Samsung’s Bespoke brand was initially announced earlier this year for customised home appliances that blended in your decor. It looks like Samsung’s Bespoke branding is now making it to its mobile devices. The first to get it? The Galaxy Z Flip3! Yep – Samsung’s compact foldable just got a little bit more interesting with a level of personalization we’ve never seen in Samsung smartphones before.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition
The Galaxy Z Flip3 is already one of the more interesting devices available in the market right now. In fact, it’s also one with the widest range of colours available at launch. However, Samsung is also looking to make it one of the most personable devices with a selection of 49 possible colour combinations with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition. It also lines up perfectly with the company’s initial push to make the Flip3 a smartphone for self-expression.
Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from a selection of five available colours for the panels of their Flip3: Blue, Yellow, Pink, White and Black. In addition, you will also be able to choose your frame colour from the available Silver and Black. You will be able to choose colours for your front and back colours independently allowing you to mix and match the colours as you like.
Source: Samsung
Customization and personalization don’t end there. Samsung is also introducing the Samsung Bespoke Upgrade Care. The new care plan allows Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition users to change their smartphone colours to match their style over the course of a year. That said, the plan does not allow you to change your frame colour – for obvious reasons. There is also an additional charge for changing colours.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Edition
In addition to the Flip3, the Galaxy Watch4 is also getting a Bespoke edition. Similar to the Flip3, you will be able to customise your Galaxy Watch4 in more ways than ever before. Using Samsung’s Bespoke Studio, you will be able to choose from multiple watch bodies, watch faces and straps. You will also get access to some unique, limited edition straps that will be exclusively available on the Bespoke Studio.
Availability
The Bespoke Editions of the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Watch4 will be available exclusively via Samsung.com. It will be available in Korea, the US, the UK, Germany, France, Canada and Australia starting October 20th.
Samsung’s flagship lineups are being bolstered in Malaysia with the official launch of the Galaxy Z series and the Tab S7 FE. The company’s third-generation of foldable smartphones is finally becoming commercially available alongside the more affordable Galaxy Tab S7 FE in Malaysia.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 Arrive in Malaysia
Spearheading Samsung’s new lineup of devices is the two third-generation foldable smartphones: the Galaxy Z Flip3 and the Galaxy Z Fold3. The two new entries were announced internationally early last month. The Flip3 and Fold3 sold out their pre-order last week and are now making their way officially to shelves.
Source: Samsung
Of course, Samsung’s foldable smartphones aren’t just pretty, they come packed with the latest technology. The company has brought its S-Pen technology to the Galaxy Z Fold3 bolstering its capacity for productivity. The Z Flip3 on the other hand gains a larger cover display making it more functional when closed.
You can get a full rundown of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 in our coverage of their initial announcements.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 SE Brings Affordable Productivity to Tab Lineup
Samsung’s FE lineup continues to weave its magic. This time with the Galaxy Tab series. The new entry – the Galaxy Tab S7 SE – continues to stride the fine line between features and affordability.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 SE continues to bring the power many users crave when it comes to tablets. It packs a Snapdragon 750G processor which brings it top of the line connectivity and processing speeds. This is paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of onboard storage with support for a microSD card.
In addition, it comes with a WQXGA display with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. It also has support for the S-Pen which is included in the box. The tablet also has support for Dolby Atmos with speakers that are tuned by AKG.
Of course, Samsung’s new approach to tablets isn’t all about media consumption. The Tab S7 FE continues this ethos with support for DeX and a myriad of other productivity centred tools.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z series will be available starting on 22 September 2021. They will be launching with a special promo which ends on 31 October 2021. Details are per the table below:
Model
Colours
RRP
Exclusive Gift(s)
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G (512GB)
Phantom Black Phantom Green Phantom Silver
RM7,099
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM799 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM500
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G (256GB)
Phantom Black Phantom Green Phantom Silver
RM6,699
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM799 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM500
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G (256GB)
Phantom Black Cream Lavender Green
RM4,199
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM699 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM350
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G (128GB)
Phantom Black Cream Lavender Green
RM3,999
Samsung Care+ 1Year Plan worth RM699 Samsung Online Store eVoucher worth RM350
In addition to the offers during the launch, Samsung is also offering a purchase with purchase promo for Galaxy Z series accessories. From 14th September until 31 October 2021, users who purchase a Samsung Galaxy Z series device will be entitled to a 30% discount on up to three accessories for their device.
