Samsung’s biannual Galaxy Unpacked event, held today in Paris just weeks before the Olympics, was a blockbuster, unveiling eight new devices. Among them is a groundbreaking new product for the company: a health-tracking smart ring. The Galaxy Ring enters a market buzzing with interest and competition from the likes of Oura.
The event also showcased the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, marking the sixth generation of Samsung’s folding phones. In the audio department, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro wireless earbuds. The Galaxy Watch7 series, available in two sizes, now features a new member: the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which draws inspiration from the Apple Watch Ultra and targets serious athletes.
The Galaxy Ring
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring, previewed earlier this year at CES, is a sleek titanium ring available in black, silver, and gold finishes. Customers who preorder will receive a ring-sizing kit, and these rings will also be available at select retailers later this year for in-store trials. The ring, IP68 and 10 ATM water-resistant, pairs with any Android phone via the Samsung Health app, although it is incompatible with iPhones. All features are included without requiring a subscription, and it also integrates with Samsung Find for easy location tracking. The Galaxy Ring boasts a seven-day battery life, comparable to the Oura Ring.
The Galaxy Ring offers comprehensive health-tracking features, including sleep tracking, cycle tracking, heart rate alerts, and auto-workout detection. Samsung highlights its use of AI to monitor sleep patterns, snoring, and heart and respiratory rates, providing detailed insights into sleep quality. The ring also features an “Energy Score” to gauge daily readiness based on sleep quality and activity levels, offering wellness tips throughout the day.
Sixth-Generation Folding Phones
The Galaxy Z Flip6 and Fold6, while not radically different from their predecessors, feature refinements that enhance their design and performance. Both phones are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, with the Flip6 being Samsung’s thinnest yet and the Fold6 featuring a boxier design with sharp edges. New AI features, such as “Circle to Search” and “Sketch to Image,” add functionality, while improved durability includes enhanced scratch resistance and a new fourth layer in the display for puncture protection.
The Flip6 retains its 3.6-inch external screen, with new interactive wallpapers and widgets. The cameras on both phones have been upgraded, with the Flip6 featuring a 50-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide, while the Fold6 adds a 12-megapixel camera with 3X optical zoom. The Flip6 also introduces a “Camcorder Grip” mode for easier video recording.
Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch7
The new Galaxy Watch Ultra, a 47-mm Wear OS 5 smartwatch, features a durable titanium build, 10 ATM water resistance, and capabilities for extreme altitudes. It includes advanced sports tracking features, an emergency siren, a Quick Button, and Night mode for optimal readability in the dark. The Ultra offers impressive battery life, lasting up to 100 hours in Power Saving mode.
The Galaxy Watch7 series, available in two sizes, features a 3-nanometer processor for improved performance and dual-frequency GPS for better location tracking. New health-tracking features include FDA-authorized sleep apnea tracking and more accurate heart rate measurements.
New Galaxy Buds
Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro wireless earbuds feature a sleek design and real-time translation capabilities through Samsung’s Interpreter mode. The earbuds offer adaptive noise cancellation, enhanced audio quality, and improved call performance. The Buds3 are priced at $180, while the Buds3 Pro cost $250.
Overall, Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event introduced a variety of exciting new products that blend innovation with refinement, catering to a wide range of tech enthusiasts and health-conscious users.
Check out all these products and more info on pre-orders here.