The Flip 5 (left) features a much larger cover screen measuring 3.4in while the Z Fold maintains a 6.2in cover display. — Photos: SAMUEL ONG/The Star
Samsung's latest Galaxy Unpacked event, held in its home country of South Korea, saw the unveiling of its new generation of foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which powers both devices, is the same one that powers the Galaxy S23 Series, which debuted earlier this year.
The Fold 5 maintains the same screen sizes as the last generation, with a 7.6in internal display and a 6.2in cover display, while the Flip 5 has a 6.7in inner screen like last year's model but a significantly larger cover screen measuring 3.4in, up from the previous 1.9in.
This larger cover display expands the abilities of users beyond checking notifications and using widgets, adding the ability to reply to messages with a full keyboard and even operating entire apps.
On the camera side of things, the Fold 5 has largely maintained a similar setup too, with a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto sensor on the back.
It also has two selfie cameras: a 4-megapixel sensor on the inner screen and a 10-megapixel sensor on the cover screen.
Meanwhile, the Flip 5 has a 12-megapixel 123° ultra-wide camera and a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, along with a 10-megapixel front-facing selfie camera, which is also similar to the last gen.
Both the Fold 5 (left) and Flip 5 are powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Other features, such as a 120Hz refresh rate and an IPX8 rating for water resistance, have been maintained since the last generation on both devices.
The new generation of foldables will also feature a gapless hinge design, with both devices sitting flush when folded without the open space that was present on previous devices.
The Flip 5 comes in eight colour options, Graphite, Cream, Mint, and Lavender, with Gray, Blue, Green, and Yellow as online exclusives, while the Z Fold 5 has five, with Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream alongside the Gray and Blue online exclusives.
Unfortunately, the Flip 5 does not support Samsung DeX, the desktop software experience that the company typically supports with its flagship devices.
Fans of the S Pen will be glad to hear that it's still supported on the Fold 5, though the stylus and a case that houses it have to be purchased separately.
Unlike the previous generation, users will not be able to opt for a custom "Bespoke Edition", with Samsung instead offering a Flipsuit case for the Flip 5.
The Flipsuit case features swappable NFC plates with varying designs – the animation on the device's cover will automatically change to suit the design on the inserted plate.
Among the Z Flip 5 case options is the Flipsuit case, which features an NFC plate accompanied by a matching cover screen animation.
Samsung has said it will be releasing collaboration designs in the future.
Both variants of the Flip 5 have 8GB RAM but come with different internal storage sizes: 256GB (RM4,499) or 512GB (RM4,999).
The Fold 5 has 12GB RAM and is available in three capacities: 256GB (RM6,799), 512GB (RM7,299) or 1TB (RM8,299).
Pre-orders for both devices are open until Aug 17 with a "double storage upgrade" worth RM500, allowing buyers to get higher capacity devices for the price of the lower capacity model.
During the pre-order period, the Z Fold 512GB costs RM6,799, the Z Fold 1TB is priced at RM7,299, and the Z Flip 512GB costs RM4,499.
Other Z Fold and Z Flip extras during the pre-order period include an RM600 evoucher, as well as 40% off on accessories, Samsung Care+, Galaxy tablets, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds.
Those who trade in their old device will also get a rebate of RM600,
The company also unveiled the Galaxy Tab S9 (featuring an 11in screen), S9+ (12.4in) and S9 Ultra (14.6in), all of which come with an S Pen.
Like the Fold and Flip, the Tab S9 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, a dynamic Amolex 2x display, and HDR10+.
It also comes with an optimised vision booster for better outdoor visibility when adaptive brightness is enabled.
The entire Tab S9 lineup is IP68 water and dust resistant, which also extends to the S Pen.
Samsung will also be launching the S Pen Creator Edition later this year, featuring a different grip, a higher tilt level, and more pen tip options.
The Galaxy Tab S9 comes in three screen sizes; 11in on the standard model (at the back), 12.4in on the S9+ (left) and 14.6in on the S9 Ultra (right).
Each variant of the Tab S9 Series has two options for internal storage sizes.
The standard Tab S9 has either 8GB RAM and 128GB storage (RM3,699 or RM4,349 for the version with 5G) or 12GB RAM and 256GB storage (RM4,199 or RM4,849 for the version including 5G).
Meanwhile, the Tab S9+ has 12GB RAM with either 256GB (RM4,599, 5G: RM5,249) or 215GB (RM5,199, 5G: RM5,849) storage; and the S9 Ultra has 12GB RAM with either 256GB (RM5,999, 5G: RM6,649) or 512GB storage (RM6,499, 5G: RM7,149).
The 256GB version of the base S9, the 512GB version of the S9+, and all versions of the S9 Ultra also come with a keyboard.
Colour options include Graphite and Beige for the Tab S9 and S9+, while the S9 Ultra only comes in Graphite.
The "double storage upgrade" also applies to the Tab S9 Series, with other pre-order bonuses including an RM100 evoucher, 50% off on the Back Cover Keyboard, and a free 12-month subscription to Viu.
The Unpacked event also saw the launch of Samsung's new additions to its family of wearables, the Galaxy Watch 6, and a return to its Classic lineup with the Watch 6 Classic.
Both watches come in two sizes: the Watch 6 in 40mm (RM1,099 for the Bluetooth version, RM1,399 for the LTE version) and 44mm (BT: RM1,199, LTE: RM1,499); the Watch 6 Classic in 43mm (BT: RM1,399, LTE: RM1,699) and 47mm (BT: RM1,499, LTE: RM1,799).
Pre-orders for the Watch 6 Series come with a free beige fabric band, a 15-watt charger, and a Watch Charger Cradle worth RM347, along with a 20% discount on Galaxy Buds 2 and Buds 2 Pro, select watch straps, and Samsung Care+.
Trade-ins for the Watch 6 Series will enjoy an extra RM300 rebate.
Colour options for the Watch 6 include Graphite, gold, and Silver, while the Watch 6 Classic is in Black and Silver.
Samsung says the new generation of wearables features a 20% larger display, a brighter screen, and a bigger battery.
From left: the 40mm Watch 6, 44mm Watch 6, 43mm Watch 6 Classic and 47mm Watch 6 Classic, which all feature sapphire crystal.
The Watch 6 Classic replaces the Watch 4 Classic, originally launched in 2021, with a 30% slimmer bezel and a 15% thinner rotating bezel, while the Watch 5 Pro has not received a refresh this generation.
Like the previous generation, the Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic use scratch-resistant sapphire crystal on top of the watch face.
The watches fit any standard 20mm watch strap on the market, giving more options to users in customisation and comfort; bands made by Samsung have been redesigned with a simpler mechanism that only requires a single press to retract the pins and swap the band.
Matching watch faces with Flip 5 cover screen themes are also available on the wearables.