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE is now available for purchase in Malaysia. It will be available in Black, Silver and Light Pink. There will be two variants on sale: the 4GB+64GB version which will retail at MYR1,899 and the 6GB+128GB version which will retail for MYR2,199.
From now until 31 October 2021, purchases of the Galaxy Tab S7 FE will be entitled to free gifts depending on the specification bought. The 6GB+64GB version will be entitled to a Book Cover while the 6GB+128GB version will be entitled to an additional Smart Keyboard Trio 500.
Samsung is pushing their Galaxy A series further with more options that are both affordable and power-packed. The company has in the past week introduced two new entries in the Malaysian market: the Galaxy A52 5G and the Galaxy A03s. Each caters to different needs with Samsung bringing affordable 5G connectivity with the A52 5G and an affordable media powerhouse in the A03s.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
Samsung’s regular Galaxy A52 was crowned “the most popular smartphone of 2020” not too long ago. Now the company is looking to up the ante with a new entry into the lineup with 5G connectivity in tow. The new Galaxy A52 5G is also equipped with a more capable Snapdragon 778G processor. The processor is not only more capable than the A52’s Snapdragon 720G it brings more power efficiency thanks to its 6nm technology.
The Malaysian version of the Galaxy A52 5G will be sporting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. In addition to this, the Galaxy A52 5G will also be sporting a 6.5-inch, Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The display retains the same 1080p, Full HD+ resolution of the original A52. It also has the same IP67 dust and water resistance rating.
Aside from this, the Galaxy A52 5G retains most of the specifications of the original Galaxy A52 launched earlier this year. The added 5G connectivity will be a boon for those looking to be a little more future-proof with their purchase as Malaysia moves to wind down 2G and 3G connectivity as the country adopts new 5G technology.
Samsung Galaxy A03s
Samsung isn’t just releasing another spec power-house into the Galaxy A series. Their budget lineup is also being bolstered by the addition of the new Galaxy A03s. The smartphone packs all the essentials you would need in a smartphone that doesn’t break the bank with its price.
The Galaxy A03s is a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display and carries an HD+ resolution. On the processor end, it will be running on the dated MediaTek Helio P35 processor and will have 4GB of RAM with 64GB of internal storage. It can support additional storage through a microSD card which caps out at 1TB.
On the camera front, it comes with a triple sensor setup for its main camera. The setup has a 13-megapixel wide sensor complemented by a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. On the front is a 5-megapixel sensor.
It has the basics when it comes to connectivity: 4G LTE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 and A-GPS with GLONASS and GALILEO and BDS. It charges via USB Type-C which supports 15W fast charging for its 5,0000mAh battery. It also has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Pricing & Availability
Both the Galaxy A52 5G and the Galaxy A03s are currently available in retail stores and on Samsung’s Online Store.
The Galaxy A52 is available in Awesome Black and Awesome White. It is priced at MYR1,899 (USD$452.95). Purchases made until October 31 2021 will be entitled to a free clear standing cover worth MYR109.
The Galaxy A03s is available in Black, Blue and White. It is priced at MYR559 (USD$133.33).
Switching digital platforms is still a thing in the modern world. Switching platforms today though is harder than ever before, especially when you buy a smartphone. You get to choose between an Android or iOS smartphone if you go out to the market today to buy yourself a new one. Most of the time as well, you are going to stick to what you had before.
There is a reason why it is difficult for you to change platforms when it comes to smartphones. A lot of times, your operating system (OS) and its apps require you to have a functioning account with its particular provider to take full advantage of the system and its ecosystem of apps and services. For example, if you are on an Android smartphone you are required to have a functioning Google account to access Google’s Play Store and their own apps like Gmail and Calendar. Likewise, if you are on an Apple iOS device, you are required to have a functioning Apple account.
