Samsung Galaxy Unpacked News: Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra and more

Flipping out for Olympians

Samsung's known to release special editions of its phones, but there's one exclusive that only Olympians get access to. Samsung's handing out the Galaxy Z Flip 6 Olympic Edition to athletes participating in the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Not only are the logos for the Olympic games are etched into the back of the flip-style phone, but it also comes with an exclusive FlipSuit case featuring Venezia leather and designed by Parisian Men’s Luxury Maison, Berluti. These phones won't be found elsewhere, so they could end up as rare as an Olympic gold medal.

Fold-flation: Why do the Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 cost $100 more?

Overall, I've been impressed with the upgrades to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 so far. But I'm less impressed with the prices. Samsung decided to increase the U.S. prices on both foldable phones by $100. So now the starting price for the Fold 6 is $1,900 and the Flip 6 starts at $1,100. That doesn't seem like progress for foldable phones.

So I asked Samsung for their take on why they decide to raise prices, and I also got some feedback from two analysts. Check out what VP Drew Blackard has to say. 

Galaxy Watch 7 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Ultra and Galaxy Watch 7 HANDS ON! First Impressions, New Features - YouTube

Watch On

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 was a predictable and, some will say, iterative update over the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. It starts at $299 and boasts a newer processor and a BioActive Health Sensor. Of much more interest is the rugged and adventure-focused Galaxy Watch Ultra.

This brand new wearable arrives with a titanium case, 100 meters of water resistance, boosted battery life and that same BioActive Health Sensor with all the health tracking smarts that go along with it. The sting in the tail? It starts at $649 — more than twice the price of the Watch 7. 

We've had time with both devices and you can check out our video above comparing them to help you make the call on which one is right for your wrist. 

What are the big differences between Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Flip 5?

We get it. Anyone looking at the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Flip 5 side-by-side may struggle to tell them apart. The differences in styling are incredibly minor, but there are some big improvements — driven both by upgraded internals and a thorough AI integration.

Richard Priday has gone in-depth on what these biggest changes are, including a couple that Samsung didn't really talk about on-stage!

Case in point

One cool feature of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 (that doesn't include AI) is the FlipSuit cases designed for the phone. These really help users put some personality into their handset and my colleague John Velasco has fallen hard for the accessory.

What makes these Z Flip 6 cases even more unique is the way the lock screen wallpaper on the FlexWindow display corresponds to the case’s design. It's a minor point that was glossed over during the Unpacked event yesterday, but these little things add up when you're considering your next handset purchase. 

Fold 6 setup omission or bug?

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has made its way into the hands of reviewers and a curious omission in the setup process has been uncovered. It appears the Z Fold 6 doesn't prompt you to set up a fingerprint log-in when setting up for the first time. A PIN's still required, but you can otherwise progress straight to the home screen without being asked to scan a finger.

It's not clear whether or not this is a deliberate omission or a bug that hasn't been caught yet. Either way, it's something we've been able to replicate on our own Galaxy Z Fold 6 review device.

Cycle tracking on the Galaxy Ring

One big health-related feature the Galaxy Ring offers for female wearers is cycle tracking through its integration with Natural Cycles (an FDA-approved fertility app). The ring will sync skin temperature readings with Samsung Health, which uses Natural Cycles' tech to track your periods and predict your next one. 

This implementation is different to that of the Oura Ring which asks for an Oura membership and a Natural Cycles subscription, totaling $20 per month, for the same result.

There is a compromise, though; Samsung Health can help keep track of your periods, but it doesn't make use of the full capabilities of Natural Cycles, so you can't use it for fertility planning or as a means of contraception, as you can with the main Natural Cycles app.

iPhone users missing out?

A new hardware category from a major manufacturer is always a big talking point and now we're a day out from Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked summer event, we're picking over the launch of the Galaxy Ring and the implications for users. 

Our wearables writer, Dan Bracaglia, has picked up on the fact only Android users can really take advantage of Samsung's newest gadget. And given the sheer number of iPhone users in the U.S., limiting access to the Galaxy Ring could cause it to "crash and burn out of the gate" — at least in the States. 

Question is, if Apple fails to launch a smart ring of its own, will the pull of Samsung's new hardware and its increasingly impressive ecosystem be enough to tempt iPhone users to make the switch?  

