Samsung Mobile Galaxy Unpacked 2024: In a setting as evocative as the Louvre in Paris, Samsung unveiled its latest work of art. The play on words is useful to describe Unpacked 2024, the customary summer event where the Korean company unveils its foldable smartphones. The spotlight is on the Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, especially on the AI features, which, after its debut on the S24 series launched in January, arrives for the first time on foldable phones.

There is, however, much more to discover as Samsung’s ecosystem continues to expand, with two brand new entries: Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring. The former is the smartwatch designed for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts; the latter is the health ring that debuted in Europe and looks set to open a new frontier for the tech market. Last but certainly not least, Samsung has enhanced its partnership with the Olympics, scheduled to take place in Paris, by producing Z Flip6 Olympic Edition, with a cover designed by Berluti that will be distributed exclusively to all athletes in the Olympic Games.

Z Flip6 & Z Fold6

The main course remains smartphones because after being the first to conceive and launch, together with Huawei, foldable phones, Samsung is the absolute leader in the segment: the Korean company holds more than 50% of the market. This is a result of the anticipation with which Samsung has moved, but also of the goodness of the products it makes. That is why it is not surprising that the design of the two new models differs little from the previous generation, with small changes aimed at maximising the merits of the Fold and Flip.

Lighter and slightly wider on the internal display, the Z Fold6 has dimensions similar to traditional smartphones and remains impeccable in terms of performance, thanks partly to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. On the clamshell model, the changes are more noticeable, starting with the main camera with the 50-megapixel sensor already seen on the Samsung S24 and the 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens that improves the yield of shots. This was achieved thanks to the introduction of many AI-based features, from the night mode available in-app for Instagram Stories to the 2x optical zoom and HDR added to Nightography.

The external screen, Flex Window, is decisive in the Flip6 user experience. Samsung opted for a 3.4-inch display, smaller than the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, which makes it easier to use without always having to tap to open the phone. One example is the Suggested replies, which uses AI to suggest replies to incoming messages based on the tone and text of the last messages sent. There is also a leap forward for the battery, which goes from 3700 to 4000 mAh, a gain in battery life.

AI multiplies smartphone capabilities and uses

In the era of software dominating over hardware, the game is being played on AI. Samsung is in a good position because it offers many features that extend the smartphone’s usability, combining in-house developed Galaxy AI and Google’s Gemini. This means that much of the processing takes place directly on the device, without relying on the cloud. Thus, all the data remains on the smartphone, which allows various functionalities to be exploited offline as well.

On Z Fold6, the most interesting new feature is Note Assistant on Samsung Notes, which offers quick and easy translations, summaries and automatic formatting for meeting notes. In addition, a newly built-in transcription function allows written playback, translation, and summarisation of voice recordings directly in notes (texts in PDF files can also be translated).

Composer from Samsung Keyboard generates suggested text based on simple keywords for email and supported social media apps. In particular, the Composer creates text that reflects your tone by analysing previous posts for social media. Additionally, the S Pen (not included) experience is expanded further meeting with Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Z Fold6’s screen.

Samsung Mobile Galaxy Unpacked 2024

Galaxy AI has also enhanced barrier-free communication on the Galaxy Z Fold6. Maximising its unique dual-screen form factor, Interpreter comes with a new conversation mode that enables both parties to conveniently view translations on the main and cover screens for more natural interactions. It also offers one-way translation, so you can easily understand when listening during lectures or any other type of presentation. Live Translate, which translates phone calls directly on your device in real-time, is now being extended beyond Samsung’s native calling app to WhatsApp and other popular apps.

For the Z Flip6, the FlexCam allows for creative effects with features such as Auto Zoom, with which the smartphone automatically finds the best shot for the shot by detecting the subject and zooming in and out before making changes prior to the shot, which is done without touching the phone. Changing the background of images in real-time, depending on time and weather, is now possible with Photo Ambient, which allows images to be added and colours changed.

Colours & Prices

The only downside of Samsung’s latest smartphones is the price, as the Z Fold 6 starts at over 2,000 euros, while the Z Flip6 costs slightly more than its competitors, Motorola and Oppo. There are many colour options and configurations for the two smartphones. There are three versions of the Z Fold6, available in Silver Shadow, Pink and Navy (Samsung stores carry the Crafted Black and White versions), with prices varying depending on the taxation system in vogue in different European countries. Below is the price for Italy:

12GB + 256GB on sale for €2,099

12GB + 512GB on sale at €2,219

12GB + 1TB on sale at €2,459

Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue and Mint are the colours of the Z Flip6 (plus Crafted Black, White and Peach in Samsung stores), available in two configurations:

12GB + 256GB on sale for €1,279

12GB + 512GB on sale for €1,399

Given their design, performance, photo compartment, AI functionality, and seven years of OS and security updates, Samsung’s two foldable phones have no weak points. They can also count on excellent after-sales service and an ecosystem with few equals among tech brands. It is, therefore, difficult to find faults that would discourage purchase, provided you have the budget to do so.