Bucket Tech: Samsung's folding Galaxy

Bit of a delayed post today seeing that we had to wait for Samsung's Unpacked event which took place this afternoon but it was well worth the wait with the Korean electronics giant showcasing two of it's latest foldable mobile devices as well as a new wearable and in ear device! Introduced today was the all new Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Galaxy Flip 4, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, here's a brief snapshot of some of the latest products that are coming to SA. 

Samsung Galaxy Fold 4

The flagship of the folding range from Samsung, the new Fold 4 is packed with loads of tech and cool features. It has a redesigned hinge that is stronger than the the previous model which unfolds into a large 7.6-inch main screen turning your smartphone into a tablet. The design of the device is slim and elegant with Samsung concentrating on hand held and pocket friendliness but maximizing on screen size. Lets talk about the screen size, folded the cover screen measures in at 6.2-inches and is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Unfolding the Fold 4 introduces you to the immersive large main screen display measuring 7.6-inch also a Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display with 120hZ adaptive refresh rate. The Fold 4 has a 3-camera eco system that features as 12MP Ultra Wide Camera, 50MP Wide-angle camera and a 10MP Telephone Camera. The main screen has a 4MP under display camera for video calls and on the cover screen, a 10MP selfie camera. The Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 is a multitasking power house, with it having a 4nm Octa-Core Processor featuring Android 12L, it comes wwoith 12GB RAM with three storage options, of 256GB, 512GB or 1TB. It comes with a 4,400mAh dual battery which has Super Fasting Charging that can charge up to 50% in around 30 minutes. It also has 25W Fast Wireless charging 2.0 and features Wireless PowerShare so you can charge other devices from it. The device will be available in three colours, Phantom Black, Graygreen and Beige. 

Pricing starts from R37,999

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

Introducing the latest stylish foldable device from Samsung, this one, unlike the Fold which is all business, is all play and a little bit more. This tiny pocket-sized device when folded measures just 71.9mm x 84.9mm and 17.1mm thick. It's handy size means its small enough to fit comfortably in your pocket, hang back or even on your finger with the finger-ring attachment. The cover screen measures 1.9-inches and is a Super AMOLED Display that gives you information such as time, date, incoming calls and messages as well as health updates such as steps and exercise notifications. Unfolded, the main screen display measures in at 6.7-inch with a FHD+1 Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The main camera is a dual lens camera that has a 12MP Ultra-wide camera and a 12MP Wide-angle camera which is great for pictures or videos, it also has FlexCam4 which allows you to fold the screen at a perpendicular angle and record like a handy cam! The front facing selfie camera is a 10MP that captures the perfect selfie for your social media posts. The Flip 4 is powered by a 4nm Octa-Core processor and features Android 12. It has a 3,700mAh dual battery which has Super Fast Charging capabilities. Like the Fold 4, the Flip is also available in 3 memory storage sizes, being 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.

Pricing starts from R21,999

Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

Samsung's Galaxy Buds have been a popular in-ear device for many and now with the Buds 2 Pro being released, its only going to get better. With its ergonomic design, it has a comfortable fit and is 15% smaller than the previous generation Buds Pro. It features intelligent ANC which triggers multiple functions when turned on or off. It has theatre like sound featuring a 360 Audio with direct multi-channel 4 and don't worry about the battery as it has up to 29 hours of play time (dependent on ANC usage). Tuned by AKG you know the quality of the sound is going to be great, it is available in three colours, Graphite, Bora Purple and White. 

Pricing: R2,999

Galaxy Watch 5 & Watch 5 Pro

With a 44mm diameter display, elegant in design and a thickness of 9.8mm, the Watch 5 is certainly one of the better looking smart watches on the market. Its display, a Sapphire Crystal 1.2-inch with Super AMOLED Full Colour always on display is eye catching and great to look at. It features advanced Samsung BioActive Sensor with improved curvature of the black glass helping to get more accurate readings. It has a 10mAh longer-lasting battery and faster charging time. It's powered with a W290 Dual-Core 1.18GHz process with 1.5GB Ram and 16GB internal memory. Some cool features that come on the Watch 5 is the sleep coaching, body composition, sweat loss, blood pressure measuring, ECG, Heart Rate and Blood Oxygen meter. The Watch 5 Pro has all that and more starting with a bigger display measuring in at 1.4-inches, a more robust body design intended for more physical outdoor activities. A 590mAh battery and built-in GPS. Key features on the Watch 5 Pro are the specialized outdoor activities, which are Route Workout, Turn-by-turn directions and track back incase you get lost on your expeditions. 