Save big on Galaxy Z Flip 6

The bad news is that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is $100 more than the Flip 5. The good news is that you don't have to pay anywhere near full price. Our deals editor Louis Ramirez has researched the best Galaxy Z Flip 6 pre-order deals so far, and they look pretty good.

Our favorite? T-Mobile is letting you get a Galaxy Z Flip 6 for free with its discount, so I would definitely check that out. 

All hands on... Galaxy

While watching the Galaxy Unpacked event is one thing, it's something else to feel the devices in your hand. To make sure you can get a good idea of what to expect from the phones, watches, earbuds, and Galaxy Ring, we spent time messing with each one of them.

Just to make things easier, here are our hands-on impressions of the devices Samsung announced today (as you can see, our own Kate Kozuch has been rather busy testing most of the devices): 

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 hands-on by Mark Spoonauer
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 hands-on by John Velasco 
• Samsung Galaxy Ring hands-on by Kate Kozuch
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 hands-on by Kate Kozuch
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra hands-on by Kate Kozuch
• Galaxy Buds 3 Pro hands-on by Kate Kozuch

Check those out for each device on your radar so you can get a better feel for our thoughts on each one. Samsung has some solid offerings for its summer lineup, and we're excited to get them into the lab for full reviews as soon as possible.

Long software lifespan

During Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 will receive seven years of software updates. The beloved Galaxy S24 line of phones also received the same lifespan of updates. 

Google also offers seven years of updates to its Pixel phones, starting with the Pixel 8, so it makes sense for Samsung to do the same. This move puts Google ahead of the Pixel Fold, which is only slated to get significant software updates through June 2026. 

Software update timelines are becoming a big-time arms race for phone makers, and it's one that certainly benefits consumers, who get to have new software versions on their phones for longer. For people who don't need to upgrade their phone every year or even every other year, having a long lifespan could be a great way to save money. 

Samsung and Google working on XR device

During Unpacked, Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of platforms and devices, threw out a reminder that the partnership between Google and Samsung is still on for a new XR device. Samsung executive TR Roh hammered the reminder home by saying, "a new XR platform is coming later this year."

Unfortunately, that's all Samsung and Google had to say about its XR platform, so we'll have to wait to see how it compares to the Apple Vision Pro. 

Qualcomm is supposed to be involved in creating a new "super chip" to rival Apple's XR headset. Even with the powerful chip, the prevailing rumor suggests that Samsung will aim for a lower price, around $1,500, but we'll see if the company can pull that off when it reveals the headset. 

Flip phones compared

Samsung may have picked a bad time to up the price of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 by $100 over its predecessor. Just before this week's Galaxy Unpacked, Motorola had a phone launch of its own, introducing new versions of the Motorola Razr Plus and Motorola Razr for 2024. Those two phones cost $999 and $699, respectively, which is what the 2023 versions went for.

Should Samsung be worried? I've updated my Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs. Motorola Razr Plus (2024) comparison to see what a difference $100 makes.

Comparing Galaxy Watches

Not sure how to tell the Galaxy Watch Ultra apart rom the Galaxy Watch 7? (Other than the former's heftier price tag, I mean.) Senior fitness writer Dan Bracaglia has updated our Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Galaxy Watch Ultra guide to reflect today's announcements. The bottom line? The Ultra has a different design, bigger battery and more detailed insights into your training data.

Samsung's familiar-looking Galaxy Buds

Do the latest Galaxy Buds remind you of any other wireless earbuds that might be out there right now? The extended stems might be a bit of a giveway, but in her Galaxy Buds 3 Pro hands-on, Kate Kozuch seems if Samsung's new audio accessories can differentiate themselves from Apple's offering.

Pre-ordering Samsung's new phones

Samsung's latest foldable phones don't go on sale until July 24, but that doesn't mean you can't preorder them now. And if you do preorder from Samsung, you could be in line to get either the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Galaxy Z Flip 6 at a substantial discount. 

Preorder a Galaxy Z Fold 6 from Samsung, and you're eligible for up to $1,200 in credit with a valid trade-in. You can also upgrade your storage at no extra cost — in other words, get a 512GB Fold for the same price you'd pay for a 256GB model. Preorders also get a free year of Samsung Care+ when you sign up with a carrier.

