Tag: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review: The king, but for how much longer?
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No one has been making foldable phones longer than Samsung. And for the first few years, the sheer number of improvements we got on the Galaxy Z Fold line meant it didn’t really have any competition. But more recently, the pace of innovation has slowed while new challengers like the OnePlus Open and Pixel Fold have arrived. Now for 2024, Samsung has reinforced the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a stronger but significantly lighter frame, a new ultra-wide-angle camera and a bunch of AI-powered tools. Unfortunately, not much else has changed, leaving us with a very iterative upgrade. So while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains the best all-around big foldable on the market, it feels like complacency is eroding Samsung’s lead among flagship flexible phones.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Even without a new main camera, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold’s sleeker design, brighter screens and native stylus support are enough to maintain its rank as the best big foldable phone on the market.

Pros

Super bright and colorful display

Even lighter chassis

Great battery life

Native stylus support

Cons

Even more expensive than before

Same main camera as the previous two Z Folds

S Pen not included

Charging speeds could be faster

$1,900 at Samsung
Design and displays: Tweaked dimensions with even brighter screens

After eliminating the gap between the screen (when closed) on last year’s phone, Samsung has adjusted the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s dimensions again for 2024. But the changes are so small you have to measure them in millimeters. When closed, the phone is just over one millimeter thinner and when you open it up (in portrait), the main screen is 2.7mm wider but one millimeter shorter. It’s not a ton, but you do get a little more room for activities. And of course this also affects the exterior Cover Display, which is about 1mm wider as well — just enough to make using its on-screen keyboard more forgiving.

Elsewhere, the entire phone is sharper, from its boxier edges to the more squared-off corners on both screens. Samsung also says the Enhanced Armor Aluminium used in the Z Fold 6’s chassis is about 10 percent stronger than before, but I hope you’ll forgive me for not dropping it on purpose just to find out. Holding everything together is a new dual-rail hinge. And this time, I think Samsung has nailed the perfect balance between something that’s easy to open but also holds its position when you want it to. But the biggest design upgrade is a 14-gram weight reduction compared to the previous model. Granted, that might not sound like much, but now the Z Fold 6 only weighs around 4 grams more than its non-foldable cousin, the S24 Ultra. And on an already heavy phone, this change makes a big difference.

As for the displays, as someone who’s been using the Pixel Fold a lot recently — which has a solid screen in its own right — can I just say, Samsung’s panels are so choice. Not only has peak brightness improved to 2,600 nits for both displays just like on the standard S24 family, Samsung has subtly shrunk and flattened the bezels, so the phone looks even more like a magazine come to life. And until I see something better, this is simply the best screen on a big foldable right now.

Performance: Expectedly speedy

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

The Z Fold line has never been slow and this year we got the same upgrade to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip as we saw on the S24, while base RAM is staying pat at 12GB. And as you’d expect, the Z Fold 6’s performance is fast and responsive. There’s no lag when doing pretty much anything and thanks to the addition of a larger vapor chamber on the inside, the phone stays cooler during longer sessions, which is a nice bonus to all the gamers out there who like playing on a truly big-screen device.

Cameras: Mostly unchanged

When it comes to photography, I’m a bit disappointed with the Z Fold 6, not because it can’t take a decent pic, but because I know Samsung can do better. For this go around, Samsung has stuck with a trio of rear cameras, opting for a new 12-MP sensor for the ultra-wide lens — and it’s pretty good. But at the same time, the ultra-wide lens is the one I use the least in daily use, and it’s not close.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

The other two cameras – the 50-MP main and 12-MP telephoto with a 3x optical zoom — are solid, but they’re the same ones Samsung used on at least the previous two generations. In a photo of some strawberries, the Z Fold 6 produced a delicious pic with deep saturated hues and great details. At the same time, though, you can also see the slightly exaggerated warm tones you often get from Samsung cameras. And at night, the Z Fold produced a beautiful pic of a flower in a very tricky backlit environment.

The issue is that after Google released the Pixel Fold, Samsung doesn’t really have an excuse for saddling the Z Fold 6 with downgraded photography when compared to the S24 Ultra. The Pixel Fold has a longer 5x optical zoom and an edge in overall photo quality. Just take a look at two zoom shots taken by the Z Fold 6 and the Pixel Fold. In a vacuum, Samsung’s photo doesn’t look bad. But then take a look at the Pixel’s image. It’s noticeably sharper and more detailed.

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And it’s the same thing in really low-light situations, like the one I took of some Bluey figurines, where the Pixel Fold captured a less grainy, sharper and more well-exposed pic. And after being pleasantly surprised with the cameras on the S24 Ultra, it’s a shame Samsung’s most expensive phone sits in second place when it comes to photography.

AI features: Fun and occasionally handy, but not essential

As we saw back at the beginning of the year, Samsung has brought the Galaxy AI suite it launched on the S24 to the Z Fold 6. And by and large, a lot of the features are the same including things like Chat Assist which you can use to generate social posts or emails while selecting a variety of tones. There’s also support for Google’s Circle to Search along with translation and summarization tools. A couple new tweaks for the Fold is that now the phone can translate text in place instead of spitting it out into a big unformatted blob, which is nice but kind of situational. And I should mention, Google Lens already offers similar functionality. Perhaps the more important one is the ability to do dual-screen translations, so each person can see text in their language in real-time, depending on what side of the phone they’re looking at.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Some new additions are the Portrait Studio tool that can create an AI-generated drawing of someone based on a photo and a range of styles like comic or watercolor. It’s fun and it’s good for a laugh or two, but I’m not sure how useful it will be on a regular basis. There’s also the Sketch to Image feature that allows you to add a simple drawing to an existing photo and then have the phone generate a more realistic rendition of it in your final image. I still think Samsung’s basic AI photo editing tools are the most useful of the bunch, as they make it easy to delete distracting objects or do simple touch ups. But once again, all of this feels more like bonus content rather than core essentials.

Battery life: Great longevity but could use some faster charging tech

While Samsung didn’t increase the size of the 4,400 mAh cell in the Z Fold 6, the phone does have slightly better battery life due to improved energy efficiency from its new chip. On our video rundown test, it lasted 20 hours and seven minutes when using its large main screen and 25 hours and 19 minutes when using its exterior cover display. That first number is even better than we saw from the Pixel Fold (15:22) and OnePlus Open (19:19), so if you need a big-screen phone with ample longevity, the Z Fold 6 is the easy pick.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Unfortunately, its charging hasn’t changed much. You still get 25-watt wired charging and 15-watt wireless charging, which are both pretty mediocre figures in 2024. And while I wasn’t expecting to see support for Qi2 magnetic charging on the Z Fold 6 after Samsung opted not to add it to the main S24 line, I’m still a bit miffed that a phone this expensive is cutting important features off the spec sheet.

