With just two weeks to go until Samsung's summer Galaxy Unpacked event, rumors are circulating about what's going to be announced. The company could unveil a new foldable smartphone, earbuds, a smartwatch, and perhaps most notably, details about the long-awaited Galaxy Ring health wearable will be revealed. We're also expecting updates on Galaxy AI, the smartphone maker's suite of AI-powered software features.
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Ahead of the event in Paris on July 10, here's everything you need to know, including how to watch and what to expect.
How to watch Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event
Samsung will livestream the event on its website, Samsung Newsroom and YouTube channel. 6AM PST (9 a.m. ET) July 10.
The company also posted an animated invitation on its YouTube channel, showing a 3D cube spinning on one of the corners of a flat surface, projecting the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower and the Galaxy AI logo.
Galaxy AI refreshed
“Galaxy AI is breaking new ground,” Samsung wrote in an official event invitation sent out on Tuesday.
Galaxy AI, which Samsung unveiled earlier this year, is designed to improve and simplify a variety of tasks, including photo editing and search. And as more phone makers, from Apple to Google, tout their own AI products, Samsung is sure to continue to expand its own development in that area. In fact, its prominence in the invitation suggests it will likely be mentioned during the keynote.
“Get ready to discover the power of Galaxy AI across the latest Galaxy Z series and the entire Galaxy ecosystem,” the invite also states, hinting that the next generation of foldable and flip devices will also be unveiled.
The next generation of Samsung's foldable phone may be on the way.
New foldable devices emerge
Samsung typically holds two Unpacked events each year: one in January or February where it unveils its latest Galaxy S lineup, and another in the summer where it focuses on foldable devices, so it's likely we'll see the debut of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 at this event.
As previously reported by 9to5Google, leaker Evan Blass shared images showing what the device will look like. The Z Fold 6 appears to have a wider aspect ratio on both the inner and outer displays, with thinner bezels on the outer display. It's said to come in silver and dark blue colors. The Z Flip 6 is rumored to come in light blue and silver colors, and may feature a titanium frame. (Subsequent leaks from WinFuture also showed the Z Fold 6 in pink, and the Z Flip 6 in green and yellow.)
Foldable pic.twitter.com/XXM6cfuY07
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) June 27, 2024
Additionally, rumors suggest that the Z Flip 6 could have improved battery life, while the Z Fold 6 could have a slimmer design. However, this could come at a price — a $100 price increase to be exact.
We also expect to learn more about how Galaxy AI will be integrated into various elements of the device, from the camera to notes and messaging.
Next-gen Galaxy Buds
Samsung is expected to unveil new earbuds, which could be the Galaxy Buds 3, the Buds 3 Pro, or both. The company unveiled the Buds 2 at its summer event in 2021, followed by the Buds 2 Pro the following year.
According to the leak, the Galaxy Buds 3 may borrow the design of Apple's AirPods Pro with its bulbs and angular stems. The case will be rectangular with an opening and transparent top design, allowing users to see at a glance if both earbuds are inside. However, Samsung is unlikely to borrow Apple's bright white color palette, instead reportedly using dark and metallic colors for the design.
A new era of smartwatches
There could also be a Galaxy Watch 7 and a more powerful Ultra version that offers more premium features and a higher price tag.
Samsung may also introduce a more affordable version, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, which could appeal to people who want a smartwatch but aren't willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a premium version.
We may learn more about the Galaxy Ring, which Samsung unveiled at its Unpacked event in January.
Galaxy Ring Details
We finally have more details about the highly anticipated Galaxy Ring, which Samsung teased at its Unpacked event in January and demoed a prototype at this year's Mobile World Congress.
As Samsung continues to push into digital health, as CNET's Patrick Holland points out, the company needs to differentiate itself from competing products like the Oura Ring. Samsung could do this by leveraging its brand reputation (if you're already a Samsung smartphone or smartwatch fan, you might be drawn to the Galaxy Ring) and by making the Galaxy Ring more affordable. (Prices for the Oura Ring start at $300, with a $6 monthly subscription fee.) Final specs, pricing, and availability may be revealed at the Unpacked event this summer.
As always, CNET reporters will be on-site covering Samsung's announcement on July 10th.
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