You'll find much the same offer when you preorder a Galaxy Z Flip 6 with Samsung — both the Samsung Care+ and storage upgrade benefits are the same. In the case of the Flip, an eligible trade-in qualifies you for up to $1,000 in credit.

Other preorder deals on Samsung's foldables will surely surface shortly, but it's hard to beat the free storage upgrade and the potential generous trade-in credit if you've got a phone that qualifies for a higher rebate.

Galaxy Z Flip 6 hands-on

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 does get some noteworthy hardware changes. Besides the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 upgrade, there's also a 50MP main camera that can also produce 2x zooms that mimic optical zooms through the use of pixel binning. The phone's a bit more durable than its predecessors, too. But as with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the story with the latest flip comes down to new AI features and whether they justify a $100 price hike.

John Velasco takes a look at the new flip phone in a Galaxy Z Flip 6 hands-on.

Focus on the Galaxy Z Fold 6

The hardware changes to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 aren't all that substantive — it's thinner and lighter than the previous version, and it now runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. But new Galaxy AI features seem to be the main selling point for this foldable, which can enhance your sketches and help you translate conversations in real time.

Mark Spoonauer goes hands on with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to see if the AI-powered improvements justify the phone's higher price tag.

Galaxy Watch 7 hands-on time

There's no sugar-coating it — the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the far more exciting smartwatch announcement from Samsung today. But overlook the Galaxy Watch 7 at your peril, as there are some interesting changes to the entry-level smartwatch as well, such as its improved processor. And here's a new Samsung product that retains the same starting price as its predecessor, which makes the Galaxy Watch stand out from other Unpacked announcements.

Kate Kozuch has our Galaxy Watch 7 hands-on.

Meet the Galaxy Watch Ultra

Samsung's getting into the ultra watch game, with a device that costs $50 less than the Apple Watch Ultra. Samsung's version is more rugged and longer-lasting than the regular Galaxy Watch, and you should enjoy some holistic health-tracking features, too. Kate Kozuch has our Galaxy Watch Ultra hands-on.

Galaxy Ring hands-on

Now that Samsung's had its say, let's take a closer look at what some of the Tom's Guide experts think of today's product announcements. Let's start out with Kate Kozuch, who spent some hands-on time with the Galaxy Ring and can share her first impressions of the smart ring.

Wrapping it up

TM Roh returns to the stage to recap what we've learned today, emphasizing the Galaxy AI features on the new foldable phones. "Doing things your own way has never been easier," Roh says. "Life opens up with Galaxy."

And that's apparently that.

Google appears

Rick Osterloh of Google's hardware team is now at Unpacked to talk about Android and how the advancements in AI are advancing what phones can do. Mostly, this is Google's chance to reaffirm its partnership with Samsung (even as Google works on AI features for its own phones, which will be debuting next month at a Google event.)

Let's talk pricing and release dates

Samsung is also release the Galaxy Buds 3 with an open design, starting at $179. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is $249. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099, which is $100 more than the previous model. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is also $100 more with a starting price of $1,899. This is a bummer. 

All of the products will be available July 24th. 

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are here

Say hello to the new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. They have a blade-like design that look a bit too much like the AirPods, but Samsung says that they've done a don of work to make a leap forward in wearability with a better ear shape and fit. 

The new Buds 3 Pro deliver an intelligent sound experience that uses machine learning to deliver clearer sound during calls. Adaptive noise control can reduce unwanted sounds. But there's also a siren detect mode so you don't miss important sounds like an ambulance driving by.

Samsung touts ultra high-quality audio with the Buds 3 Pro. There's an enhanced woofer and tweeter for better sound. Samsung says you get a "studio-quality listening experience" with clean and crisp sound. 

AI Translation gets better 

With Live Translate it will be available in 16 languages by the end of July and 20 languages by the end of the year. It's also coming to third-party messaging and calling apps like WhatsApp. 

With Flex mode on the Flip 6, the Interpreter app can give you real-time translations on the front and back screens. This will work on the Z Fold 6 as well. All of this is on the device to protect your privacy. 

Galaxy Z Flip 6 upgrades

With Galaxy AI you can slow down videos with Instant Slo-Mo, and. you can easily share these clips. 

There's also the first-ever vapor chamber on a Z Flip for better performance and there's a bigger 4,000 mAh battery. 

Samsung says this is the strongest Flip yet in terms of durability.