Wrap-up

It wasn’t long ago when practically every component on the Z Fold line was unmatched by its competitors. But now phones like the Pixel Fold exist, which offers better overall photography. Then there’s the OnePlus Open, which weighs the same as the Z Fold 6 even after its recent diet. And let’s not forget, both of those rivals are 2023 models. Plus there are Chinese competitors like the Honor Magic V3 and the upcoming Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, which are both thinner and lighter than Samsung’s champion.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Don’t get me wrong, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is still a good foldable, a great one even. It’s got excellent performance, strong battery life and handy features like native stylus support. But it feels like after all this time sitting fat and happy on its throne, Samsung has a diminished hunger for total domination. Instead of long-awaited features like a built-in S Pen or an improved under-display camera, we got a bunch of AI-powered tools and tricks, which are fun but not true highlight attractions. And at $1,900 — which is $100 more than last year — the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the most expensive it’s been since the Z Fold 3. But I guess that’s the price you pay Samsung for having such a long reign on top.
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Sam Rutherford

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July 19, 2024
Which Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Model Is Right For You?

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This year’s Samsung Unpacked was a pretty loaded event. We saw the release of the Galaxy Fold 6, a successor to the best folding phone. The new Samsung Galaxy Ring reminded Flo of why she hates rings, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra impressed us to the point where we thought it was essentially like the Apple Watch Ultra but for Android users. Samsung also launched its latest earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 series, which gave us serious deja vu.

The earbud series consists of a modest base model, the $180 Galaxy Buds 3, and its pricier counterpart, the $250 Galaxy Buds 3 Pros. Before we discuss the differences and determine which model is right for you, let’s first examine their similarities.

They are more alike than you think

You’re promised 24-bit hi-fi audio across the series, so that’s not something you should worry about. The predecessors, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, also offered 24-bit audio, which makes the Samsung Galaxy FE Buds, the company’s entry-level $99 Buds, the only current offering without hi-fi sound. While Samsung guarantees hi-def sound across the board, the catch is that you can only enjoy it with Samsung phones. Building a wall around your features to trap consumers inside your ecosystem isn’t new and is something we’ve been seeing on Samsung’s biggest rival for ages.

Fortunately, both new buds sport ANC. ANC is often omitted on budget earbuds, but the base model’s midrange $180 price tag merits the feature. Both buds offer a fully customizable EQ so you can get your music exactly how you like it.

Of course, the buds boast a bunch of AI stuff. With Galaxy AI powering both models, you can use the Interpreter feature in Listening mode on the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Flip 6 to translate a foreign language in real-time. Your Galaxy Buds 3 series will translate the words as they are being spoken. Voice Command is another AI feature that allows you to control playback on the buds simply by uttering a short voice prompt. This allows for easy, hands-free control and reminds me of using head gestures in iOS 18 to control AirPods.

In terms of design, the Apple AirPods-style stems, sorry “blades”, can be found on both the buds. I don’t know if this was done not to look like complete AirPod duplicates, but the blades sport a strange triangular design, which is the same across both models. The blades can be pinched or swiped up or down to control your device or adjust volume. An IP57 rating (on both the buds only, not the charging cases) ensures they can withstand light splashes and sweat. Both models support quick charging and wireless charging, too.

What kind of ears do you have?

If you have weird ears like me, who can’t accept in-ear buds, the Buds 3 host an on-ear design that sits right outside your ear canal, while the Pros feature an in-ear or canal design that goes inside your ears. I know many people apart from myself (my coworker Kyle, a bunch of friends, and some family members) whose ears just aren’t built for canal buds. I took the Pros out for a quick walk to test if these were any different and found myself manually pushing them in every few seconds, or they would plop out of my ears.

Deciding this also requires considering your lifestyle. The Buds 3 will be an excellent fit if you’re into running or other outdoor activities. Open earbuds are also known as running buds for that reason. They facilitate situational awareness and allow you to keep in touch with what’s happening around you. I haven’t gotten a chance to take them out for a run yet, but I commuted with them to work, which involves a lot of walking and a Subway ride, and it felt nice not having every ambient sound blocked out. I’ve missed important train announcements because of ANC, so I liked being mindful of my environment and music simultaneously.

Just a little note: the Pros do feature an Ambient Mode, which will offer the same experience as the Buds 3, but this way, you’re paying extra money for a mode that’s the default on the base model. So, if you’re sure about your lifestyle and priorities, it’s best to opt for a model based on that simple.

Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo

Go For The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Suppose you’re into those bells and whistles. The Pros, as they should be, are undeniably fancy owing to the stunning blade lights that amp up their overall look. The buds light up multiple times, such as when docking or taking them out of the case. As much as I’d hate to pay an extra $70 just for lights, I probably will if I decide between these two. That’s how pretty they are.

More importantly, go for the Buds 3 Pros if you’re an audiophile who can’t compromise on sound quality. Though both offer 24-bit, 96 KHz sound, the Pros feature a two-way speaker system with a planar tweeter and dual amplifiers. The tweeter helps with enhanced treble or high-end sound, and the amplifiers make your music sound richer and clearer.

Surprisingly, the difference was noticeable in my quick hands-on with both buds. I listened to a lot of Anjunadeep, which I turn to when I want to discern the details in music closely. The Pros offer clear highs that don’t sound excessively sharp at high volumes and mids that are balanced and sound full and rich. The low-end, I’ll admit, wasn’t as easily discernible on these despite the presence of a dedicated woofer. So, if you’re a hardcore bass fan, you might not be thrilled about these.

Though both buds do ANC, the Pros go a step ahead and feature Galaxy AI-powered Adaptive ANC. This means it can detect sharp, unexpected sirens, general ambient noise, or human voice to turn its level up or down accordingly. ANC-wise, I couldn’t feel a noticeable difference between the buds. As in, I couldn’t tell if the Pros considerably enhanced cancellation as soon as I entered the rather loud Kips Bay Trader Joe’s and decreased it as soon as I exited it. I felt like both the buds performed the same regarding ANC, but maybe that’s an opinion that will change when I get into deeper testing.

Another feature that I haven’t yet gotten a chance to test out is battery life. The base model sports 24 hours with ANC off and 30 with it on, and the Pros provide 26 hours with ANC off and 30 with ANC On. Since there isn’t much difference, I wouldn’t recommend battery life as one of the main reasons to invest an extra $70. But stay tuned to find out what the actual scores are.

Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo

Which are the Buds 3 for you?

Based on my quick testing, the early verdict is pretty clear. The Pros make more sense if sound matters a lot to you and you’re someone who’d notice the upgrade and make the extra investment worthwhile. The regular Buds 3 sound decent, too, so if you’re looking for a not-so-expensive pair of Buds for your daily commute or run, they will be more than enough to fulfill your needs. They sport ANC, too, so it’s not like you’ll always have to be subjected to ambient sound.

Again, the base model doesn’t feature many of the bells and whistles the Pros do, but it’s also $70 cheaper. Feel free to pass on the Pros if you think a strip of lights on the blades isn’t worth 70 bucks. Apart from the lights, the sleek, streamlined blade design is consistent across the series.

Looking at how other features such as battery life, water resistance, wireless charging, quick charging, some AI features, and custom EQ are also shared across both new buds. If anything, I see more similarities than differences. But ultimately, it also comes down to the weightage you attribute to a feature. If the most significant reason you’re paying extra for–upgraded sound–is something you’re not willing to compromise on, then you have your answer already. The Pro is the way to go.