There is an added complexity on Android devices too, because Android devices come from different manufacturers. Different manufacturers have their own unique ecosystem too that requires you to have a functional account that could be tied to their ecosystem. One of the most famous ecosystems outside of Apple and Google right now is Samsung’s ecosystem which requires you to have a functioning Samsung account.
Of course, there are ways manufacturers have made porting from one platform to another easier over the years. The most notable effort of all is Samsung’s Smart Switch which makes porting and transferring data over any Android or even Apple device a breeze. It is not perfect though.
For the longest time, one of the most popular messenger apps that is available on both iOS and Android has been the biggest obstacle to switching platforms. That app is WhatsApp. There is a clear problem why too.
WhatsApp stores its data on your device. It regularly backs your messaging data into a cloud storage. On an Android device, the cloud storage of choice is Google Drive, which requires you to run a Google account anyway. On an Apple iOS device, you are relying on Apple’s iCloud storage services, which incidentally requires you to have an Apple account. You can see the problem here in itself.
While transferring your WhatsApp data over from platforms has been impossible if you are doing it over wifi, Samsung has rectified that with the latest Smart Switch version in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 announcement. But what if you are not on a Samsung Galaxy device? Or, what if you want to switch from an Android to an Apple instead?
That function is now hitting other Android and iOS devices. The service now allows you to transfer your entire chat history and conversations from one smartphone to another, no matter the platform. The transfer also includes your entire WhatsApp media library for good measure.
Of course, there are some caveats. Your WhatsApp can only be transferred over from one platform to another via a wired connection. At the time of writing, your Samsung Smart Switch will require a USB Type-C connection with the donor Apple device to extra all its data, including WhatsApp data. While WhatsApp have not specified the transfer method, we are assuming that a cabled connection is the most viable way to data to be shared between an Android and iOS device without having to merge and mash Google Drive and Apple iCloud services together.
This opens up a whole other world of possibility for smartphone users though. Since transferring data between platforms are becoming easier, changing your smartphones is a simpler affair than ever before. That also means that the power to decide is now in the hands of the users more than ever. You get to choose which platforms works best for you every single time you want to upgrade your device, and that should mean more competitive pricing on even more powerful devices, especially in between platforms.
Samsung’s new foldable devices have only just been announced and we’ve already got details for their Malaysian pre-orders. The new foldable smartphones are Samsung’s latest step in creating a new normal for smartphones. The Galaxy Z duo seems to be incorporating some of the most wanted features into the new generation with IPX8 and the S Pen. Of course, you can get all the details in our Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 articles.
The foldable smartphones will be going on pre-order in Malaysia starting on 19 August 2021 until 21 August 2021. Of course, as always, Samsung is offering special pre-order freebies. All preorders of the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 will come with a complimentary year Samsung Care+ and an e-voucher for the Samsung Online Store.
Prices for the Fold3 start at MYR6,699 for the 256GB version and MYR7,099 for the 215GB version. The Flip3 starts at MYR3,999 for the 128GB version and MYR4,199 for the 256GB version.
Together with the Galaxy Z series, the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series is also going to be available for pre-order. Each pre-order of the Galaxy Watch4 Classic will be entitled to an e-voucher worth MYR250. The Galaxy Watch4, on the other hand, will be entitled to an e-voucher worth MYR150. Like the Galaxy Z series, the Galaxy Watch4 series freebies will only be usable on the Samsung Online Store.
The Galaxy Buds2 will also be available for purchase. It will be priced at MYR499.
Compact, stylish, premium – those are words most commonly associated with Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. At unpacked, the company looked to add one more word to list – comfortable – with their new Galaxy Buds2. The new Galaxy Buds2 continues to inherit many of the features and design cues that made the previous Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live some of the most popular earbuds on the market.