Pricing for the Watch 5 starts from R5,999

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy S22 Series

Last night saw Samsung introduce their latest range of flagship devices to the country with the launch of the Galaxy S22 range. With Samsung still being one of SA's best selling mobile devices, many were intrigued to see how they would make this new range better than the predecessor, with the S21 proving to be extremely popular with the market, and with the newly introduced S21 FE edition, it was going to take some great new innovations to steer people to opt for the new range, and as always Samsung have delivered. 

The design of the new S22 and S22+ hasn't changed a lot from the S21, in fact they're almost identical, with the only key differentiator being the colours which are Phantom White ,Green, Pink Gold and Phantom Black. With a slim line design that has bezels which flow with the symmetrical design, finished off in a sleek metal unibody that houses a expansive display and at the rear, monochromatic camera housing which surrounds the linear camera system, which makes it oh, so attractive. 

The triple camera system comprises of a 12MP Ultra Wide Camera, a 50MP Wide-angle Camera and a 10MP Telephoto Camera which has 3x Optical Zoom. Over on the front, a 10MP Selfie Camera can be found in the pin-hole slot on the screen. The new camera eco-system encourages you to be your own pro photographer with the device able to capture high-quality photos with at super fast speed, the high-resolution sensor is Adaptive Pixel which shifts the pixels to suit the lighting, which means more pictures that have great detail and the less change of blurred or unsteady photographs. The night mode on the camera system has been significantly improved with Samsung even dubbing it as "Nightography" which allows you to capture epic pictures with insane quality in low light conditions. This is thanks to a big pixel sensor which enlarges to pull in light while the Super Clear Glass dials down the lens flare, which assists both in photos and videos in dark conditions. This also helps reduce the "noise" that one normally gets when taking pictures in poor lighting conditions. Video recording has received an upgrade as well with the pro-grade camera recording now featuring blurless footage as well as new stabilizer which ensures smooth videos all the time. Samsung have improved the OIS correction angle by 58% which works with faster motion sampling that assists in stabilizing your shots, the colour captures have improved with Super HDR that has 64x more colour information even if the scene is backlit. 

The Samsung Galaxy S22 range all come with incredible screens, with the S22 and S22+ having bright and brightest display accordingly. The stunning 120Hz Infinity-O displays are built with Dynamic AMOLED 2X with Vision Booster technology for high outdoor visibility, keeping the view clear in bright daylight or at night which means no glare. The Galaxy S22 is powered by a 4nm processor, the fastest chip ever on a Galaxy which ensures the phones smooth working whether you're vlogging, gaming all night or simply scrolling your feed. The Galaxy S22 comes with 3700mAh battery  while the S22+ has a 4500mAh battery, both devices have Fast Charging, with the S22 having 25W and the S22+ having 45W with their respective Power Adapters. Both devices have Wireless PowerShare to charge other devices which are low on juice wirelessly.  The devices come with a suitable amount of protection, the screen and back panel are fitted with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ which can better survive drops and offers a tough scratch resistance. They also have Armor Aluminum Frame that protects the devices sides when dropped, it also is rated IP68 ensuring water and dust won't prove to be a problem for it. 

Also launched last night was the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra which essentially is like the Note but in the Galaxy S22 Series, the design is very "NoteWorthy" as well as the design and size. The S22 Ultra also has a built-in S Pen, the first of its kind for the Galaxy S Series. The pen which has been a revelation since its introduction enables you to write, sketch or control your phone with fits neatly into the bottom side and is ejected from the bottom of the device. The S22 Ultra is available in 3 colours, Burgundy, Phantom White and Phantom Black. Samsung say this device is an epic leap for smartphones it also features the 4nm chip which optimizes just about every feature in the device. The display on the S22 Ultra is the brightest yet, it features a Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with Vision Booster and has almost zero glare, hitting 1750 nits at its peak and having a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate keeping your scrolling smooth and constantly adjusting to what's on your screen. The S22 Ultra has a Quad system camera which has a 12MP Ultra Wide Angle Camera, 108MP Wide-Angle Camera, 10MP 3x Optical Zoom Telephoto Camera and a 10MP 10x Optical Telephone Camera, ensuring great zoom with this device. On the front you have a 40MP Selfie camera, all lenses are equipped with the massive pixel sensors and shape-shifting pixels which assist in low light photography. Samsung say that on the S22 Ultra, they've taken the biggest leap in video technology yet, with auto framerate which detects lighting and shifts to optimal fps speed automatically. The camera also comes with Pro mode to take your photography to the next level enabling you to extract RAW files for fine tuning on your PC. The Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery and also has 45W Fast Charging capabilities. 