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Dua Rashid

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July 13, 2024
Samsung Amex Offer: Spend $1000, Get 10,000 Bonus Points
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Samsung Amex Offer

Check your American Express credit cards for a new Amex Offer that can earn you an additional 10,000 points when you shop at Samsung. You can find this offer in your Amex consumer and business credit cards. Check out the full details of the offer below.

Offer Details

Get 10,000 additional Membership Rewards® points one-time by using your enrolled eligible Card to spend a minimum of $1,000 in one or more purchases in-store at Samsung Experience stores, online at samsung.com/us or through the Shop Samsung app by 8/11/2024.

Offer and availability may vary by cardholder. Just log in to your American Express account(s) to see if you are eligible to add this offer to your card(s).

Important Terms
- Offer valid in-store at participating Samsung Experience stores in the US, online at US website samsung.com/us, or via the Shop Samsung app.
- Excludes Samsung for Business, Samsung repair services/centers, authorized retailers, carrier financing, UBREAKIFIX, Samsung Certified Pro, employee stores, and purchases made via all other Samsung apps.
- Not valid on purchases shipped outside of the US.
- Valid only on purchases made in US dollars.
About Amex Offers

Amex Offers are an extra perk on all American Express credit cards, charge cards, and even prepaid cards. You can see these offers in your accounts either as a statement credit or extra Membership Rewards points for spending a certain amount at an eligible merchant. You will need to add the offer to a specific card, and then use that card to get the credit. Here are a few things you should know:

Guru’s Wrap-up

This offer seems to be widely available for most cardholders. Check your accounts and add it now if you think you might use it. You need to spend $1,000 in one or more purchases at Samsung in order to get the extra bonus of 10,000 membership Rewards.

Use the social media buttons below to share this article. Your support and engagement is always greatly appreciated.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!

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DDG

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July 12, 2024
The Z Fold6 is Samsung’s Lightest, Thinnest, and Squarest Foldable Phone

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The Galaxy Z Fold6 has a wider aspect ratio than its predecessors, inching ever closer to a true 2-in-1 form factor. It weighs just 239 g and is only 5.6 mm thick, making it the most portable Z Fold yet. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it has a barrage of trendy AI features, but the live translation and note summaries are practical and impressive.

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Lambert Varias

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July 12, 2024
Everything Samsung Announced at Galaxy Unpacked in Paris

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It’s IP68 and 10 ATM water resistant, so you can use it while in the shower or doing the dishes. It pairs with any Android phone through the Samsung Health app, but it won’t work with iPhones. You do not need a subscription to access the full suite of features; all of the available features are included with the purchase. It also works with Samsung Find, so you can easily locate it if it’s misplaced. It has a charging case that works exactly like the case for your wireless earbuds. Samsung claims the Galaxy Ring can last seven days on a single charge, matching the battery life of the Oura Ring.

The ring covers many health-tracking features you’d expect from a smartwatch, including sleep tracking, cycle tracking, high or low heart rate alerts, and auto-workout detection. Samsung has talked up its use of artificial intelligence on the Ring, using smart algorithms to monitor sleep patterns, snoring, and heart and respiratory rate to help you get more robust information about your sleep.

More important is a feature called Energy Score, also available in the new Galaxy Watches. Much like Fitbit’s Daily Readiness or Garmin’s Body Battery, it looks at your data and then recommends how ready you are to take on the day based on factors like sleep quality and your recent activity levels. You’ll also get “wellness tips” throughout the day to keep you on your health goals. If you use both the Galaxy Ring and the new Galaxy Watch series simultaneously, some sensors may turn off in the watch to conserve its battery life, which is something I haven’t seen before.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The Ring does not provide haptic feedback, but you can perform some rudimentary gesture controls with your fingers for a few tasks, like dismissing an alarm or starting a video recording on your phone. These “Double Pinch Gestures” are also available on the Galaxy Watch7 series.

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Julian Chokkattu

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July 10, 2024
Samsung Puts an Entire Desktop Operating System on Its Phones. Here’s How to Use It

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Your Samsung Galaxy phone doesn’t just work as a phone: Thanks to a feature called Samsung DeX, which has been around since 2017, you can plug your handset into a monitor or computer and use your phone in a similar way to a desktop PC. DeX is short for “desktop experience,” and that’s what the feature promises.

There are some caveats here. You need a fairly recent, fairly premium Samsung phone or tablet to use DeX: There’s a full list here, but any Galaxy S phone, Galaxy Fold phone, or Galaxy Flip phone launched since DeX made its debut in 2017 will do.

You’re also going to need a cable to hook up your phone (or tablet) to a monitor, and a spare mouse and keyboard if you want to get a proper desktop experience. (You can use DeX on your phone’s display, but you don’t really get the full benefit).

While you’ll still be running the same mobile apps that are on your phone, the extra screen real estate gives you much more room to operate in, whether you’re browsing the web or working on a spreadsheet. DeX can be really useful for getting some work done on the go, but it’s also perfect for watching movies or scrolling social media feeds too.

Getting Connected

There are several ways to get Samsung DeX up and running, but the two primary methods are to connect your device to a monitor via HDMI, or to a Windows PC via USB. (Support for macOS has been discontinued, sadly.) While the hardware setup varies slightly, you’ll be met with the same software experience on the monitor.

If you’re doing everything on your phone without a PC, you need a cable (or a cable and an adapter) that converts the USB-C output from your Samsung phone to the HDMI input on your monitor. Any USB-C-to-HDMI cable listing should tell you whether or not it’s suitable for this job. For the full experience, you’ll also need a monitor with spare USB ports for plugging in your keyboard and mouse.

Samsung DeX can work on laptops and bigger screens.

Courtesy of Samsung

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David Nield

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July 4, 2024
How Apple Intelligence’s Privacy Stacks Up Against Android’s ‘Hybrid AI’

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Yet Google and its hardware partners argue privacy and security are a major focus of the Android AI approach. VP Justin Choi, head of the security team, mobile eXperience business at Samsung Electronics, says its hybrid AI offers users “control over their data and uncompromising privacy.”

Choi describes how features processed in the cloud are protected by servers governed by strict policies. “Our on-device AI features provide another element of security by performing tasks locally on the device with no reliance on cloud servers, neither storing data on the device nor uploading it to the cloud,” Choi says.

Google says its data centers are designed with robust security measures, including physical security, access controls, and data encryption. When processing AI requests in the cloud, the company says, data stays within secure Google data center architecture and the firm is not sending your information to third parties.

Meanwhile, Galaxy’s AI engines are not trained with user data from on-device features, says Choi. Samsung “clearly indicates” which AI functions run on the device with its Galaxy AI symbol, and the smartphone maker adds a watermark to show when content has used generative AI.

The firm has also introduced a new security and privacy option called Advanced Intelligence settings to give users the choice to disable cloud-based AI capabilities.

Google says it “has a long history of protecting user data privacy,” adding that this applies to its AI features powered on-device and in the cloud. “We utilize on-device models, where data never leaves the phone, for sensitive cases such as screening phone calls,” Suzanne Frey, vice president of product trust at Google, tells WIRED.

Frey describes how Google products rely on its cloud-based models, which she says ensures “consumer’s information, like sensitive information that you want to summarize, is never sent to a third party for processing.”

