Samsung unveils new foldables packed with AI-powered tools
Samsung has unveiled its latest generation of foldable smartphones, which will include its suite of AI tools for the first time, alongside a new smart ring to help users monitor their health stats.
The Korean tech giant announced the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 will go on sale later this month.
They will come with what Samsung calls Galaxy AI, its range of generative artificial intelligence tools which were launched in January to help users edit photos, take notes and transcriptions, summarise documents, write emails and even translate languages in real time.
Speaking at the launch event in Paris, Samsung’s mobile division president TM Roh said AI was “supercharging our latest foldables”.
Generative AI has become a key innovation area in the tech sector, with the biggest firms launching AI-powered features and virtual assistants to help users with creative and productivity tasks.
The firm says some of the tools have been enhanced for its foldable devices, in particular the communication tools, such as the Interpreter feature. It comes with a new conversation mode which uses both the main and cover screens on the Galaxy Z Fold6 so both parties in a conversation can see translations on a screen.
James Kitto, Samsung UK and Ireland’s head of mobile, said: “Samsung is driven by a relentless focus on innovation. It’s embedded in our DNA, and this launch is a testament to that, bringing to our customers the next generation of foldables – our slimmest, lightest and most durable yet.
“This is the next frontier of Galaxy AI, supercharging this unique form factor with enhancements across features such as Circle to Search with Google – optimised for the ultimate user experience.
“Another great example of this is Galaxy AI’s Interpreter feature, which uses the dual screen of our foldables to show translation for a real-time conversation.
“Underpinning all of this is also our commitment to bring the best to our customers, so we’re pleased to also provide seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.”
The phone maker confirmed the two new phones will go on sale on July 24, with the Flip6 starting at £1,049 and the Fold6 at £1,799.
They will be joined by a new wearable device, the Galaxy Ring, which the company has previewed in recent months but has now confirmed will be released in July.
Priced at £399, the Galaxy Ring comes with battery life of up to seven days and will monitor a number of health metrics including sleep analysis using an AI-powered algorithm to assign a sleep score to give users an insight into the quality of their rest.
The firm said the Ring will also support menstrual cycle tracking through overnight skin temperature monitoring.
Mr Kitto said increasing demand for accessible health data was a key factor in introducing the smart ring, as well as two new smart watches, the Watch7 and Watch Ultra.
“Current data shows consumers want more control over their health and wellbeing, with nearly half of the UK wanting to be able to track their health and sleep data on a regular basis, turning to technology to achieve this,” he said.
“We’re proud to not only be extending our Galaxy Watch range to open up new possibilities for our customers’ wellness journey, but also by announcing Galaxy Ring – our smallest-ever wearable, discreetly designed to allow our customers to monitor their health, wellness and sleep 24/7.”
Industry expert Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said: “Samsung has gone all-in on AI with this latest portfolio of products with Galaxy AI as an omnipresent theme for all the new devices.
“Now it must clearly explain the tangible benefits that AI delivers, beyond just being a buzzword for the latest tech.
“The storytelling around the new products needs to offer relevant and understandable use cases for Galaxy AI that will help consumers justify investing in premium products that don’t look that different from their predecessors.”
