The launch of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 accompanied by Watch 5 and Buds2 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 - straight from the launch video: GSMchoice.com via YouTube

We start the review of Samsung's novelties with folded smartphones. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 share the most important elements of the flagship interior with each other. Both smartphones have Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 processors and LPDDR5 and UFS 3.1 memory. Both Samsung folded smartphones were designed to be as durable as possible. They withstand a minimum of 200,000 folding and unfolding cycles, which can be converted into over 5 years of operation, assuming that we open and close the housing 100 times every day. The frames and hinges of the enclosures are of course metal, and their fronts and backs are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. It is also worth noting that both Samsung foldable smartphones are waterproof in the IPX8 class - so they can withstand a half-hour immersion at a depth of 1.5 m, of course in fresh, chemically neutral water. The manufacturer clearly indicates that the phones should not be exposed to sea or swimming pool water.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is similar in shape and appearance to of the previous generation model, but slightly smaller. For example, it was possible to reduce the width of the hinge by 1.2 mm, and the height of the folded housing by 1.5 mm. The frame around the internal, flexible display has also been reduced - by fractions of a millimeter, but still... The smartphone can be purchased in graphite, rose gold, blue and the new Bora Purple, which will be the colour of the year in Samsung smartphones. There will also be a Bespoke Edition, in which the customer can choose from three colours of the phone frame and 5 colors of the outer panels of the housing. Together, this makes 75 different combinations, but this version will be made to order and may take a while for it. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has a more functional 1.9-inch auxiliary display. Now it can display various graphics, emotes and a wallpaper that matches the one from the larger screen or from the watch. You can also set a GIF wallpaper or a short FHD movie on the screen. Of course, the screen invariably presents notifications, and also gives you the ability to make calls and reply to messages without opening the case. The external screen also supports the Smart Things application for ecosystem management, as well as Samsung Pay for payments. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has three cameras. The 10-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.4 aperture is invariably located in the aperture of the flexible screen, while on the outside we have two 12-megapixel cameras: wide-angle with f/2.2 aperture and main, with f/1.8 aperture and OIS optical stabilization. The camera's software uses the Flex Mode, i.e. with the phone casing at an incomplete angle. Thanks to this, the phone can be placed on a flat surface and you can do without a tripod, taking photos from different angles. Flex Mode is also used in many applications. The most important ones, such as YouTube or Messenger or Duo, are already adapted to work on a split screen, and for applications not adapted to this format, there is an option to easily divide the internal screen into two windows - and even the possibility of using the lower half of the screen as a touchpad. The flexible screen itself has a diagonal and the same resolution as in the previous model - 6.7 inches Full HD+ - but the image refresh has changed, now it works in the extended range from 1 to 120 Hz.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has three color variations this year: black, gold and gray, with the latter being the leading color of the device promotion. You can see that Fold is a business model, which is more conservative audiences than Flip. Galaxy Z Fold4, like its smaller relative, in the new edition lost to 263 g (from 271 and 282 g in previous generations) and gained slightly different proportions. We can notice it mainly with a closed housing - the smartphone is 3.1 mm lower, which we can notice mainly due to the proportions of the external, auxiliary screen, which are more pleasant to the eye and hand. It has a diagonal of 6.2 inches, refreshing 48-120 Hz and a resolution of 2316x904 pixels. Inevitably, the proportions of the internal 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 1-120 Hz refreshing have also changed. The sub-screen selfie camera has also been improved - now it is less conspicuous when it is not working. Also in this model, improvements were made in the use of display halves in Flex Mode: there is also a touchpad and a wider optimization of popular applications. Galaxy Z Fold4 remains the only foldable smartphone on the market that works with the stylus. The stylus must be dedicated to this model, with a cushioned tip. Unfortunately, you have to buy it separately, but there are two versions to choose from. The S Pen Pro model has Bluetooth LE and in addition to supporting gestures in the air, it can also work with other Galaxy smartphones that support styluses. In addition, there are also covers for storing the stylus and a new option for clever text selection with it, using artificial intelligence. Some changes have also been made to the photography. Unfortunately, the sub-screen camera remained 4-megapixel (rather only for video calls), and the external one for selfies - is still 10-megapixel. The main camera, however, has been improved, which now has a main matrix of 50 megapixels with OIS, a wide-angle 12 megapixel module and a 10-megapixel tele module with 3x zoom, also with OIS.

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro

The new watches Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro primarily offer larger batteries, ensuring longer working time. In the Pro model, the capacity reaches 590 mAh, and in the base versions - 284 or 410 mAh. The watches use Exynos W920 processors, 1.5+16 GB memory and the Android Wear system. The watches of the Galaxy Watch5 series are equipped with an optical pulse oximeter as well as a bioelectric sensor that analyzes the body composition. The devices monitor sleep and physical activity, and can also measure blood pressure and ECG. The watches also have sapphire glasses, and the Pro variant also has a titanium case with a frame protecting the screen and a new type of strap. In the Pro model, we can also find interesting GPS navigation - allowing you to return to the starting point on your own tracks. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 40mm comes in gray, silver and rose gold, while the 44mm model comes in gray, silver and sapphire. The Pro model can only be purchased in 45 mm size, in black or grey.

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

The new Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro TWS wireless headphones are smaller and lighter than the previous generation model. They offer significantly better sound thanks to the use of 24-bit transmission, and they have an improved ANC Active Noise Reduction system. It automatically detects the moment when we start talking to someone - and switches the sound attenuation so that we can clearly hear the person we are talking to. Galaxy Buds2 Pro also offer 360-degree surround sound and are designed to be more comfortable to wear. There are three colors to choose from: Gray, White and Bora Purple.

Prices for Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip4, Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro

Here is a list of the prices of individual variants of the premiere devices:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 12 + 256 GB - $1,799, €1,799
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 12 + 512 GB - $1,799*, €1,919
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 12 GB + 1TB - $2,159, €2,159
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 8 + 128 GB - $999, €1,099
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 8 + 256 GB - $999* / $1,039 Bespoke Edition, €1,159 regular / €1,199 Bespoke Edition
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 8 + 512 GB - $1,179, €1,279
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 40 mm - $280/€300
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 LTE 40 mm - $330/€350
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 44 mm - $310
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 LTE 44 mm - $360
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro - $450/€470
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro LTE - $500/€520
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro - Starting at $230/€230

* Temporary promo offers a free storage upgrade. For the Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 512 GB units cost the same as the 256 GB one (upgrade worth $120).

Advance sale runs from August 10 to August 25.