“We’ve remained committed to building AI-powered features that people can trust because they are secure by default and private by design, and most importantly, follow Google’s responsible AI principles that were first to be championed in the industry,” Frey says.

Apple Changes the Conversation

Rather than simply matching the “hybrid” approach to data processing, experts say Apple’s AI strategy has changed the nature of the conversation. “Everyone expected this on-device, privacy-first push, but what Apple actually did was say, it doesn’t matter what you do in AI—or where—it’s how you do it,” Doffman says. He thinks this “will likely define best practice across the smartphone AI space.”

Even so, Apple hasn’t won the AI privacy battle just yet: The deal with OpenAI—which sees Apple uncharacteristically opening up its iOS ecosystem to an outside vendor—could put a dent in its privacy claims.

Apple refutes Musk’s claims that the OpenAI partnership compromises iPhone security, with “privacy protections built in for users who access ChatGPT.” The company says you will be asked permission before your query is shared with ChatGPT, while IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI will not store requests—but ChatGPT’s data use policies still apply.

Partnering with another company is a “strange move” for Apple, but the decision “would not have been taken lightly,” says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at security firm ESET. While the exact privacy implications are not yet clear, he concedes that “some personal data may be collected on both sides and potentially analyzed by OpenAI.”

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Kate O’Flaherty

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July 4, 2024
Transactions: Avidia Bank selects Q2, Personetics for digital banking services | Bank Automation News

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Hudson, Mass.-based bank Avidia Bank has selected digital banking service provider Q2 to improve its digital banking capabilities. The $2.5 billion bank will also tap data-driven personalization fintech Personetics’ AI-driven engagement platform through Q2’s platform, Avidia Chief Marketing Officer at Avidia Bank, Janel Maysonet told Bank Automation News. In selecting Q2, Avidia will gain […]

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Vaidik Trivedi

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July 3, 2024
Samsung’s Galaxy AI Is Coming to a Wrist Near You

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 in 40mm.
Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo

Samsung may beat Google to the punch in integrating AI into its wearables. The company has announced upcoming Galaxy AI features for the Galaxy Watch. The update won’t be available until later this year, but we have a preview of what’s to come. If you like what you see and have a compatible Galaxy Watch, you can sign up for the beta beginning in June.

Samsung’s Latest QLEDs and OLEDs Do the Hard Work For Great Gaming

According to the press release, the AI-infused features range from “comprehensive health insights” to “motivational encouragement,” hopefully better than the push notifications I get now from Samsung Health reminding me to move on the week my body is feeling least likely. Hopefully, the Galaxy Watch 6 will be able to tell those times I’m too tired with the Galaxy AI-infused Energy Score. Like Fitbit’s Daily Readiness score, Samsung’s Energy Score will factor in your abilities based on how well you slept, how much you’ve been sleeping, and whether you’ve been active.

Samsung said its sleep algorithms will also improve through this AI edification. The Galaxy Watch promises to offer better Sleep Insights, including metrics on how often you move during your rest and the sustained heart rate overnight.

For the fitness-minded with a Galaxy smartwatch, stats will be offered for “more tailored training.” This includes details on your Aerobic Threshold (AT) / Anaerobic Threshold (AnT) heart rate and a Functional Threshold Power (FTP) metric for bikers. For other workouts, Samsung will compile a Workout Routine using AI as your workout coach, while the Race option helps you train for more endurance on the next scheduled marathon.

Samsung notes this is “just the beginning” of AI features coming to the Galaxy portfolio. Unfortunately, there is nothing to paw at, but the beta will arrive next month for compatible Galaxy Watches. It’ll be available for the Galaxy Watch 4 and above releases.

It’s safe to assume that, like Fitbit Premium, which is required to unlock the Daily Readiness Score on the Google Pixel Watch, the Galaxy AI features will need a subscription down the line. In the fine print, Samsung states that the Galaxy AI features are free until 2025.

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Florence Ion

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May 29, 2024
These Are the Android Phones Worth Buying

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We test a ton of Android phones. We like the ones below, but you’ll be better off with one of the options above. If you haven’t yet done so, check out our Best Cheap Phones guide for more.

Motorola Moto G Play 2024 for $150: On a tight budget? This Motorola phone doesn’t have NFC for contactless payments, nor does it support 5G. It’ll also only get one Android OS upgrade. That said, performance was pretty good in my time testing it, and the 6.5-inch LCD screen was readable in sunny conditions.

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G for $400: There are better phones for $400, but if you can catch this on a steep sale, it’s a solid handset. The Galaxy A35 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) mostly suffers from mediocre performance. It’s OK, but you’ll notice the slowness and stuttery interface quite often. That just makes it annoying to use. There’s also no wireless charging, though this phone will get four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates.

Google Pixel 7A for $421: The Pixel 7A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has a successor, but it’s still a great phone. Try to avoid paying more than $375 for this handset. Anything more and you may as well buy the newer Pixel 8A. Performance is great, the cameras are excellent, and the display is smooth and bright. There’s even wireless charging, and long software support (though not as long as the new Pixel 8A). Just know that battery life is so-so.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE for $600: I used this phone for several weeks and found it was more than enough to meet my needs. The cameras are surprisingly decent—you even get a usable 3X optical zoom, though its results are not as excellent as the ones from the Galaxy S23. The performance gave me zero issues, and the battery often lasted me a little more than a day with average use. The 6.4-inch screen is a pretty nice size that’s not too big and not too small, and you still get perks like wireless charging and a 120-Hz screen refresh rate. It has dipped as low as $400 during Black Friday, so I highly recommend you wait for a sale.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Series ($700+): It seems like last year’s Galaxy S23 range (9/10, WIRED Recommends) may be disappearing faster than usual, as stock is low across a variety of retailers. If you can find them, the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23, the 6.6-inch S23+, and the massive 6.8-inch S23 Ultra are full of high-end features, from the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that keeps even the most demanding games running beautifully to the fluid and bright 120-Hz AMOLED displays. Battery life has improved across the board, with the S23 comfortably lasting more than a day and the S23 Ultra hitting nearly two full days with average use. The triple camera systems are the highlight, delivering remarkable results whether it’s day or night. The S23 Ultra has the special 10X optical zoom camera, which is no longer available on the latest S24 Ultra, and I miss it. It was nice being able to capture sharp photos of objects far away. It’s the only phone in the trio with the embedded S Pen stylus if you like to doodle. Try to avoid the MSRP since they’re a year old; sometimes, these prices match the latest models, which is a bad deal.

OnePlus Open for $1,400: The OnePlus Open (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the first folding smartphone from OnePlus, and it’s surprisingly good. OnePlus has some clever software trickery to make multitasking on this booklike foldable simple and effective. The camera system delivers good results, the screens get plenty bright, and the battery life is excellent. I just wish the water resistance was better and that it had wireless charging.

Google Pixel 6A for $349: Google’s continuing to sell the 2022 Pixel 6A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) at a marked-down price. It’s still excellent value and a worthy purchase. It’s powered by Google’s first-gen Tensor chip, which means you’re getting some of the best performance for the money, and it supports all the same great (and helpful) software smarts as the flagship Pixel 6 series. It’s got an OLED screen, a decent camera system, and lengthy software support. There’s no wireless charging and it has a 60-Hz screen.