The FlexWindow lets you do all sorts of thing quickly, like sending text replies, paying for items and more. And Galaxy AI suggests replies. There's lots of ways to personalize your Flip, including live videos for wallpaper and dynamic photos that change based on the time of day and weather. 

Galaxy Z Flip 6 is here 

The smaller Galaxy Z Flip 6 is now taking center stage with a teaser video. "A powerful medium for self expression."

The camera gets a major upgrade with a 50MP wide sensor (up from 12MP), powered by the Pro Visual Engine. You should get better details in your photos and more vibrant images. The AI analyzes lighting conditions and isolates subjects so skin tones look better and brighter.

The camera's enhanced AI offers up to 10x zoom. The FlexCam experience lets you capture photos hands-free. 

Galaxy Z Fold 6 performance numbers 

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip inside the Fold 6 offers a pretty big performance boost. We're talking 42% faster NPU, 19% GPU and 18% CPU. 

Galaxy Z Fold 6 AI creative tools 

With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 you can turn your scribbles into art with the Sketch to Image feature. You'll need an S Pen, which is optional, to get this to work. But it is impressive.

Galaxy AI understands what you're trying to draw and generates images in different styles. You can get pretty stunning images. 

And with Portrait Studio, you can get Sketch, Water Color and more. Samsung used Sydney Sweeney to generate her portrait, which was a quick and somewhat awkward moment. 

Note Assist gets an AI boost 

The Samsung Notes app lets you record, summarize and transcribe all within the app, and it can create a quick summary of the transcript. Now you don't have to pay attention in meetings :-)

Google Gemini + Z Fold 6 

Now Jenny Blackburn from Google is taking the stage to talk about the Gemini features built into Samsung's Z Fold 6. On Galaxy phones you can say "Hey, Google" to pop it up on your screen.

You can talk, type or use a photo, or use Gemini in apps like YouTube. Soon you'll be able to do things like ask questions while watching video about the people in them. You'll also be able to move Gemini to a side panel to be a copilot (so to speak). 

You can also use Gemini with Google Maps to find places to eat, for example. 

Galaxy AI goes next level with Circle to Search

Samsung is talking about the benefits of Circle to Search, which is built into the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6. Now with a long press you can translate everything on the screen. 

You can also help with homework. You can circle a math problem and get step-by-step help in solving the equation. 

Galaxy Z Fold 6 display improvements 

The new Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a brighter display that goes up to 2,600 nits, which is a big improvement on the 1,750 nits on the Z Fold 5. Samsung is also playing up the gaming prowess of this phone. 

Meet the new Samsung Foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6

Samsung is moving on to the foldable phones with Annika Bizon. Galaxy AI is coming to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.

The Fold 6 is Samsung's slimmest and lightest book-style foldable yet, with a bigger cover display. Samsung is touting the use of more recycled materials.

The main display is upgraded with new materials to make it the most durable screen yet. And we're seeing a behind-the-scenes video of how Samsung created the new Fold 6 display. 

What about Galaxy Watch 7?

The Galaxy Watch 7 starts at $299 and includes many of the same features as the Galaxy Watch Ultra in a more mainstream design. It got very little time on stage. 

Galaxy Watch Ultra: what makes it different 

For starters, the Galaxy Watch Ultra sports precision dual-frequency GPS system for improved accuracy. There's also state of the art tech for serious athletes; there's a new FTP metric for cyclists, telling you your maximum power. And you can get this within just 4 minutes.

There's also more accurate tracking. There's a new bioactive sensor for heart rate and oxygen saturation. You also get blood pressure and ECG monitoring. Plus, this is the first wearable to help detect signs of sleep apnea, and it's approved by the FDA.

There's also a AGE index (Advanced Glycation End-Products) for monitoring your overall health. 

Galaxy Watch Ultra just got real 

The second fitness device from Samsung is the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which looks like a direct competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra. It has a rugged design with 10ATM water resistance with an ultra modern design. There's titanium cushion frame for added durability. 

The enhanced power management system gives you up to 100 hours in power saving mode. There's also a 3nm processor on board that's up to 3x faster than the previous CPU.

Samsung Galaxy Ring is here

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is getting officially unveiled after a tease earlier this year. It looks pretty sleek. It includes 3 sensors that measures your sleep, heart rate, activity and more. And you get personalized insights with no subscription. That's a knock on Oura Ring.