Devices will be available locally from 11 March with pricing as follows:

Samsung Galaxy S22: R19,999

Samsung Galaxy S22+ : R23,999

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: R28,999

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3

Todays Samsung Unpacked Event showcased their latest foldable mobile devices as well as their latest wearable and in ear accessories. We're just going to focus on the mobile devices in this post as it the most important one from the event. As the name suggests, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are the 3rd  generation of Samsung folding devices, being the market leader in this technology, they continued to flex their muscles in this aspect with their latest devices. 

Here is a quick run down on the specifications for each device:

Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Z Fold 3 continues from its predecessor in offering the user the best of both worlds, in terms of having a mobile phone and a tablet. While the Z Fold 2 was impressive, the 3rd generation of the device just builds on from it, offering a matte finish body, with a new 12MP triple primary camera and a new under-screen selfie camera. The device which comes with Samsung's 1Ui3 which is tablet based and has app dock and improved multi-tasking capabilities. The device also supports Samsung S Pen, for ease of use. 

Galaxy Z Flip 3

The Z Flip has always been one for the fun and outgoing individual unlike the Fold which is more business orientated. The Z Flip 3 is great looking device which is available in three colours. The device now has a two-tone finish which adds to the appeal of the an already great looking phone. When opened, the device screen measures 6.7-inches and is an Infinity Flex Display with 120Hz refresh rate.

Both the Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SOC and are rated IPX8 for water resistance. This making them the first folding devices with an IP rating. Both devices will be available locally from 17 September 2021 and pricing are as follows:

* Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 - R37,999

* Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 - R21,999

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G

Yesterday Samsung Mobile SA officially launched its much anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 2 mobile device in the country. During their live stream launch, Samsung gave us insight into what makes this 3rd foldable device from their range so special and why it's been generating so much hype world over. Folding mobile devices is a whole new category to the portable technology range and while so far only two manufacturers have come to the party, Samsung is leading the way in terms of design and development of such. It's a phone, its a tablet, its a world of innovation in the palm of your hand and its beautiful! The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has come a long way since the first gen with Samsung through much research and development ironing out most if not all of the bugs from the first one. Biggest one being the "crease" which users found to appear after much opening and closing of the device, Samsung have seemed to remedy this by making an all new state-of-the-art hinge using cam technology which operates smoothly and doesn't put that much pressure on the screen, as well as sourced new materials to make the folding glass helping to prevent this from happening on the Galaxy Z Fold 2. 

I know many will be looking at this device and wondering "why", well its innovation at its finest and in time to come could be the way mobile devices of the future will be made. As the generations of devices were made, it went form big to small due to evolution of components, with the introduction of smartphones and touch screens, devices had to get bigger to give the end user a bigger and clearer picture or working space, with folding tech this can still be achieved and keeping the device at a decent size. We saw this with the Samsung Z Flip which folds into a compact wallet size pouch but unfolds into a standard sized smartphone. With the evolution in tech, devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 could replace the smaller variant of tablets on the market. It gives you and experience like nothing you've had before, with you being able to use the device in various openings to suit your need. With the UI and large screen it is possible for your to work on multiple apps at the same time, having them as windows on your screen all while chatting to someone on a messaging service, the possibilities are endless with the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

In closed mode, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a normal smartphone with a 6.2" touch screen which you use just as a normal smart device. Perfect for one handed operation, whether its texting, talking, gaming or taking pictures. Unfolded, the main screen measures a massive 7.6", the display delivers rich colours of dynamic AMOLED 2X4. The screen is designed to emit less blue light so you can unfold to a table-sized viewing experience for hours on end with minimal strain on your eyes.  All the apps for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 are optimized for the devices which feature app continuation, so if you're working on the device while its folded, soon as you unfold it, the app you're working on will transfer to the bigger screen so you can continue with what you were doing and not lose any vital information. You can also drag and drop files from various apps which makes things much easier and quicker. 