Xiaomi Poco X6 for £319 and X6 Pro for £369: Not in the US? You should take a look at the Poxo X6 or Poco X6 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends). These are speedy phones considering the low prices, with great displays, and decent battery life, plus the X6 even has a headphone jack! It’s a shame there’s a lot of bloatware, limited water resistance, and the cameras are lackluster.

Google Pixel 7 Pro for $449: The 2022 Pixel 7 Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a good buy if you can find it at this price (or lower). You get a 6.7-inch screen with a 120-Hz refresh rate. There’s Face Unlock, but this isn’t secure like the version on the Pixel 8, so you’ll have to rely on the fingerprint sensor to access sensitive apps. Cameras are a big part of Pixels, and the Pixel 7 Pro remains one of the best with an upgraded ultrawide with autofocus, enabling a Macro Focus mode for close-ups. Its telephoto camera has an excellent 5X optical zoom too.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 for $1,800: The Fold5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) remains an excellent big-screen folding smartphone. The cameras can take some great photos, the displays can get shockingly bright, and Samsung promises lengthy software support. But the introduction of the Pixel Fold has shown me how much more I prefer the wider front screen. The Fold5’s external screen feels too narrow, and some apps feel squished (though it’s a little easier to grasp when closed). It’s frequently available for $1,499 so try not to pay more.

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Julian Chokkattu

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May 25, 2024
Samsung’s Flagship QD-OLED Has Glorious, Reflection-Free Picture Quality

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Maybe that’s why Samsung’s obstinate Tizen interface feels so vexing? The system is easy enough to set up on the TV itself (it crashes every time I’ve tried to use the mobile setup option). It’s aesthetically pleasing and makes connecting and labeling devices a breeze. Yet its scattered layout can make some features feel inordinately difficult.

Adding the Peacock app, for instance, was twice as hard as it should be. It’s not featured in the app store and didn’t register in search until I typed it out completely. Once I found it, as with all new apps, I had to manually add it to the home screen or it lay hidden in the “Installed” window like a second-class citizen.

The main settings bar is similarly unintuitive, with various picture settings randomly interspersed between other settings. You can rearrange things, but it’s usually simpler to just click All Settings to access the legacy setup window. I also experienced a few odd Tizen quirks over a week or so of testing, like apps freezing and even some audio dropouts. Unplugging and replugging the TV seemed to fix things apart from a few minor video-loading issues.

Credit where it’s due, Tizen is packed with extras, from its swath of health and fitness apps to split screen features. There’s even a handy Game Hub with built-in cloud gaming from apps like Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVidia GeForce now, and Amazon Luna. Like most competitors, there’s also a dedicated gaming bar for on-the-fly adjustments.

A (Mostly) Loaded Package

Samsung’s Gaming Hub complements the S95D’s stout collection of gaming features, including VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and Freesync Pro for buttery high-frame-rate gaming, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) for speedy input response. All four HDMI 2.1 inputs support high refresh rates at up to 144 Hz to match high-frame-rate gaming from PCs, and there are a slew of game-oriented picture modes, making it easy to lock in a gorgeous picture.

The TV’s 4.2.2-channel audio system provides surprisingly solid sound. There’s some moderate punch in the lower midrange and fantastic overhead expansion (especially for a TV this thin), shooting Dolby Atmos effects overhead and side to side. Adding a newer Samsung soundbar with Q-Symphony lets you utilize both devices in concert.

Other features include options like Amazon Alexa or Samsung Bixby voice control, Apple AirPlay streaming, and support for HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) HDR formats.

What you don’t get here is Dolby Vision HDR or, bizarrely for a company that makes Android phones, Chromecast streaming support. These omissions are pretty common across Samsung devices, but each year I hold out hope they’ll eventually cave and add them.

The main advantage of omitting Dolby Vision is one less picture setting to mess with, not that you’ll need to do much to the picture settings anyway. The TV looks almost flawless out of the box in the Filmmaker mode, requiring only minor tweaks. For those who like a slightly brighter picture, the Movie mode is also solid, though you may want to turn off settings like motion smoothing. Whatever your settings, you’ll want to ensure the oddly inaccurate Intelligent Mode is off.

Inner Reflection

Samsung’s new anti-glare screen technology is the S95D’s most exclusive feature and works phenomenally well compared to other such options. As previewed at Samsung’s TV event in March, the matte surface is incredibly effective at reducing reflections, even with lights aimed directly at the screen from mere feet away.

There is a trade-off for killing the glare. Part of the beauty of a perfectly black screen on which pixels only pop on demand is just that: perfect black. With the matte screen, lights or reflections aren’t the conspicuous eyesores they are with traditional screens, but they don’t all disappear completely. The screen diffuses but also expands some reflections across a broader area, raising its backdrop from glossy obsidian to lighter charcoal.

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Ryan Waniata

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May 24, 2024
Samsung Bespoke appliances bring stylish functionality

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Durability is not the only integral factor that Filipino homeowners consider when buying home appliances—they seek appliances that strike the perfect balance between functionality and style, allowing them to express themselves fully through their living spaces. The Samsung Bespoke line of home appliances empowers Filipinos to live without compromises, offering customizable options to elevate their personal spaces.

Leveraging over 25 years of experience, Samsung continuously develops innovative solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Filipino homeowners, particularly the desire for durable and stylish home appliances. The Samsung Bespoke line of appliances gives homeowners the freedom to design appliances that best complement their home’s interior design with customizable combination colors.

For instance, the Bespoke Refrigerator modular design concept offers customizable door panels in five different colors: charcoal, white, pink, navy, and sky blue, along with various finishes such as cotta, glam, and satin, perfectly blending with any modern kitchen interior. Additionally, its top-mount freezer offers Optimal Fresh+ and AI Energy Mode, technology that continuously checks the temperature and circulates cool air to ensure food remains fresh while enabling users to save energy and money at the same time.

Meanwhile, the selection of Bespoke Microwave Ovens enables homeowners to enhance their kitchen experience in a way that perfectly suits their cooking needs. The unique Triple Distribution system ensures thorough and consistent cooking, complemented by a minimalist design and a wide range of premium colors—clean white, black, and pink—which homeowners can choose from.

Homeowners can also enjoy the ease of doing laundry with the Bespoke AI Laundry Washer and Dryer, which offers intelligent washing and efficient cleaning with front-load Ecobubble technology. This innovative product thoroughly cleans with a cool wash, while the AI solution ensures the use of just the right amount of water and detergent. The Bespoke AI Washer and Dryer comes in white with a morning blue panel, while the separate washer and dryer come in premium black caviar that seamlessly harmonizes with almost any laundry aesthetic, adding both functionality and style to every laundry room.

Apart from its customizable style, the Bespoke line also offers smart home and energy-saving features, enabling users to maximize control over their appliances and energy usage through the SmartThings App. By upgrading to Samsung Bespoke Appliances, homeowners can create a truly personalized living space through its style and features, fostering a sense of belonging and comfort. This combination of convenience and efficiency ultimately allows for more quality time with families.

