Samsung pushes foldable frontier with AI-powered Z Flip7, Fold7
Samsung Electronics unveiled its new slimmer, lighter and even more advanced artificial intelligence-powered foldable phones -- the Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Fold7 -- in New York on Wednesday. It marks the first time in three years that the Korean tech giant has held an unveiling event in the US city since the release of the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Fold4 in August 2022.
As the venue for the biggest product launch in the latter half of this year, Samsung chose Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, inviting some 1,200 journalists and industry people from around the globe. The site regularly hosts major fashion shows and auto shows.
'The Galaxy Z Flip7 combines a compact design with powerful mobile AI features. The Galaxy Z Fold7 merges advanced hardware with AI to deliver the most sophisticated smartphone experience ever introduced by Samsung,' said Roh Tae-moon, acting head of the Device eXperience division.
The vertically folding Galaxy Z Flip7 is the first in the series to feature a 4.1-inch cover screen, called the Flex Window, an upgrade from its predecessor's 3.4-inch cover screen. It boasts a slimmer 1.25-millimeter bezel and measures 13.7mm thick when folded, with a lightweight design at 188 grams -- maximizing portability and ease of use.
For the first time in the Z Flip series, the device is equipped with a powerful 4,300 milliampere-hour battery paired with Samsung's latest 3-nanometer processor. It also supports Samsung DeX, allowing users to seamlessly connect the Z Flip7 to external display devices for enhanced productivity.
Camera capabilities have also seen a major upgrade. The Z Flip7 features a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12MP ultra-wide dual camera system. With real-time filters and the dual preview function -- allowing simulaneous preview on both the cover and main displays -- users can capture high-quality selfies with ease.
The horizontally-folding Galaxy Z Fold7 is the slimmest and lightest model in the Galaxy Z Fold lineup, measuring 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, and weighing 215 grams.
The device boasts Samsung's largest smartphone display yet -- a main 8.0-inch screen that is 11 percent larger than its predecessor. It also features a 6.5-inch cover display with a ratio of 21:9, offering a user experience comparable to traditional bar-type smartphones even when folded.
A newly introduced Armor Flex Hinge enhances durability by evenly distributing external impacts while maintaining a sleek profile. The main display is reinforced with a titanium layer, further boosting structural integrity.
Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, the Z Fold7 delivers a 41 percent improvement in neural processing unit performance, 38 percent in central processing unit performance and 26 percent in graphics processing unit performance compared to the previous generation -- ensuring top-tier speed and efficiency for demanding tasks.
The Z Fold7 is also equipped with a 200MP wide-angle camera, offering a professional-grade photography experience typical of the high-end Ultra models of Samsung's flagship Galaxy S series smartphones. Additionally, a 100-degree ultra-wide selfie camera allows users to easily capture high-quality shots with minimal effort.
The Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Fold7 will be released in Korea on July 25, with seven-day preorders starting Tuesday.
The price tag of the Z Flip7 ranges between 1.49 million won ($1,085) and 1.64 million won depending on the amount of storage, while the Z Fold7 is priced between 2.38 million won and 2.93 million won.
Color options for the Z Flip7 are blue shadow, coral red and jet black, while the Z Fold7 will be available in blue shadow, silver shadow and jet black. For both models, a mint color will be available for customers who purchase the phones at the company's online shopping mall or at Samsung Gangnam, its flagship store in southern Seoul.
At Wednesday's event, Samsung also debuted its thinnest smartwatches -- the Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic.
Compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch7, the new model is 11 percent slimmer and boasts a display brightness of up to 3,000 nits -- 50 percent brighter than the previous generation. The Galaxy Watch8 models also become the first smartwatches to feature an antioxidant index function. Users can measure their carotenoid levels -- an indicator of antioxidant presence -- in five seconds.
