give you enough speed over WiFi to download apps in the blink of an eye – aside from games, those may take several blinks. It also comes with Bluetooth 5.3 and LE support which is audio devices.
Speaking of audio devices, Bluetooth performance on the Flip6 is pretty good. You can high fidelity audio thanks to AptX and it translates when you use a good set of headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and HiFi audio streaming apps like TIDAL. There are hardly any signal drops or packet losses and the audio stream is still stable across 1 or 2 rooms.
Gaming
Gaming on the Galaxy Z Flip6 is a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong – the phone performs well – but my focus on making sure I don’t do irreversible damage to it detracts from the gaming experience.
Let’s be straight – there’s no two ways about it. The Flip6 has the insides to perform swimmingly when it comes to games. I mean, I did test it with games like Solo Levelling and Diablo Immortal. These games played well with literally no problems when it came to rendering and fluidity. That said, it did get a bit warm which is to be expected. Even on high-speed games like Need For Speed and Asphalt 8 there was little to no visual aberrations. In fact, on racing games, the phone felt cooler which is to be expected as games like Solo Levelling and Diablo Immortal have many items on the screen at once.
However, the gaming experience for me is affected by my own concerns about the hinge and damaging it. While the hinge is markedly improved from the Flip5, I still can’t get the feeling that if I’m a little too rough with the phone it will affect the hinge – especially since I’m holding it horizontally where it’s most vulnerable. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a concern exclusively with Z Flip6, as long as the hinge is vulnerable – it’s a concern. Ironically, the same hinge on the Fold6 doesn’t feel as vulnerable when you’re gaming on it. To be fair, this is not something that I would hold against the Flip6.
Battery Life
Battery life is where I would say the biggest improvements come for the Flip6 hardware. It’s gotten a small bump to 5,000mAh but this has translated to pretty significant improvements when it comes to user experience. In synthetic benchmarks, the battery life improvement was only about an hour or 2 at most which is insignificant.
However, when I was using the phone daily this translated to me needing to charge the phone every 1 and a half days. That’s right – 1.5 days – and I’m not talking about working hours. I literally charged the phone every other day. This was with me synching 7 email accounts excluding Gmail and using Instagram and other social media apps continually.
This is huge for people who work on the go as it also means you’re not screwed if you forget to charge your phone. What’s more with quick charging on the smartphone, it is easy to get 10-20% when commuting if you need the top-up.
Galaxy AI
I had to carve out a special section for Galaxy AI in this review simply because that seems to be the push that’s becoming mainstream. We all know Galaxy AI by now with the Galaxy S24 series pushing it and also the emphasis Samsung has placed on it in its promotional items. So, I thought it’d be best to see how these features affected my day to day with the Flip6.
The biggest Galaxy AI feature that I found myself using is the Object Eraser tool. I used this to remove a lot of unwanted items from my pictures to varying degrees of success. This was a welcomed tool when you have to get images for clients or even if something ruined your perfect shot for Social media. That said, other image tools like Sketch to image and even Portrait Studio are welcomed features but I didn’t find myself using them on a daily basis. They’re definitely fun but I didn’t find myself using them too often.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI also has a transcribe feature that came in handy. I found myself using it a lot to transcribe interview recordings. However, Galaxy AI was very hit or miss with the Malaysian accent. Hopefully, this improves with time. That said, Galaxy AI’s other translation features definitely came in handy. Things like live translate will definitely see a lot of use if you deal with people overseas a lot. I only found myself using it to translate WhatsApp chats with my friends from overseas to get my message across more easily in their languages.
Aside from that, Galaxy AI didn’t’ really impact my day-to-day use of the phone. However, that seems to be the place where Generative AI is when it comes to daily interactions and usage now. We’re still in the early days and I expect that these features will become more useful as we progress.