To learn more about Samsung’s Bespoke line of appliances, go to https://www.samsung.com/ph or visit any of Samsung’s authorized dealers nationwide.

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Gadgets Magazine 4

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April 25, 2024
Samsung Begins Mass Production of 9th-Gen V-NAND Tech! | Trendy Gadget

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Samsung Electronics has announced the start of mass production for its 9th-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND). This breakthrough sets the stage for high-performance, high-density storage solutions that will shape the future of computing and technology. Let’s take a closer look at the advancements and what they mean for the industry.

Setting the Standard in Bit Density

Samsung’s 9th-gen V-NAND is making waves with its industry-leading bit density, achieving an impressive 50% increase compared to the previous generation. This increase means more storage capacity and performance for devices that use V-NAND, such as solid-state drives (SSDs), and other memory-intensive applications. The groundbreaking improvements in bit density help support the growing demands of today’s data-heavy world, especially in areas like AI and machine learning.

Innovative Double-Stack Structure

A key innovation in Samsung’s 9th-gen V-NAND is its double-stack structure. By using advanced “channel hole etching” technology, the company is able to create efficient electron pathways while stacking mold layers. This approach maximizes productivity by drilling through the industry’s highest cell layer count in a double-stack structure. The result? A significant boost in memory density without sacrificing quality or reliability.

Boosted Speed with Toggle 5.1 Interface

The 9th-gen V-NAND introduces a next-generation NAND flash interface known as “Toggle 5.1.” This technology supports faster data input and output speeds by up to 33%, reaching up to 3.2 gigabits per second (Gbps). This enhancement is a game-changer for high-performance SSDs, ensuring smoother and faster data transfers. Samsung also plans to further support the PCIe 5.0 standard, catering to the needs of demanding applications such as gaming, data centers, and AI research.

Eco-Friendly Power Consumption

As technology advances, so does the need for energy-efficient solutions. Samsung’s 9th-gen V-NAND excels in this area by improving power consumption by 10% compared to the previous generation. This advancement is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and aligning with eco-friendly practices. As the world becomes more conscious of its environmental impact, Samsung’s efforts to minimize energy usage provide an optimal solution for future applications.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, Samsung’s 9th-generation V-NAND is poised to redefine the future of high-performance storage solutions. With industry-leading bit density, innovative double-stack structure, boosted data speeds, and eco-friendly power consumption, Samsung’s latest V-NAND sets a new benchmark for excellence in memory technology. Mass production has already begun, with the 1Tb TLC model available now and the quad-level cell (QLC) model expected later this year. Keep an eye out for how this groundbreaking technology will transform the way we use and interact with data in the coming years.

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Al Hilal

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April 23, 2024
Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Ultra Is the Laptop to Beat When It Comes to Power

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It’s been a long time since I’ve used a laptop with a screen larger than 13 or 14 inches for any length of time. It’s so refreshing to have the room to spread my apps out … even if the machine no longer fits in my backpack. Maybe being able to fit your bag under the seat in front of you is overrated.

Compared to the cavalcade of 13- and 14-inch laptops that cross my desk, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra, with its 16-inch touchscreen (2,880 x 1,800 pixels), is a behemoth. Weighing in at 3.9 pounds (but only 19 mm thick), it has a heft that’s backed up by its top-shelf specs, which include 32 GB of RAM, a 1-terabyte SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. The centerpiece is the new Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, the current top-of-the-line processor in Intel’s Core Ultra CPU lineup.

Photograph: Samsung

As benchmarks go, the Galaxy Book4 ran rings around all the other Core Ultra laptops I’ve tested in the last few weeks since the new chips launched, though none of those had an Ultra 9 or a discrete graphics processor. On some CPU-based tests, the system doubled up on the performance of the Lenovo X1 Carbon, and on graphics-based tests, I was regularly able to get three to five times the frame rates I saw on machines that used the Core Ultra integrated graphics processor. The Book4 is certainly credible for use as a gaming rig if desired. Plus with 12 hours and 43 minutes of battery life, as tested via my full-screen YouTube rundown test, you need not fret about being away from an outlet all day.

The larger chassis gives Samsung room to squeeze a numeric keypad into the picture, though I longed for full-size arrow keys when working with the device. The responsive keyboard is paired with one of the largest touchpads I’ve ever seen on a laptop. At 6 x 4 inches, it’s considerably bigger than a standard passport—arguably too big, as there’s barely room on the left side of the touchpad for your palms to rest. I generally disliked working with this touchpad, as I found it both missed clicks and inadvertently registered unintended taps much too often.

Photograph: Samsung

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Christopher Null

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April 17, 2024
Best Smartwatches You Can Buy in 2024

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I never thought I’d see the day I’d become a “wearables” person, and it’s because I’ve spent so long on the Android side of things. For years, Android users waited in vain for manufacturers to make smartwatches that fit nicely and didn’t peter out after a mere eight hours off the charger. It wasn’t until these last few years after Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 4 that Android-based wearables offered feature parity to one of the most popular wearables, the Apple Watch.

Hands-On With Meta Quest 3

Thankfully, there is plenty more choice for wearables, not just between Apple and Android. Although some companies have left the connected wearables game—RIP Fossil and your delightful hybrid watches—plenty more remain, including mainstays from the fitness industry. Here’s a look at some of the latest smartwatches we’ve covered and which ones are worth buying if you’re shopping for one. iPhone users, you already know which one we’re going to suggest.

Best smartwatch for iPhone users

Apple Watch Series 9, $400

The Apple Watch Series 9.
Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo

I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it: you should have an Apple watch if you use an iPhone. Other smartwatches work with the iPhone, particularly for those of you who want more of a training device rather than a remote accessory for your smartphone. But for everyone else wielding an iPhone, the Apple Watch is it.

The Apple Watch has maintained a consistent price point throughout its lifetime. The Apple Watch Series 9 currently costs $400 for the 40mm size and $430 for the 45mm size. There’s also the Apple Watch SE, a pared-down version of the flagship Apple Watch, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, meant for rugged types who spend time outdoors or don’t mind wearing a bigger watch for the battery life.

The battery life of Apple Watches and the best ones for Android users is about the same. You’ll almost get two full days of notifications and time-telling, mainly if you use energy-saving modes. Apple has also done some work between generations of the Apple Watch. Siri’s common commands are available offline on the Series 9—something Google is still working on with Wear OS.

Best smartwatch for Android users

Google Pixel Watch 2, $350

The Pixel Watch 2.
Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo

It took two generations, but Google finally delivered on its smartwatch promises with the Pixel Watch 2. The watch is comfortable for most wrists and pairs well with any of the dozens of available Android devices. Google also offers several different watchbands and finishes. The only downside is that the watchband employs proprietary connection mechanisms. Finding quality third-party watchbands is not as easy, and some of the Google Store’s offerings are pretty pricey.

The Fitbit app is what makes the Pixel Watch 2 a worthy wear. Its robust offerings include a daily readiness score, overnight body temperature tracking, sleep coaching, and stress monitoring. (Some features require a Fitbit Premium subscription, though they can be bundled in with Google One if you’re an all-in Android user.) The only drawback is that even with Health Connect, Fitbit doesn’t sync up with many popular third-party wellness suites without the help of a few other additional apps. I’m still trying to figure out how to count my Peloton workouts toward my weekly stats on Fitbit without manually entering the data.

