Prices And Features Of The New Samsung Devices

Smart phones and smart devices leading global manufacturer, Samsung recently, unfolded a new range of devices at the Galaxy Unpacked event held in Paris, last week. The devices include new sixth generation Fold and Flip phones, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro, and the Galaxy ring which is a line of product that the company has debuted.

These new devices all show an improvement in the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence following the launch of Galaxy AI earlier this year. We take a look at these devices and look at how they can be accessed in Africa with the prices of each as well as the technological advancements incorporated in them.

These products are currently available via pre-order at a discounted price before Samsung rolls them out in bulk around the globe.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6

There have been a number of upgrades with this new generation of foldables launched by Samsung. The company has added onto the yearly improvements of the foldable smartphones after being the first player  in the market to release these types of devices.

In this sixth generation of the foldables, Samsung has made both devices lighter, with long battery life, and slight changes on their screen. The flip now lets you use Samsung’s language-translating Interpreter Mode on its front cover screen as well, letting you point the text of one language at the person you’re talking to while the other faces you?

The company says there’s a strengthened folding edge to help support the dual-rail hinge, while “enhanced layers” for the main screen help improve the crease without diminishing strength. Both smartphones have Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to help make them more durable too.

The handsets run on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. On the cooling front, the Z Fold 6 has a larger vapor chamber than its predecessor. The Z Flip 6 is the first Z Flip to include a vapor chamber, which should improve cooling.

Because it’s 2024, the phones have a ton of AI features (some of which appeared in the Galaxy Ultra S24), including a fully integrated Google Gemini app. They can generate a more detailed image based on a sketch and draft emails based on a prompt, while there are a bunch of AI-powered camera upgrades.

These devices are now available for pre-order in Africa with the Fold going for Ksh 264,000 and the Flip going for Ksh 148,000

Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro

When the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro are paired with a Z Flip 6 or Z Fold 6, the Interpreter app can translate audio live into your ears. That might be helpful for anyone studying abroad or taking a foreign language class.

Both models use their mics to analyze internal and external sound to optimize audio quality and active noise cancellation. The Buds 3 Pro can automatically adjust for noise via the adaptive noise control, siren detect and voice detect features.

The in-ear Buds 3 Pro have a new blade (i.e. stem) design with lights built in. You’ll be able to control the audio by pinching or swiping up or down. They boast dual amplifiers, planar tweeters and a super-wideband call feature too.

Once again, pre-orders for the earbuds are currently open, with general availability starting on July 24. Galaxy Buds 3 start at Ksh 17,200, while a pair of Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will run you Ksh 24,000.

Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra

There’s a new high-end Samsung smartwatch in town and it’s called the Galaxy Watch Ultra. The Wear OS 5-powered device employs a new cushion design to bolster protection and what Samsung calls ‘visual completeness’. The Watch Ultra is designed for durability, perhaps with extreme athletes in mind.

The device is said to work at a wider range of altitudes, from 500 meters below sea level to 9,000 meters above it. It’s water resistant to a depth of 100 meters and has a titanium frame. Samsung says it will run for up to 100 hours in power saving mode and 48 hours when exercise power saving is enabled. Either way, it should have the longest battery life of any Galaxy Watch.

Other features include multi-course workout tracking (for things like triathlons), advanced Personalized Heart Rate Zone and an emergency siren to bolster safety. The screen has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, so it should be visible in very sunny conditions, and there’s a night mode too. Samsung says the Galaxy Watch Ultra can even look for signs of sleep apnea. On top of all that, there’s a new programmable Quick Button.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is only available in a 47mm size and costs Ksh 73,300. As for the Galaxy Watch 7, that comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, it starts at Ksh 25,600. It’s the same deal as with all the other new gear: pre-orders are open now with shipments and general availability starting on July 24.