Samsung unveils foldable phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and the Galaxy Ring

Samsung has announced new models in its foldable series, along with new smartwatches, and intriguing new Buds earbuds in two models.

  (photo credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(photo credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

Samsung announced today (Wednesday) its new series of foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6, alongside two new models of 3Buds earbuds and two models of smartwatches (including a rugged and advanced Ultra model). The highlight, however, is the company’s much-talked-about smart ring, the Galaxy Ring, a screenless device focused on measurement, similar to a smartwatch. Here are all the details about Samsung's new products straight from the launch event in Paris.

Galaxy Z Fold 6

The sixth generation (or fifth, depending on how you count) of Samsung's foldable smartphones brings several improvements, not revolutionary but nice structural enhancements, particularly making the Fold lighter and less cumbersome. This comes alongside some "facelifts" in the processor, memory, and cameras. The most significant addition, similar to this year's S series, is the integration of artificial intelligence capabilities directly into the devices.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 incorporates Google's generative AI engine, Gemini, directly into a range of built-in applications, including the Circle to Search feature already introduced in the S series, now more precise with the included stylus. Other tools include an AI-enhanced keyboard that can analyze your writing tone, text suggestions, and the ability to create images from textual instructions directly from the device.

  (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

The device body has been improved with particle and water protection (IP48 rating instead of the previous generation’s IPX8, meaning the previous model lacked dust resistance, unlike the new one; the water resistance rating remains unchanged). Additionally, it’s lighter and thinner (it feels more comfortable in hand). Another significant upgrade is in the screens—both internal and external compared to the previous generation: the internal screen size remains unchanged (7.6 inches) but with slightly higher resolution (2160 x 1856 pixels) and significantly higher brightness (2600 nits compared to 1200). The external screen has been extended by a tenth of an inch, with better resolution (2376 x 968 pixels) and a more flexible refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz.

The other significant improvement is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor instead of Gen 2, but aspects like the battery (4400 mAh), memory, and camera array (50 MP primary, 12 MP wide-angle, and 10 MP optical zoom with 3x magnification) remain unchanged. The price of the Z Fold 6 will start at around NIS 7,000 for 256GB of storage, 512GB storage will cost around NIS 7,500, and the most expensive 1TB version will cost NIS 8,400. Early orders will also receive a gift package including a luxury cover and a 649 shekel credit for purchasing earbuds from the series.

  (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

Galaxy Z Flip 6

The clamshell sibling of the Fold, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, comes this year in a range of vibrant colors like light blue, yellow-green, and space silver. A notable design change is the addition of body-colored rings around the lenses, giving the Z Flip 6 a sophisticated look. Speaking of cameras, one of the main upgrades this year is a 50 MP main camera, up from 12 MP last year. It also features a particle resistance rating that was not available last year (IP48 instead of IPX8) and an improved aluminum body.

  (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

The memory and battery have also been upgraded: 12GB compared to 8GB last year, and a 4,000 mAh battery compared to 3,700 mAh last year. The processor has also been upgraded to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The external display remains the same Super AMOLED 3.4-inch screen with the same resolution (720 x 748 pixels), but the internal display now matches the brightness level of its larger sibling—2600 nits instead of 1200.


Stay updated with the latest news!

Subscribe to The Jerusalem Post Newsletter


AI applications are also embedded throughout the device—from Auto Zoom capabilities, similar to those in laptops, which adjust the shooting frame according to the subject (a single person will get a close-up, a group will get a wide-angle lens), to quick reply suggestions and AI-enhanced writing directly from the external display.

Prices in Israel for the Z Flip 6, as always, are more accessible than its larger sibling: the 256GB storage version starts at around NIS 4,100, and the 512GB storage version will cost around NIS 4,600, NIS 500 more. Early buyers will also receive a device cover and a NIS 640 credit for purchasing earbuds.

  (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro

Speaking of earbuds... As usual, Samsung is also refreshing its line of in-ear Galaxy Buds with the third generation, similar to Apple’s AirPods. There are two models: regular and Pro. Perhaps the most impressive feature, thanks to AI capabilities, is the ability for simultaneous translation from other languages, supported by the Fold or Flip devices.

AI is also embedded in noise cancellation with adaptive noise-canceling capabilities that, for example, will allow you to hear an alarm—highly relevant in Israel. The Buds3 Pro earbuds also include a colorful light strip and fit into the ear canal, compared to the simpler Buds3 that sit inside the inner ear at the entrance to the ear canal without penetrating it, in an open design.

The Buds3 Pro also feature 2-way speakers for both woofers and tweeters, dual amplifiers, and wideband support for clear call audio, as well as support for the SSC protocol for high-quality music listening. The earbuds will start selling in stores later this month, with the Buds3 priced at NIS 649 and the Pro model at around NIS 900.

  (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra

This year, Samsung is launching two watch models instead of one—the regular Watch 7 and the response to Apple’s Ultra model: the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Let's start with the regular watch. The Watch 7 gets a facelift compared to last year; it lacks a physical dial but includes a range of health monitoring upgrades, primarily sleep apnea monitoring (available in Israel in early 2025, pending Health Ministry approval), as well as alerts for irregular heartbeats or atrial fibrillation, and a better understanding of heart activity through ECG and blood pressure monitoring.

A hardware upgrade includes a new, improved processor—the first three-nanometer processor in a smartwatch—and a dual-frequency GPS system. The AI offers smart responses and feature settings via pinching. The watch will be available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. But stealing the spotlight among the watches is its larger sibling, the Galaxy Watch Ultra. As mentioned, this is Samsung's response to Apple's Ultra watch, right down to the prominent orange strap (though it’s also available in gray and white) and titanium body. It also features a quick-change mechanism for straps and a particularly large display area (47mm diameter) including a red night display. The watch body is water-resistant up to 10 atmospheres and capable of functioning from 500 meters below sea level to 9000 meters above, roughly the height of Mount Everest. The rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra is also temperature-resistant, from minus 20 to 55 degrees Celsius.

  (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

The BioActive sensor offers the same medical measurements as the smaller model, alongside fall detection, SMS alert sending, and even an 85-decibel siren if you need to be located in a remote area. Both watches, of course, support complex sports measurements, and the Ultra watch also includes a wind noise filtering system for calls. The basic small Watch 7 will start at NIS 1,200 and go up to NIS 1,550 for the 44mm LTE version. The Galaxy Ultra watch will cost 2,600 shekels and comes only in the LTE version.

  (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)
(credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

Galaxy Ring

Samsung's first ring, competing with monitoring rings like Oura and others, weighs less than 3 grams and is designed to provide unnoticeable round-the-clock monitoring. It is water-resistant up to 10 atmospheres, with a grade 5 titanium finish, and has a battery life of up to seven days before needing to be charged in the illuminated carrying case. It will be available in three colors: black, silver, and gold, and in nine different diameters, including a pre-purchase fit kit. It offers activity tracking and various sleep monitoring features, including heart rate and breathing rate during sleep, alongside menstrual cycle tracking for women. Unfortunately, Israel will not be among the first markets where the ring will be sold.