Samsung unveiled its latest foldable smartphones on Wednesday at its Unpacked 2024 event—the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. These new models are both thinner and lighter than their predecessors, with the Fold 6 featuring a long-awaited enhancement to its traditionally narrow front display aspect ratio. However, these improvements come with higher price tags: the Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at $1,900, while the Z Flip 6 is priced at $1,100, marking a $100 increase over previous models.
The real focus of this launch, predictably, is on artificial intelligence (AI). In the announcement, the term “AI” appears 25 times in the press release, aptly titled "Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 Elevate Galaxy AI to New Heights." Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the same processor found in the recently launched Galaxy S24.
This flagship device, introduced in January, kicked off Samsung's Galaxy AI initiative and has set the tone for what appears to be a landmark year for AI in mobile technology, a trend echoed by announcements from Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Samsung's collaboration with Google has intensified, with the S24 also introducing the innovative Circle to Search feature, a departure from the usual way Android features debut primarily on Google’s Pixel devices. Their strengthened alliance arises from a mutual challenge in facing off against Apple, leading to joint efforts in creating an Android version tailored for foldable devices and revamping Wear OS for Galaxy Watches.
Following Apple's AI rollout, Samsung’s latest press release dedicated a section to Google Gemini, whose generative AI capabilities are significantly integrated into the large screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Samsung is subtly retiring its own AI assistant, Bixby, in favor of Google’s more advanced solutions.
Samsung states that with a simple swipe or by saying, “Hey Google,” users can activate the Gemini overlay for assistance with tasks like writing, learning, or planning. Gemini seamlessly integrates with popular Google apps, making it easy to organize travel itineraries, check real-time flight and hotel bookings, and find directions to landmarks using Google Maps. While streaming a K-pop music video on the Z Fold 6's expansive display, you can also ask Gemini questions about what you’re watching via the multi-window split screen.
Google, for its part, has begun to phase out its traditional Assistant in favor of Gemini, although the generative AI tool is still undergoing refinement. Aligning with Gemini is a strategic move, especially given the growing reliance on third-party solutions for complex inquiries—evident in Apple’s recent partnership with OpenAI.
On the AI front, the initial features of Galaxy AI focused heavily on imaging, a core component of Samsung's mobile strategy. In this new launch, Samsung adds AI-driven capabilities to its Notes app, enabling voice recording transcription, translation, and summarization—mirroring similar enhancements from Google and Apple. The app now also boasts improved PDF translation, and Samsung Keyboard introduces a predictive text feature. Additionally, Galaxy AI aims to capture your writing style, with a statement from Samsung highlighting how the “Composer” tool for social media seeks to reflect your tone by analyzing past posts.
While there are no groundbreaking AI features in this release, the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s updated internal aspect ratio illustrates how Samsung is adapting to consumer preferences. As competitors like Google and OnePlus/Oppo show that foldable phones can be designed with a more practical shape, Samsung demonstrates its willingness to evolve. Although the brand remains a leader in the foldable market, it must stay attuned to market dynamics in this still-nascent category.
Both the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are available for preorder now, with shipping set to begin on July 24.
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