Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tablet puts AI on an extra-large 14-inch screen

I can still remember the time when Samsung was all but ridiculed for launching the 12.2-inch Galaxy Note Pro in 2014, but who would have known that it was just too ahead of its time? Fast forward a decade later, even Apple has a 13-inch iPad Pro, and unsurprisingly, Samsung won’t be outdone. Of course, there might be a limit to what can still be considered a portable tablet, but those lines are being blurred now that “Pro” tablets are being positioned as laptop replacement. And just like many Windows laptops today boast Microsoft Copilot features, Samsung is bringing the full power of its Galaxy AI to its largest mobile screens.

Designer: Samsung

With a 14.6-inch screen, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra might be stretching the definition of a tablet, but it’s undoubtedly a very portable size for a detachable laptop and a digital drawing pad. Of course, Samsung has been marketing its Tab S series as a tablet for pros, but this time it’s adding a new element to the mix to make that even more plausible. Its putting AI, its own Galaxy AI, of course, front, center, and across the full width of that large screen, promising to upgrade your productivity as you upgrade your hardware.

In terms of design, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a dead ringer for last year’s Samsung flagship tablet, which means you’re still getting a simple and no-nonsense design. Mirroring the aesthetics of its current Galaxy S smartphones, it has flat edges, a flat back, and two separate rings for the 13MP and 8MP cameras. There’s still that magnetic charging groove across the back for the included S Pen, making sure you don’t lose the all-important accessory too easily.

Samsung is making a lot of noise about the AI features on the tablet, all of them geared for productivity and creativity. Note Assist and Handwriting Help make it easier to make sense of notes, while Sketch to Image lets your artistic spirit free. There’s also Google’s now famous Circle to Search gesture, and the official Book Cover Keyboard naturally has a dedicated Galaxy AI Key to launch your AI assistant of choice, whether it’s Samsung Bixby or Galaxy Gemini.

In terms of specs, Samsung naturally crammed the best of mobile hardware inside, except for one curious but critical compoment. Samsung opted to use a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor instead of the usual Qualcomm Snapdragon, and some might have doubts about whether it can handle heavy AI loads, among other tasks. Regardless, the 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, 12GB of RAM, and 11,200mAh battery all come together for a premium experience. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra starts at a rather eye-watering $1,200, but those who prefer slightly smaller screens can opt for the 12.2-inch Galaxy Tab S10+ with a matching $1,000 price tag. Sadly, no smaller Galaxy Tab S10 model this year.

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Galaxy S24 FE tries to make AI and minimalist design more accessible

Ever since it relaunched the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has been launching a new “Fan Edition” S series flagship every year. The Samsung FE series is supposed to bring the most wanted features of its high-end phones down to a more affordable price tag, which means it does have to cut some corners to reach that price point. Cameras and battery life have always been the main focus of the Galaxy FE phones, but this year brings an unsurprising addition to that set. With the Galaxy S24 FE, Samsung is making an even bigger push for its Galaxy AI suite, trying to push it to more people with a handset that won’t kill their budget too much.

Designer: Samsung

In terms of design, the Galaxy S24 FE strangely stands in between the Galaxy S24+ and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It has an unapologetically large 6.7-inch screen, but its actual size is made even bigger by the wider bezels you won’t see on the more premium Galaxy S24 series. It does at least have the same elegant minimalist design as the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ with its rounded corners, flat edges, and flat front and back.

Of course, the “Fan Edition” phones come with plenty of compromises if you compare them to the standard flagship. In this particular case, the Galaxy S24 FE has a slightly dimmer screen that has fixed refresh rates of either 60Hz or 120Hz only, an underclocked mid-range Exynos 2400e processor, and only 8GB of RAM. That said, it does have a larger 4,700mAh battery compared to the 4,000mAh battery on the Galaxy S24, and it has almost similar 50MP main and 12MP ultra-wide cameras. The 3x telephoto camera, however, only has an 8MP sensor.

Unsurprisingly, a lot of the focus in this release is on Galaxy AI and the features that it enables. Those include retouching photos, making amusing compositions, and of course, Circle to Search with Google. Hopefully, the phone’s modest specs will be able to catch up with the demanding AI features without making the phone too hot to handle.

