Samsung officially unveiled five new devices during its Unpackedevent on February 11, including new phones and new wireless earbuds to take on Apple’s AirPods
We’re talking about the brand new foldable smartphone called the Galaxy Z Flip, the three new Galaxy S20 phones, and the new Galaxy Buds Plus.
Each of these devices are a big deal. The Galaxy Z Flip, for example, is the second generation of a foldable smartphone — a highly scrutinized category of smartphones ever since the rocky start of Samsung’s first foldable, the Galaxy Fold.
The Galaxy S20 phones represents Samsung’s peak design and technology that helps keep the company as the top smartphone maker in the world. They’re also mastheads for mainstream 5G connectivity in phones that people are actually meant to buy rather than being an exclusive feature.
And the Galaxy Buds are an answer to Apple’s incredibly popular and successful AirPods.
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip smartphone takes on the form of the flip phones of yore, similar to Motorola’s new Razr foldable smartphone. It’ll be available to buy starting on February 14 for $1,380.
Samsung first teased the new Galaxy Z Flip in a surprise ad during the Oscars ceremony, but the ad didn’t reveal very much.
The Galaxy Z Flip has a 6.7-inch foldable screen that Samsung says is made of ultra-thin foldable glass. And there’s a tiny touch-screen on the exterior for little bits of information like notifications or for little actions like swiping to answer a phone call.
Samsung also touted its new special hinge designed to prevent dust and debris from entering the phone. We’re hoping the new hinge will address any durability issues. Samsung says the hinge will last more than 200,000 folds and unfolds.
The hinge is also designed to hold its position at different angles when you unfold the Galaxy Z Flip so that you can place the phone on a surface and have a hands-free video call, as an example.
There’s a dual-lens camera on the back of the Galaxy Z Flip, and the selfie camera takes the form of Samsung’s signature punch-hole design rather than taking on a notch design.