Source: Samsung
The wireless earbuds continue to sport a similar case as its predecessors – with one major exception: it only comes in white. Samsung has relegated the expression of colour in the Galaxy Buds2 to the insides of the case. The white exterior is accented on the inside by four colours: Lavender, Green, Black and White. The white exterior literally protecting it like a shell.
The Galaxy Buds2 is also smaller than before. Samsung is saying that the Buds2 will be comfortable for prolonged use. In their announcement, they claim that it can be worn for a day.
Source: Samsung
Of course, like the Buds Live and the Buds Pro, the Buds2 comes with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and AKG Tuned sound. The new earbuds sport dynamic two-way speakers which is claimed to be able to deliver clear highs and boomy bass. It also comes with a new machine learning-based solution for better, clearer voice quality over calls.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Buds2 will be available in four colour options: graphite, white, olive and lavender. It will be retailing for USD$149.99*.
They will also be available in a special Thom Browne limited edition.
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 is no stranger to foldables. The company already has more foldables out in the market than any other company out there. This year, the company is doubling down on foldables touting it as the new normal for smartphones. The Galaxy Z series is now Samsung’s new flagship line up which will bring their vision of foldable smartphones to the mainstream. Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3 are iterative updates that up the ante in what Samsung calls a “meaningful way”.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 looks to be coming in to fill in the void left by the Galaxy Note this year. Samsung is gearing the Fold3 to be the next productivity powerhouse in its arsenal. Similar to previous Z Fold smartphones, the Fold3 comes with two screens: a 6.2-inch cover screen with a 24.5:9 aspect ratio and a larger 7.6-inch display with a 22.5:18 aspect ratio. The two screens strike the delicate balance of being accessible with a large display. Both displays are Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Big Innovations Unfold with the Fold3
The biggest change to the Galaxy Z Fold3 comes with the inclusion of a digitizer in the smartphone. Both the cover and main displays of the Z Fold3 come with digitizers that enable S Pen functionality. What changed with this year’s Fold? Samsung and Wacom worked together to adapt digitizer technology for a new form factor. We say new form factor because, as the company highlighted, a flexible display will continuously bend which can damage the digitizer. So, Samsung and Wacom opted to use two separate digitizers for each side of the phone while filling in the gap at the hinge with an algorithm which allows the phone to seamless detect movement and usage.
Source: Samsung
Together with the integration of the digitizer, Samsung and Wacom also developed a unique S Pen specifically for the Galaxy Z Fold3. The new S Pen Fold Edition comes with design and function changes which allow all the S Pen functionality while preserving the softer, foldable display. The first change is the replacement of the sharp, pointed tip with a rounded one for use on the softer display. The S Pen Fold Edition also has an internal spring to preserve the sensitivity that S Pen users are accustomed to. Latency is also improved on the new S Pen.
In addition to the S Pen, the Galaxy Fold3 is also the first Samsung smartphone to feature an under display camera. The main front facing camera is now hidden behind the pixels of the main screen. The 4-megapixel sensor only appears when it is in active use. Otherwise, it remains hidden behind the pixels of the content on screen giving users a seamless, uninterupted experience.
Powered for Play, Optimized for Productivity
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold3 is running on the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform. The 5nm processor has already proven its prowess in both power efficiency and performance this year. In the Fold3, it’s paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The trifecta promises smooth performance even when it comes to multitasking – which the Fold3’s large screen is built for.
However, it’s not all about the raw power when it comes to the Z Fold3. Samsung has also introduced optimisation to One UI 3 in the smartphone. They have redesigned a number of apps to have better optimisations for the larger main screen of the smartphone. Apps like the calendar app have more functional layouts which maximise the screen to allow better usage. These optimisations are not just limited to Samsung apps. Samsung has collaborated with a number of partners including Spotify, TikTok and YouTube to optimise their apps for the Fold’s unique form factor.
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
When it comes to the cameras, the Galaxy Fold3 comes with a triple sensor setup. This year it comes with three 12-megapixel sensors: wide angle dual pixel, ultra wide angle and telephoto. The cover camera is a 10-megapixel sensor.