What is surprising is that Samsung is making the same support commitment it made with its more expensive phones, namely seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. The phone also uses some materials made from recycled plastics, aluminum, glass, and rare earth metals, which is pretty impressive for a “cheaper” variant of a flagship phone. All of these come with a $649.99 price tag for 128GB of storage ($709.99 for 256GB), which isn’t all that bad considering you’re getting a solid phone from a reputable brand.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review: Tried and Tested Design You Can Trust

PROS:


  • Classic, no-nonsense, and reliable design

  • Improved screen size and aspect ratio

  • Strong performance and feature set

  • Long-term software support and IP48 rating

CONS:


  • Still more expensive than competing brands

  • Decent but dated camera system

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 exudes a maturity that offers elegance, performance, and reliability, a much-needed respite from a fast-changing and unpredictable foldable phone landscape.

By now, almost every major smartphone manufacturer other than Apple has launched a foldable phone. That includes even Google, who surprisingly didn’t stop at just one generation of the Pixel Fold. Of course, the ones that paved the way still have the lion’s share of that market, which means Samsung is still the leader in foldables of both the “book type” and the small clamshell design. Being first, however, doesn’t always mean you’ll end up always leading, and some have pointed out that the latest Galaxy Z Fold 6 is proof that the giant has been lagging behind. Is that the case, or are the new generation of flashy foldables setting people’s expectations instead? We put the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in our hands and give it a good turn to see if “old” is a bad thing in this case.

Designer: Samsung

Aesthetics

Samsung has taken a lot of heat for the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s design, with some people calling it iterative and dated. Such criticisms, however, are based on the presumption that new designs are always better or that changing designs every generation is a good thing. It should be noted that Apple, which is consistently hailed for its designs, would hold on to designs for years before making changes, and even then, the changes are often very minimal or even subtle. Sometimes, it’s a sign of maturity and reliability, giving people something familiar and comforting in an ever-changing smartphone market.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

It’s not that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is unattractive. On the contrary, it looks pretty elegant, distinguished, and refined. The most significant visual changes include the sharper corners, a larger and wider Cover Screen, and thinner bezels around the displays. Together with the flat edges from the last generation’s design, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 looks more similar to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, also launched this year. Samsung has ensured that its design DNA isn’t lost across devices, increasing the holding power of its brand, at least for this year.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 embraces a more minimalist design language in stark contrast to almost every other foldable phone in the market today. That’s probably best seen in the triple camera setup on the back of the device, just three small equal-sized circles on a discreet pill-shaped island. Of course, there’s a cost to pay for that compact design, which we’ll get to later, but it’s hard to deny the appeal of such an aesthetic compared to the more obnoxious discs and blocks protruding from the backs of other foldable phones.

Ultimately, you get an elegant and premium-looking design that isn’t so far removed from the Galaxy S24 series, especially the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Is it iterative? Sure, but that in itself isn’t always a negative. Samsung made a few discernible changes but kept the overall language the same over the years. It might be exciting to see what new designs other brands will cook up next, but that novelty can fade quickly, leaving you with a design that might be a bit eye-catching at first but becomes more of an eye-sore in the long run.

Ergonomics

If there’s one major flaw in Samsung’s Galaxy Fold design, it would be the narrow and tall external screen. That made it awkward and even uncomfortable to use the foldable phone when folded, which pretty much defeated the purpose of having a screen there in the first place. Although not in the same vein as the Google Pixel Fold or the OnePlus Open, Samsung may have finally fixed that problem in the Galaxy Z Fold 6, potentially making it the first usable iteration of its line.

The larger 6.3-inch Cover Screen now covers a wider area, partly thanks to the reduction of bezels around it and partly thanks to sharpening the corners. Together with the overall lighter body and flat edges, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is easier to hold and use as a phone. It’s still narrower than a regular smartphone, but not by much anymore. Samsung may have finally reached a good compromise in this design that works when the phone is closed and when it’s open.

