Samsung has recently unveiled its latest lineup of folding smartphones, a tablet, and two smartwatches. The new models, Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Fold 5 boast improvements such as more rigid hinges and brighter displays, though they mainly offer incremental upgrades from last year’s models.
The show’s star is the Galaxy Z Flip 5, a clamshell-style folding handset that fits more comfortably in your pocket when shut but opens up to a regular rectangular smartphone. It features a much larger cover display, allowing users to access various widgets, including calendar and clock functions, and enhances selfie-taking. While the hinge is tighter and the phone feels sturdier, a noticeable line still runs down the middle where the hinge is located.
Foldable, or phones that bend in half, represent a niche market but are growing fast. Samsung faces competition from Chinese companies like Oppo and Honor. However, Samsung remains the market leader with an 80% share of global foldable shipments in 2022, according to Canalys. The market expects foldable phone shipments to double to 30 million in 2023, offering significant growth potential.
The Galaxy Fold 5 is another notable addition to Samsung’s foldable lineup. It has a 6.2-inch display that can be unfolded to reveal a larger 7.6-inch main screen, similar to a tablet. The main display is brighter and has an under-display camera, making it compatible with Samsung’s S Pen.
Additionally, Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S9, available in three versions with varying screen sizes. The tablet features a 120-hertz display, an S Pen, enhanced speakers for better audio, and the ability to mirror Windows PC apps.
In the smartwatch category, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic, featuring larger displays, slimmer bezels, faster processors, and improved battery life compared to their predecessors. These watches offer advanced health and fitness tracking features, including sleep monitoring, heart rate monitoring, body composition tracking, and weight loss tips.
As the smartphone market faces a decline, Samsung is doubling down on foldable, aiming to cater to consumers seeking novel and unique devices. Despite foldable being a niche segment, they provide several advantages over standard smartphones, such as multitasking capabilities and larger screens for a better user experience.
Overall, Samsung’s latest product lineup showcases its commitment to innovation and adapting to changing consumer preferences. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 starts at $999.99, while the Galaxy Fold 5 starts at $1,799.99. The Galaxy Tab S9 starts at $799.99, and the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic are priced at $299.99 and $399.99, respectively.
