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Kerry Wan/ZDNETIt’s year six for Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, but unlike previous years, the foldable landscape has become much more competitive. At the company’s Unpacked event today in Paris, it unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 6 More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung today unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip 6 during its Unpacked event in Paris, touting a more durable and thinner design, new software features, and an improved camera system, among other things.Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked July 2024I went hands-on with the Z Flip 6 ahead of Unpacked and found it to be Samsung’s best flip phone yet, with a bigger battery and some fancy outer-screen tricks that had me fidgeting with the devices for hours.So, how does the device compare to its biggest competitor, the Motorola Razr+ (2024)? While our hands-on time with the Z Flip 6 remains limited, there are some notable differences already worth pointing out, as listed below. Specifications Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6Motorola Razr+ (2024)Display Cover screen: 3.9-inch AMOLED 120Hz, Main screen: 6.7-inch AMOLED 120HzCover screen: 4-inch OLED 120Hz, Main screen: 6.9-inch OLED 120HzWeight 187g 189g Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3RAM/Storage12GB RAM with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB 8GB/12GB RAM with 256GBBattery4,000mAh 4,000mAhCamera50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP front50MP wide, 50MP telephoto, 32MP frontColorsBlue, Mint, Silver Shadow, Yellow, White, Crafted BlackMidnight Blue, Spring Green, Peach Fuzz, Hot PinkPriceStarting at $1,099 More
Jason Hiner/ZDNETIf you’ve been on the fence about jumping into the world of VR headsets, Meta has a new offer that just might entice you. Pay attention, though, because it’s not the best choice for everyone.Meta yesterday announced a new “Play Now, Pay Later” plan. For $24.99 per month for 24 months with 0% interest, you can get a Meta Quest 3 headset with 128GB of storage, a two-year subscription to Meta Quest+, which provides a library of games similar to Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, and extended Meta Warranty Plus coverage for your new device.Paying an additional $10 per month gets you the 512GB version.Also: Meta Quest 3 review: The VR headset most people should buy in 2024The payment plan is powered by Affirm, a popular “buy now, pay later” service that’s popping up all across the internet, and is subject to approval. “If approved,” Meta says, “you’ll end up spending less than you would if you purchased each item individually.”Unfortunately, that’s not true in all cases. I went through the process of adding the two different bundles to my cart. Here’s how the numbers break down.With everything included, the 128GB headset bundle comes to $599.76. Individually, the headset costs $500, the warranty $40, and the Meta+ subscription $192. Meta says that’s a savings of $131.98, but that’s not entirely accurate because that Quest+ subscription estimate is for the $7.99-per-month plan. You can pay that, but there’s also an option to pay $60 per year. Since you’re getting a two-year subscription, it would be more fair to estimate that price at $120 instead of $192. More
The M1 version of Apple’s ultra-light MacBook Air. Apple As part of its new partnership with Apple, Walmart is now selling MacBook laptops directly in their stores, and to mark the occasion, offering an incredible sale on the new-in-box M1 MacBook Air<!–> for $649, just in time for back to school. This is the 2020 […] More
Adam Breeden/ZDNETOn Monday, Apple kicked off its third developer beta of iOS 18, bringing several new tricks and a host of bug fixes. Designed for iPhone users who register as developers, the latest update adds greater carrier support for RCS messaging, changes to the Photos app, tweaks to the emoji keyboard, and new visuals for the flashlight.First on the list continues to be RCS messaging, a long-awaited feature that Apple started rolling out with iOS 18 Beta 2. Thanks to RCS (Rich Communications Service) support, iPhone users can send their Android friends messages with read receipts, high-res photos and videos, audio clips, cool emojis, and more.iOS 18 Beta 2 limited carrier support for RCS to Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile in the US, but Beta 3 expands support to more providers. This includes carriers such as Videotron, Telus Mobility, and Bell in Canada, as well as Telefonica in Spain, SFR in France, and O2 in Germany, according to 9to5Mac.Also: The best iOS 18 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhileNext on the list is the Photos