You get up to 7 hours of battery life, which is better than most smartwatches. It's made of titanium and you can wear the device everywhere. The price is $399, which is on the pricey side. 

Samsung Health is getting an AI boost with Energy Score 

Now it's time to meet the latest Galaxy innovations, starting with Dr. Matthew Wiggins. Samsung Health provides a comprehensive overview of your current health status. With Galaxy AI, you'll get meaningful and actionable insights.

There's a new Energy Score that gives you an all in one gauge of how you're doing. And you'll get personalized tips via AI based on your score. 

Galaxy AI powers everything

Samsung is teasing the next Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Buds, and Galaxy AI will be powering all three of those devices. TM Roh says the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is for productivity and Z Flip 6 is for self-expression. 

TM Roh says that Samsung is taking a giant leap forward with the next frontier of AI. Galaxy AI is designed to empower you, and it's a major ingredient of everything being announced today.

Galaxy AI will be available on 200 million devices this year. 

Translation will help you make friends :-)

We're seeing the Interpreter app in action on the new Galaxy Z Flip 6, with a young man asking if "he can kick it" with friends in a foreign country. And now TM Roh, preseident of the MX business is taking the stage. 

And we're off!

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked has started with a magical wave of AI beams running over the city of Paris. And we're live in the venue with "Galaxy AI is here" text on the screen. 

We're now seeing some of these features in action like Circle to Search. 

Unpacked is about to begin

The music is starting to swell on the YouTube feed of the Unpacked event with the tagline Unfold Your Story. Hmmm, I wonder what we're seeing today?

Live look at Unpacked 

@tomsguide

♬ original sound - Tom’s Guide

Here's a live look around the Unpacked venue as we get ready for the big event to begin! And a quick preview of what to expect. 

All badged up!

We're getting closer to the start of Samsung Galaxy Unpacked. Kate has her press badge ready to go and the Tom's Guide team is ready to give you a blow-by-blow account of the biggest announcements at today's event, from the Galaxy Ring to the new foldable phones. 

We're at Unpacked! 

Image 1 of 2

Samsung is holding Samsung Unpacked in Paris, and our own Kate Kozuch is on the ground at the event checking in right now. She says Unpacked is taking place at Le Carrousel Du Louvre, which is basically a massive underground mall adjacent to the Louvre.

Samsung Galaxy Ring specs

The Samsung Galaxy Ring page is officially up on Samsung's press site. While it doesn't show the features yet, you can check out the full specs. And here's some of the key highlights.

The color options include Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold, and there are several sizes ranging from 5 to 13. The size of the battery varies on the size of the ring, going from 18mAh to 23.5mAh, and the rated battery life is up to 7 days. It takes 30 minutes to get to a 40% charge.

Other Galaxy Ring specs include sensors for accelerometer, PPG and Skin Temperature and a 10ATM and IP68 ratings for durability. 

Get ready for a Galaxy Watch Ultra 

There’s been Galaxy Watch Pro models before, but to date there’s not been a Galaxy Watch Ultra to match the Apple Watch Ultra. This should be about to change. According to the rumor mill we may see a rugged version of the Galaxy Watch 7 launch at Galaxy unpacked — dubbed the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Like the Apple Watch Ultra this could be a more advanced and durable smartwatch for outdoorsy and extreme sports types. Rumors also suggest that the Galaxy Watch Ultra could pack in a microLED display, a 100-hour battery life and run on a brand new Exynos W940 processor with improved efficiency and speed.

We’ve also heard about the possibility of the watch offering non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, something rival smartwatch makers are said to have been working towards for years. That would be a game changer.

Is it finally time for a foldable phone?

This is Mark Spoonauer, global editor in chief for Tom's Guide, taking over our Samsung Unpacked live blog. And I have one general question I hope Samsung can answer today. Can the company get mainstream shoppers excited about foldable phones? Apple's rumored iPhone Flip is still apparently years away, and while Samsung has some competition from the likes of Motorola and OnePlus, it remains the biggest player in a small pool.

