Galaxy Unpacked 2024: Everything Samsung announced and the Galaxy AI wave in wearables

Samsung's recent Galaxy Unpacked event unveiled a wave of AI-powered advancements. Samsung's recent Galaxy Unpacked event unveiled a wave of AI-powered advancements. President and Head of MX Business TM Roh highlighted a vision of AI based on cross-device intelligence, emphasising that "technology should adapt to you, not the other way around." This vision will not only help people achieve their goals but address some uncertainties businesses have about AI. Building on their January announcements, Samsung is integrating Galaxy AI—a suite of intelligent features—into over 200 million devices this year.

The event also introduced new hardware, with pre-orders now open for the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 foldable phones, along with new Galaxy watches and earbuds, all launching internationally on July 24. 

Now, let's uncover the exciting announcements, including the latest wearables, and a hint of what's to come.

Here’s all the wearable tech Samsung unveiled on July 10:

1. Samsung Galaxy Ring: The highlight of the day

A more convenient health tracker than the watches if you ask me.

This sleek titanium ring isn't just stylish, it discreetly monitors your sleep, heart rate, and more 24/7. Samsung is giving its users an option to ditch the bulky bands and constant charging–the Galaxy Ring (like the Oura ring) features a powerful battery lasting up to seven days.

Just like the Watch 6, the Galaxy Ring automatically tracks your workouts, analyses your sleep quality, and even provides personalised health insights, all without a subscription fee by the way.

It syncs flawlessly with the Samsung Health app to offer a comprehensive picture of your well-being. And even coaches you towards a healthier lifestyle, suggesting improvements based on its AI-powered analysis.

While smaller sizes see a slight dip in battery life, a range of US sizes (5-13) ensure a perfect fit. 

The Galaxy Ring can also nudge you to move if it detects inactivity and even allows you to remotely capture photos with your phone. Oh, and you can pair the Galaxy Ring with a Galaxy Watch to extend the Ring's battery life by up to 30%, according to Samsung.

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Ring have begun in the US, with shipments starting July 24. The pricing is set at $400 on Samsung’s Official Store.

2. Meet the Galaxy Watch Ultra

If only Samsung had chosen a different moniker for this watch, perhaps reviewers would take a break from the "obviously-inspired-by-Apple-Watch-Ultra" talk. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung's new flagship smartwatch, crafted for those with an adventurous spirit.

Featuring a rugged, titanium frame, this Wear OS 5-powered watch maintains the familiar circular design while adding durability. It is built to last with a new cushion design and what Samsung calls "visual completeness." The watch boasts a powerful processor, improved battery life (up to 100 hours in power-saving mode), and advanced water resistance, making it capable of handling extreme temperatures and altitudes.

A standout feature is the new dual-frequency GPS, which ensures pinpoint location accuracy even on the most remote trails. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is packed with additional features, which you can explore further on the Samsung store along with the launch price.

3. Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro

Samsung's latest Galaxy Buds come in two flavours: Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro. Both offer upgrades over previous models, with a new design inspired by AirPods and improved sound quality.

The Buds 3 features an open-ear design, while the Buds 3 Pro have a more traditional in-ear fit with silicone tips. Both utilise microphones to analyse sound and improve audio quality. As Samsung Wearable Product Management Specialist Malika Chraibi explained at the event, the Buds 3 Pro can dynamically adjust sound and active noise cancellation based on ambient sounds, thanks to built-in mics that monitor fit and measure sound leakage. 

For language learners, the Buds 3 Pro pairs seamlessly with the Interpreter app, translating foreign languages in real-time directly to your ears.

The Buds 3 promises 24-bit Hi-Res Audio and 3D spatial sound for an immersive listening experience, especially when paired with compatible Samsung phones. Both models offer improved battery life and control via pinch or swipe gestures on the buds themselves. (oops, sounds familiar and these reviewers might just be right) 

Galaxy Buds 3 starts at $180, while the Buds 3 Pro costs $250. Pre-orders are open now, with general availability starting July 24.

4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 

At Unpacked 2024, Samsung also revealed the Galaxy Watch 7 which retains the familiar circular design of its predecessors, but significant upgrades lurking beneath the surface. A cutting-edge 3-nanometer processor from Samsung promises three times faster performance and 30% better battery life.

On the back, a redesigned BioActive Sensor gathers health data that's now easier to understand thanks to the new Energy Score feature. Plus, gesture controls and smarter AI-powered replies enhance the overall user experience.