Battery life is pretty average among most smartwatches available right now. Most of today’s Android-compatible smartwatches last as long as the Apple Watch—about a day and a half with the always-on display off. You can set the watch to a power-saving mode to eke out more time with it. But generally, smartwatches the size of the Pixel Watch 2 won’t make it two full days off the charger.

Best smartwatch for Samsung users

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, $300

The Galaxy Watch 6.
Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo

I used a Galaxy Watch 4 with a Pixel smartphone and the OnePlus 8, which was fine. However, the latest Galaxy Watch 6 has exclusive capabilities available only to Samsung smartphone users, including blood pressure and ECG monitoring, facilitated by apps available only through the Galaxy app store.

Like the Pixel Watch 2, the Galaxy Watch 6 can detect irregular heartbeats, track your sleep, measure your skin temperature as you sleep, and track your sleep patterns. It offers a larger display than the Pixel Watch 2—1.3 inches on the Galaxy Watch 6 versus 1.2 inches on the Pixel Watch 2—with less bezel. The Galaxy Watch 6 also uses a universal clasping mechanism so that you can buy watchbands anywhere.

My favorite part of Samsung Health is the new medication reminder offering, which simultaneously blasts the phone and smartwatch to hold me accountable for my pill. It’s louder than Apple Health and the Apple Watch’s quieter medication notifications. It functions like an alarm, and if you don’t take a second to mark whether you’ve taken your medication, it will nag you until you dismiss it entirely.

Best battery life

OnePlus Watch 2, $300

The OnePlus Watch 2.
Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo

The OnePlus Watch 2 is a decidedly better smartwatch than the first-generation OnePlus Watch. But it is a big watch, and it is only available in one size. If it looks too big for you from the picture featured here, that’s because it is. However, if you think this honker of a wearable is something you’d sport after all, let me tell you the best part of the OnePlus Watch 2: it has the best battery life I’ve seen in a Wear OS watch in a long time.

With the always-on display off, the OnePlus Watch 2 lasts up to 100 hours off the charger. OnePlus employs two processors: one to handle the smartwatch’s lighter loads, like step counting and touch input, and one to take on the heavier loads, like apps and workout tracking. OnePlus’s health suite isn’t as robust as a Pixel Watch 2 with Fitbit or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 with Samsung Health. But at least it syncs up with Health Connect.

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Florence Ion

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April 14, 2024
Samsung Hid a Crazy Loud Speaker Inside an Unassuming Picture Frame

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Samsung made a little brother for the Frame TV. Behind the Music Frame’s 8″ x 10″ photo holder is a surprisingly punchy Dolby Atmos speaker. It has two tweeters, two mid-range drivers, and two subwoofers. It can stream music from most services including Spotify and Chromecast, as well as via Bluetooth.

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Lambert Varias

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April 3, 2024
iPad Pro OLED: Everything We Know So Far

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This guide was updated on March 28, 2024, at 2:40 p.m. ET to reflect the latest information from Bloomberg and other sources.

Can This iPad Replace Your Laptop?

The rumor tornado that has circled the upcoming OLED iPad Pro has finally started to wane, leaving us with a whole field scattered with little nuggets of information relating to its size, color options, and a few juicy details surrounding the new look on its OLED screen. The new school iPad Pro and iPad Air are supposed to drop sometime this Spring, though we may need to wait until May for the full reveal. We still have a few months to get excited about Apple’s first real push into OLED outside its phones.

Apple didn’t release any 11th-gen iPads last year, which is noteworthy considering the Cupertino, California company has released one yearly for over a decade. The rumors make it clear that Apple thinks this latest refresh is a big one, and it could possibly reinvent the somewhat confusing SKU bloat that’s hindered the tech giant’s tablet line for years.

When Could Apple Release the OLED iPad Pro?

Most initial rumors suggested that Apple would showcase its new iPads in March. However, new details are coming out of Apple’s production line, and a report from Bloomberg says we’ll have to wait until sometime in May. Based on several anonymous sources, the report notes that the May release will be a big one centered around the new iPads. The Pro models will receive a brand new screen, while fans of the iPad Airs will have a new size category to play with at 12.9 inches.

The Cupertino company just released its new M3 MacBook Airs with a 13- or 15-inch screen in March, so this push to May isn’t so surprising as the company wants to spread out its releases and stay in the media spotlight for longer. The report notes that Apple needed to finish up the software for its upcoming tablets, hence the delay. In January, Bloomberg’s Apple guru Mark Gurman reported that Apple has wide-ranging designs. Nothing’s changed as far as what’s coming down the pike. According to Bloomberg, this first iPad refresh in 18 months will include four models: the J717, J718, J720, and J721.

As first reported by Apple Insider, quoting from market researchers at Display Supply Chain Consultants, there have been a few snags with manufacturing the latest tablets. Still, now that Apple has a little more breathing room, there hopefully won’t be any more delays.

May would also be a month before its biggest event of the year, WWDC 2024. That’s where most rumors suggest Apple will introduce far more AI enhancements to iOS 18. Much hasn’t been said about AI on iPadOS, but if it’s not there to start, it will only be a matter of time before Apple slaps some version of AI features on its tablets.

Moreover, there’ve been hints at additional iPad accessories that could also find their way onto the scene, along with the new Airs and Pros. People digging into the code for iOS 17.4 found mentions of an Apple Pencil 3 that connects with Apple’s Find My app. With a surprise release last year, the previous Apple Pencil featured a slide-out USB-C slot. That pencil version also lacked pressure sensitivity, so a new version with more sensitivity options could fit well with the new “Pro” lineup.

But wait, there’s more. MacRumors claimed, based on a source who works with Apple parts, that the next iPad could support MagSafe wireless charging. There hasn’t been word that the Cupertino company would make an all-new MagSafe peripheral for iPads, but we can’t help but imagine a charging unit that could double as a hands-free stand. Bloomberg had previously hinted at Apple trying to create a glass-backed iPad that would work with MagSafe.

The new iPad could also introduce an all-new keyboard. Gurman previously mentioned that Apple is trying to redesign the Magic Keyboard to work with the iPad. Rumors suggest the new keyboard will have a larger trackpad. Most importantly, Apple could switch to aluminum for the top portion of its keyboard, which would give it much more of a MacBook feel than ever before. The cover material would remain the same, but it would make the whole keyboard a lot sturdier for those who want to use their iPad as their main daily driver.

What Do We Know About the iPad Pro’s OLED?

Photo: Caitlin McGarry / Gizmodo

Based on routine hints by industry analysts, it’s become well-known that Apple wants to make an 11.1-inch and a 13-inch iPad Pro with OLED. That’s compared to the most recent 12.9-inch mini-LED version (called Liquid Retina XDR) and 11-inch IPS LCD version that currently occupy the top end of Apple’s tablet line. Those rumors have been reconfirmed by the most recent word from

The new generation of iPads will be sized slightly differently from previous models. 9to5Mac reported, based on anonymous sources, that the new iPad Pros will be close to 1 mm less thick than the current 10th-gen. The existing 11-inch iPad Pro is 5.9 mm thick, but the new one could be 5.1 mm. The 12.9-inch version currency sits at 6.4 mm, but the new one could be a bare 5.0 mm.

