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Samsung Unveils Multiple New Products At Galaxy Unpacked 2022
Samsung shows off two new foldable smartphones, two smartwatches, and upgraded earphones at its Galaxy Unpacked 2022 event.
Summer 2022 has already seen several major tech releases, including the Google Pixel 6a and the much-hyped Nothing Phone 1. This week, it was industry giant Samsung’s turn to show off its latest designs at the annual Galaxy Unpacked event. The virtual presentation gave us a glimpse of several new releases, from smartphones to earphones and more.
Galaxy Z Fold 4
A new Galaxy Fold will always be the star in any product announcement, and this summer’s reveal was no exception. The foldable device blends the line between tablet and smartphone, and this year’s Fold 4 brings several improvements, including a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor for faster performance, smaller bezels, and a reduction in the noticeable size of the screen crease.
The Fold 4 team has concentrated on incremental improvements for this device iteration, so there’s a tweaked aspect ratio, a slightly lighter weight and an increase in stiffness for the new model, plus software improvements to aid with multitasking. Overall, the device looks like an exciting release, and we can’t wait to get our hands on one!
Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Flip 4 is arguably the more accessible and exciting of Samsung’s foldables, bringing back the much-loved clamshell format to create a pocketable large-screen smartphone.
This year’s Flip 4 offers a higher capacity battery, rapid charging, and the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor seen in the Galaxy Fold 4. The upgrades are all welcome additions to the smartphone, though it has to be said that the camera specs still don’t seem like they’re going to worry other flagship devices.
Galaxy Watch 5 & Watch 5 Pro
Samsung seems to have a habit of releasing new watches at all of its events, and this year’s Galaxy Unpacked was no exception, showing off two new wearables: The Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The non-pro model is the smaller of the two devices and now features a few decent upgrades, including a sapphire glass face. The Watch 5 Pro takes the place of previous Classic models, and although the watch boasts a huge new battery, the iconic rotating bezel is now gone forever.
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Finally, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro were also on display at the event as a perfect partner for the newly announced range of foldable phones. The earbuds have always been a solid premium design with excellent sound, so we’re keen to get our hands on a set very soon.
Overall, an exciting event for Samsung. While nothing revolutionary was announced, the devices featured had a raft of upgrades that should keep the lineup fresh and perhaps even tempt the odd Apple fan to jump ship!
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Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.