app. During the iOS 18 beta period so far, the new version of the app has triggered concerns from some beta testers, who’ve given a thumbs down to the new interface. Changes in Beta 3, however, show that Apple isn’t done tweaking the app.With the latest update, the handy Select button is visible all the time, allowing you to easily run commands on multiple photos. You can also now pinch to zoom in and out of your photo views. Like other beta testers, I’ve been concerned about the new look and layout for the Photos app, so I hope Apple continues to fine-tune it.The emoji keyboard is another feature that Apple has improved in Beta 3. When choosing this keyboard from the Messages app, the emoji icons are a tad larger. For me, this is a welcome change, as I sometimes have trouble seeing the finer details on an emoji I want to use in a text. More
Samsung’s Freestyle 2 combines a projector and a gaming hub all-in-one, and the Freestyle 2 builds on its predecessor with greater functionality, a better remote, and some literally game-changing features. In fact, what’s distinctly unique about the Samsung Freestyle 2 Gaming Hub is that you don’t need a physical console to play a game, but just the Freestyle 2, internet access, and game controller.Review: Samsung Freestyle 2When ZDNET’s Allison Murray and her husband tested the Freestyle 2 in their home, they were impressed with the portable projector’s power-packed value, and the ability to play video games from the ceiling — or any room in the house with an open wall. “My husband was able to play Rocket League with a free membership to GeForce Now, and other free games like Fortnite were also available. The overall gaming experience will depend on your Wi-Fi connection, but the graphics were crystal clear, and the Freestyle 2 loaded the games fast with virtually no glitches,” Murray wrote. And the Freestyle 2’s projecting capabilities weren’t lackluster, either. “The Samsung Freestyle 2 impressed me with both image quality, the ability to autofocus — whether it was projecting onto a slanted ceiling or a projector screen — and the overall experience of setup and streaming,” Murray wrote in her review. Users on Reddit and Best Buy liked the small design and easy set up of the Freestyle 2, as well as its gaming capabilities, while others didn’t think it was bright enough or see a reason for such a portable projector. Samsung Freestyle 2 tech specs: Throw ratio: 1.2 | Brightness: 230 ANSI lumens | Resolution: 1080p | Screen size: 30 to 100 inches More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung Unpacked is one day away, and while we won’t officially learn about the company’s latest devices until then, plenty of information is already out there. Among the more notable leaks is a Dealabs report detailing the full specifications for the new Galaxy Watch 7 series. Also: What to expect from Samsung Unpacked Summer 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Watch Ultra, Smart Ring, moreThe Galaxy Watch 7 will allegedly be available in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm, and three dial colorways: green, cream, and silver. The watch will purportedly have an aluminum armor casing, sapphire glass on the front, and a 3D glass dial on the back. The Watch 7 specs also show support for Bluetooth connectivity, but there should be a 4G version if you want data without using your phone’s connection.The Galaxy Watch Ultra, the company’s first premium-tier smartwatch, will allegedly be available in one size, 47mm, and three dial colors: titanium gray, titanium silver, and titanium white. It will purportedly support both 4G and Bluetooth connectivity and have the same sapphire and 3D glass as the base version, but come with titanium casing. More
Oura/Nina Raemont/ZDNETThe smart ring space is about to heat up with the likely debut of Samsung’s first-ever smart ring, the Galaxy Ring, which could be unveiled on Wednesday at the company’s latest Unpacked event. Before that happens, industry mainstay Oura continues to make a case for itself as the smart ring brand to beat.Also: What to expect from Samsung Unpacked July 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Watch Ultra, Smart Ring, moreTake the most recent feature Oura unveiled, for example. It’s an AI health advisor released through Oura Labs, the brand’s in-app platform that allows Oura members to test experimental features.Think of the AI health advisor as a personal trainer of sorts. The advisor gives personalized insights, recommendations, and encouragement to get members on track to achieve their health goals. This encouragement includes customizable coaching intensity and focus areas, and a forum to chat with your coach, ask questions, share progress, and get recommendations based on your daily health data. More
