Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra poised to get design overhaul, conceptualized in a fresh video

When it comes to smartphone battles every year, Samsung is the closest rival to Apple rubbing shoulders for supremacy. The two heavyweights match punch to punch with their own set of advantages and are grounded down by their minor disadvantages. Thus, keeping the playing field highly competitive for the delight of premium buyers.

The Galaxy S23 series was released in February 2023 with a stellar camera module and incremental features. Now, having done with the launch of Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung has the next-generation Galaxy S24 in its sights. Following convention, the three devices – Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra – should see a launch in six months’ time.

Designer: Samsung

Drawing conclusions from the rumors and leaks already in the air for the upcoming Samsung flagship series, we have a fair idea of how the smartphones will look and perform. According to reliable Samsung tipster [Ice universe] the flagship smartphone will have a more flattened side frame akin to the recently released foldable for design parity for the brand. Another significant design change could be the slightly rounded edges, pretty similar to the current Apple flagship.

The premium Galaxy S24 Ultra is speculated to adorn the lightweight yet durable titanium frame ( Apple iPhone 15 Pro is also rumored to get the same) while the other siblings will be dressed in the aluminum body frame. The 144Hz refresh rate flat OLED display on the smartphone could be 0.1 inches bigger at 6.9 inches. The camera module on Samsung’s flagship for 2024 could see a 200MP primary lens with improved low light performance and supported by a 12MP Ultra-Wide camera, 50MP Telephoto lens and a 12MP Periscope Telephoto lens capable of 12MP optical zoom and 120MP digital zoom.

In all likelihood, the flagship device will get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and some markets could get the Exynos 2400 chipset. The flagship might get 16GB RAM and a larger storage configuration. Samsung has initiated the battery certifications for the series, and rumors predict a 5,500mAh pack inside the device. Firmware development of the three rumored devices for the European, Indian and US versions is also in the works according to tipsters. Galaxy S24 series will come with the Android 14-based One UI 6 out of the box with expected software updates till Android 18.

Based on all the leaks and rumors so far, YouTuber 4RMD has mustered up a concept render of the Galaxy S24 Ultra showing off its probable look. Will the Galaxy S24 be the best smartphone of next year? We all are as excited as you all!

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Motorola Razr+ (2023): Which Foldable Clamshell to Get

Foldable phones are seemingly becoming more common, at least if you ask the major phone manufacturers. Almost all of them have one form of foldable device or another by now, trying to push the idea of these form-changing devices into mainstream consciousness. Although there’s still plenty of debate on the practicality of the larger and more expansive foldables, it seems that the smaller “clamshell” types may have already found a captive audience, or at least a more concrete demographic. These “flip” style phones seem to be squarely aimed at a younger market, around Gen Z-ish ages, with an emphasis on self-expression, selfies, and style. Of the handful of clamshell foldables, the Motorola Razr+ (2023) and the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 seem to be taking the lead, but which of these brands is actually ahead of the race? We put the two side-by-side to find out.

Designers: Samsung, Motorola

What is the Motorola Razr+ (2023)?

Of these two foldable phones, the Motorola Razr+ (2023), also known as the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, had a head start, but only by a month. At the time of its announcement, it was largely hailed as the poster child for a good small foldable, particularly because its external display practically covered all of the top half of the phone’s rear. This meant more space for content, not to mention less cramped interfaces for regular Android apps. Although some of the hardware looked last-gen on paper, the overall package still seemed acceptable, especially when you consider the price tag.

For a time, it seemed that Motorola is giving Samsung a run for its money, at least with this singular device, and that the Korean tech giant would need a lot of work to reclaim its crown. Its next foldable phones looked more evolutionary than revolutionary, making some wonder if ol’ Sammy has lost its touch or is letting its competitors leave it in the dust. Things seemed to be looking up for Motorola, one of the world’s oldest mobile brands, with the Razr brand poised to regain its iconic fame. And then the Galaxy Z Flip 5 finally arrived.

What is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5?

Truth be told, Samsung was left with very few surprises when its Unpacked event finally came around. Most of the specs of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and its larger sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, have already been leaked to death, and the official announcement only served as confirmation. Yes, Samsung’s foldable clamshell does have a much larger Cover Screen, now called Flex Window, and, yes, it is now using the gapless “teardrop” hinge, officially branded as Flex Hinge. And, yes, the cameras have not been upgraded, at least the two on the outside.

