This week saw the launch of two major smartphones at opposite ends of the price spectrum: a premium foldable phone was unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked, and a new phone that's affordable and easy to use (yet has surprisingly good specs) was revealed in the CMF by Nothing showcase.
We also got to see other Samsung gadgets, saw teasers for the Google and Samsung XR (again), and were promised a huge Prime Day sale, including three free PC games.
In case you missed it, we've covered these top stories and more in this roundup to keep you up to date on the biggest tech news of the week.
7. Samsung Unpacked is exciting
The highly anticipated Galaxy Ring may have taken the top spot at this week's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked showcase, but two new additions to Samsung's foldable lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, were just as popular with the Paris crowd.
Admittedly, this year's upgrades are more iterative than groundbreaking, but they might still be enough to rank the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 among the best foldable phones of 2024. The former device sports a sharper design and brighter screen than its predecessor, while the Galaxy Z Flip 6 packs a new 50MP camera and a bigger battery. Both new foldable phones also feature a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and plenty of durability improvements.
We currently have the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 in our testing labs, but for early impressions on each new device, check out our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review and hands-on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review .
6. Samsung Unpacked is a must-watch
The biggest news on the wearables front is that Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 7, and new flagship Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Samsung's first foray into the wearable device space, the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Ring, looks like a small, discreet fitness tracker with some pretty smart features thanks to the Samsung Health app, but unlike some of its competitors, it doesn't come with a subscription.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung's Apple Watch Ultra rival, a tough smartwatch with a titanium body and long battery life. Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a sleek smartwatch that's almost identical in design to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. You can read all our thoughts on the new device by clicking the link above.
5. Samsung and Google discuss AI updates, tease XR
Continuing its list of the hottest tech trends for 2024, Samsung made AI a central part of its Unpacked presentation, inviting Google executives onstage to explain how Gemini will make Samsung (and other Android devices) a force to be reckoned with.
This includes a new sketch-to-image feature that lets the device transform your rough drawing into a more artistic-looking photo, either as a standalone image or as a new element in an existing photo. Z Flip 6 also has a unique Live Translation feature that shows translated text on the inside and outside display, allowing you and the person you're talking to to understand each other without having to constantly rotate the phone screen.
However, at the end of the segment, new hints were dropped about a collaboration between Samsung and Google XR (a collective term for VR, AR, and MR), with TM Roh, president and head of Samsung's Mobile Experience (MX) business, saying that “a new XR platform will be coming this year.” While the exact date is unknown, attention is now focused on the Samsung Developer's Conference (SDC), scheduled for October 3, 2024, where we may finally see the Samsung XR/VR headset.
4. CMF by Nothing offers a cheap but fun new technology
Nothing's sub-brand CMF (short for Color, Material, Finish) is known for its combination of great design and attractive pricing, and it proved that appealing once again this week with the launch of three new products: the Phone 1, Buds Pro 2, and Watch Pro 2.
All three phones bring new features to the table, including a removable back cover for the Phone 1, a sleek case with built-in dial for the Buds Pro 2, and a lower price of $69 / £69 / AU$119 for the Watch Pro 2.
With bright orange accents and a respectable spec sheet, this product is sure to make it into some of our budget buying guides, such as the best budget wireless earbuds and the best cheap smartwatches. We'll have a full review coming soon, so stay tuned.
3. YouTube Music is testing AI radio, bringing Spotify's AI game to the table
AI isn't just for the odd piece of art or to brighten up your resume. It can also create radio stations. Google-owned YouTube Music knows that, right? Fresh off of introducing its “hum it and play” voice recognition system, this little-known streaming service is testing an AI playlist feature that will create personalized radio stations tailored just for you. When or if this feature rolls out to your account, you'll see a new card in your home feed that says “Request music as you like” (sing “as you like”). it is Send the “necessary information” directly to your mobile phone.
Anyway, a chat window will open where you can enter a prompt by typing or speaking, and the app will suggest sample prompts like “epic soundtrack,” “catchy pop chorus,” and even “surprise me.”
For now, the new features don't appear to have been widely tested, but YouTube Music's two current AI experiments could be important and decisive features in the battle to become one of the best music streaming services.
2. Amazon promises free Prime Day deals
The Amazon Prime Day sales are fast approaching, and the early deals we've seen so far have you covered with great deals on Sony headphones, OLED TVs, and smartwatches, but what could be better than 100% off? (Well, 200% off, which means you get your money, but we mean a discount you can actually see.)
That's right, Prime members will receive a free goodie on July 16th in the form of three PC games. Suicide Squad: Defeat the Justice League, Chivalry 2and Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20th Anniversary (Includes Season Pass DLC).
We Know Defeat the Justice League It's a terrible game (I gave it two stars in my review), but it's free to play and the next Mrs. Freeze expansion is coming soon, so now might be the perfect time to start. Or should you just play it? Rise of the Tomb RaiderBecause it's a great game.
Speaking of deals, we can't help but talk about this awesome offer Meta launched for the 512GB Meta Quest 3. Meta says you'll “spend less than if you bought each item individually,” but that's just not true.
This week, Meta launched a “buy now, pay later” offer, allowing eligible US-based customers to purchase a Meta Quest 3 headset, a 24-month Meta Quest+ subscription, and a 24-month Meta Warranty Plus, paid for in 24 monthly installments. The 128GB Meta Quest 3 bundle costs $24.99 per month, an overall savings of $599.76 instead of $659.96. However, the 512GB bundle costs $839.76 instead of $819.96, all paid separately.
Meta didn't respond to a request for comment, but we think the issue lies in how it calculates the cost of a 24-month Meta Quest+ membership: Because the plan requires a two-year commitment, we think it's fair to compare the cost to two one-year subscriptions at $59.99 per year (or $119.98 total), but Meta calculates it at $7.99 per month (or $191.76).
You should always think twice before agreeing to a buy now, pay later plan, as you won't be able to change your mind later. This is another thing to double check before you commit to it to make sure it's really a good deal.