How small? While the foldable phone market grew 49% in Q1 according to Counterpoint Research, the overall market share for foldables is predicted to be just 1.5% by the end of the year, says TrendForce. That means there's plenty of room for growth but also still a major obstacle for Samsung to overcome. With the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, the company needs to demonstrate that its phones are more durable and why its foldables are worth ditching a traditional slab for. 

Galaxy Watch 7 Sleep Apnea Alerts?

Here's a last-minute Samsung Unpacked rumor not to sleep on. According to 9to5Google, a new sleep apnea tracking feature is showing up on older Galaxy Watches ahead of the event. It's apparently part of One UI Watch 6, which is available on Galaxy Watch 4, 5 and 6. 

According to the report, the app needs two nights minimum to detect any signs of sleep apnea on the Galaxy Watch. From there, the watch tracks how many “relative decreases in blood oxygen” the user has per night. This can determine if the user has moderate to destructive sleep apnea.

A much needed camera boost for the Flip

The Galaxy Z Flip series’ camera has often been ignored, and it feels like the hardware hasn’t had any meaningful upgrades since the release of the Galaxy Z Flip 3. That may be set to change this year, rumor is that Samsung will finally replace the 12MP main camera with something more substantial.

That’s right, we may finally see a 50MP sensor land on a Galaxy Flip — allowing the Z Flip 6 to take sharper and higher resolution photos than ever before. Considering some of Samsung’s biggest flipping rivals, like the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 and Oppo Find N2 Flip have upgraded their main lens to 50MP, it ensures the Z Flip 5 is on a much more even footing. 

Of course we won’t know how the phones compare until we can test the Z Flip 6 for ourselves — and see what sort of post-shot software trickery Samsung is employing on its new phones.

 Hip to be square?

A persistent rumor surrounding the Galaxy Watch 7 concerned the look of the smartwatch. Specifically, early rumors pegged the updated watch to move away from the circular displays on recent models in favor of a more squared-off look, marking a return to the Galaxy Gear days.

Leaked Galaxy Watch 7 images have since come out, though, and they showcase a watch with the same rounded face as before. So that’s a smartwatch rumor we may have to put to bed — at least for Samsung’s standard watch. The Galaxy Watch Ultra, in contrast, has appeared in leaked images of its own with a square watch face. So add that to the potential differences between the two models. 

Z Fold 6 redesign at last? Don’t count on it

The Galaxy Z Fold series has kept the same basic design since the very beginning. When the phone is folded, you end up with a taller and skinnier build than you’d typically get from a smartphone — offering an experience that feels more claustrophobic and less comfortable as a result. But early rumors, dating back to shortly after the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, suggested that things may be changing this year.

Sadly, while some hoped for a grand redesign to better match the likes of the Pixel Fold and the OnePlus Open, more recent rumors have painted a very different story. Leaked specs have claimed both the Z Fold 6’s displays will have different aspect ratios to the Z Fold 5, suggesting some kind of sizing change is coming.

Unfortunately leaked renders show off a phone that looks more or less identical to its predecessors. On top of that leaked specs from Evan Blass include full dimensions for the handset, and suggest a size difference of just a few millimeters. So if you had your heart set on a Samsung-made version of the Pixel Fold you may end up being rather disappointed. 

About that Galaxy Z Flip 6 cover display

While tracking recent Galaxy Z Flip 6 rumors, we were alarmed to hear that the Z Flip could come with a downgraded LCD outer display. Fortunately, it now seems that this isn't the case, and it'll be AMOLED just like the Galaxy Z Flip 5 last year.

It would be weird for Samsung to downgrade the cover screen of its new Z Flip, considering it was only new last year. However, with component prices continually rising higher, perhaps it's not unthinkable that Samsung would look to cut costs where it could. Something to look out for when the full specs sheets get published.

Rumored watches, compared

Having a hard time keeping your Galaxy Watch 7 rumors straight from your Galaxy Watch Ultra rumblings? We’ve broken down the chatter about both likely additions to Samsung’s watch lineup for this Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Galaxy Watch 7 comparison.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra figures to be bigger and more durable with a longer-lasting battery. Also look for it to cost hundreds of dollars more than the starting price for the Galaxy Watch 7.

How much will the new phones cost?

Foldable phones are not inexpensive, with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 offering starting prices of $999 and $1,799, respectively. You’d imagine if Samsung hopes to get its foldables in the hands of more people, it would be working to lower the cost of the Flip and Fold — or at the very least, maintain the current prices.