Of course, the devil is in the details, especially in the way that Samsung is taking advantage of the oddly-shaped external display. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is also more than just the sum of its hardware parts and it promises a very different experience from the Motorola Razr+, especially for its more youthful customers.

Flip or Razor?

From a cursory look, the Motorola Razr+ (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 seem almost too similar, with just a few differences here and there. It’s not an unfair comparison, but there is definitely a lot more than meets the eye. Here are some of the finer details of how the two stand head-to-head.

Specs

Right off the bat, the Motorola Razr+ (2023) loses for running last year’s silicon, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, versus the latest and greatest Gen 2 mobile processor. In practice, the two aren’t really worlds apart, so most people might not be able to tell the difference anyway. It just means that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a bit more future-proof than its Razr counterpart. Speaking of future-proofing, both do come with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, but Samsung offers a 512GB storage option, albeit at added cost (after pre-orders). These days, storage size is extremely important because you can no longer expand that capacity with microSD cards, so at least having that option goes in Samsung’s favor.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5, however, has a slightly smaller 3,700mAh battery than the Motorola Razr+ with its 3,800mAh pack. Considering Samsung is running more powerful hardware and more complex software, you’d think it would want more capacity as well. Making matters a bit worse is that it charges slower at 25W compared to Motorola’s 30W. It’s not a lot, but every bit counts when it comes to battery life and charging speed.

Design

Both of these “flip phones” have slightly similar “base” designs, especially now that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 can close flat without any visible gap. They both look stylish, though Samsung seems to prefer softer pastel colors over Motorola’s sharper hues. The Motorola Razr has a classier bent, but both can look elegant, depending on your tastes. But while both companies seem to be trying to woo the young and young at heart, Samsung might have the upper hand when it comes to appealing to their aesthetic tastes and inclinations.

That’s largely thanks to the Flipsuit cases that Samsung has designed for this particular generation of its small foldable phone. At face value, the concept is nothing remarkable, just a bumper for the upper half of the phone and a clear case for the lower half. The ingenuity comes in the form of NFC-enabled “interactive cards” that you can sandwich between the phone and the clear case which would set a special wallpaper or lock screen on the Flex Window (formerly Cover Display) to match the design of the card.

Definitely a gimmicky feature, but one that opens the doors to many brand partnerships, especially those favored by consumers. Imagine all sorts of collectibles and tie-ins, allowing brands to provide a whole theme package that lets owners easily switch just by swapping NFC cards. It might be a cheaper alternative to producing a complete case for both halves, though the Flipsuit system definitely leaves room for that design. It’s a potential gold mine for marketing, especially considering Samsung’s brand clout.

Cover Display

The biggest “innovation” that these two foldable phones have is their larger external display, but the two brands clearly have different plans in mind. With the Motorola Razr+, its External Screen is simply just a larger version of its predecessors. It has the exact same capabilities, which means you can still run any regular Android app on a now larger display. The catch, however, is that screen wraps around the cameras, so any part of the app’s interface covered by those will be unreachable. Of course, you could do the old notch trick to push the display up, but that leaves wasted space that has little practical use anyway.

In contrast, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 features an actual cutout, creating a shape that looks like a folder tab. You won’t notice this uneven appearance when the display is off, but it might annoy some people who are particular about those details. The two phones also differ greatly in terms of functionality, with Samsung limiting the Flex Window to a selection of “widgets” ranging from a music player to messaging to Google Finance. This allows Samsung to create a more fine-tuned experience but also limits the usefulness of such a large screen. There is word that an extension from Samsung’s “Good Lock” suite of utilities will make it possible to run regular Android apps, but that collection isn’t available in all markets yet.

Durability & Sustainability

One of the biggest concerns people have over foldable phones is their durability or rather their fragility. Moving parts like a hinge increase risk factors like dust and liquid ingress, and a soft touch screen that could be scratched by fine particles also add to their fears. That’s why manufacturers have been trying to calm those worries with promises of increased resilience and reliability, and this is where Samsung and Motorola diverge paths once more.

The Motorola Razr+ (2023) has an IP52 rating, which means it has quite a lot of dust protection but can only withstand light sprays of water. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is IPX8 rated, so it will survive a dunk in a pool but all bets are off when it comes to dust and sand. The two devices both promise protection but place importance on different things, so consumers will be left to decide on their priorities.

