Samsung has ramped up its new flagship Galaxy smartphones with an ecosystem of inter-connected gadgets, launching five new devices and two wearables, as the Korean electronics giant tries to reclaim its lead position in the smartphone market.
At its first Galaxy Unpacked virtual event, livestreamed from Korea last night, Samsung introduced a new suite of devices: the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, the Tab S7 and S7+ tablets, the Galaxy Watch 3, the Galaxy Buds Live and the Galaxy Z Fold 2, the next-generation foldable smartphone.
The devices can be pre-ordered online until the 20th of this month. They will be available in 70 countries, including South Africa, on 21 August.
“Never before have we relied on technology like we are today. It’s how we are staying connected as we navigate the extraordinary challenges faced around the world,” said Dr TM Roh, president and head of mobile communications business at Samsung Electronics.
“That’s why we have introduced five new power devices. Alone, these devices are powerful tools to help you maximise work and play. Together, as part of the Galaxy ecosystem, they work seamlessly so you can spend your time focused on what matters most.”
Galaxy Note 20 range
The Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra, which Samsung bills as its most powerful Note series yet, bring computing power and the Galaxy mobile gaming experience to users.
The Ultra has a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Quad HD+ resolution, while the Note 20 display has 6.7-inch AMOLED Full HD+ at 60Hz.
The Note 20 Ultra’s selling price starts at $1 299 (R23 000) and the Galaxy Note 20 at $999 (R17 500).
Both come with 5G capability; a feature which Apple has not yet included in its existing devices. 5G enables users to enjoy hyper-fast speeds on both sub-6 and mmWave networks.
The phones are poised to be “do-everything machines”, with high-end productivity tools, including a new and improved Bluetooth-enabled S Pen, and both have been optimised, inside and out, to immerse users in their favourite entertainment, notes Samsung.
The Note 20 range comes in five colours: green, grey and bronze for the Note 20, and white, black and bronze for the Note 20 Ultra.
They also come equipped with Android's version of Apple's AirDrop, a Nearby Share, which allows users to share files by placing their phones next to each other.
Galaxy Z Fold 2
In February, Samsung announced it had chosen to brand its foldable device portfolio as Galaxy Z. The “Z”, according to the smartphone maker, was chosen because “it communicates the idea of a fold while delivering a dynamic, youthful feel”.
After releasing two foldable devices and listening to user feedback on the most requested upgrades and new features, Samsung says it unveils the Galaxy Z Fold 2 with meaningful innovations that offer users enhanced refinements.
Samsung has addressed the major criticisms of its first Galaxy Fold by giving the Galaxy Z Fold 2 a much bigger screen and better cameras. The successor to last year’s Galaxy Fold comes with a new camera system, larger external display, and hole-punch cameras that give the new model a more cohesive look than the original.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes with two edge-to-edge, nearly bezel-less Infinity-O Displays.
The cover screen is 6.2-inches and the main screen is 7.6-inches.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes in two colours – mystic black and mystic bronze – and will be available in September.
Galaxy Tab S7 and S7
The Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ are two versatile tablets that combine the power of a PC, the flexibility of a tablet, and the connectivity of a smartphone, says the company.
Building on Samsung’s legacy of Galaxy 5G capabilities, Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ will unlock seamless video-conferencing, fast downloads and virtually lag-free streaming.
Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ are equipped with powerful processors to enable PC-level productivity. They provide an improved keyboard experience, and an improved S Pen with similar capabilities as the Galaxy Note 20 series.
Both tablets feature an immersive display with a 120Hz refresh rate, so users can take advantage of the cloud-based gaming and high-definition streaming that 5G enables.
Galaxy Watch 3 andGalaxy Buds Live
Samsung notes the Galaxy Watch 3 is the next-generation companion for managing routines and achieving fitness goals.
Built with a slimmed-down version of the rotating bezel, Galaxy Watch 3 includes the blood oxygen feature, to measure and track oxygen saturation over time, for fitness and wellness purposes.
The Galaxy Watch 3 is available in 41mm and 45mm, in LTE and Bluetooth variants.
The new Samsung Health Monitor app on Galaxy Watch 3 offers cuff-less blood pressureand electrocardiogram measurements, available in markets where these features have been authorised.
The Galaxy Buds Live, according to Samsung, was engineered to bring sound to life, offering an immersive audio experience.
With a 12mm speaker and bass duct, the audio sounds allow users to enjoy music the way the artist intended. With three microphones and a Voice Pickup Unit, the earbuds home in on the voice and ensure the sound always comes through loud and clear on the phone.
They are compatible with a range of devices – allowing users to switch between them with no disconnecting and reconnecting required.
Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Buds Live will be available in SA from 21 August.
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