Display
The display of the Galaxy Z Flip6 is one we’re used to seeing in Samsung flagships – a flexible Dynamic AMOLED 2X. The Flip6 comes with an FHD+ resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display itself is a lot more robust and capable of vivid colours and deep blacks. However, like other AMOLED panels, the panel tends to oversaturate some colours like reds and oranges when pumped up to vivid settings. However, in its natural tone mode, it feels a little washed out. These are, however, issues that can be addressed through software updates later on. Samsung’s inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate is also a plus which brings buttery smooth and fluid animations and a little bit of an edge when it comes to games like PUBG Mobile.
The only thing that takes some getting used to when it comes to the display on the Flip5 is the aspect ratio. With most phones coming with a 16:9 aspect ratio, the 22:9 aspect ratio will seem a little weird at first. You will notice black bars on videos that you usually wouldn’t have any. However, these issues will take a backseat as you continue to use the device.
The FlexWindow or Cover display is the hallmark of this smartphone. The Super AMOLED panel in the FlexWindow does its job pretty well. It delivers high-quality images with good colour reproduction. You wont even realise that it only has a 60Hz refresh rate. However, I don’t think Samsung was prepared for users like me who end up using this display more than the main display. But for all the functions that are possible on the screen, it excels at delivering a near-perfect experience.
Cameras
The Galaxy Z Flip6 continues to come with a dual sensor setup when it comes to its main cameras. However, this year, the Flip6 comes with a larger 50-megapixel main sensor. This is a huge improvement when it comes to the number of megapixels in the main sensor, however, the impact isn’t as apparent when it comes to actual pictures. The main sensor is complemented with a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor that brings some versatility when it comes to shooting with the smartphone.
That said, the Galaxy Z Flip6’s overall performance when it comes to the camera isn’t bad by any means. It just falls short of what we expect from Samsung after seeing its prowess with the Galaxy S24 series. Where the Z Fold6 seems to be elevated to parity with the S24, the Flip6 is relegated to an awkward space that falls in between a Galaxy A series smartphone and Samsung’s flagships.
Let me break this down a little bit, the Galaxy Z Flip6 takes good, detailed pictures with one big caveat it needs to have the right lighting conditions. It struggles when it comes to less than ideal situations but it doesn’t fall flat. Take for instance one of the pictures in the carousel below – it was taken against a spotlight in the setup of the area we were in and the details are washed out. This was the same in low lighting. Mind you, this was taken with the front camera setup a 50MP + 12MP setup. That said, I can’t come down too hard on the Flip6 for this as it can be addressed with software updates.
However, aside from that, the main camera setup performs very well. Even indoors with downlights, the camera was able to produce good, detailed pictures. It helps that the algorithm in the camera seems to be able to uplift the final product without losing too much detail. The colours of the pictures are also pretty vibrant. The pictures look lively and the colours pop.
The 10-megapixel front-facing camera on the Flip6 was essentially relegated to video calls. While I did end up using it once or twice for selfies, I found myself defaulting to the Cover Screen to get a good, high-quality selfie with the main camera. Samsung’s new autoframe feature adds to this conundrum. I doubt I’m alone when it comes to this. It’s simply more convenient and produces a better picture.
The Galaxy Z Flip6 Gets More Substance with Productivity-focused Features and Galaxy AI but Isn’t Indomitable Yet
The Galaxy Z Flip6 is a great update to the lineup. It brings a lot of meaningful, sought-after improvements. Galaxy AI brings a lot more substance to a phone that was once thought to be very superficial. The same can be said about the updated specifications and supercharged performance optimisations. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting the Flip6 to gain my vote as a productivity device but it certainly has changed my tone after using it. I’ve never disliked the lineup but it never was a consideration for an upgrade. However, with the new trajectory that the Flip6, it’s definitely is becoming a big contender.
However, the Z Flip still falls in that weird in-between space of being a flagship by price but a little less when it comes to performance. I feel like Samsung is a step away from truly making the Z Flip a “wow’ device that we’ve come to crave from the brand. That said, if you’re looking for a fashionable upgrade to your smartphone with a good amount of features – you should consider the Galaxy Z Flip6. It’s also why the Z Flip6 is being awarded a Writer’s Choice Award from techENT.