Rumors paint a bleaker picture for the prices of the new foldables, with the fairly reliable OnLeaks (aka Steve Hemmerstoffer) predicting a price hike for both the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. Specifically, the leaker tips each phone to cost $100 more than their predecessors.

OnLeaks isn’t the only one. A separate rumor also points to higher Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 prices in Europe.

Would Samsung really charge more for its foldables at a time when it’s facing increased competition? We’ll find out later today.

Last chance to save $50 on an upcoming Galaxy device

If you have your heart set on pre-ordering one of the rumored Galaxy devices set to be unveiled at Unpacked later today, you can save yourself a bit of cash — but only if you hurry. If you head over to Samsung’s website and reserve one of the new devices, you earn $50 credit to spend on one of the new products. 

But you have to do it before Galaxy Unpacked begins at 9 a.m. Eastern time (6 a.m. Pacific time / 2 p.m. U.K. time).

At the time of writing that means you have just over 5 hours to give Samsung your details and save that cash. Considering we’ve heard rumors about a possible price hike for the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 foldables, any extra savings are definitely something you’ll take advantage of.  

More competition for the Flip

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t the only flip phone-style foldable garnering attention this week. Motorola released new versions of its foldable Razr phone at the end of June, and we’ve now had a chance to review both models.

The Motorola Razr Plus (2024) is a direct competitor to the Samsungs Flip, as it has the same $999 starting price as the Galaxy Z Flip 5. It’s got a larger cover screen, a new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and camera improvements. (Most people will like the 50MP main lens on the Razr Plus; the addition of a telephoto lens at the expense of an ultrawide camera may prove to be a more controversial swap.)

But don’t sleep on the $699 Motorola Razr (2024). The lower-cost foldable requires some compromises — the chipset isn’t as powerful, and we noticed some camera performance issues in low light. But Motorola addressed one of the biggest issues with the 2023 model by expanding the cover display from a tiny strip to a more useful 3.6-inch panel. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 could have competition from both directions.

Galaxy Ring potential price

Samsung has given us a good look at the Galaxy Ring, but it's been pretty mum about what it's going to charge for the smart ring. That likely comes to a head today, since we imagine Unpacked will include a big reveal on the Galaxy Ring's pricing and availability.

In the meantime, all we can do is speculate about potential Galaxy Ring prices. Most smart rings cost around $300, though that's just the price for the ring itself. Some devices also come with monthly subscription fees if you want to get anything out of your wearable.

For what it's worth, leaked Galaxy Ring pricing suggests you'll pay between $300 and $350 for the Galaxy Ring. That's a little bit more expensive than the Oura Ring, but you'll also pay for a subscription with that product. It's unclear if Samsung will also charge a recurring fee at this point. 

Potential color options

Color options are always a major focus leading up to major phone releases, and that's especially the case with the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip, since having an eye-catching design is part of the phone's appeal. Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 color rumors have been fairly consistent from the get-go.

Based on both rumors as well as a series of leaked renders that look pretty official to our eye, it sounds like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will come in pink, dark navy blue and silver. Look for brighter options with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is tipped to feature silver, green, light blue and yellow. If none of those options grab you, Samsung occasionally offers exclusive colors at its website, so stay tuned.

Eat my dust

One of the most frequently cited concerns about foldable phones is their durability — people are reluctant to pay anywhere from $999 to $1,799 for one of Samsung's foldables if there's a chance that the device could... well... stop folding. And one of the things that can bring devices to their knees quicker than you might think is dust.

That's a concern for the current foldables from Samsung, which have a resistance rating for water but not for dust. That makes potential Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip buyers wary of dust getting into their would-be phones and wreaking havoc on the movable parts that cause the phone to open and shut.

Given that background, you can understand why my colleague Richard Pirday is excited about a feature tipped for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. The new phones are expected to have an IP48 rating. That means the phones will be able to resist dust as well as survive a dunk in water. If true, it's an improvement that could make people feel a lot more reassured about buying a foldable phone.

Meet the Galaxy Watch's Bioactive Sensor

The Galaxy Watch 7 is also likely to be on the agenda at Galaxy Unpacked, though Samsung has already given us a look at one of the new features coming to the watch. Samsung previewed the BioActive health sensor that will be a part of its upcoming watches.

