Samsung announced eight new devices in Paris this morning during its latest Galaxy Unpacked event. The products — all featuring Galaxy AI — include new Samsung folding smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6; the Galaxy Watch7 smartwatch series in two sizes and a new Galaxy Watch Ultra; the Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro wireless earbuds; and a $400 health-tracking smart ring called Galaxy Ring, marking a new product category for the company. The IP68 and 10 ATM water-resistant Galaxy Ring is a lightweight titanium ring that will be available later this year in nine size options in black, silver and gold finishes.

The ring “pairs with any Android phone through the Samsung Health app, but it won’t work with iPhones,” reports Wired. “You do not need a subscription to access the full suite of features; all of the available features are included with the purchase. It also works with Samsung Find.”

Galaxy Ring touts health-tracking features such as “sleep tracking, cycle tracking, high or low heart rate alerts, and auto-workout detection,” notes Wired. “Samsung has talked up its use of artificial intelligence on the Ring, using smart algorithms to monitor sleep patterns, snoring, and heart and respiratory rate to help you get more robust information about your sleep.”

The Energy Score feature available on the Galaxy Ring and new Galaxy Watches evaluates health-tracking data to offer daily recommendations and wellness tips, similar in operation to Fitbit’s Daily Readiness and Garmin’s Body Battery.

Tom’s Guide was largely positive in its review of Samsung’s newly revamped wireless earbuds, designed to compete with Apple’s AirPods: “Available for $249, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro prioritize microphone quality, controls and adaptive AI-powered adjustments. Alternatively, the $179 Galaxy Buds3 offer a similar, open-fit look for less, with both models available in Silver and White colors.”

The upgraded earbuds “can adjust playback via voice and even play translated conversations with a new Interpreter tool,” writes Tom’s. “Microphones in each also improve the listening experience with Adaptive EQ and Adaptive ANC (active noise cancellation.) That said, the Pro model takes things one step further with Adaptive Noise Control, Siren Detect, and Voice Detect features.”

Samsung, a pioneer in foldable devices, unveiled its “slimmest and lightest Galaxy Z series ever,” according to its press release, noting that the “cover screen ratio on Galaxy Z Fold6 provides a more natural bar-type viewing experience,” while “the dual rail hinge structure is further supported by a strengthened folding edge, better distributing the shock of external impacts.”

The series features enhanced Armor Aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for increased durability, and both models are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform for Galaxy, optimized for AI processing.

The Galaxy Z Fold6, which ships July 27, starts at $1,900 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. According to TechRadar, the new version “seems better than its predecessor, the Z Fold5, in almost every way.”

“Design-wise it feels like a big leap forward — this now feels like a ‘normal’ phone that just happens to split open to reveal a big main-screen wonder. The AI features look genuinely useful, but on the downside there’s not much that’s new in the cameras department.”

Like the Fold6, the Galaxy Z Flip6 is also lighter, faster and more durable than its predecessor. Engadget describes the model as “more photo-friendly compact foldable” and notes it is “getting a vapor chamber for the first time to help provide better sustained performance.”

“When it comes to AI, in addition to existing features like browsing assist, dictation and Circle to Search, there’s a new on-device texting feature that will read up to seven previous messages to provide you with more useful and contextual smart replies,” Engadget adds.

The Flip6 starts at $1,099 and will be available starting July 24.

Related:
Galaxy Unpacked July 2024: Official Live Stream (Video), Samsung, 7/10/24
Here’s Everything Announced at Samsung’s Big Launch Event, CNBC, 7/10/24
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Everything Announced at the July Event, The Verge, 7/10/24
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked Live Blog, CNET, 7/10/24
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Review: Tougher, Smarter, Snappier, TechRadar, 7/10/24
The Galaxy Watch Ultra Looks Like an Apple Watch Ultra Clone, CNET, 7/10/24
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 vs. Galaxy Watch Ultra, Tom’s Guide, 7/10/24
To See the Future of AI on iPhones, Check Out Samsung, The Wall Street Journal, 7/10/24