Pricing & Availability
The Z Fold 3 will cost USD$1,799 (MYR7,632.64*). It will be available in Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and Phantom Silver
The Galaxy Z Fold3 will be available for pre-order in select markets starting from 11 August, 2021. It will be on shelves starting August 27, 2021. A limited edition Thom Browne edition of the smartphone will be available at the same time. It will come in matte white with silver accents.
Official Specifications
Source: Samsung
*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 Watch4 series is a revolutionary device for more than one reason. The Galaxy Watch4 series is the first Wear OS 3 enabled device. According to Samsung, the new smartwatch OS brings the best of Wear OS and the company’s own TizenOS to the smartwatch experience. Wear OS powered by Samsung makes the Galaxy Watch4 series the most compatible and open Galaxy Watch yet.
Source: Samsung
The new Watch4 series comes in two flavours – the Galaxy Watch4 and the Galaxy Watch4 Classic. Just like its operating system, the Watch4 series is preserving adaptability and customization. It adopts the form factor of what was once the Galaxy Watch Active. It touts the signature digital bezel which allows users to easily navigate the circular interface. However, if that’s not your drift, the Classic brings back the signature rotating bezel which gives it a navigator watch appearance.
The Watch4 is also the first smartwatch to come with a 5nm processor with the Samsung Exynos W920. The dual-core processor promises longer battery life with better power efficiency. It is paired with 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The hardware combination promises smooth performance with the optimisations that come with the Wear OS 3. There will also be options for LTE connectivity on the Watch4. This comes in addition to the GPS, NFC and WiFi connectivity.
Source: Samsung
You’ll be able to interact with the Galaxy Watch4 series through the digital or rotating bezel. In addition, the Classic comes with a Super AMOLED display in 46mm and 42mm sizes. The former comes with a 1.4-inch display while the latter has a 1.2-inch display. The Watch4, on the other hand, comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes; screen sizes remain the same as the Watch4 Classic. You will also be able to interact via voice with Bixby.
Staying Healthy with Samsung’s BioActive Sensor in the Galaxy Watch4 series
The smartwatch is more than a watch. It becomes a valuable companion in our journeys to keep healthy. It’s even more important now, in the current global climate. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch4 series is equipped with Samsung’s BioActive Sensor. The BioActive Sensor is a unified sensor capable of measuring heart rate and electrical heart and bioelectrical impedance. This sensor allows users to monitor their heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (pO2), pulse and even get an ECG (electrocardiogram).
With such a powerful sensor in the Galaxy Watch4 series, Samsung is also buckling down on their Galaxy Health app. The app is now more powerful with more features and more information than ever before. Users are even able to collaborate and get healthier together with their friends or communities via the app. The Watch4 series is also able to track over 40 different types of exercises.
Source: Samsung
Samsung has even made conscious design choices to enable better tracking. The Watch4 series is thinner and the straps allow it to be in closer contact with the skin to allow better, more accurate tracking. It also has IP68 water and dust resistance with MIL-STD-810G durability to keep up with your workouts. You can even express yourself with the interchangeable straps and watch faces.
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series will be available for pre-order in select markets starting August 11, 2021. It will be available in retail on August 27, 2021.
The Galaxy Watch4 will be available in 40mm and 44mm sizes. It will be priced from USD$249.99 (MYR1,059.85*) for the Bluetooth version while the LTE version will be priced from USD$299.99 (MYR1,271.83*)
Source: Samsung
The Galaxy Watch4 Classic will be available in 42mm and 46mm sizes. Prices will start from USD$349.99 (MYR1,483.82*) for the Bluetooth version and USD$399.99 (MYR1,695.80*) for the LTE model.
A limited-edition Thom Browne version of the Galaxy Watch4 with a special rhodium plating will also be available in late September 2021..
Official Specifications
Source: Samsung
*USD to MYR conversions taken from xe.com at the rate of USD$1= MYR4.23955 on 12 August 2021 at 11:30pm.
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
Source: Samsung
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
Source: Samsung
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.
