Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Fold Edition

Samsung returned to London yesterday for its second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, using the historic Old Billingsgate venue to unveil what is arguably the company's biggest evolution of foldable smartphones since the original Galaxy Fold. Rather than simply refining an existing formula, Samsung has expanded its premium foldable lineup with two book-style devices – the Galaxy Z Fold8 and the all-new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra  alongside the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and its first AI-powered smart glasses. While there were plenty of announcements throughout the keynote, it was the Fold8 range that stole the show, signalling Samsung's intention to make foldable phones a genuine replacement for both smartphones and tablets.

Galaxy Z Fold8: Refining the Formula

The standard Galaxy Z Fold8 builds on everything Samsung learnt from previous generations while making the device noticeably more practical for everyday use. One of the biggest design changes is its wider, more conventional outer display with a 4:3-inspired aspect ratio. This makes the phone feel much closer to using a traditional flagship smartphone when folded, addressing one of the biggest criticisms of earlier Fold models. Opening the device reveals Samsung's familiar large tablet-like display, but the experience has been improved through a redesigned hinge and the introduction of the company's new Flex Titanium display structure. Samsung claims the new internal construction significantly reduces the visibility of the crease while improving overall durability and rigidity.

Performance comes courtesy of Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with faster memory and improved thermal management. As expected, Galaxy AI sits at the centre of the software experience, with Samsung integrating AI into virtually every aspect of the phone. Real-time translation, intelligent note summarisation, enhanced photo editing, context-aware multitasking and more advanced on-device AI all feature heavily throughout One UI. The larger internal display also allows AI features to operate in multiple windows simultaneously, making productivity one of the Fold8's strongest selling points. Samsung has also continued refining its multitasking software. Running three applications side-by-side feels more natural than ever, while improved drag-and-drop functionality and smarter app continuity make the Fold8 a genuine productivity device rather than simply a novelty.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Samsung's Ultimate Foldable

The biggest surprise of the event was undoubtedly the introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Rather than replacing the standard Fold8, Samsung has positioned it above the existing model as the company's most premium smartphone ever produced. Immediately noticeable is just how thin the device has become. Measuring only 4.1mm when unfolded and weighing approximately 215g, Samsung says this is its thinnest and lightest Fold to date despite housing a larger 8-inch internal display. The Ultra differentiates itself through premium hardware across the board. The headline feature is a 200MP main camera, bringing Ultra-level imaging performance to Samsung's foldable lineup for the first time. Combined with AI-assisted photography and improved computational imaging, Samsung is clearly targeting creators who previously had to choose between the Galaxy S Ultra series and the Fold lineup.

Like the standard Fold8, the Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, but Samsung has also incorporated a new silicon-carbon battery technology designed to improve battery density without increasing the device's thickness. The Flex Titanium display structure returns here too, offering improved durability and an even less noticeable crease than previous Fold generations. Galaxy AI has been expanded specifically for the Ultra's larger display, introducing more intelligent multitasking, contextual productivity features and an enhanced FlexWindow experience that surfaces useful information before the device is even unfolded. Samsung's vision is clear: the Fold8 Ultra is intended to replace both a premium smartphone and a compact productivity tablet.

Galaxy Flip8

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 builds on Samsung's successful foldable formula with a slimmer, more refined design, making it even more practical for everyday use. It features a larger and more capable FlexWindow cover display, allowing users to reply to messages, control apps and even use advanced Galaxy AI features without opening the phone. Inside, the 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display delivers vibrant colours and smooth performance, while the latest Snapdragon chipset ensures fast, efficient operation. Combined with improved durability, enhanced cameras and a bigger battery, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is a stylish foldable that blends flagship performance with the convenience of a compact pocket-friendly design.

Galaxy AI Takes Centre Stage

If there was one message repeated throughout the keynote, it was that hardware alone is no longer enough. Samsung's entire presentation revolved around Galaxy AI becoming a proactive digital assistant rather than simply a collection of individual features. Live translation, intelligent writing assistance, AI photo editing, summarisation, contextual recommendations and productivity tools have all been further refined, while the larger displays of the Fold8 range allow AI to operate across multiple applications simultaneously. Samsung also demonstrated how AI integrates more naturally into multitasking, making the Fold8 series feel less like oversized smartphones and more like portable workstations.

Beyond the Fold

Although the Fold8 range dominated proceedings, Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip8, aimed at users wanting a more compact foldable, together with the Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and its first AI-powered smart glasses, highlighting the company's growing connected ecosystem.

