SAMSUNG has revealed a stellar new line-up of smartphones in South Korea, in its latest bid to take on Apple’s iPhone.
The tech giant is the most popular Android maker around – and the company aims to keep the top spot as it unveiled the sleek and high-tech new Galaxy Flip 5.
Samsung‘s Galaxy Unpacked event is a half-annual must-see event for any Android fan, which has been going on since 2010 and today took place on the company’s home turf of Seoul, South Korea.
Built with 6.7-inch and 7.6-inch main screens, the phones have bigger displays than Samsungs previous folding devices and are equipped with more advanced cameras, providing crisper visuals as well as more features for work, text and video chats, movies and games.
Designed to be compact and easy to carry, the Flip 5 is also built with a 3.4-inch cover screen that allows it to still be used while folded in half.
The Sun is also in South Korea at the Samsung event with all the latest news and updates in our live blog below…
-
Our expert gives their first impressions
Our tech expert Jamie Harris has given his first impressions of the Samsung Fold 5.
He wrote: “The Fold 5 looks pretty much the same as before.
“But you can definitely notice that it’s lighter – officially, it’s 10g lighter than previous.
“Like the Flip 5, it also seems to open and close a lot more smoothly.
“The display is gorgeous and glossy – but that crease prevails.”
-
What’s new with the Galaxy Fold 5?
One of today’s biggest announcements was the brand-new Samsung Galaxy Fold 5.
This new and improved foldable, sees the tech giant make a series of iterative changes to last year’s model.
It is reportedly substantially more powerful than the Fold 4.
And our expert Jamie Harris also highlighted that the folding mechanism is much smoother than last year.
-
Galaxy Z Flip 5 officially revealed
Less than ten minutes into today’s show and Samsung revealed the new Galaxy Z Flip 5.
The most noticeable change is the back display (the one that appears when the phone is closed shut) is even bigger.
Perfect for you selfie lovers…
-
In pictures: Tech fans and stars gather for huge Samsung reveals
From K-pop stars to tech fans, huge crowds turned out to attend today’s Samsung unpacked.
-
Join the flip side
Samsung has shared a new look at all of today’s announcements.
The tech giant revealed a slew of new products at Samsung Unpacked in Seoul.
Filled with folds, flips and new tech, check out the trailer below.
-
When will today’s reveals become available?
Both the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 are released on August 11.
The Flip starts at £1,049 and the Fold at £1,749.
Samsung is offering up to £650 off if you trade-in certain smartphones with a pre-order.
-
More expert reaction
Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight says that Samsung is the “undisputed leader in foldables for now”.
“Samsung is keen to maintain this and grow its market share, evident with its fifth iteration of foldable devices,” he said.
“However, more and more rivals have or are launching their own foldable devices.
“This is fast becoming the next battleground as they all seek to lure users to premium high-end devices.”
He added: “All eyes are still firmly on what Apple will do in foldables.”
-
When is the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 released?
Pre-orders for the Galaxy Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 are available now.
But you won’t receive your device until August 11.
-
What do the experts make of the new Galaxy smartphones?
Ben Wood, Chief Analyst & CMO at CCS Insight said the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 offer “iterative improvements” over their predecessors with the “most important development being the introduction of the Samsung Flex Hinge, which enables a zero-gap design which has become a common element on rival devices.”
“The star of the show is the Galaxy Z Flip5,” he said.
“Although it’s not the first flip foldable to have a large external display, the 3.4-inch cover screen is striking and a significant upgrade to the 1.9-inch display on previous models.
“Expanding the feature set of the outside screen will make it more likely that users will choose to carry out quick interactions without having to unfold their phones.”
-
Round-up of everything revealed today
The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event saw four big new products revealed.
First up, we had the Galaxy Z Flip 5, with a big new screen when folded.
Then we had the Galaxy Z Fold 5, the big beast which is now slightly lighter and more powerful.
We also had brand new Galaxy Watches focusing on sleep.
And finally, a new tablet with an ultra thin design.
-
Galaxy Z Fold 5: First impressions
The Fold 5 looks pretty much the same as before.
But you can definitely notice that it’s lighter – officially, it’s 10g lighter than previous.
Like the Flip 5, it also seems to open and close a lot more smoothly.
The display is gorgeous and glossy – but that crease prevails.
Folding out -
Galaxy Z Flip 5: First impressions
The first thing you can’t miss about the Flip 5 is the expanded screen size on the back.
It’s a welcome change for those who love selfies.
But the extra widgets are particularly great – so no need to open your phone constantly for alerts or even just checking out your calendar.
It feels like the hinge has been massively improved too, opening and closing much smoother than before but retaining a strong build.
You can still very much see the crease along the middle when you open the Flip 5 though.
Flipping good -
That’s a wrap – but we have more
The event has now wrapped up.
But before we finish, we’ll give your our first hands-on impressions in just a mo.
-
Sydney Selfie
Here’s that selfie with Sydney Sweeney and Jang Wonyoung from earlier.
Not bad for a live shot!
-
Watch out
Next up we’ve got the brand new Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – and there’s two models available.
Samsung is going big on sleep with new Sleep Score Factors to rank how well you’re resting with greater detail and Sleep Messages to fill you in when you wake up the next morning.
They start at £289.
-
Get saving now… they’re not cheap
Both the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 are released on August 11.
The Flip starts at £1,049 and the Fold at £1,749.
Samsung is offering up to £650 off if you trade-in certain smartphones with a pre-order.
-
Sweet stuff
We’ve just had a VERY brief appearance from BTS star Suga.
The rapper held up the brand new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.
-
Galaxy Z Fold 5 revealed
Now it’s time for the big beast, the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Fans will be for forgiven for not noticing a great deal different from last year’s Fold 4, but Samsung bosses assure us it’s more powerful and smoother than before.
They’ve described it as “PC-like power in your pocket”.
-
And now Sydney Sweeney!
American actress Sydney Sweeney has just appeared with K-Pop star Jang Wonyoung.
And the pair took a selfie on the Z Flip 5.
-
BTS star Suga spotted
Photos are now emerging of BTS star Suga at the Samsung event.
As you can imagine, fans are going wild online.
-
Widget heaven
Samsung has packed loads of widgets into the so-called “Flex Window”.
So you can see loads of stuff without even having to open your phone up.
-
Galaxy Z Flip 5 officially revealed
Less than ten minutes in and Samsung has revealed the new Galaxy Z Flip 5.
The most noticeable change is the back display (the one that appears when the phone is closed shut) is even bigger.
Perfect for you selfie lovers…
-
And it’s show time!
Lights, camera, action. The event is finally underway!
The Samsung boss TM Roh is now on stage to get us started.
-
Crowds for rumoured BTS star
A huge crowd has erupted at the doors of the Samsung Unpacked event for BTS star Suga’s rumoured appearance.
Though it’s hard to make anything out for sure!
-
Less than half an hour to go
We’re really close to finding all Samsung has to offer at this year’s Galaxy Unpacked with less than 30 mins until the main event kicks off.
We hear that the show is due to last for an hour which should get us right into the action thick and fast.