Did you use Samsung’s Portrait Studio feature to capture stunning portraits? Here’s a chance to see your picture on a giant billboard AND win a cool prize!
Samsung Malaysia is running a unique contest called the “Made with Portrait Studio Reaction Campaign.” The campaign celebrates the artistic capabilities of the Portrait Studio feature and gives you a chance to win a Samsung Music Frame.
What is Portrait Studio?
Portrait Studio is a built-in feature on many Samsung Galaxy smartphones including the recently announced Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6 as part of the growing features of Galaxy AI. It utilizes AI technology to enhance your portraits, creating professional-looking photos with various lighting effects and background blur options.
What is the Samsung Music Frame?
The Samsung Music Frame is a stylish and innovative device that blends seamlessly into your home decor. It doubles as a digital photo frame and a music player. You can display your favourite pictures, including your Portrait Studio creations, and enjoy your music library with high-quality sound.
How to Join the Competition:
The contest is open to all residents of Malaysia. Here’s how you can participate:
Spot Your Portrait: Keep an eye out for Samsung billboards across major Malaysian cities. These billboards will showcase some of the best Portrait Studio pictures captured by Galaxy users.
React and Record: If you see your picture on a billboard, it’s time to capture your reaction! Record a video of your surprise, excitement, or simply how amazing your photo looks on the big screen.
Share on Social Media: Post your reaction video on Facebook, Instagram (Feed or Reels), Twitter (formerly known as X), or TikTok. Remember to tag @SamsungMalaysia and include the hashtags #MadewithPortraitStudio and #GalaxyAI. Make sure your social media profile is set to public so Samsung can see your entry.
The Prizes and Timeline:
The competition runs from August 9th, 2024, to September 8th, 2024. Three lucky winners will be chosen based on their creativity and engagement. Each winner will receive a Samsung Music Frame pre-loaded with their personalized Portrait Studio picture, valued at RM1,999. Winners will be announced on September 30th, 2024, and contacted via direct message on their social media platforms.
Blackmagic Design, one of the leading brands in professional video production equipment, has broadened the reach of its Blackmagic Camera app for Android. This update, released in July 2024, brings professional-grade mobile filmmaking capabilities to a wider range of users, including owners of the Google Pixel 6 series, Samsung Galaxy S21 and S22 lines, OnePlus 11 and 12 models, and Xiaomi 13 and 14 devices.
Source: BlackMagic Design
Previously, the Blackmagic Camera app was limited to a select few high-end smartphones, primarily Apple’s iPhone, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy flagships. This update brings more devices into the fold, allowing users better control of their smartphone cameras and expanding content creation horizons.
The Blackmagic Camera app transforms your smartphone into a powerful filmmaking tool. It goes beyond the limitations of native camera apps, offering features like:
Digital Film Profiles: Capture stunning visuals with professional-grade colour science, replicating the look of classic films.
RAW Recording: Record uncompressed video footage, offering maximum flexibility for colour grading and post-production adjustments.
Advanced Exposure Controls: Gain granular control over exposure with features like focus peaking, zebra stripes, and false colour monitoring.
Multiple Frame Rates: Choose from a variety of frame rates to achieve the desired visual effect, from smooth slow-motion to high-speed action sequences.
External Monitoring (via update): The latest update enables HDMI monitoring, allowing you to view your footage on a larger external display for more precise framing and focus control. (Availability may vary depending on the device)
Source: BlackMagic Design
This feature set empowers users to capture high-quality cinematic footage on their smartphones, previously achievable only with dedicated cameras.
The update expands beyond device compatibility. It introduces several new functionalities that enhance the overall user experience:
3D LUTs for Recording and Monitoring: Apply custom 3D LUTs (Look Up Tables) during recording and monitoring to achieve specific colour styles in real-time.
Pull Focus Transition Controls: Create smooth, cinematic focus transitions for a more polished look.
Blackmagic Cloud Integration: This update allows users to connect to Blackmagic Cloud for Organizations, facilitating collaboration and project sharing within teams.