Speaking of quick, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 omes with a 5G chipset so it's ready for the fastest network. With the device boasting a dual battery with a combined power output of 4500mAh, along with improved AI which actively saves the phones energy, you can be rest assured that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will give you more than a days worth of use. The Z Fold 2 comes with a triple camera set-up, all three of them being 12MP with a wide, telephoto and ultrawide lens. The Selfie camera is a 10MP wide lens which there is two off, one on the front folded screen and one in the large display. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 will be available for pre-order from the 7th of September 2020 at a RRP of R49,999 with units due to arrive towards the end of the month. It will be available in two colours, Mystic Black and the ever popular Mystic Bronze. 

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Unpacked

Wednesday saw Samsung unveil their latest in the Note model of flagship devices to the world, the Note 20 series showcased just why it remains one of the worlds leading business orientated smart devices. Experiencing the launch from home was a first for many of us media partners but hats off to Samsung SA for having a private launch for us so that we could ask some questions to the big wigs before the global proceedings. So whats new with the Note? Well lots, first up there's three variants, the Note 20 LTE, the Note 20 5G and the Note 20 Ultra 5G. With global demand shift to 5G networks its understandable that most models would be 5G ready, SA has already begun its roll-out in main business areas and slowly it will make its way all over, with this in mind Samsung SA chose to also bring in the LTE version of the device seeing that many wont be able to make full use of the 5G services. 

Both devices are styled beautifully, both in a full metal unibody available in a host of mystic colours, with the pick of the bunch being mystic bronze. The Galaxy Note 20 features a 6.7" Infinity-O Display with the Ultra having a bigger 6.9" Infinity-O Display and a refresh rate of 120Hz! Camera wise, both devices feature packed optics with both having a triple camera systems, the Note 20 features a 64MP main camera with 3x hybrid optical zoom and the Note 20 Ultra having a 108MP main camera with 5x Optical zoom from the telescope lens. The Note 20 Ultra has 8K recording capabilities hence the high refresh rate on the screen, for ultra clear and crisp footage. Battery life on both devices is as good as it gets, with the standard Note 20 having a 4,300mAh battery and the Ultra coming with a 4,500mAh battery.  

The key selling point for the Note is how it is transforming the way we work, with the drastic change in times that we're in, working from just about anywhere is critical so with the Note 20 it is trying to give you an all in one business capable device. With easy synchronization from Dex via Microsoft or Google, you can start off working on documents from your phone and finish them off on your PC or tablet. With the dynamic new S-Pen, you can jot down notes and the new AI converts them into text, the AI learns as you write and predicts what you're writing for faster point taking. It can also record conversations or lectures as your write so you can listen to what was being said while you were making notes, a real game changer for many. 

While the Note 20 might be seen as a business device, Microsoft came in to ensure that it has a fun aspect to it as well with its Xbox pairing system. With the Bluetooth controller and clamp you can use the Note 20 as a second screen for gaming or carry it around wherever you go and continue your favourite games when you have nothing to do. It's perfect for all you gamers out there as with the Xbox controller, you don't feel out of touch having to readjust to using the phone as your controller. Don't have an Xbox? Well thats okay too, you can cast your phone screen to your smart TV and then your Note 20 becomes the controller!

Samsung also launched some other goodies at the launch, first being their new Galaxy Buds Live, a retake on the  conventional wireless earphones. This all new design looks like a bean, has a perfect in ear fit thats not only comfortable but sits well too, so there isn't a risk of it falling out while you're on a run or doing vigorous exercises. The Buds Live also works well with the video camera on the device, where it can pair up with the mic and record your voice clearly while in a crowd. It has a 6 hours playing time and the carry case has up to 21 hours charging time for the buds. Also launched was the Galaxy Watch 3, a stylish new edition to the smart watch models in the range, it features a host of apps, as well exercises which pair to your phone and can be cast to your TV so you can see follow the training from there. It also has built GPS to track your runs and workouts, an ECG setting to check how fit you're are as well as give you accurate blood pressure readings on the go. Another cool feature is how you can personalize the watch face by snapping a picture of what youre wearing, the AI will select faces with colours close enough to match your outfit!

