Samsung is not letting off on the foldable devices market as it plans to get more consumers to “Join the Flipside”, a tagline for the anticipated Unpacked event held for the first time at its global headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.
The event was streamed live on the Samsung.com platform to global audiences, including Nigeria, where celebrities such as Mr. Macaroni witnessed the launch of the latest foldable devices from the company.
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As data from Counterpoint shows, Samsung is facing intense competition in the niche smartphone market, which has grown from 0.3 per cent in 2019 to 5 per cent in 2023. The South Korean manufacturer maintains the lead with a whopping 63 per cent share as of the first quarter of 2023. It is now looking to expand that share with an aggressive pricing plan and faster rollout.
The biggest reveal of the event was the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. The features are attractive and made to separate the brand from strong foldable contenders like Apple, Oppo, Motorolla and Google, which have all recently launched their own devices.
According to a research firm, Samsung’s early investments in foldable phones mean that even as competitors enter the space, it will maintain a lead in software optimisation, durability and support.
Since it launched foldable phones four years ago, Samsung said it has sold about 100 million of its fold devices and maintains the market lead in many markets, including Nigeria. The Z Fold 4 was the best-selling large foldable globally.
“It has gone far beyond simply getting a sophisticated phone. It is the ultimate tool for self-expression. It is stylish and bold in design. We are so excited to introduce the best additions to the foldable Galaxy editions,” the company said. “Galaxy Z Flip 5 is small but has a big personality. It is personal, and it is just the beginning.
Samsung Galaxy foldable is becoming a lifestyle. They look amazing and can help you focus on what matters most in the present moment.
One of the major upgrades in the Z Fold 5 is how it closes flatly because of a new hinge design Samsung calls the Flex Hinge. The hinge design is a dual rail structure, which diffuses external impacts. The Flex Hinge allows a more flexible mode, enabling the user to set the phone at just about any angle for hands-free photo-taking or split-screen applications. Galaxy Z Fold 4 could not close flat and was a source of complaints for many users.
The flat folding position also makes the Galaxy Z Fold 5 10g lighter than the predecessor. But there are similarities in the materials used. For example, the Z Fold 5 features an Amor Aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 glass panel over its external display and back. It also uses the same IPX8 water-tight standard as the Z Fold 4.
The cover and main screens on the Z Fold 5 retained their respective parameters. The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X has a 2316x904px resolution and 120Hz adaptive (48-120Hz) refresh rate on the outside. It also packs a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 2176x1812px resolution and an adaptive 120Hz (1-12-Hz) refresh rate inside. The Z Fold 5 is fitted with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 2 processor with a thinner S Pen. The device will cost $1,799.
The Z Flip 5, however, has a much larger 3.4-inch cover display that stretches from the phone’s hinge to its dual cameras. The cover screen can run full Android apps. Like the Z Fold 5, the Z Flip 5 also runs on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon Gen 2 processor. The Z Flip 5 shares the same starting price as the Z Flip 4 at $999. It is expected in stores on August 11.
Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Watch 6, which comes with bigger batteries, larger screens, and the return of the rotating bezel last seen on the 2021 Galaxy Watch 4. The Watch 6 will arrive in 40mm or 44mm varieties (with screens running roughly 1.3 inches and 1.5 inches, respectively) while the Classic will come in either 43mm or 47mm sizes (similar display sizes).
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