Samsung has been playing the sustainability game far longer than any other manufacturer, and it definitely has a wide lead over Motorola in this race. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 steps up the game with increased use of recycled plastic, glass, and aluminum, in addition to more eco-friendly packaging. Motorola does have some sustainability commitments, but it hasn’t had much visibility as Samsung.

Other Features

Beyond these major points, there are also a few smaller details where the two flipping clamshells differ. The Motorola Razr+, for example, has a bigger 32MP selfie camera, while the Galaxy Z Flip 5 remains very conservative with only a 10MP shooter. Despite being at the forefront of providing a “desktop mode” experience, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 curiously doesn’t support Samsung DeX. Surprisingly, Motorola’s oddly-named “Ready For” is available on its latest foldable.

Both phones currently run Android 13, with promises of an Android 14 update once that’s out. Samsung, however, is guaranteeing one year more than Motorola when it comes to both major and security updates, and now has a better track record of actually making that happen. Samsung’s One UI might be “heavier” in customizations compared to Motorola’s Android skin, but it is better and longer supported, which means you won’t have to worry about software updates for at most four to five years.

Price & Availability

Another reason for people hesitating to even consider foldable phones is their prohibitively high price tags. Thanks to their smaller sizes and less complex designs, however, foldable clamshells like these two can push their prices a bit down to more palatable levels. In fact, both the Motorola Razr+ (2023) and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 retail for $1,000, though the latter has a 512GB model that will go for $1,120 once the pre-order phase ends. At the moment, Samsung’s special promo sells that 512GB model for the same $999 price, significantly undercutting Motorola.

In terms of availability, both phones can be purchased easily either unlocked or with carriers, at least in the US. In other markets, however, Motorola has a more limited reach, so it might be a “no contest” against Samsung anyway. Samsung also has more retail partners and service providers, making it easier to find support for the phone should it meet an unfavorable fate.

Final Thoughts

For a brief moment, it seemed that Motorola finally won the crowd, at least as far as foldable clamshells are concerned. But although there are points that go in its favor, the overall package and experience seem to tip the scales in Samsung’s favor. In terms of specs alone, you would be getting a bit more for the same price, making the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a more worthwhile and future-proof investment over the Motorola Razr+ (2023). Samsung’s small foldable is far from perfect, but it checks most of the right boxes, especially when it comes to presenting a more reliable device.

But smartphones have long gone past being just pieces of tech. They pretty much have become lifestyle choices, and Samsung is in the position to really play up that aspect. With customizable, fun designs and features that appeal to younger generations, Samsung is establishing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 as the hip choice of today’s social media-centric society, and it’s a strategy that might just work in its favor.

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Upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 foldables to get utilitarian ring cases

Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event is confirmed for 26 July where the South Korean electronics giant will unveil the highly anticipated next-generation foldable for 2023. We believe Samsung will present Galaxy Z Flip 5 with a new hinge technology for a unique flip design to be ahead of the curve. Of course, the flagship Z Fold 5 is equally high on our tracking radar.

While both the foldable smartphones will set the bar high for other OEMs to take up the challenge, a new leak suggests official cases are on the horizon. This peculiar accessory draws inspiration from the first-party case for the current flagship Galaxy S23 series and things couldn’t have been more interesting.

Designer: Samsung

The leakster revealing these fresh details on his Thread profile is none other than Evan Blass. The highly reliable tipster confirms the ring cases for the foldable phones will be announced at the annual event alongside the two high-end mobile devices. Since both the foldables are different in their form factor, so does the respective ring cases for them.

For the Galaxy Z Fold 5, the ring case gets a dual accent design as part of the case latching onto the cover is black while the second section is clear white. The Galaxy Z Fold on the other hand has a unicolor scheme but the same aesthetics as the ring case. Compared to the official case for the Galaxy S23 which has a square design and the option to attach other accessories like a camera stand, these upcoming cases for the foldable smartphones have no indication of any such functionality for now.

