I tested every new Samsung product!

Samsung has just launched a bucket load of next-gen products including new folding phones, earphones, watches, and for the first time, a Galaxy Ring. I’ve had a hands-on experience with all of them, and here are my thoughts: the good and the less good.

New Folding Phones: Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6

There are two new folding phones: the Z Flip 6 and the Z Fold 6. The Z Flip 6, in particular, caught my attention for its design upgrades. It looks smarter from every angle with a cleaner feel thanks to the matte finish. The camera rings now match the body color, the hinge is less pronounced, and the display crease is less noticeable. The screen also has new layers to make it impact-resistant and less prone to scratches and fingerprints.

Under the hood, the Z Flip 6 now features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a vapor chamber for better heat dissipation, improved speakers, 12GB of RAM, a bigger 4,000 mAh battery, and a much brighter inner screen. The cameras have seen upgrades too, with the main camera now at 50MP, allowing for better zoom even without a dedicated zoom camera.

Some interesting features include a camcorder mode that I found unnecessary, auto-zoom on the front screen that needs some speed improvements, and a focus on AI enhancements like smart suggested replies on the cover screen and portrait studio photo editing.

The Z Flip 6 costs £149 in the UK, maintaining the same price as its predecessor.

Z Fold 6

The Z Fold 6 stands out for its exterior updates, which have led to a price bump of £50. It’s lighter, with a titanium frame that brings it closer to the weight of non-folding flagship phones. It has become more compact and practical, with a new hinge design and improved edges.

Under the hood, it carries the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, larger vapor chamber, and brighter screens. The AI features like smart select, sketch to image, and improved noise suppression in live translations set it apart, but the inner crease reduction doesn’t feel drastically different. It’s slightly hindered by the VGA-quality inner camera and the inability to store the S Pen inside the phone.

New Watches: Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra

The Galaxy Watch 7 features a new chip, AI suggested replies, slimmer screen bezels, and a sleep apnea feature. However, the major update comes with the first Galaxy Watch Ultra. It's water-resistant up to 100 meters, made from grade 4 titanium, and boasts a battery life of up to 48 hours of exercise tracking. Design-wise, it closely mimics the Apple Watch Ultra, but it feels bulkier than traditional Samsung watches.

New Earphones: Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro

The Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro are a major departure from previous designs. They now feature a more conventional look with transparent lids on the cases and blade-like protrusions on the earphones. Despite their appealing design, they are not ergonomic for pinch and slide controls.

Sound quality is impressive, especially the bass response, and they boast a good battery life of up to 30 hours with the case. However, the active noise cancellation, especially on the Buds 3, is not as effective as the best-in-class options.

Galaxy Ring

Samsung’s Galaxy Ring marks its entry into the smart ring market. It’s designed to be inconspicuous, lightweight, and lasts up to 7 days on a charge. The ring tracks activity, heart rate, calories, and sleep, offering a more passive approach to health monitoring. It’s also suited for people who want to combine it with a Galaxy Watch for more accurate tracking.

Keywords

Keywords:

Samsung
Z Flip 6
Z Fold 6
Galaxy Watch 7
Galaxy Watch Ultra
Galaxy Buds 3
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Galaxy Ring
AI features
Smartwatch
Earphones
Folding phones
Titanium frame
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

FAQ

FAQs:

Q1: What are the key improvements in the Z Flip 6?

A1: The Z Flip 6 features a design improvement with a matte finish, a less pronounced hinge, a less noticeable display crease, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, improved speakers, 12GB of RAM, a 4,000 mAh battery, and a brighter inner screen. The main camera now has 50MP, significantly improving image quality.

Q2: How does the Z Fold 6 differ from the Z Flip 6?

A2: The Z Fold 6 is more focused on external updates like a lighter and more compact design, a new titanium frame, and improved hinge design. It also includes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and enhanced AI features like smart select and sketch to image.

Q3: What are the standout features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra?

A3: The Galaxy Watch Ultra is water-resistant up to 100 meters, made from grade 4 titanium, has a screen brightness of up to 3,000 nits, and offers a battery life of up to 48 hours of exercise tracking. It features specialized sport tracking and dual GPS.

Q4: What makes the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro different from the Galaxy Buds 3?

A4: The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro features higher quality Bluetooth transmission, better sound quality with more detail in highs and lows, and adaptive noise cancellation. They also have LED strips for a unique design flair, although they are less ergonomic for pinch and slide controls.

Q5: Who should consider the Galaxy Ring?

A5: The Galaxy Ring is ideal for people who want basic smartwatch features without the bulk of a smartwatch, prefer a passive health-tracking approach, or want to combine it with a Galaxy Watch for more accurate sensor readings.