South African Pricing and Availability

Samsung South Africa has confirmed that pre-orders open immediately following the global announcement.

South African pricing:

Galaxy Z Fold8 (256GB): R39,999

Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): R42,999

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): R54,999

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (1TB): R59,999

Pre-orders run from 22 July until 13 August 2026, with general retail availability beginning on 14 August 2026 through Samsung South Africa and participating network operators and retailers. As with previous launches, customers who pre-order can expect promotional offers such as storage upgrades, trade-in bonuses and selected Galaxy ecosystem bundles, although these may vary by retailer.

Bucket Tech: Samsung Unpacked 2026

Last night I attended the Samsung Unpacked event for 2026 in Hyde Park, Sandton. The event was a bold step for the brand as they unleashed a new era for their mobile phone outlook for the future. As CEO of Samsung South Africa put it "We are moving away from the smartphone and welcoming the AI phone". The launch gave us the first look of the all-new Galaxy S26 series which consists of 3 devices, the S26, the S26+ and the S26 Ultra. 

So before I dive into the AI bits of the device, lets look at the physical characteristics of the phone. Samsung have moved away from the titanium body and opted for the aluminium unibody design which not only keeps the device lighter but thanks to the new vapour chamber, also keeps the device cooler. The screen is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass that is the strongest one yet. Inside the Galaxy S26 Ultra we have the latest Snapdragon 8 processor which enables the phones top performance whilst still being able to cope with all the AI background workings. The screen is a 6.9-inch AMOLED 2x Display that provides in depth performance for gaming an faster refresh rate but the biggest feature form the screen is the Privacy Mode, where one can activate it on demand or program it for certain applications or notifications to keep away prying eyes. 

The camera remains mostly the same with the front facing camera gaining some extra AI features like auto editing to minimise glare and increase the details. The video is the biggest gainer from the AI features, with a better Nightography setting that allows you to video in the dark with a lot more detail and light with less of the grain that we are used to on devices of old. The video also has an increase stabilization with Super Steady feature and horizontal lock which means you dont have to make sure your phone is level when recording. 

Lets look into the AI, along with Google Gemini the Samsung Galaxy S26 series becomes one of the most powerful AI phones on the market. With features such as "Now Brief" which gives you a summary of things for the start of your day that is in curated for your interests, like weather, news, traffic, health etc. Then you get "Now Nudge" which dives into your phone and assists when you need push info on request. For example, when you chatting on text and someone asks you if you free for dinner on Saturday, it will check your calender and notify that you are free or ask you to view calendar. Circle search can now search multiple things in a single pictures. Gemini can also run tasks in the background whilst you are busy doing other things on your phone, like read through your messages to curate and order to your favourite delivery app, when its done, it will ask you to confirm order and pay. 

The Knox security has stepped up a notch giving you unparalleled layer of protection as its a physical barrier against hackers. Overall the device has exceeded expectations and we hoping we can get a hands on feel with the phone to review soon. 

Pricing starts from:

Samsung Galaxy S26 - R20,999

Samsung Galaxy S26+ - R25,999

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - R30,999

If pre-ordering the 256GB, Samsung will double your storage for the same price! So take advantage of this great offer. 

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, setting a new standard as a true AI companion with our most natural and context-aware mobile experiences ever created. Introducing multimodal AI agents, the Galaxy S25 series is the first step in Samsung’s vision to change the way users interact with their phone – and with their world. A first-of-its-kind customised Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy chipset delivers greater on-device processing power for Galaxy AI and superior camera range and control with Galaxy’s next-gen ProVisual Engine.

“The greatest innovations are a reflection of their users, which is why we evolved Galaxy AI to help everyone interact with their devices more naturally and effortlessly while trusting that their privacy is secured,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy S25 series opens the door to an AI-integrated OS that fundamentally shifts how we use technology and how we live our lives.”

Our Most Intuitive and Effortless Mobile Interactions Yet

With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series is a true AI companion that understands the context of your needs and preferences and provides personalised AI experiences with privacy assured at every turn. It’s the starting point of a shared vision with Google to imagine Android with AI at the core, bringing together developers and partners from around the world.

AI agents with multimodal capabilities enable Galaxy S25 to interpret text, speech, images and videos for interactions that feel natural. Upgrades to Google’s Circle to Search make searching your phone screen more helpful, fast and contextual. Circle to Search now quickly recognises phone numbers, email and URLs on your screen, letting you call, email or visit a website with a single tap.