These additions further elevate the app’s capabilities, providing users with greater creative control and streamlined workflows.
Samsung has expanded its wearable lineup with the introduction of the Galaxy Watch FE, a smartwatch designed to empower users of all fitness levels with advanced health monitoring technology. Building on the success of its predecessors, the FE (standing for “Fan Edition”) offers a compelling balance of features, design, and affordability.
The Galaxy Watch FE prioritizes user well-being with a suite of advanced health-tracking features. Samsung’s Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor takes centre stage, providing users with in-depth insights into their body composition. This includes measurements of body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, body water, and basal metabolic rate (BMR). This valuable data, combined with traditional features like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and step counting, allows users to gain a comprehensive understanding of their overall health and fitness levels.
The Galaxy Watch FE boasts a comfortable and stylish design, perfect for integrating into your daily routine. The lightweight aluminium frame ensures comfortable wear throughout the day, while the choice of three colour options – Black, Pink Gold, and Silver – allows users to express their personal style. The 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display offers excellent readability even under bright sunlight, showcasing workout metrics, notifications, and watch faces with vibrant clarity.
Powering the Galaxy Watch FE is Samsung’s Exynos W920 dual-core processor, paired with 1.5GB of RAM. This combination ensures a smooth and responsive user experience, allowing users to navigate the watch’s interface and access features seamlessly. Additionally, the device boasts 16GB of internal storage, providing enough space to store your favourite workout playlists directly on the watch, eliminating the need for your phone during exercise sessions.
The Galaxy Watch FE seamlessly integrates with your Samsung Galaxy smartphone for enhanced functionality. Users can receive and manage notifications, make and receive calls, and control music playback directly from their wrist. This level of connectivity ensures you stay informed and entertained without needing to reach for your phone every time.
Beyond functionality, the Galaxy Watch FE encourages active lifestyles with built-in workout programs and activity challenges. Whether you prefer running, cycling, swimming, or other fitness routines, the watch offers a variety of options to keep you engaged. Additionally, real-time feedback on your performance helps you stay on track and achieve your fitness goals.
The Galaxy Watch FE is built to withstand the demands of an active lifestyle. With a 5ATM water resistance rating, the watch can handle swimming, showering, or exercising in the rain with ease. Additionally, it boasts dust and shock resistance, ensuring it can handle everyday wear and tear without worry.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Watch FE is set for release in Malaysia on August 10th, 2024. The starting price for the Bluetooth variant is RM799.
Samsung teased its upcoming Extended Reality (XR) headset during the recent Galaxy Unpacked event. The device promises to be a major player in the burgeoning XR market, potentially going head-to-head with the likes of Apple’s Vision Pro and Play for Dream’s MR. It’s probably worth noting that this headset wouldn’t be Samsung’s first foray into AR and XR headsets – does anyone remember the Galaxy Gear?
As mentioned by TM Roh, the President of Samsung’s MX division, at Unpacked, the company is collaborating with Google on the software side, leveraging Google’s expertise to create a seamless and immersive user experience. This partnership hints at an Android-based XR platform, potentially offering a familiar and user-friendly interface for Android users.
Samsung has been tight-lipped about the headset’s technical specifications and design. However, based on industry rumours, we can expect a powerful processor capable of handling the demanding graphics required for a truly immersive XR experience. The headset might also feature high-resolution displays and advanced tracking technology for precise hand and eye movements within the virtual world.
While a consumer launch seems slated for March 2025, Samsung is planning a developer release much sooner. An early version of the headset, codenamed “Moohan”, is expected to be available to developers by October 2024. This allows developers to create and optimize content for the platform before the official consumer launch, ensuring a robust library of games, applications, and experiences available from day one.
The developer release expected later this year will be a key indicator of the platform’s capabilities and potential. Until then, we’ll have to wait with bated breath for more details about Samsung’s foray into the world of Extended Reality.
Samsung is switching things up a little bit with the launch of not one – but two new entries into the Galaxy Buds lineup. The new Galaxy Buds3 series comes with updates and a total revamp of its design that will turn heads in more than one way.