To complement the new sizes, rumors also suggest we’ll see an updated MacBook Air that stretches the screen to 12.9 inches.

What’s Happening with iPadOS 18?

There could be some interesting changes in store for the next OS update to come along with the iPad refresh. For one, the next tablet operating system could drop support for several older-gen iPads. According to a rumor first reported by 9to5Mac, this includes the 2nd-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and the 6th-gen iPad. The rest of the tablets from 2019 and later should still have access to the new OS build.

If iOS 18‘s rumored AI enhancements prove true, it would only make sense to bring them to the iPad as well. This could potentially reinvent Siri and perhaps add several new AI-enhanced functions to Apple’s portable platforms.

At the tail end of last month, Apple released the new iPadOS update 17.4.1, which MacRumors confirmed didn’t offer any hints about iPadOS 18. At the very least, we can speculate that iPadOS 18 will come out at the same time as iOS 18, which will likely debut at WWDC 2024.

How Powerful Will the OLED iPad Pro Be?

We’ve known for a long while now that Apple wants to use its new M3 chip inside the iPad Pro. This was before we even had a chance to look at and analyze the power and capabilities of Apple’s latest M-series silicon, but since then, we’ve had the full chance to test out the capabilities of the 3nm M3 and its more powerful brethren, the M3 Pro and M3 Max.

Most configurations of the M3 for both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro come with 8 CPU cores and either 8 or 10 GPU cores. These configurations either come with 8, 16, or 32 GB of RAM, though considering the iPad Pro goes to a maximum of 16 GB of integrated memory, you can expect the OLED version to be the same.

We’ve found the M3 chip to be pretty versatile at both productivity and graphical tasks. It’s marginally better than the M2 chip in all benchmarks, so it will certainly be an upgrade for those used to the M1 or M2 versions, even ignoring the new eye-catching display.

How Much Will the OLED iPad Pro Cost?

Photo: Caitlin McGarry / Gizmodo

OLED normally costs more than LCD, partly because of materials and partly because fewer factories and makers are available to manufacture the individual components. Based on industry sources, Korean tech rumor site The Elec (via MacRumors) claimed that Samsung is producing the first batch of the 11-inch OLED iPads but that LG is also working on the 13-inch versions.

The Elec also noted that industry analysts expect Apple to ship 8 million units this year. That’s less than what the industry thought the company would ship last year, though it may be based on expected demand more than anything. Apple did have a few issues last year with MacBook sales being down, leading the company to release the M3 MacBook Pros, not even a year after it finally started shipping the M2 version. This did help build hype around the M3 chip, the company’s most powerful APU released.

That said, the iPad Pro would only make sense to see a price increase. Trying to guess an exact price would be like tossing darts blindfolded, but the 13-inch iPad Pro currently starts at $1,099 but can go upwards of $2,000 if you want to opt for more storage options and cellular connectivity. We could guess that a new iPad Pro would cost at least $100 more than the current generation. The Elec has previously reported the next iPad could cost several hundred dollars more, even putting the price at $1,500 for the 11-inch and $1,800 for the 18-inch model, which seems to be a higher jump than seems practical.

Also, considering the Magic Keyboard’s current starting price of $300, a new aluminum material will likely increase the overall cost. The future iPad Pro will be a much more luxury product, which will also recast the Air as a more consumer-grade product overall.

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Kyle Barr

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April 2, 2024
A First Look at Samsung’s 2024 TV Lineup
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I returned the next day and the most blatant issues had abated, but the TV’s lack of contrast and black levels when compared to last year’s excellent QN90C (8/10, WIRED Recommends) made me confident I wasn’t getting the full picture (literally). A few colleagues also said the TV looked great when they viewed it earlier this month. As such, I’m reserving judgment until the full review.

What I can say is the TV showed the same excellent off-axis viewing that gave its predecessor a leg up over many backlit LED and QLED TVs, and I expect it to once again be a top contender in its class when the final version arrives. Even so, Samsung has its work cut out this year, as competitors are promising big things, including massive upgrades to lower-priced models like Hisense’s U8N and TCL’s QM8 that double their peak brightness (or more) over last year. That should make for an exciting QLED showdown in 2024.

Sonic Framework

Samsung’s Frame TVs have always been more about style than performance, though they’ve offered enough 4K brilliance to become a popular mainstay. That’s what makes the new Music Frame speakers such an interesting addition to the party. They’re designed to be both standalone wireless speakers and extensions of Samsung TVs and soundbars over Q-Symphony. The question we’ve had since CES 2024 is, do they sound any good?
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
The answer in my brief time with a pair of them is, somewhat surprisingly, yes. The solid bass provided by dual woofers along the back panel lends some body and punch to the sound, while the midrange and treble drivers are suitably clear and engaging, if not pristine. That’s better than you’d expect from picture frames that spill out sound from small creases along their sides.

The Music Frames can sit on stands or be wall mounted, and we only got to hear them in the former position where their sound was freer to expand in the lower frequencies. Still, I walked away impressed by their clear and accessible sound and I’m looking forward to hearing more.
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Ryan Waniata

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March 28, 2024
Here’s How to Take Advantage of Samsung’s Buy-One, Get-One-Free TV Promotion

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Earlier this year at CES, Samsung announced its 2024 TV model lineup, which includes screens with Mini LED displays, quantum-dot-enabled OLEDs, and other, more affordable TVs. We like what we’ve seen so far, which makes Samsung’s current TV promotion pretty exciting if a new TV is in your budget for this year.

If you preorder a select Samsung screen between now and April 11, 2024, you can qualify for a free 65-inch Samsung TU690T Crystal UHD model while supplies last. Full disclosure: We have yet to test any of the upcoming 2024 models, but we have spent years testing Samsung TVs and recommend several in our Best TVs buying guide.

By no means will the free model be as nice as your preordered screen. The TU690T usually hovers around $500, and it doesn’t have modern features like local dimming, which helps make blacks appear darker and whites look brighter, and improves the contrast of the screen. But a free 65-inch TV can be a fantastic way to upgrade a friend or loved one’s aging TV set, or you can put it in a spare bedroom, work area, garage, or any other space where you might’ve wanted a screen but didn’t want to spend the money for it.

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The Nitty Gritty

Photograph: Samsung

How is Samsung able to give away free TV sets as a part of this promotion? We reached out to Samsung for comment but it hasn’t given us an answer yet. But hey, free TV! Here are the 2024 TV models that qualify for the deal:

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Parker Hall

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March 25, 2024
Samsung Offers Free 65″ UHD TV When You Pre-Order a 2024 TV

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Samsung Offers Free 65″ UHD TV When You Pre-Order a 2024 TV

Samsung has dropped today its 2024 TV lineup and is also offering a free TV when you pre-order any of the new models. The free items is a 65″ UHD TV (model TU690T) which is valued at $450. New models start at $999, but you can get a discount with a student email, and cash back from shopping portals.

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DDG

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March 21, 2024