With Galaxy S25 series, you can also perform actionable searches with context-aware suggestions for next steps. Plus, Galaxy S25 makes it frictionless to switch between apps for quick follow-up actions, like sharing a GIF or saving event details.

Galaxy S25 also represents a breakthrough in natural language understanding, making everyday interactions easier. Simply ask and intuitively find a specific photo in Samsung Gallery or adjust the size of display fonts in Settings. Just press and hold the side button to activate Gemini and perform seamless interaction across Samsung and Google apps, plus third-party apps such as Spotify. For example, find your favourite sports team’s season schedule and add it to Samsung   Calendar – with a single command.

These intuitive interactions are elevated by expansions to Galaxy AI’s popular tools for communication, productivity and creativity. Galaxy S25 keeps calls organised with Call Transcript[4] and summary. Writing Assist features such as summarizing content or automatically formatting notes can be enabled where texts can be selected, without needing to switch between applications. Drawing Assist unlocks fresh ways to bring ideas to life through combinations of sketches, text or image prompts.

Hyper-personalised Experiences with Privacy Secured

In the era of AI, personalisation goes hand-in-hand with privacy. On Galaxy S25, the Personal Data Engine powers personalised AI features by safely analysing your data on-device to deliver highly tailored experiences that reflect your preferences and usage patterns. These insights enable tailored experiences such as searching for an old photo in the Gallery using natural language, or being guided through the day with Now Brief, which proactively offers suggestions accessible via Now Bar on the lock screen. All personalised data is kept private and secured by Knox Vault. Combined with enhanced on-device processing capabilities, this creates a powerful, protected AI experience that is unique to Galaxy.

Galaxy S25 also introduces post-quantum cryptography, safeguarding personal data against emerging threats that could increase as quantum computing evolves. Because there is no privacy without holistic security, One UI 7 laid the groundwork for these innovations by introducing an extra, fortified layer of device safety designed for the age of AI and hyperconnectivity. Additional updates include added Maximum Restrictions settings, enhanced Theft Protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard to monitor the security status across a connected device ecosystem.

Galaxy’s Most Powerful Performance Ever

The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy. With unique customisations by Galaxy, this is the most powerful processor ever on Galaxy S series, delivering a performance boost of 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU and 30% in GPU compared to previous generation. This power fuels the Galaxy S25 series’ ability to process more AI experiences on-device without compromise, including previously cloud-based AI tasks such as Generative Edit.

Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies worked together to customise the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy.  The Galaxy S25 series features advanced, efficient AI image processing with ProScaler to achieve a 40% improvement[12] in display image scaling quality, while incorporating custom technology with Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) embedded within the processor using Galaxy IP to enable greater display power efficiency.

Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy is also equipped with Vulkan Engine and improved Ray Tracing, which makes for smoother and more realistic mobile gaming. All intense device usage and AI processing run smoothly thanks to changed heat dissipation structure with 40% larger vapor chamber and a tailored thermal interface material (TIM) that delivers extra improvement in thermal efficiency.

Unleashing Truly Pro Creation

The Galaxy S25 series delivers ultra-detailed shots at every range with high resolution sensors and ProVisual Engine, setting a new standard for mobile photography. With a new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor upgraded from the previous 12MP, Galaxy S25 Ultra provides exceptional clarity and vibrancy.

10-bit HDR recording is now applied by default, offering four times richer colour expression compared to 8-bit. Galaxy S25 can thus capture details in any lighting conditions. Plus, low-light videos have never been clearer than with Galaxy S25. Based on powerful processor, Galaxy S25 analyses movement and time to reduce noise more effectively. This integration allows detecting both moving and static objects with greater precision, ensuring sharper, cleaner footage in any scenario.

Galaxy S25 also introduces a range of tools once limited to specialised software, making advanced editing accessible for all. Now anyone can be a pro at editing photos and videos. Audio Eraser simplifies the removal of unwanted noise in videos. By isolating categories of sounds – including voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise – you can control what to tone down or eliminate entirely.

For a DSLR-like experience on mobile, Galaxy S25 introduces depth-of-field control with Virtual Aperture, integrated into the popular Expert RAW. Galaxy S25 also elevates cinematic creativity with Galaxy Log, enabling precise colour grading options for more professional video production. Portrait Studio has also been enhanced, allowing users to create personalised avatars with more true-to-life facial expressions. Filters introduces new analog-style filters, delivering film-like aesthetic for their photos and videos.

