Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event is just a week away, set to take place on July 9 at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. This year, tech enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement over the expected unveiling of new foldable phones, particularly the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Z Flip 7, alongside a new lineup of Galaxy Watches. Once considered a quiet month for tech releases, July has transformed into a significant date in the tech calendar, largely due to Samsung's innovations.
Samsung was among the pioneers in the foldable phone market, but it faces increasing competition from brands like Motorola, Google, and notable Chinese manufacturers such as Honor, Oppo, and Xiaomi. These competitors have released their own foldable models, addressing many of the shortcomings found in the Galaxy Z Fold 6, including issues related to price, size, battery life, and camera quality. A prime example is the Oppo Find N5, recognized as one of the world’s thinnest foldable book-style phones, which offers a design closer to traditional smartphones when closed.
CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti praised the Find N5 for its sleek and comfortable design, stating, "Whether I'm using the cover display or the internal one, I'm not constantly reminded of how gimmicky the concept of a foldable phone can be." This raises the question: how will Samsung respond to this rising tide of competition?
The upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event could be a crucial moment for Samsung, particularly for the Galaxy Fold line. Critics are eager to see how Samsung will match or exceed the advancements made by Chinese foldable phones. Additionally, there's increasing interest in Samsung's developments in AI and health and wellness monitoring, especially concerning its Galaxy smartwatches.
Recent rumors and leaks indicate that Samsung is prepared to showcase an exciting range of foldable devices, including a budget version of its clamshell flip phone and updates to its smartwatch collection. In fact, the company is even offering promotions of up to $1,200 off for those who reserve the new foldable phones directly from their website.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Samsung has released intriguing press materials to build hype for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its anticipated Ultra variant, which is rumored to feature a cutting-edge camera system. A press release titled "Meet the Next Chapter of Ultra" hints at multiple variants of the Galaxy Z Fold, including a potential Ultra version powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
Speculation suggests that the main camera could rival flagship devices, potentially mirroring the impressive 200-MP camera found in the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge. Furthermore, there are whispers of a thinner, lighter Fold 7 variant, informally dubbed the Fold 7 Slim, though it's unclear if it will utilize the Snapdragon processor or an Exynos alternative.
Leaker Evan Blass has shared images of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, showcasing it in various colors: blue shadow, silver shadow, and jet black. These images highlight the phone's slim profile and suggest a return to a more traditional camera cutout design, moving away from the under-display camera feature used in previous models.
In a similar vein to Motorola's strategy of offering multiple versions of its Razr, Samsung may unveil not just one, but two versions of the Galaxy Z Flip 7. This includes the standard Z Flip 7, which is expected to feature a larger 4.1-inch cover screen, and a more affordable Z Flip 7 FE (Fan Edition).
Rumors suggest that the Z Flip 7 will leverage Samsung's newly launched Exynos 2500 processor, while the Z Flip 7 FE may be a rebranded version of the Z Flip 6, featuring a 3.4-inch cover screen. There is speculation that Samsung might price the Z Flip 7 FE at around $700, positioning it competitively against Motorola's offerings.
Samsung is also set to reveal updates to its smartwatch lineup, including the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. Senior Vice President Dr. Hon Pak recently hinted at exciting new features aimed at personalized health and wellness monitoring, including a revolutionary blood analysis function that can be performed without needles.
While it's still unclear how many new watches will be introduced, potential options include the Galaxy Watch 8, a follow-up to last year's model, a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and an updated version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Reports indicate that these new models will boast larger batteries, enhancing overall performance and usability.
The upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event promises to deliver significant advancements in Samsung's foldable phone and smartwatch technologies. As Samsung gears up to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and the latest in the Galaxy Watch series, consumers and tech aficionados alike will be watching closely to see how the company positions itself against the increasing competition in the foldable market.