Of course, using the Galaxy Z Fold 6 as a mini tablet is still a pleasure, even more so now. It now looks and feels more like a very colorful e-book reader, especially with its squarish shape. Although the screen size remains the same compared to last year’s model, reducing bezels and flat edges gives it an edge (pun intended) when handling the device.

Performance

Like with the design, Samsung used a tried and tested formula for the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s hardware, which pretty much means top-of-the-line specs, at least for the most part. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still the undisputed smartphone performance king outside of Apple’s kingdom, and the 12GB of RAM, though modest by today’s standards, is still decent, especially with some RAM Plus extension.

The external screen is just as bright and vibrant as ever, just now even larger than before. The internal 7.6-inch screen might not seem to have changed much until you realize you haven’t been noticing the crease as much. It’s still there if you look for it, but it has even less of a telling presence this year. With powerful silicon and gorgeous screens, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 never comes up short in performance, whether watching videos, playing games, or simply scrolling through social media. Of course, that includes AI features, though these still feel a bit more gimmicky and entertaining rather than practical for everyday use.

That said, hardware is also one area where the criticism of Samsung’s iterative approach holds the most water. As mentioned, 12GB of RAM, while usable, is pretty tight and frugal these days. Samsung has also been using the same 4,400mAh battery and the same 25W “quick” charging since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in 2021. The latter is probably a compromise to keep the Galaxy Z Fold 6 almost as light as a regular non-foldable phone, but its age definitely starts to show.

Perhaps the biggest point of contention for Samsung’s 2024 foldable is the camera system, which has remained virtually unchanged since 2022. On the back, you have a 50MP main camera, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter, perhaps the only significant upgrade to this year’s foldable. On the external screen, you get the same 10MP front-facing camera, and inside is the same dismal 4MP under-display camera. It’s pretty much the same formula, so you’re getting almost the same results, which, fortunately, isn’t all that bad.

To be clear, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 still takes great photos, but it is lagging behind even its own cousins in this department. Samsung may be trying to pull an Apple in doing more with less, using computational photography and AI to compensate for hardware deficiencies, but those can only do so much. You definitely get plenty of detail, a wider dynamic range, and accurate colors, especially with sufficient lighting, and the new ultra-wide camera also takes brighter photos. Regardless, given its price tag, you’d probably expect a bit more than “decent.” In other words, you are not paying for the cameras or the photography experience.

Sustainability

As one of the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturers, Samsung has a big responsibility to help keep the planet alive for future generations. Thankfully, it takes that responsibility quite seriously, and every year, we see it take steps on multiple fronts to ensure its phones become sustainable parts of modern life. This year’s foldable includes plenty of recycled materials, including plastic, glass, aluminum, cobalt, and rare earth metals. For the first time in a Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 includes recycled gold and copper components.

Samsung is also doing its part to make the rather pricey foldable phone last as long as possible through improved durability and software support. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the first of its kind to achieve an IP48 rating, a significant improvement over its predecessors’ IPX8 rating. Samsung also promises seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, ensuring that this expensive investment won’t become obsolete quickly, especially considering how its cameras are already on the old side at this point.

Value

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 might not have mind-blowing cameras or an eye-popping design, but it offers plenty of features that matter. It is one of the extremely few that supports an active stylus with pressure sensitivity and one of an even smaller group of phones with a desktop mode that makes you feel like you’re using an Android PC. With solid performance and a stylish minimalist design, what’s not to love?

Most definitely, the price amounts to $1,900 for a paltry 256GB of storage. That’s not only the most expensive “normal” foldable in the market today, but it’s even strangely $100 higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 5 when it launched last year. With few upgrades and changes, you’d be forgiven for scratching your head at Samsung’s decision. At that price point, you’d expect a little bit more, maybe a bit more battery, a bit more RAM, or better yet, a bit more camera prowess. Fortunately, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is made to last, though that still makes it feel more like a luxury item than a consumer product, which could be Samsung’s intention.

Verdict

The fast-paced dynamics of the smartphone market have trained our brains to look for new things every year, whether it’s a new design, new hardware, or a new feature. Newer doesn’t always mean better, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is proof of that. It has a classic design focuses on the essentials and leaves out all the fluff, creating an aesthetic that is as luxurious as its price tag. Yes, we wish Samsung had delivered more, especially regarding the cameras, but that also has trade-offs for design and usability. In the final analysis, Samsung wisely picked its battles to deliver a foldable phone with an elegant design and a solid set of features you can rely on for years to come.