Durable Design Embracing a More Circular Approach

The Galaxy S25 series builds upon Galaxy’s ‘Essential Design’ grounded in ‘Simple, Impactful and Emotive’ elements. Galaxy S25 Ultra refines this essence into the slimmest, lightest and most durable Galaxy S series yet, with a rounded edge for a comfortable grip that complements the series’ aesthetic identity.

Galaxy S25 Ultra features durable titanium and the new Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2, a first-of-its-kind material that is more durable than glass. It combines Corning’s glass-ceramic with a proprietary anti-reflective surface treatment, helping to ensure advanced drop protection alongside anti-reflection surface treatment and scratch resistance.

Every external component of Galaxy S25+ and S25 now includes at least one recycled material, as their metal frame incorporates recycled armor aluminum for the first time. In addition, while every Galaxy S25 series device uses a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt for its battery, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to feature batteries made with recycled cobalt sourced from previous Galaxy devices or the batteries discarded during the manufacturing process. Samsung goes through multiple stages with its like-minded partners, from extracting cobalt from used batteries to re-using the recycled cobalt for the batteries of Galaxy S25.

Combined with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, the Galaxy S25 series ensures a reliable and optimised performance over a longer lifespan. For greater peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage for accidental damage, repairs, and replacements, ensuring peace of mind for Galaxy users. Plus, Samsung is introducing the New Galaxy Club. For users who love having the latest technology, this flexible subscription model is designed to make owning and upgrading Galaxy devices more convenient than ever. Regional details and availability will be announced at a later date.

The Galaxy S25 series will be available for pre-order from 23 January to 13 February 2025. Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray. Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ will be available in Navy, Silver Shadow, Icyblue and Mint.

Pricing as follows:

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB - R29,999
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB - R31,999
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 1TB - R34,999

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy A52 & A72

Yesterday saw the global release of Samsung's new Galaxy A devices, the A52, A52 5G and A72. As always with the Galaxy A series, the devices are aimed at the youth, giving the user a quality device with features that normally are reserved for high-end flagship devices but at half the price! The brands marketing ploy worked really well, with making the A stand for awesome, and after watching the launch, seeing what these phones come with and the capabilities of them, they really are awesome devices!

So lets take a quick run down the features, both devices are the same apart from the sizes, with the A72 giving you a larger display but everything on the inside is virtually the same. Both are powered by a Octa-Core (dual 2.3GHz + Hexa 1.8GHz) processor with memory of up to 8GB RAM with internal storage of 128 and 256GB, there's also external storage via MicroSD of up to 1TB so you're never going to run low on space, if you do there is always Google drive to backup your data. Both devices are LTE enabled with only the A52 getting a 5G variant. The devices are IP67 rated making them water and dust resistant. The A52 comes with a Super Fast Charging 4,500mAh battery while the A72 has a 5,000mAh both of which Samsung claim a two-day single charge lifespan, but it comes with intelligent settings that pick up patterns when you don't use your devices, example when you're sleeping it will swap over into battery saving mode to conserve life until you wake up again. 

Now, the most important thing for the youth are the camera and Samsung definitely are going all out for this one, with the A52 and A72 getting Quad rear cameras. Main camera is a 64MP high res lens with OIS (optical image stabilization), Ultra Wide 12MP,  5MP Depth sensor camera, 5MP Macro camera. True power in the main camera is when making videos, with the OIS it ensures your content is smooth and clear all the time. The A72 camera swaps out the 5MP depth sensor camera for the 8MP tele photo lens with 3x Optical Zoom, letting you see things further than ever before. Front facing camera is a 32MP F2.2 lens which ensures awesome selfies all the time. 

Staying connected is more important right now than ever, which is another big gameplay by Samsung with these devices. With seamless ways to share content with devices, adding restrictions to the content and even giving the user the ability to delete sent content off other peoples devices. The devices also have music share so you and friends can listen to music off a single device with multiple buds. The phones displays are FHD flat, with 800 nits brightness with eye comfort shield which ensures the eyes are protected at all times from the harmful blue lights. The quick refresh rate makes for super smooth scrolling. 

Both the A52 and A72 are available in four awesome colours, being Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue and Awesome Violet. Local pricing as confirmed by Samsung are as follows:

Galaxy A52 - R7,999

Galaxy A72 - R9,999

Galaxy A52 5G not confirmed for local market as yet.