Samsung surprised just about no-one with its latest Galaxy Unpacked event, as it officially unveiled the widely anticipated Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5 phones, along with the updated Watch6 and Tab S9 tablet range.
With a steady stream of annual upgrades in recent years, there was always going to be an air of predictability about the latest Samsung showcase. Just under a year ago we wrote much the same thing about the newly-announced Flip4 and Fold4 smartphones, and it would hardly be a leap to suggest that in 12 months’ time we’ll be seeing a Flip6 and Fold6 (you heard it here first folks!).
As usual, each of the new products boasts a handful of new features and refinements, with perhaps the most notable common denominator being the upgrade to the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, as used in the Galaxy S23 phone that launched earlier in the year. And, of course, everything is designed to work in perfect harmony with its sibling devices. So, what’s new and exciting about the 2023 line-up that could warrant an upgrade, or perhaps tempt you over to the flip side?
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
As with the rest of the line-up, the Flip5 phone is more a case of evolution than revolution. It gets a new Flex Window, offering up a larger cover screen with a 60Hz 3.4 inch Super AMOLED display (720 x 748 with 306 PPI). The main screen remains the same size, with a 6.7 inch FHD Dynamic AMOLED 2X with Infinity Flex Display and a 120Hz Adaptive refresh rate.
Similarly, the FlexCam set-up gets the same 12MP wide and ultra wide lenses, with a 10MP front camera, with video and photo support from the likes of Flex Mode, Dual Preview, Super Steady, and Auto Framing. The upgraded Snapdragon processor does help across the board (with a 17% improvement to the CPU, 25% for the GPU and 20% on the NPU), with improved AI and Adaptive Brightness helping with varying light conditions, and also to sharpen up those 10x digital zoom shots.
And, of course, there’s a bunch of new customisation options, including new Flipsuit Cases with interchangeable cards to mix up your style. It looks like access to the numerous apps and widgets has been streamlined, along with the easy-to-use Quick Share option – be it with friends or to swap content between your phone, watch and/or tablet.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is available for pre-order now ahead of its 11 August launch, with the 256GB model at £1,049, and the 512GB version at £1,149, and a decent variety of colours (and accessories) to choose from, with a few extra options exclusive to Samsung outlets. Those who do order in advance (by 10 August) from the Samsung website can get that 512GB for the price of the 256GB model, and you may also be eligible for a trade-in on your old phone up to £650.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
As with the Flip5, the larger Fold5 boasts a tougher design, with a refined Flex Hinge to make those incremental adjustments a little easier without compromising on durability. Speaking of which, both models also have Armour Aluminium frames with Corning Glass Victus 2 protection and IPX8 certification. Rather more unique to the Fold5, Samsung’s S-Pen also gets a lighter design and slimmer case.
The Fold5 has a similar display and camera set-up to its predecessor. It comes with a main 7.6 inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X and Infinity Flex display with a 120Hz Adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,750 nits (up 30%), while the cover screen remains a similar 6.2 inch HD+ display. Once again there are more cameras that you might ever need, including a 50MP wide-angle on the rear along with a 10MP telephoto lens, with both sides sporting a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and the front adding a 10MP Selfie and a 4MP Under Display option.
Again, you’re possibly looking to the upgraded processor for most of the newer benefits (with the CPU improved by 18%, the GPU by 32%, and the NPU by 25% which should be good for gaming), along with other refinements to the user-experience. This includes an improved taskbar with the likes of an enhanced two-handed drag-and-drop system and a hidden pop-up feature that lets you tuck apps away while you swap to watching videos or chatting with friends.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is also now available to pre-order, priced at £1,739 for the 256GB version, £1,849 for the 512GB, and £2,049 for the 1TB model – with the latter currently exclusive to Samsung’s own site. It’s available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black and Cream, with an additional Blue and Grey finish also exclusive to Samsung. It gets the same pre-order incentives as its Flip5 sibling, with 512GB for the cheaper 256GB price and that potential trade-in discount.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic
The new Galaxy Watch6 does see the return of the Classic design with a rotating bezel for those who like a watch to look rather more like a conventional watch (consider it the equivalent of ‘Top Gun’ aviator sunglasses for Watch enthusiasts). There is a 30% slimmer bezel for the Watch6 (15% on the Classic) and it also comes with a 20% larger Super AMOLED display offering up a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.