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Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Samsung’s AI-Powered Convertible Laptop with Lunar Lake and 25-Hour Battery

Come IFA 2024 and the race for the next generation Copilot+ PCs has kicked off. While Asus has showcased its portfolio of technologically advanced laptops, Samsung is keeping it low-key. The South Korean tech giant has introduced its debut entrant – Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 – into the Copilot+ PCs arena through a blog post.

Why has Samsung refrained from showcasing the thin, lightweight, and highly powerful laptop at the IFA is anybody’s guess, but from what the blog post reveals, the Book5 Pro definitely has an OLED display and a battery life to win more customers than the predecessors would have. Considering the fact that the laptop will be available only in select markets – France, Germany, the UK and the US per se – at launched later this month, the initial sales may not be clear indicators, the numbers would likely rise as and when the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 goes on sale in other parts of the world.

Designer: Samsung

AI-focused Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is powered by an Intel Core 7 Ultra Series 2 processor, which would provide the next level of computing prowess to this convertible laptop. Offered with a 16-inch OLED display, that can rotate a full 360 degrees, the laptop comes with an S Pen to ensure you can use it as a Windows tablet when you need it.

So, instead of just being a game-changing laptop, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, of course, is an undeniable tablet as well. Adding to it is its 10-point multi-touchscreen display that touts 3K super-resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Despite its large 16-inch form factor, the convertible laptop weighs only 1.69kg and measures roughly 12.8mm at the thickest point.

Besides the immaculate display and the incredible computing power – thanks to its 200V Lunar Lake Intel processor that provides the laptop with 47 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of NPU (neural processing unit) power, which qualifies the system for the Copilot+ PC branding – it also impresses with its battery life. Interestingly, the Book5 Pro 360 comes with a 76Wh battery that powers up using a 65W USB-C adapter and can easily last up to 25 hours of video playback blasting out through its Dolby Atmos quad speakers.

Samsung provides the Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM paired with a choice of 512GB or 1TB NVMe SSD. For connectivity, this slim laptop accommodates a HDMI 2.1 port, a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A 3.2, and a headphone/mic combo jack. Featuring Wi-Fi 7 (be, 2×2) and Bluetooth 5.4 support, the laptop is available for preorder as we speak. It is priced at £1,700 ($2,250) for the 512GB variant, and £1,900 ($2,500) for the 1TB version in the UK.

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Samsung Galaxy Ring-inspired luxury pajamas are the fashion statements no one expected

Smart rings offer an opportunity to free our wrists from bulky and sometimes gaudy smartwatches, becoming more fashionable alternatives to wearable tech. A ring itself can be considered a fashion item, part of one’s jewelry, but smart rings like the Samsung Galaxy Ring opt for more discreet and minimalist designs. The idea is for these devices to get out of your way and do their jobs in the background while you wear your more luxurious bracelets and watches on your wrist. That’s not stopping the tech giant from trying to build bridges with the fashion industry, and that has given birth to one of the oddest mashups between these two worlds: smart ring-inspired luxury sleepwear.

Designer: Samsung

It’s not the first time that the tech industry has tried to make its presence and products known in the fashion world. From “accessories” like the foldable Honor V Purse to the oddities like Microsoft’s annual ugly sweaters, there are numerous examples of phones and gadgets trying to look chic, one way or another. Smartwatches themselves are supposed to be fashionable, which is why luxury brands once tried to break into that nascent market.

This collaboration between Samsung and famed luxury fashion designer LaQuan Smith, however, is both unusual yet also thankfully not as in-your-face as previous works. This piece of fashion doesn’t flaunt the Galaxy Ring in any form, but it also makes it less evident how the two are related. At New York Fashion Week next month, LaQuan Smith will showcase his Spring/Summer ’25 Collection, including the Lucid Dream line of luxury sleepwear inspired by Samsung’s latest luxurious-looking wearable.

