Updated June 28: With first pre-release offers and details on the Galaxy options: article originally posted on June 26.
People attend Samsung’s “Galaxy Unpacked 2023” (Photo by Yang Chang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Samsung has confirmed that its next Galaxy Unpacked launch event will take place in Paris on July 10. The South Korean company will unveil its next foldable flagship, the Galaxy Z Fold6, alongside the Z Flip6 and several new accessories.
The foldable hardware will undoubtedly catch the attention of many. Foldable phones remain one of the high boundaries of design, pushing the physical limits with flexible screens, small but robust hinges and less usable internal volume than the regular candy bar phone.
Samsung will push the boundaries of these boundaries, though that may hold back some specs to fit everything in. The community may have to make do with camera hardware that debuted in the Galaxy Z Fold4 in 2022.
There will also be three major peripherals launching. The Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Buds3 will be joined by Samsung’s Galaxy Ring fitness and health tracker. It was teased during Galaxy Unpacked in January, but details about its capabilities and software are currently scarce.
Last year’s Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Update: Thursday June 27: In addition to confirming the Galaxy Unpacked launch date, Samsung has emailed its first pre-release offer to customers.
The company has sent out a survey offering a £50 voucher to those who complete it. The voucher will be valid for two weeks following the Unpacked event, which will see the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 unveiled. While exact model numbers haven’t been revealed (the voucher is simply for “new Galaxy phones”), the voucher is meant to be redeemed on a new foldable phone after July 10.
It’s not the only voucher on offer, as everyone who completes the survey will also receive a £25 voucher towards ‘new ecosystem products’.
Finally, Samsung enters a prize draw for each survey, with ten vouchers worth £1,000 available. You must submit your entry before July 9. The winners will be announced on July 17 (the terms and conditions can be found here).
Samsung Galaxy ecosystem
Update: Friday June 28: Samsung’s pre-order listing doesn’t ask which phone you’re ordering. As of this post, Samsung simply says that Unpacked will launch new “Galaxy foldables.” Still, it’s highly unlikely that the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 won’t make an appearance.
That won’t stop retailers from taking orders or supporting those orders with details about the new phones. Winfuture’s Roland Quandt reports from an Austrian retailer that has posted final renders of both the Flip and Fold models, and we have a clear idea of the planned retail colors of the two models. The renders show four colors of the Z Flip6; with pastel shades of green, silver, sky blue and yellow. The three colors of the Fold6 are silver, navy blue and rose fold.
Samsung traditionally offers several exclusive colors that are only available through its website. With both a white and a reworked black color previously discussed for the Fold6, these two will likely be the exclusives.
The Samsung Experience Store on Oxford Street in London (Photo by Olly Curtis/Future via Getty … [+]
While the hardware will be the biggest reveal for consumers, those looking at Samsung’s broader strategy will focus on the improvements and new tools that will be added to Galaxy AI. Launched in January alongside the Galaxy S24 family, Samsung has had the highest market share of any AI-enabled smartphone since Google entered the category with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in October 2023.
Samsung expects the launch of two of the largest foldable phones to continue and expand its lead as the leading AI smartphone manufacturer.
The event will be streamed live on Samsung’s YouTube page.
Now read my interview with Samsung VP James Kitto about Galaxy AI and how it relates to the entire ecosystem…