Pricing for the Galaxy Watch8 models varies based on size and connectivity options, ranging from 419,000 won to 489,500 won. The Galaxy Watch8 Classic is priced between 569,000 won and 599,500 won.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
11 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Industry minister ends 2-day tariff talks with Lutnick without results
South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan has wrapped up his two-day tariff talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, without tangible results, sources said Saturday. Kim and Lutnick's second-day meeting, which took place at Lutnick's residence in New York, finished late Friday night (US time) without solid results, according to the sources familiar with the matter. The two had also met the previous day in Washington to discuss pending trade issues, including tariffs, non-tariff measures and industrial cooperation. In Friday's meeting, Kim is said to have presented a revised proposal to narrow their differences on contentious items, including the $100 billion investment plan by Korean companies in the US and what Washington calls "trade barriers" on beef and rice imports by Seoul. The Donald Trump administration has reportedly been pressuring Korea to lift its import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older and expand rice imports from the US. However, the advanced proposal appears to have fallen short of satisfying Lutnick, as the sources indicated South Korea needs further "internal discussions" based on the results of this week's negotiations. The presidential office is reportedly planning to hold another trade strategy meeting later in the day to discuss the next steps toward securing a tariff deal with the US, following a similar session held the previous day. South Korea faces added pressure in the negotiations as Japan, one of its major export competitors, recently concluded a trade deal with Washington that lowered reciprocal tariffs to 15 percent in exchange for further opening of its markets to American automobiles and agricultural products, along with a $550 billion investment pledge. The Trump administration has warned Korea will be subject to a 25 percent reciprocal tariff unless it reaches a deal before Aug. 1. Meanwhile, Kim also met with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who doubles as chairman of the National Energy Council, this week to discuss strengthening cooperation in areas such as liquefied natural gas, energy security and critical minerals, according to his office. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo also held separate meetings with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a bid to make progress in trade negotiations. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
US delays crucial ‘2+2' trade meeting with Korea
Seoul weighs $100 billion US investment from top chaebol groups to avert looming tariffs A high-level trade meeting between South Korea and the US was abruptly called off Thursday, just one day before it was set to take place in Washington, due to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's "urgent schedule." The delay has sparked concerns in Seoul as next week's tariff deadline approaches with insufficient time for a potential breakthrough. South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol was set to depart for Washington when the US notified Seoul of the last-minute decision. Koo canceled the trip after receiving the notice while waiting at Incheon International Airport, just an hour before his scheduled flight. The now-delayed '2+2" dialogue was to take place between Koo and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo from Korea, as well as Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer from the US. It would have marked the first such meeting under President Lee Jae Myung's new Cabinet. The high-stakes talks were seen in Seoul as a critical opportunity to make a breakthrough in trade talks before the Aug. 1 deadline, when a 25 percent 'reciprocal tariff' will be imposed on all Korean goods unless a new deal is reached. "Washington has apologized multiple times for postponing the meeting and proposed rescheduling the meeting between Bessent and Koo as soon as possible," Seoul's Finance Ministry said. While the US did not clarify the nature of Bessent's scheduling conflict, reports say he may accompany US President Donald Trump's trip to Scotland on July 25-29. This means it could be virtually impossible to reschedule the '2+2' meeting before the tariff deadline, further dimming hopes of a negotiated resolution in time. Despite the disruption, Yeo and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who are already in Washington, will continue consultations with their US counterparts, including Greer, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, according to the Industry Ministry. South Korea has been pushing for reduced tariff rates or exemptions through a comprehensive deal covering both tariffs and broader economic cooperation. Korean exports currently face a 10 percent base tariff with additional levies imposed on key products, such as 25 percent tariffs on automobiles and auto parts, and 50 percent on steel and aluminum. Without a meaningful advancement in negotiations, this baseline tariff is scheduled to increase to 25 percent on Aug. 1, intensifying economic strain on the export-dependent country. Further adding to the pressure, Japan struck a deal with the US on Wednesday. The latter agreed to lower its