It’s admittedly difficult to immediately discern the connection between these two very unrelated things, and the explanation is also a bit of a stretch. In a nutshell, the fashionable two-piece pajamas can be used not only in bed but also during the day, transitioning from sleepwear to daywear without having to take anything off. This, according to Samsung, echoes the Galaxy Ring’s 24/7 usability, never taking it off unless to charge it after a few days.

Of course, LaQuan Smith himself wears a Galaxy Ring all day, or so the press release states, which includes during his sleeping hours. Sleep, according to the designer, is a critical factor not just in his wellness but also in his creativity, where many of his waking designs were inspired by dreams in his sleep. Whether that will immediately make you think of Galaxy Ring-inspired pajamas is left to your imagination, but those who want a piece of this limited edition fashion item will have to wait after the event to see when and where Samsung will sell them.

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Caviar Galaxy Z Flip 6 Elegance Edition Rides on the Latest Tennis Fashion Trend

There’s a reason why many people find fashion to be inscrutable, and not just the haute couture variety you see on runways. Fashion trends come and go, and sometimes they take inspiration from the most unexpected sources. One of the newest, for example, was spurred by the combination of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the film “Challengers” starring Zandaya, and the ongoing US Open tournament. Yes, this is the so-called “tennis core” fashion trend, and custom luxury phone maker Caviar is only too happy to jump on that bandwagon with extremely limited editions of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 that’s designed to show off your sports affinity, fashion tastes, and, of course, your affluence.

Designer: Caviar

Tennis core is simple to grasp yet hard to execute. As it revolves around the aesthetics of clothes worn in tennis matches, it has to strike a balance between being sporty and being casual. For Caviar, however, the trend is easy enough to interpret and implement, focusing on the visuals and forms most easily associated with the sport: the tennis ball.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 that’s part of this “Elegance” tennis core collection bears curved accents on its back that resemble the lines of a tennis ball, at least if you actually knew beforehand what the design is meant to represent. Depending on the color of the model, the accents can be covered in either pure 24-carat rose gold or 22-carat silver. Regardless of the color, however, both designs flaunt 16 22mm-diameter Swarovski crystals, because this wouldn’t be a Caviar phone if it didn’t have any.

The phones have colorways that are reminiscent of some of the popular colors for tennis courts. Emerald is probably the most familiar hue, with deep and rich greens that are not unlike the grassy type of some courts. Sapphire is perhaps a little less common but blue is used to give better contrast, especially considering a tennis ball is traditionally light green in color. Both models use premium Chevre leather, the very same kind used by luxury brand Hermes for its products.

It might not be as outlandish as Caviar’s other custom designs, but the Galaxy Z Flip 6 Elegance edition still fetches an extremely steep price starting at $8,777 for the 256GB Emerald model and $9,770 for the 256GB Sapphire variant. And in typical Caviar fashion, these phones will be made in a very limited run, only 99 pieces each, making sure that owning one earns you a spot not only among fashionistas but as a true tennis aficionado as well.

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Galaxy Z Fold6 Ultra: Thinner Design vs. S Pen Support—What Matters Most Ahead of the Rumored September 25 Launch?

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold6 “Slim” raises a new question about foldable smartphone design: What’s more important to you—a slimmer, more portable device or the continued support of the S Pen, a tool that has become synonymous with Samsung’s productivity-focused devices?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 with case and stylus

Designer: Samsung

The rumored launch of the Galaxy Z Fold6 Slim in South Korea on September 25 suggests that Samsung is moving towards an ultra-thin design. At just over 10mm thick, this foldable could be the thinnest in Samsung’s lineup, prioritizing portability and ease of use. This shift, however, comes at the cost of a beloved feature: S Pen support. By opting for a slimmer profile, Samsung has reportedly removed the necessary film that allows the S Pen to function, leading to a significant trade-off between form and function.

Samsung Galaxy Fold6

The decision to slim down the Galaxy Z Fold6, potentially at the expense of the S Pen, raises a key question for users. The S Pen has been a defining feature for many Galaxy Fold users, offering precision and enhancing productivity, particularly for tasks like note-taking, sketching, and navigation. For professionals and creative users, the S Pen is an essential tool that significantly enhances the capabilities of their devices. Losing this feature could be a dealbreaker for those relying on the stylus for daily tasks.