For the Z Fold 5 the ring accessory seems a bit unstable in portrait mode and the Z Fold can no way be used in that mode. In the landscape mode, however, both phones should be stable enough for content consumption when the kickstand ring is engaged.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Buds2 Pro earbuds get a cute Pokémon-themed revision

The highly anticipated Galaxy Buds 3 are all set to be announced at the Galaxy Unpacked event, slated for the latter half of next month. Galaxy Buds2 and Buds2 Pro have already proven to be the best value for money-proposition for active audiophiles who appreciate the highest quality audio and stellar features. The current generation of earbuds go head to head with the likes of Sony WF-1000MX4, Apple AirPods or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.

To elevate the appeal of Galaxy Buds2 and Buds2 Pro, Samsung has announced a pack of new Pokémon-themed earbuds that’ll come with striking charging cases. The South Korean electronics giant knows how well Pokémon merchandise sells, and they’ve created a few in the past with huge success.

Designer: Samsung

Last year they launched the limited edition Pokeball cases for the Buds2 Pro, and the special editions sold within a few hours of launch. The same was true for the Pokémon edition Galaxy Z Flip 3 smartphone. So, these themed earbuds should also be on the hotlist of geeky fans. It’s not the earbuds that actually have any traces of the Pokémon relevance, rather, the charging cases that look like Jigglypuff, Ditto and Snorlax – the popular characters from the franchise. Jigglypuff and Snorlax versions are themed only on the head as they are too big to emulate in a full-body version. Ditto is the sole full-body variant since it fits the case design perfectly. Either way, these Galaxy Buds2 and Buds2 Pro cases are quite beautiful.

According to the press release, Samsung claims that this year’s specially created design is more attractive than last year’s offering. Called the Pokémon Pack, these are cases for Samsung’s flagship earbuds, accompanied by matching themed stickers. The buyers can choose from amongst these three options for the Galaxy Buds2 Pokémon Pack at a price tag of KRW 129,000 (approximately $99) and Galaxy Buds2 Pro Pokémon Pack for KRW 199,000 (around $153). For good reason, they cost a tad higher than the standard version and we’re not complaining.

The officially licensed merchandise for now is only going to be sold in South Korea and availability in other regions is not yet confirmed. That said Samsung has cashed in on the Pokémon-themed mantra in the past and these themed versions should be no different.

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How a center-fold Galaxy Z Flip 5 will shake things up

Samsung will unpack the load of its foldable phones and other new devices, including the next iteration of the Galaxy Watch, at the customary annual event in Korea in late July. While new chipsets and playful camera tweaks are a given, what we are really looking forward to is, whether the new Galaxy Z Flip 5 will fold completely flat in the middle.

Rumors of the waterdrop hinges affirm the likelihood of the new hinge technology incorporation, which will shake up things in the flip-form factor foldable smartphones on the market.

Designer: Samsung

The competition has been stiff for Samsung, since the Korean tech giant penetrated the foldable market, but with its innovative stance, the stalwart has made eyes turn; and if the new flip does arrive with the new waterdrop-shaped hinge – which is assured for the Z Fold 5 – a new paradigm shift in the industry is likely.

What the leaked renders do reveal includes a much bigger cover display on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which is a stark deviation from the previous iteration that had a cover display just for the sake of it. The screen here takes up almost the entire half of the phone’s back, rumored to measure 3.4-inch with a resolution of 720 x 748 p, and features side-by-side camera module adjacent to it.

On the inside, the Z Flip 5 is likely to feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED main display, while it would get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under the hood paired with 8GB of RAM. The renders show the new likely device with flat sides, while we assume the central punch-hole camera on the display inside will be retained in the new look. To be powered by a possible 3,700mAh battery, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will have dual 12MP cameras on the outside and a 10MP selfie camera on the inside.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be unveiled alongside the Z Flip 5 and it is likely to land with a sizable 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED main display and a 6.2-inch display on the outside. Also expected to draw power from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip under the hood, Z Fold 5 will boast a 4400mAh battery. The phone’s triple camera array will be spearheaded by a 50MP main camera, while you will not notice the under-display camera on the main display so easily.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is rumored to arrive in Lavender, Mint, Cream, and Graphite colorways, while the Z Fold 5 will arrive in Phantom Black, Cream, and Icy Blue options. Even though the inventive waterdrop-shaped hinge mechanism is going to smoothen the things in the center for both the Samsung 2023 flagship foldable, durability of these chieftains will be something to watch out for, despite the phone arriving with for water resistance rating.