The new Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro take very different approaches to audio catering to a wider group of people. The vanilla Galaxy Buds3 isn’t Samsung’s typical earbuds – instead, Samsung has opted to make it a more open ear earbud. The Buds3 doesn’t come with the rubber tip that enters the ear canal, it rests right at the opening of the ear. The Buds3 Pro, on the other hand, continues the Galaxy Buds lineup of being in-ear earbuds complete with the rubber tip.
Both the Galaxy Buds come with a bid redesign. Samsung has ditched the old design language of the Galaxy Buds series and opted to have a stemmed design for the new Buds lineup. However, these stems aren’t just for show, they do have some thought put into the redesign – at least when it comes to the Pro. The stems on the Pro come with coloured LEDs on the side – called blade lights – which light up according to the music you’re listening to – a nice DND indicator if anything. However, aside from this, the stem also contains a mic and has pinch controls for easier control of your music.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro also comes with a 10mm dynamic driver with a planar tweeter that promises better sound quality. It also has dual amps and supports up to 24-bit audio. The regular Buds3 comes with a single 10mm dynamic driver without the planar tweeter. Both of the buds come with an IP57 rating and have about 7 hours of battery depending on whether noise cancelling is turned on.
Both the new entries have better voice isolation thanks to the stem. However, the Buds3 Pro comes with additional features like Siren Detect and Voice Detect. These features, as their names suggest, allow the buds to dynamically change settings when you’re talking or a siren goes off nearby. This will allow you to be more alert of your surroundings or allow you to converse.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro are now available for pre-order. Both are available in White and Silver colourways. The Galaxy Buds will be priced at USd$179.99 while the Buds3 Pro will be priced at USD$249.99.
In Malaysia, the vanilla Buds3 will be retailing at RM599 while the Buds3 Pro will be priced at RM999. Pre-orders are open now at official Samsung channels including the Samsung website. Pre-orders of the Galaxy Buds3 or Galaxy Buds3 Pro will come with a free case worth RM169.
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.
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Ring has sparked controversy surrounding potential patent infringement of health-tracking technology used by competitor Oura. While the official launch date for the Galaxy Ring remains undisclosed, recent legal actions by Samsung raise questions about the technological foundation of the new device.
In May 2024, Samsung reportedly filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to invalidate several patents held by Oura. These patents pertain to specific functions and design elements used in Oura’s health-tracking rings. The exact details of the patents in question have not been made public.
Source: Samsung
Samsung‘s legal action suggests that the Galaxy Ring may incorporate functionalities or design features similar to those protected by Oura’s patents. However, the specific nature of the potential infringement remains unclear without official confirmation from either company.
Oura has publicly acknowledged Samsung’s patent invalidation request. The company maintains confidence in the strength of its intellectual property and asserts its commitment to protecting its innovations. Oura has stated that it will “vigorously defend” its patents if necessary.
The outcome of this legal battle could have significant ramifications for the wearable health tracker market. If Samsung’s invalidation request is successful, it would pave the way for the Galaxy Ring’s release without concerns over patent infringement. Conversely, an Oura victory could potentially delay the Galaxy Ring’s launch or force design modifications to avoid patent violations.
Source: Samsung
The exact timeline for the USPTO’s decision on Samsung’s request is unknown. Additionally, the possibility of a settlement between the two companies cannot be ruled out. Therefore, the ultimate impact of this patent dispute on the Galaxy Ring’s release and market positioning remains to be seen.
While the legal battle unfolds, both Samsung and Oura are likely to focus on user experience in their respective health tracker rings. Consumers will be interested in features, accuracy of health data, battery life, comfort, and overall user experience when making purchasing decisions in this growing market segment.
The potential patent dispute between Samsung and Oura casts a shadow of uncertainty over the upcoming launch of the Galaxy Ring. The outcome of this legal battle will have a significant impact on the wearable health tracker market. However, regardless of the legal wrangling, both companies will likely prioritize user experience in their respective health tracker rings to win over consumers.