On the other hand, a slimmer, more elegant device could appeal to users who prioritize portability and design. The rumored titanium frame, which could replace the aluminum used in previous models, contributes to a thinner profile while elevating the device’s durability and premium feel. The thinner form factor and lightweight design make it easier to carry and handle, addressing one of the main criticisms of foldable phones: their bulkiness.

But does the sleekness of a thinner device justify the loss of the S Pen? For some, the answer may be yes. A thinner device fits better into pockets and hands, making it more convenient for everyday use. Unlike the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which has an integrated slot for the S Pen, the Galaxy Fold series requires users to manage the S Pen separately, which can be cumbersome. Perhaps this is Samsung’s plan to gradually “weed” owners off the S Pen by not including it in their newer, slimmer foldable models. Personally, I feel that the stylus on a foldable phone feels as outdated as the physical keyboards on early smartphones. I rarely use the stylus anymore, and I’d much rather have a thinner, more lightweight device. The larger screens—6.5 inches externally and 8 inches internally—ensure that users still get an expansive display experience, even with the reduced thickness. This could appeal to a broader audience, especially those who might have hesitated to adopt a foldable phone due to concerns about size and weight.

Galaxy S24 Ultra with integrated stylus holder

However, the trade-off might not be worth it for users who have come to depend on the S Pen. The stylus adds a layer of functionality that a thinner device can’t replace. One particular feature I love about the S Pen on the S24 Ultra is the ability to take pictures—a convenient tool for solo content creators. I also track the stock market, and using the S Pen with Trading View for charting is amazing, so I would definitely miss the pen for that use case. Without the S Pen, tasks that require precision or creativity might become more cumbersome, detracting from the overall user experience.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

What do you think, Yanko Design readers? Does the decision boil down to personal preference and priorities? If you value a sleek, portable device that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle, the Galaxy Z Fold6 Slim might be the perfect evolution of Samsung’s foldable lineup. However, if the S Pen is an indispensable tool in your arsenal, the standard Galaxy Z Fold6 or previous models might still hold more appeal. I find the “Slim” addition to the name rather silly, and I would bet money on Samsung going with “Galaxy Fold6 Ultra” over “Slim.” We’re still finalizing our review of the new Galaxy Fold6, so stay tuned for our thoughts.

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Samsung Odyssey 3D offers a glasses-free 3D experience for gamers and creators

We live in a three-dimensional world and see in three dimensions, and yet the computers and mobile devices we use every day are confined to flat, 2D space. Mixed reality and spatial computing are trying to bridge that gap, but they still project flat virtual objects in the real world and, more importantly, require wearing goggles or headsets. In fact, most stereoscopic 3D experiences require some sort of eyewear, at the very least glasses that guide images to the correct eye. That is until monitor makers have gotten smarter and have started to implement 3D displays that don’t need glasses to work, like the new Samsung Odyssey 3D shown off at Gamescom 2024 this week.

Designer: Samsung

Our eyes see in 3D because they can view objects at two different angles due to the space between them. Stereoscopic 3D tries to mimic our innate binocular vision by projecting two different images, shifted slightly at an angle, which are then sent to the right or left eye as necessary. This re-direction requires polarizing filters to work, which is why people have to wear glasses when watching 3D movies. Impressive as the experience might be, it’s definitely inconvenient, especially for those that wear prescription glasses, and can’t be used for general-purpose computing, until now.

Image courtesy of SamMobile

The Samsung Odyssey 3D is the latest in a new breed of computer monitors that promise this same stereoscopic 3D experience without having to put anything in front of your eyes. The monitor has built-in stereo cameras that track the movement and position of each eye. View mapping creates two sets of images which are then displayed separately to each eye thanks to a lenticular lens on the front panel. It creates the same effect of seeing floating 3D images but without the hassle of glasses or headsets.

The monitor is primarily targeted at gamers, which is why it boasts features like 4K resolution, a fast 1m gray-to-gray response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate. Of course, the need to see 3D images as they truly are isn’t just limited to entertainment, since those creating assets for these games will also want to check if they’re 3D models are displaying correctly. Monitors like the Samsung Odyssey 3D will eventually become an invaluable tool for designers, artists, and content creators who might want to work in 3D space right from the start.

