Latest news with #AbrarAl-Heeti
CNET
01-07-2025
- CNET
I Found the Best Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Rumors for the Fold 7, Flip 7 and Watch 8
Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event is a week away and I expect to see new foldable phones such as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 as well as new Galaxy Watches. Remember when July was a quiet month for tech? Not anymore. Samsung was one of the first companies to launch a foldable phone, but over the past few years, competitors including Motorola and Google (as well as Chinese brands such as Honor, Oppo and Xiaomi) have released their own flips and folds that improve or solve many of the shortcomings found on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 like price, size, battery life and camera quality. A great example of this is the Oppo Find N5, which is one of the world's slimmest foldable book-style phones and closer in size and weight when closed to a regular smartphone. "Whether I'm using the cover display or the internal one, I'm not constantly reminded of how gimmicky the concept of a foldable phone can be, because everything feels sleek and comfortable," wrote CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti in her Oppo Find N5 review. "Yes, the Find N5 is remarkably thin and lightweight, but it's also exceptionally practical and enjoyable to use." So how will Samsung respond? The July 9 Galaxy Unpacked event will be a pivotal moment for the South Korean company. In terms of the Galaxy Fold line, many critics want to see Samsung come to parity with Chinese foldable phones or top what they're doing. But there is also growing curiosity about what the company is doing with AI and health and wellness monitoring, specifically in terms of its Galaxy smartwatches. Rumors, leaks and even some teases straight from Samsung show that the company is ready to meet the moment with an exciting array of foldables phones, including a brand-new budget version of its clamshell flip phone as well as updates to its smartwatch line. You can watch the Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, July 9, at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. Samsung is also offering deals for up to $1,200 off when you reserve the new foldable phones on its website. Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ultra A frame from one of Samsung's press releases that teased the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Samsung Over the preceding weeks, Samsung has sent out provocative press releases trying to drum up the hype about a Galaxy Fold 7 and its new Ultra-like camera. In a press release titled, Meet the Next Chapter of Ultra, a video shows a Galaxy Z Fold in silhouette with the sound of a chorus of singers and swooping sound effects of the phone opening and closing. These teases are vague at best, but could mean that there are multiple Galaxy Z Fold phones. The Ultra variant will have a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, according to a report on 91mobiles. The main camera could be truly flagship-worthy, if Samsung's tease is true, and similar to the 200-MP camera that's on the Galaxy S25 Edge. There could be a slim version of the Fold that would be the "the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet." It's unclear if the -- let's call it the Fold 7 Slim -- would have the same Snapdragon processor or an Exynos one. But what if the Fold 7 Ultra and Fold 7 Slim are the same phone? That might be the reality. Get ready for an Ultra-fied Samsung foldable. Samsung Noted leaker and blogger Evan Blass shared photos in his newsletter of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The images show the unreleased phone in three different colors: blue shadow, silver shadow and jet black. The blue shadow version looks incredible. The photos of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are at different angles and really make it look thin. The camera bump sticks out quite a bit and gives off heavy Galaxy S25 Edge vibes. One of the images shows the main screen with a camera cutout at top, which could mean that Samsung is moving away from the under-display camera that's been on the Fold for the past few years. There are conflicting reports that the Z Fold 7 will have larger 8-inch main displays. It's hard to tell from Samsung PR teases or Blass' photos if that's the case. Of course, price is the other big factor when it comes to the Galaxy Z Fold. Last year, Samsung raised the price of the Fold 6 to $1,900. But with the threat of tariffs and an uncertain outlook for the economy in general, it's tough to know what US prices will be. Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE This is the hinge on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. James Martin/CNET Motorola came up with a clever way to deal with the high price for foldable phones by offering multiple versions of its Razr, including one that starts at $700. And like Motorola, Samsung could have not one but two Z Flip phones this year. There would likely be a Z Flip 7, a follow up to last year's Galaxy Z Flip 6, and a more affordable Z Flip 7 FE -- and if you're not a Samsung stan, FE stands for fan edition. The Z Flip 7 would get a larger 4.1-inch cover screen, according to a post by Weibo user Setsuna Digital, similar to the 4-inch one on the Motorola Razr Ultra. Of course, if that's the case, it's going to be exciting to see how Samsung will take advantage of the extra space. Luckily, Blass also shared leaked photos of the Z Flip 7 in blue shadow, coral red and jet black. The cover screen looks enormous without Samsung's file folder tab cutout. But it's on the inside where things get interesting. A couple of weeks ago Samsung launched its Exynos 2500 processor, and that could be what powers the Galaxy Z Flip 7. There's the possibility for a Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which after looking at Blass' leaked photos, seems like a repackaged Galaxy Z Flip 6 complete with a 3.4-inch cover screen. And if the Z Flip 7 FE is supposed to be Samsung's more affordable clamshell phone, I have to imagine that the processor will be a step down, too. Will Samsung price the Z Flip 7 FE at $700, the same as Motorola's baseline Razr? We will find out soon. Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic The Galaxy Watch 7 (top) and Ultra (bottom). John Kim/CNET Sometimes Samsung teases and other times it just tell us what to expect. A few weeks back, Dr. Hon Pak, Samsung's senior vice president and head of digital health, talked with CNET's Vanessa Hand Orellana about the company's plans around its wearables, which are geared toward personalized coaching, monitoring signs of aging and a new blood analysis feature you can use right from your wrist, no needle necessary. The update is part of a broader push to help people fend off chronic illness. But Pak didn't give away everything. It's unclear how many watches Samsung will launch. It could just be the Galaxy Watch 8, a follow up to last year's Watch 7. There could be a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and also a new color for the Galaxy Watch Ultra. The watches are getting larger batteries, according to a report by SammyGuru. Blass shared leaked photos for three watches: the Watch 8 and its squaricle design, the Watch 8 Classic with its rotating bezel (which I am a big fan of) and an updated version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. There's no word on pricing, but it's great to see Samsung really transform its watches with more of these wellness and health features. Galaxy Unpacked final thoughts Here is last year's Galaxy Z Fold 6. Lisa Eadiccico/CNET Most of what I've talked about here is based on rumors and leaks, and until Samsung actually announces products, none of this is for certain. Also, it'll be curious to see if there are any updates (even if it's just software) announced for the Galaxy Ring or if Samsung will show off its Project Moohan headset. Remember, this is likely Samsung's last big event for the year and we'll be on top of all the announcements.
CNET
01-07-2025
- CNET
Stop Buying Expensive Phones. I Tested This $400 Samsung Galaxy That Nails the Basics
CNET's key takeaways The Galaxy A36 is one of Samsung's three midrange phones and costs $400. The phone packs a generous 5,000-mAh battery, as well as 45-watt fast charging. The A36 has a slightly larger display than its predecessor, which is nice and bright, even in direct sunlight. A 50-megapixel main camera captures punchy photos, especially in portrait mode. The camera compromises on sharpness and detail. The A36's bezels are pretty noticeable. There's also a slight lag when launching apps like the camera or rotating the phone. As a friend and I stroll along the Chicago River on a sunny, sweltering summer day, I pause and reach for the phone in my pocket. "Hold on," I say, "We need to take a basic picture of our drinks with the city in the background for my article." I'm greeted with the all-too-familiar (half-joking) scoff of, "Is that an Android phone?" But when my friend looks at the image, she generously says, "Oh, that's pretty good." "Pretty good" is a solid summary of the Samsung Galaxy A36, which, at $400, delivers on just about everything, from day-long battery life to a trusty triple-camera system to impressive durability. Of course, you'll have to make some compromises when it comes to factors like image quality and overall performance. But if you're keen to not pay close to $1,000 for a smartphone, the A36 could be your answer. The photo that earned a reluctant compliment from my iPhone-loving friend. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET That picture I shot by the river, which I took in both portrait and standard modes, is bright, clear and satisfyingly in focus. Shadows and highlights are a bit exaggerated, but overall, it's an image I'm pleased with. Other photos I snapped throughout the week I tested the phone offered a similar vibrancy, though, compared to pricer phones like the $800 Samsung Galaxy S25 or $829 iPhone 16, colors tend to be a bit more muted, and some details get lost. But you get what you pay for, and at $400, I'd argue you get good bang for your buck. Watch this: Galaxy S25 Edge Review: This Skinny Phone Left a Big Impression 06:24 The A36 borrows some elements from the flagship Galaxy S25 series. It comes with One UI 7 and Android 15, and it packs AI features like Object Eraser for photos and Google's Circle to Search. You can also get more thorough answers to your questions by chatting with Gemini. The best thing about the AI features is that they don't feel forced; you won't be bombarded each time you try to do something on your phone. But if you want to clean up a photo or get quick and detailed information about something on your screen, AI is at your fingertips. When the Galaxy A36's lavender backing catches the light, it creates this dazzling effect. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET My experience with the Galaxy A36 One of the Galaxy A36's biggest flexes is its 5,000-mAh battery, which is paired with 45-watt fast charging. That places it on par with the $1,000 Galaxy S25 Plus, which also includes 45-watt fast charging and a slightly smaller 4,900-mAh battery. There's a charging cable in the A36's box, but no power brick. Still, the baseline S25 and S25 Plus benefit from their more power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, while the A36 has a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, which is geared toward midrange phones. The battery on the more affordable device still packs plenty of power, though. In CNET's 45-minute endurance test, which involves a combination of streaming, scrolling through social media, joining a video call and playing games, the A36's battery dropped from full to 89%. By comparison, the S25 dropped from full to 93% and the S25 Plus dropped to 94%. And in a longer, three-hour streaming test over Wi-Fi, in which I watched a YouTube video in full-screen mode at full brightness, the A36 dropped from 100% to 84%. Meanwhile, the S25 dropped to 85%, and the S25 Plus reached 86%, so the A36, impressively, isn't so far behind its pricier counterparts. In a 30-minute charging test, the A36's battery hit 31% and it reached full in over an hour and a half. There are other moments when I was reminded that this is a midrange phone, like the slight lag when going from portrait to landscape mode while watching a YouTube video or the fact that it takes about a second to launch the camera. Oftentimes, when unlocking the phone after a few hours of inactivity, it takes a moment for the display to light up after pressing the power button. But nothing stands out as a major issue or red flag. The Galaxy A36 5G costs $400. Samsung Galaxy A36 look and feel Perhaps my favorite thing about the A36 is how it looks. The iridescent lavender backing is so striking that I often find myself staring at it, mesmerized, as it catches the light. (It also makes me wish premium phones came in more playful colors.) If you want something a bit more subtle, the A36 also comes in black. Turning to the screen, the bezels are quite obvious, but they're thinner than the ones on last year's A35, which bumps that display size to 6.7 inches, versus 6.6 inches. A 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through social media apps and streaming videos enjoyable; I often forgot I was using a midrange phone because there weren't any glaring differences. The 1,900 nits of peak brightness made looking at the screen easy, even under the unforgiving Midwest summer sun. Both the front and back of the phone feature Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, which makes the A36 feel nice and sturdy -- and also makes me feel better about using it without a case (as does the relatively low price tag). It has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand being submerged under 1 meter (or 3 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes, so I don't have to be too nervous about bringing it to the beach or simply having it in the vicinity of a cup of water I'm likely to spill. Galaxy A36 camera A phone's camera tends to be the most important aspect to me (and I'm not alone). The A36 has a 50-megapixel wide, 8-megapixel ultrawide and 5-megapixel macro camera, as well as a 12-megapixel selfie camera. The A36 portrays the range of colors in this flower bed, with a slightly more subdued overtone. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET An overcast sky lends to some deeper shadows, especially under the Bean, but the buildings in the background maintain a good level of detail. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET I snapped both a standard and portrait-mode shot of my friend at the Harry Potter Shop Chicago, and she was again (surprisingly) pleased with the result. It got a resounding "Oh, that's not bad." And I have to agree. The foreground in both photos is in clear focus, and the colors are a bit on the saturated side, but in a way that's still flattering and bold. A standard mode shot of my friend Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET A portrait mode shot of my friend. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET I snapped photos of my niece in the backyard at around 9 p.m. to test nighttime shots, and the result was also greeted with a "That's pretty good." The phone brightened up what was otherwise a nearly pitch-black setting, making it possible to see my niece's facial expression and some details on her dress. The shadows here are still pretty noticeable, but at least the subject gets brightened up quite a bit. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET Lastly, I switched to the front camera to see how the A36 handles selfies, and it served up a flatteringly soft overtone and smoothing effect on my face without compromising much in the way of sharpness and detail. That signature softness of Galaxy selfies. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET The A36 also supports 10-bit HDR video recording, which lends to punchier colors and overall vibrancy. I enjoyed shooting footage of my parents' garden and capturing the colorful blooms and lush greenery. Galaxy A36 specs 6.7-inch AMOLED display 120Hz adaptive refresh rate 1,900 nits peak brightness 5,000-mAh battery 45-watt charging Cameras: 50-megapixel wide-angle, 8-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel macro, 12-megapixel selfie camera USB-C port 195g (6.89 oz.) Dimensions: 6.41 x 3.08 x 0.29 in. (162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4mm) IP67 rating for water and dust resistance 128GB storage with 6GB or 8GB of RAM; 256GB storage with 6GB, 8GB or 12GB of RAM Six years of software and security updates $400 CNET's buying advice If your key priority is buying a phone that nails the basics without all the frills, the Galaxy A36 could be the perfect fit. It's a midrange device that falls right in the middle of Samsung's A series line, meaning you'll get all the key features like a good camera, long battery life and solid performance and durability. You'll also get six years of software and security updates to help you squeeze every penny out of this purchase. A $400 phone is going to come with some compromises, like image detail and slight lag with some functions, but none of those things are a deal breaker if you want something that delivers where it really counts. Don't expect many frills with the A36, but you'll get just enough AI, whether it's for chatting with Gemini or polishing up your photos. And those photos may even earn a conceding compliment from your loved ones to boot. For more affordable phone options, check out CNET's roundup of the best budget-friendly phones. How we test phones Every phone CNET's reviews team tests is used in the real world. We test a phone's features, play games and take photos. We examine the display to see if it's bright, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and build to see how it is to hold and whether it has an IP rating for water resistance. We push the processor's performance to the extremes using standardized benchmark tools like GeekBench and 3DMark, along with our own anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution videos and playing graphically intense games at high refresh rates. All the cameras are tested in a variety of conditions, from bright sunlight to dark indoor scenes. We try out special features like night mode and portrait mode, and compare our findings against similarly priced competing phones. We also check out the battery life by using it daily, as well as running a series of battery drain tests. We take into account additional features like support for 5G, satellite connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus support, fast charging speeds and foldable displays, among others that can be useful. We balance all of this against the price to give you the verdict on whether that phone, whatever price it is, actually represents good value. While these tests may not always be reflected in CNET's initial review, we conduct follow-up and long-term testing in most circumstances.
CNET
21-05-2025
- CNET
Google Beam Futuristic AI-Powered 3D Video Chats Are Coming This Year
Beam me up, Google. Video chats could have a much more sci-fi feel with Google Beam, an AI-powered video communications platform that aims to make it feel like you're meeting up in person. Google announced Beam, an evolution of its Google Starline technology, at its annual I/O developer conference on Tuesday. Google has teamed up with HP to commercialize the system. Read more: Google I/O 2025 Live Blog Google Beam uses a six-camera array that captures the subject from different angles. An AI video model puts the views together in real time to create a 3D person. Google says the system features near-perfect head tracking, down to the millimeter, with video at 60 frames per second. The idea is reminiscent of any number of holographic communications systems seen in everything from Star Wars to Star Trek. Unlike the tiny, low-quality Princess Leia hologram from A New Hope, Beam is designed to be life-sized and lifelike. Google once described the technology as a "magic window." Enlarge Image Google's Starline technology platform is growing up and getting a new name, Google Beam. Google The platform uses a light field display that doesn't require wearing any special equipment. CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti tried out Starline last year and called it "the closest thing to a hologram I've ever seen." Speech translation, a feature Google is bringing to Google Meet, could come to Beam as well, Google said. Google introduced Starline as a research project in 2021 and has been testing and refining prototypes ever since. Today's announcement means the technology is closing in on being ready for prime time. Video calls have long been plagued with challenges. It can be hard to read expressions and gestures. Traditional video chats are missing a sense of eye contact. Zoom fatigue was a hot topic during the height of COVID-19. Beam wants to address those issues with a more immersive and lifelike experience. Google said HP will share more about the platform at the InfoComm audio visual technology exhibition in June. Google is also working with Zoom and other audio visual companies. Beam will likely find its footing first with larger organizations that want to shake up the way they handle videoconferencing. The first Beam devices will be available for early adopters later in 2025, so start practicing your "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope." Beam isn't Google's only big announcement of the day. Check out everything that's been revealed at Google I/O.