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How the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 monitor helps level up your gaming and productivity

We live in an age where using a computer is as normal as using pen and paper. That’s true not only for work and school but also for gaming and entertainment. Most computers come with only a single monitor, but there’s a school of thought that espouses having multiple monitors to have more room for the things you need to be effective. Still, the complexity of maintaining even just two monitors, plus the considerations of desk space, makes such a setup less appealing to most people. And that’s not even considering how it’s often less aesthetic to have two or more screens with frames creating boxes in your view. That’s where the new breed of ultra-wide monitors comes in, and Samsung’s latest monitor steps up the game with a curved monitor that not only flings the entertainment doors wide open but also sets up a beautiful piece of tech on your desk.

Designer: Samsung

Curved screens started invading living rooms as expansive TVs that promise a more cinematic viewing experience that matches more closely how our eyes naturally view the world. Of course, movies aren’t the only kind of digital visual content you’d want to feast your eyes on, so it was really only a matter of time before those gentle curves to the computers sitting on our desks. The new Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, however, is more than just a curved monitor but is also an eye-catching gateway to entertainment and productivity.

The 49-inch monitor has a resolution of 5120×1440 and an aspect ratio of 32:9, giving you a very wide field of view that conforms to the way your eyes work thanks to its 1800R curvature. In a nutshell, this means that you’ll be able to enjoy a more immersive visual experience, whether you’re playing a game or watching videos. It’s practically the equivalent of two QHD or 2K monitors side-by-side, but without the distracting borders that break up what should be a seamless scene.

That extra-wide screen also means there’s plenty of room for all the application windows you need to get your work done, whether it’s reference data for writing a report or reference images for creating graphics. Samsung’s Multi View feature even lets you put two screens from two different sources playing at the same time, including content from your phone.

Beyond its tempting functionality, the Odyssey OLED G9 also bears the futuristic aesthetic of Samsung’s flagship gaming monitor line, with crisp lines that make up the seams on its back and dazzling RGB lights that help set up the mood. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a prolific content creator, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 promises to expand not only your view but also your productivity, all while looking handsome despite its imposing stature.

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Samsung Less Microfiber Filters stop our laundry from destroying our oceans

Sometimes it’s the small things that can have the biggest impacts because they’re taken for granted until they snowball into a catastrophe. Small pieces of trash thrown haphazardly gather to become mounds of garbage that block drains and cause floods. Even the way we clean our clothes, unbeknownst to us, can actually kill our seas and oceans in the long run. That’s the unfortunate side effect of having microplastics in the textiles we use, too small to distinguish from the wastewater we drain out of our washing machines. Fortunately, we now know better, and companies like Samsung are lending a helping hand to make sure that our personal hygiene won’t be causing harm to the planet for generations to come.

Designer: Samsung

Given how essential they are both to our comfort and our style, we take for granted what mass-produced clothes are made of. Unfortunately, the synthetic textiles used in many of them actually shed small pieces of plastic or microplastics in our wash. Of course, we simply drain the dirty water like any other, and these microplastics find their way into our oceans, along with the other bits of broken-down plastics from the garbage we carelessly throw away.

Now that the microfiber cat is out of the bag, eco-conscious people are moving quickly to clean up the mess, literally and figuratively. Since it will be next to impossible to immediately change the textile that produces these microplastics, the most efficient solution would be to stop laundry machines from spitting out these minute particles in the first place. That’s where Samsung’s new Less Microfiber Filter comes in, promising to capture as much as 98% of these microplastics before they even hit the drain. The company says that this mass is equivalent to eight 500ml plastic bottles per year if the wash is used four times a week.

The filter is designed with a rather minimalist aesthetic and can be mounted on top of any standard washing machine, not just Samsung’s. The box itself is made from recycled plastics and is shipped in sustainable packaging. It’s also engineered to be long-lasting, maintainable, and convenient to use, requiring cleaning about once a month only. The filter works in conjunction with Samsung’s new Less Microfiber Cycle mode launched last year, which attempts to reduce the shedding of microplastics during washing.

Samsung’s filter, which is available only in South Korea and the UK for now, isn’t the only solution available today. What makes this launch important, however, is the acknowledgment of a major appliance maker of a problem that very few people are aware of. As one of the biggest washing machine manufacturers, it also has an equally big responsibility in righting this wrong, and the filter is a nice and admittedly stylish first step in that direction.

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