Local pricing for the devices are as follows.

• Galaxy Note 20 LTE - R24,999
• Galaxy Note 20 5G - R27,999
• Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G - R36,999
• Galaxy Buds Live - R3,999
• Galaxy Watch 3 LTE - (45mm) R10,499/ (41mm) R9,999
• Galaxy Watch 3 Bluetooth - (45mm) R9,499/ (41mm) R8,999

All these devices will be in the country from the end of August with pre-orders already open on the Samsung e-Store. Pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 20 will include a R4,000 voucher to spend on anything from the store. Samsung Global launch also showcased the Galaxy Z Fold 2 which will be available in the country from September. 

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2020

Last night's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event saw the release of the much anticipated Galaxy S20 Series flagship devices, yes like their Chinese competitor, Samsung have also ditched going through the teens and have jumped straight from 10 to 20. Maybe it has something to do with the year?  Actually it does, Justin Hume, Director of Integrated Mobility at Samsung SA had this to say "As we enter this new decade, how we communicate and how we experience the world around us has evolved. Samsung is therefore providing a next-generation device for transforming peoples lives. With an incredible AI powered camera, you can capture the moments as they happen and connect more seamlessly with the people you love"

Getting back to the devices, there are three phones that make up the Galaxy S20 Series, namely the, S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra, all of whom will be available locally from March 6th 2020. Big talking points from these devices are definitely the camera or should I say camera's with the S20+ and S20 Ultra boasting 5 lenses, the S20 being the entry level has the least features but does share some of the lenses with its siblings. The S20 Ultra primary camera is a whopping 108MP with built-in OIS which is miles ahead of the S20+ and S20 which only features a 12MP primary camera lens. Samsung say their whole approach with this new camera AI system is to increase clarity in their pictures, for higher quality images in low light. 

The S20 Ultra also boasts a telephoto lens which has 10x Optical Zoom and 100x Space zoom which is twice than what the current market competitor has to offer. Samsung have added an optical image stabilizer to assist with taking pictures at full zoom but clarity will deteriorate as you zoom in more on the subject. Users maybe more inclined to take pictures at full 108MP and crop for better clarity in the images.  Samsung have also added a cool trick to their S20 devices, called "Single Take" which takes pictures from all 5 lenses and allows you to go through each image keeping the ones you want and discarding the others. This allows the users to pick the perfect capture and also showcases the different lenses attributes so the user can get more accustomed to what lens does what. 

When it comes to videos, there is no competitor to Samsung Mobile devices, they're still leading the way with the S20 Ultra offering recording in 8K! While you're going to need an 8K television to watch these videos, and those are not cheap it's nice to know that you have that kind of quality in your device. You can also snap 33MP stills from your 8K video. With Samsung's Super Steady recording feature, anti-rolling stabilization and AI motion analysis you can be sure that none of your videos will have any shakes to them. It will look as if you were using a gimbal. 

Samsung Galaxy S20 Series will be available locally from the 6th of March, pricing and colours noted below. 

• Galaxy S20: Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink - R18,999
• Galaxy S20+: Comsic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink - R20,999
• Galaxy S20 Ultra: Cosmic Grey, Comsic Black - R26,999

Samsung Mobile also used this event to launch their new foldable device, the Galaxy Z Flip, in my opinion the best use of fold tech in a mobile device to date! It's the first ever foldable glass display where by the Galaxy Fold made use of plastic which left a nasty crease line. This one seems seamless and beautiful. The company says its a statement making smartphone and so far it's got everyone gasping, even me! It's bold, stylish and designed for those who see cutting-edge technology as a way to express themselves. It features a 6.7" touch screen display that fold into a stylish and compact form factor that fits into the palm of your hand. Samsung's innovative Hideaway Hinge and custom built UX, provides the Galaxy Flip with an elegant finish when folded or opened. Good news is that the Galaxy Z Flip will be available locally, and before the S20 Series touches down on the 22nd of February. There will be limited stock at selected stores around the country with more locations made available from 1st of March.

• Galaxy Z Flip: Mirror Purple, Mirror Black - R29,999