tariff rate against Japan from 25 percent to 15 percent in exchange for a whopping $550 billion investment in the US and a difficult concession to open its market for more American automobiles and rice. Observers say Japan's deal could serve as a benchmark for South Korea in its own negotiations, as the two countries share similar trade dynamics with the US: both run comparable trade deficits and rely heavily on the US market for key exports, such as automobiles, semiconductors and electronics. Like Japan, South Korea is considering an investment package exceeding $100 billion with participation from the country's major conglomerates, including Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor and LG, according to industry sources. The figure is expected to grow as additional corporate and government contributions are finalized. Seoul had planned to propose a $100 billion package during the now-postponed talks. President Lee was scheduled to meet with Samsung Electronics Chair Lee Jae-yong on Thursday afternoon, according to local media reports, with discussions expected to focus on the US investment and tariffs. Lee has held similar one-on-one meetings since last week, seeing Hyundai Motor Chair Chung Euisun on July 14, LG Group Chair Koo Kwang-mo on July 15, Hanwha Group Vice Chair Kim Dong-kwan on Tuesday and SK Group Chair Chey Tae-won on Wednesday. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac sought to dispel speculation that he was unable to have a face-to-face meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Washington. Wi explained that Rubio was urgently summoned by Trump, and was unable to meet as the meeting ran longer than expected. Wi said that "sufficient coordination had taken place via phone call" with Rubio, and that they had agreed to have an additional consultation, with the specific time and method to be arranged through working-level coordination. "The report that the US side refused the meeting, resulting in the cancellation of the talks, is inaccurate. Such misinformation not only undermines the reputations of the individuals involved, including Wi and Rubio, but could also negatively impact the trust between Korea and the US in the middle of sensitive communication," Wi said in a written statement.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
Seoul shares up for 3rd day amid US tariff uncertainties; won sharply down
Seoul shares closed slightly higher Friday, extending their winning streak to a third day, as investors kept a close eye on the ongoing tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States, which is expected to have a huge impact on the economy. The Korean won lost ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 5.6 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 3,196.05. Trade volume was moderate at 385.7 million shares worth 9.8 trillion won ($7.1 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 504 to 370. Foreigners and institutions bought shares worth 268.9 billion won and 110.4 billion won, respectively, while retail investors unloaded 461.3 billion won. Overnight, Wall Street closed mixed, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite and the S&P 500 up 0.18 percent and 0.07 percent, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.7 percent. Investors were paying close attention to whether Seoul will also strike a trade deal with Washington following Japan as Korea's top trade officials met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in the US capital on Thursday (local time). In the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to striking a trade deal before the Aug. 1 deadline and agreed to soon hold an additional round of negotiations, according to the Seoul government. "The market appears to have been relieved on news that Korea's industry minister and trade minister met with Lutnick, but the KOSPI showed limited growth due to persisting uncertainties ahead of the looming negotiation deadline," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said. In Seoul, tech giant Samsung Electronics edged down 0.15 percent to 65,900 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix lost 1.3 percent to 266,000 won. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution shed 1.22 percent, reflecting Tesla's 8.2 percent slide overnight. Bio shares also lost ground, with Samsung Biologics falling more than 2 percent to 1.06 million won and Celltrion down 1.33 percent to 178,000 won. Top automaker Hyundai Motor went down 0.46 percent to 216,500 won and its sister Kia retreated 0.86 percent to 104,100 won as they both posted a decrease in operating profits in the second quarter mainly due to the effects of 25 percent tariffs on all imported cars imposed by the Donald Trump administration. On the other hand, financial and shipbuilding shares delivered strong performances. KB Financial climbed 1.37 percent to 118,800 won and Shinhan Financial advanced 2.74 percent to 71,200 won. Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy soared 5.83 percent to 444,500 won, and its rival Hanwha Ocean gained 1.35 percent to 90,000 won on expectations for cooperation in the sector with the US Internet portal operator Naver also jumped 3.3 percent to 234,500 won, while Kakao Pay, the fintech arm of Kakao, shot up 10.71 percent on massive purchases by global investment bank Goldman Sachs. The local currency was quoted at 1,377.9 won against the US dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 10.7 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
