Samsung held its Galaxy Unpacked 2020 press event yesterday, just ahead of the Mobile World Congress taking place in Barcelona later this month. The event had been preceded by several leaks as well as teases by the company itself, so there weren’t any true surprises revealed. But we did get our first detailed looks at its next generation of flagship devices.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
The showcase began with the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, its latest phone with a foldable display and a throwback clamshell design. Unlike last year’s Samsung Galaxy Fold, the Galaxy Z Flip unfolds vertically to reveal a gorgeous 6.7″ display. Its main selling point comes when the phone is folded though; the two halves of the folded screen can support different apps at the same time. There is also a smaller exterior display at the back of the phone, which shows quick notifications and the like.
Aside from its foldable form factor, the phone doesn’t boast much in terms of next-generation features like 5G and 8K video recording. The device will release on the 14th of February, and would sell for $1,380.
Samsung S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
The center of the entire showcase was of course the reveal of the Samsung Galaxy S20 series of phones. Opting to skip numbers 11 through 19 of its device naming convention, the new series comes in three variants: the S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra. All three phones support 5G connectivity as well as the capture of 8K videos, but only the S20 Ultra boasts a 108MP camera capable of a 100x zoom.
The camera was a focal point of the presentation, and it is clear from everything that was detailed during the showcase that the S20 Ultra’s is a step above everything else that is currently available. Its “Single Take” feature allows users to repurpose a single picture or video for multiple options like wide angle and boomerang.
Samsung S20 Series Specs & Price
The device also houses 16GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of internal storage, with the option to expand it with a 1.5TB SD card. The S20 Ultra would retail for $1,399, while the S20 and S20+ cost $999 and $1,199 respectively. Pre-orders for the devices begin on the 21st of February, while all three phones are expected to hit store shelves on the 6th of March.
Samsung Galaxy Buds+
Lastly, the company also revealed its successor to the Samsung Galaxy Buds. Dubbed the Galaxy Buds+, the improved wireless earbuds look almost identical to the original Buds. The number of inbuilt microphones has been bumped from 2 to 3, allowing for even greater clarity in voice calls. The Buds+ has a rated battery life of up to 11 hours, plus it can squeeze out an additional 11 hours when paired with a charging case. It is expected to ship starting on the 14th of February, for a recommended retail price of $149.
What do you think about Samsung’s new line of flagship phones? Do you think consumers would actually find a use for the S20 Ultra’s 100x zoom? Let us know in the comments section below.