Fitness editor James Frew has the BioActive health sensor details, but the TLDR; version is that it's an embedded in Samsung smartwatches, and this upgraded version boasts optimized sensor placement which should lead to more accurate readings for things like heart rate monitoring. There's more space on this chip, too, along with improvements to the LEDs used to measure your heart rate. 

An Olympic setting

The timing and setting of this Unpacked is a little more interesting than your typical Samsung event. While Samsung tends to hold its product launches in New York or San Francisco, this year's Unpacked is taking place in Paris. And it's happening just weeks before the Paris Olympics gets underway.

In fact, Samsung moved up Unpacked from its usual end of July/beginning of August window so that the product launch could take part in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympics. Partly, that's because Samsung is one of the event's sponsors. But I'm guessing the types of products Samsung is going to introduce today are also behind the company's choice in settings. As I wrote this weekend, health and fitness tracking are going to take center stage at Unpacked, to the point where the foldable phones will likely be overshadowed.

By the way, my colleague Kate Kozuch is in Paris attending Unpacked, so look for reports from her later in the day.

Oura gets ready for the Galaxy Ring

If today is the day that brings the launch of the Galaxy Ring — and all signs point to yes — the chief rival to Samsung's smart ring isn't taking the news lying down. Right before Galaxy Unpacked, Oura announced plans to bring AI features to its Oura Ring.

The newly unveiled Oura Advisor is a suite of AI-based tools that will analyze data to come up with actionable advice on improving your sleep and well-being. Or as Oura puts it, the Advisor feature available to Oura Ring Gen 3 owners will tap into ""AI to empower [you] to achieve [your] health goals with personalized insights, recommendations, and encouragement."

Your move, Samsung.

Unless Samsung has a surprise up its sleeve, ne product we won't be seeing today at Galaxy Unpacked is the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE. That's the cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Fold that would strip away some features — forget about S Pen support, for example — in exchange for a lower price.

For a while, there was a steady stream of rumors about a possible low-cost foldable from Samsung showing up at the summer Unpacked event. But in May, reports surfaced that Samsung was tabling work on this particular device. Reportedly, the problem is that Samsung worried about a lack of differentiation from the full-featured Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The FE version of the Fold may not be entirely dead. There's talk it could show up at the start of next year alongside the Galaxy S25. But that's an Unpacked event for another time.

Galaxy AI, take two

Samsung's current foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 — already boast some Galaxy AI features, as Samsung brought the capabilities it introduced with the Galaxy S24 launch to recent flagships, including the last Fold and Flip. That means capabilities like Circle to Search and Chat Assist are already a part of the Samsung foldable experience.

Samsung figures to expand Galaxy AI features at Unpacked today. We know this because Samsung told us as much in a blog post last month by Won-Joon Choi, who happens to head the company's mobile R&D office in its Mobile Experience business. "Our foldables are the most versatile and flexible form factor in Samsung Galaxy and when combined with Galaxy AI, these two complementary technologies will together unlock all new possibilities," Choi wrote at the time.

What form Galaxy AI features designed for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 might take is unclear, but at least one rumor suggests a Fold-specific capability that will tap into generative image editing. According to the rumor, you'll be able to take any drawings you make on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and have AI tools spruce them up to look more stylize.

That's likely just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Galaxy AI features coming to Samsung's phones, as I think AI needs to be a feature that sets Samsung's foldables apart from the crowd.

Up close with the Galaxy Ring

It's way too early to pick an MVP of Unpacked, considering we're still hours away from the start of the event. But it's very clear that there's a lot of attention around the Galaxy Ring, the smart ring that will mark Samsung's first entry into this new market of health trackers.

Samsung showed off the ring briefly at its January Unpacked event and then gave us a look at the different colors during February's Mobile World Congress. What Samsung hasn't told us is a price yet or what the Ring will be able to do.

Leaks have filled in some details on the latter question at least. According to leaks, the ring is supposed to measure both heart rate and stress levels, and it's widely anticipated to monitor sleep patterns as well, with snore detection features to potentially diagnose sleep apnea. Other potential features include the ability to measure skin temperature and predict menstrual cycles.

Some reports even claim that the Galaxy Ring could include an ECG sensor as well as an additional sensor to measure blood flow. Those rumored capabilities seem more far-fetched to us, however.