Other than that, the ‘new’ list is largely just a refined push towards healthy living with new sleep-friendly and heart-monitoring upgrades, courtesy of the ever-evolving BioActive Sensor. There’s an enhanced Sleep Coaching set-up, with tips and prompts both for better zzz’s and to ensure your waking hours are also prepped for a good night’s rest – with a more detailed Sleep Score to monitor how things progress.
Plus, there are now Personalised Heart Rate Zones unique to each user to help tailor your workouts, along with an Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification as an early warning system if things aren’t quite beating as they should. And, of course, there’ll be a number of new faces and other customisation options, including new one-click bands to make it easier to switch things up if you fancy a new look.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is now open for pre-orders as well, with the same on-sale date of 11 August as its foldable friends. It’s priced at £289for the 40mm Bluetooth model (£339 for the LTE version) and £319 for the 44mm version (or £369 for LTE). The Watch6 Classic is a little more expensive at £369 / £429 for the 43mm model and £399 / £459 for the 47mm size. Samsung is offering up pre-order incentives here as well, such as a free Fabric strap and up to £120 trade-in discounts (on the UK store at least), and the press announcement also suggests there’ll be a £75 Google Play voucher on offer for early adopters.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series
As predictable as the new smartphones arrivals, the new Tab S9 series comes in the usual base, +, and Ultra variants, with Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen sizes starting from 11 inches for the S9, scaling up to 12.4 for the S9+ and 14.6 inches for the Tab S9 Ultra model. Each model comes with automatically calibrating 60-120Hz dynamic refresh rates, and the addition of Vision Booster tech to adapt the brightness to suit your surroundings.
As with the phones, these new tablets also look to make good use of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's processing power, with the CPU boasting a 34% performance increase and the GPU up by some 41%. There’s also an improved audio system with its AKG Quad Stereo Speaker system now 20% larger, along with a new two-way heat dispersion system and the addition of a new internal vapour chamber to help keeps things cool and ensure optimum performance during extended use.
In keeping with the rest of the line-up, you’ll find plenty of new features and personalisation options, including the new (and Galaxy-exclusive) GoodNotes to help make your S-Pen scribbles even easier to add and share with others. And, of course, there’s Multi Control support for moving your content between the Tab S9 and your smartphone, with the likes of Multi Window and Pop-Up View to help keep your screen as busy or as clean as you like.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 range is also now available to pre-order ahead of that 11 August launch date, with a beige finish alongside the more traditional graphite look. The base model comes in 128GB and 256GB variants, with the Wi-Fi versions priced at £799 and £899, with the 5G models upping the price to £949 and £1,049. The Tab S9+ comes with 256GB or 512GB storage, priced at £999 / £1,099 for Wi-Fi and £1,149 / £1,249 for 5G. And, finally, there’s a trio of Tab S9 Ultra options, starting with the 256GB version at £1,199 for Wi-Fi and £1,349 for 5G, with the 512GB version up to £1,299 and £1,1449, with the 1TB model costing £1,549 for Wi-Fi and topping out at £1,699 for its 5G variant.
You can get more details on everything announced (or rather confirmed) at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event over on your local Samsung website (UK link supplied), and maybe check out those pre-order incentives if you’re tempted. And if you are interested in the new Galaxy line-up, do let us know in the comments what has caught your eye from the new arrivals – or does this year’s line-up feel a bit too much of an incremental upgrade that doesn’t do enough to justify replacing your old Flip4 or Tab S8 (or at least not until the prices drop)?
SOURCE: Samsung (via Galaxy Unpacked event and newsroom)
IMAGES: Samsung