The Galaxy Watch 7 starts at $300 and pre-orders are open now, with general availability starting July 24. For those seeking the latest Samsung smartwatch without unnecessary extras, the Watch 7 delivers a powerful and efficient package.

For the new Galaxy Foldables unveiled Galaxy Unpacked 2024

1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

Samsung is not only bringing Galaxy AI to its newest and latest wearables but also its most powerful foldable yet, combining Galaxy AI with unparalleled durability and comfort. The device features an expanded main screen for enhanced viewing, complemented by a new display material and shear-thickening fluid coating to ensure both flatness and toughness. A dual-rail hinge reinforces the folding mechanism for durability against everyday wear and tear. 

While maintaining its familiar design, the Z Fold 6 offers a slightly shorter and wider form factor, making one-handed use of the cover display more user-friendly. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, optimized for Galaxy AI features, it includes innovative functions like "Sketch to Image" for transforming S Pen doodles into polished artwork and an AI-powered interpreter app for seamless dual-display translations.

The Z Fold 6 also upgrades with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides and a 10% stronger aluminium frame compared to its predecessor. Additional enhancements include a new 12MP ultra-wide sensor for expanded photographic capabilities and the category's brightest screen, reaching up to 2,600 nits.

Now available for preorder in pink, navy and silver, the Z Fold 6 starts at a hefty $1,900.

2. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 elevates the popular foldable phone format with several upgrades at Unpacked 2024. Featuring a new 50MP main camera system with AI enhancements powered by the ProVisual engine, it uses AI to detect objects, analyse lighting conditions, and isolate delicate facial features such as skin tones and eyelashes.

The Flip's signature FlexCam is now more versatile with Auto Zoom, ensuring optimal framing for every shot. Galaxy AI features like Live Translate and Interpreter further enhance communication across languages.

This year's Z Flip also introduces the most powerful processor yet and a larger battery for extended use. With a new vapour chamber cooling system, it delivers smooth performance even during intensive tasks.

Available in four standard colours plus exclusive white and peach options, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,100, offering a stylish blend of functionality and cutting-edge technology.

There are more Galaxy AI features…

 Here's a glimpse of some more AI-powered features coming to Samsung’s latest devices showcased at the event:

Gemini Integration on Galaxy Z Fold 6: Imagine a world where your phone harmoniously answers questions based on what you're watching! This futuristic capability is made possible by the deep integration of Samsung and Google's Gemini AI technology. 

Soon, Gemini will be accessible as a side panel on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, enhancing its multi-window viewing experience and transforming how users interact with content in real time.

Composer and Note Assists: Users of Galaxy Z Fold 6 can ask questions, use the S Pen, point the camera, or speak to get answers.

For instance, Composer with Galaxy AI streamlines email drafting by generating entire emails with context-relevant details from simple prompts. This feature removes the need to labour over thank-you notes after client meetings.

Another breakthrough is Voice Recorder integrated into Samsung Notes. Professionals can record meetings and leverage Note Assist with Galaxy AI to transcribe and summarise discussions. This AI-powered tool identifies up to 10 speakers, syncs notes with audio playback and ensures seamless review of meeting highlights.

 PDF Overlay Translation: This allows users to translate text and overlay on PDF files directly within the Notes app. It takes it a step further to render text, images, and graphs accurately. Multilingual document users will find this feature invaluable without the need for external tools or extensive formatting adjustments.

Personal AI Knowledge Graph: With AI personalisation on each Galaxy device, you get a unique knowledge graph tailored to your usage patterns. This AI learns and adapts to offer personalised suggestions, such as recommending a break based on your energy levels. Importantly, all this happens securely on your device, with the Galaxy AI dashboard giving you control over cloud processing settings. 

You can choose which features operate locally or opt for cloud-based services, ensuring your privacy remains under your control while benefiting from Samsung's evolving AI capabilities across devices like the Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Ring, and more.

To wrap up

Samsung and Google hinted at a new "XR" platform (encompassing VR, AR, and MR) during the Galaxy Unpacked event. This collaborative project aims to push the boundaries of these immersive technologies. 

While specifics are scarce for now, Samsung's TM Roh suggested an announcement "this year," with a possible reveal at the upcoming Samsung Developer's Conference in October 2024.

Look out for more details on this announcement.

*Galaxy AI features by Samsung will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.