Of course, this glasses-free 3D monitor also functions as a 2D monitor, and you can seamlessly switch from one mode to another, depending on your use case. It also features an ergonomic Height Adjustment Stand, tilt capabilities, as well as HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity. Samsung hasn’t disclosed when the Samsung Odyssey 3D will launch and at what cost, but considering this monitor was first teased back in January at CES 2024, it probably shouldn’t be long now.

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How Samsung Galaxy Ring and Fold6 Unveiled My Snoring Secrets

Samsung’s snore-tracking feature on its sleep tracker caught me entirely off guard. This handy addition logs the start and end of every snoring session, giving a detailed look at our nighttime habits. To use it, all you need is your Samsung watch, band, or ring and your Samsung device on a stable surface near your head—like a nightstand with the bottom pointed toward you.

Designer: Samsung

I always swore up and down to my family that I didn’t snore. For 50 years, I held firm in my belief, insisting they must have been mistaken. Then, I checked Samsung’s Health app and heard the recording. It was a shocker, to say the least, a humbling moment that made me realize I was wrong all along. Despite sleeping well and rarely having trouble staying asleep, discovering that I snore has made me appreciate the benefits of tracking these nighttime sounds.

Why Track Snoring?

Snoring can indicate health issues like obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing stops and starts while you sleep. Understanding when and how often you snore can help determine if you need to consult with your doctor. Ignoring snoring could lead to fatigue, heart issues, and other health problems. Samsung’s snore-tracking feature helps catch potential health concerns early.

Sleeping with an anti-snoring mask

With AI, Samsung’s snore-tracking feature could become even more valuable. In the future, AI might analyze snoring patterns to identify trends and suggest when to consult a healthcare professional. You could receive personalized health insights directly on your phone, alerting you to potential issues before they become serious. AI could monitor changes in snoring frequency, duration, intensity, and patterns, offering a comprehensive view of your sleep health.

This technology might even predict when your snoring could worsen, allowing you to make proactive lifestyle changes. Samsung could one day provide actionable health advice, making it easier to manage your sleep health. This would make snore-tracking a crucial part of personal health monitoring.

Enhancing Sleep Quality and Personal Insight

Knowing your snoring patterns can improve your understanding of sleep quality. Snoring can disrupt sleep cycles, leading to feeling less rested and productive. By tracking these disturbances, you can identify triggers like alcohol, sleeping position, or stress and make changes to sleep better.

Samsung’s snore-tracking feature offers more than just numbers. It provides a personal snapshot of your sleep patterns. Whether you’re surprised to learn you snore or confirm what your partner has said, this feature gives you valuable insights into your health.

For me, realizing that I snore has changed my perspective on my sleep health. Knowing what’s happening while I sleep and having the tools to monitor it is reassuring. Samsung’s feature has made me more aware of my nighttime habits and encouraged me to be proactive about my health.

The snore-tracking feature is a valuable addition to the health tech market, offering more than just basic metrics like step counts or heart rate. It provides practical insights into your sleep health, making it useful for anyone interested in better understanding their sleep patterns. As technology evolves, it’s exciting to see how Samsung continues to enhance our well-being through innovations like these.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: My Favorite Sleep Tracker

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is my absolute favorite sleep tracker, especially for anyone who prefers not to wear a watch to bed. It offers comprehensive health tracking with a stylish design and a lightweight feel, making it almost unnoticeable during the night. The ring monitors sleep, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature, providing detailed insights through the Samsung Health app. Its water-resistant design makes it safe for swimming and showering.

Samsung Galaxy Ring

However, the ring currently lacks iOS support, and a proper fit is crucial for accurate sensor readings. Despite these minor limitations, the Galaxy Ring blends style, comfort, and advanced health tracking, making it an essential part of my setup along with the Fold6. The Galaxy Ring is a top choice for anyone looking to track their health metrics discreetly and comfortably.

We’re still wrapping up our review of the Samsung Galaxy Fold6, so stay tuned for our full review.

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