Samsung unveiled two 5G-enabled foldable smartphones under its Galaxy series, including its first model that costs less than $1,000.
The South Korean technology company aims to make foldable technology more popular and attract more customers.
The new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 models come with stronger cases, brighter displays, bigger batteries, artificial intelligence-powered cameras and more user-friendly features, Samsung said.
Foldable smartphones are set to become the new standard in mobile devices as the category turns mainstream
Won-Joon Choi,
executive vice president of Samsung
In the US market, the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 will start from $1,799.90 and $999.90, respectively. However, the prices may slightly vary in the Middle East region.
“These [foldable] devices have to be as durable as traditional flagship models [the Note and S series] to ensure consumers are not sacrificing anything as they move to foldable technology,” it said.
“For the new foldable series, we had a big mission – durability … so that our customers can use them with peace of mind for everyday extended use. We started from scratch to make the impossible possible,” said Won-Joon Choi, executive vice president and head of product research and development at Samsung.
Both phones come with a new protective film on the main screens that makes them scratch-resistant and about 80 per cent more resilient to regular wear and tear than the previous foldable devices, the company said.
The metal frame and hinges of both phones are built with a new aluminium armour material, which makes them 10 per cent stronger than their predecessors.
“We are able to deliver the world's first water-resistant foldable smartphones by implementing the innovative sealing design … with all of these innovations, foldable smartphones are set to become the new standard in mobile devices as the category turns mainstream,” Mr Choi said.
Durability is a key element being touted by Samsung after it had to delay the global release of its first foldable phone in 2019 by several months after user reports of display problems and cracked screens.
It spent about eight years developing the first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, which was released globally in September 2019. The device was followed by the Galaxy Z Flip in February last year and the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in September.
The new Z Fold 3 comes with a 19.3-centimetre screen that folds into a compact device with a cover display of 15.7cm. It has three 12-megapixel cameras on the rear and one 10-megapixel front camera. Its price is about $200 cheaper than the launch price of Z Fold 2.
Weighing 271 grams, it is powered by a 4,400 milliampere-hour battery that promises enough power to last more than a day. It offers larger storage capacity – 12GB RAM and between 256GB and 512GB of internal space.
The new Z Fold 3 phone will also support the S Pen stylus, a signature feature of the company’s premium Note series. However, users need to buy it separately, the company said.
The Z Flip 3 is a compact, palm-sized device when folded but its screen size more than triples to 17cm when opened. Powered by a 3,300mAh battery, it weighs only 183 grams. It comes with 8GB RAM and internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB.
It has two cameras of 12-megapixels each on the back and a front 10-megapixel camera.
Foldable smartphones are set to become the new standard in mobile devices as the category turns mainstream
Won-Joon Choi,
executive vice president of Samsung
Foldable smartphone shipments are projected to increase about three times on an annual basis to about 9 million units this year, with Samsung holding 88 per cent of the market share of the high-end devices, according to Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research.
“With new phones, we are bringing foldable innovations to more consumers … by breaking down the barriers of entry, with prices starting from $999,” said Bryan Choi, executive vice president and head of strategic marketing of mobile communications division at Samsung.
“Samsung will be the leading and foremost provider [of foldable smartphones], driving volume beyond the market demand … I am confident that with our new series, we can drive record high demand for foldables, inviting more consumers to enjoy the new way of using a smartphone,” he said.
Besides phones, Samsung also unveiled two new smartwatches – the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic – and Galaxy Buds 2 to compete with the Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Its new smartwatches are one of the first to have the ability to carry out a body composition analysis, providing insights to skeletal muscle, fat mass, body water and more, with only a touch.
They monitor biometrics and provide a detailed analyses of heart rate, stress, sleep patterns and blood-oxygen levels.
To challenge the dominance of Apple Watch, which has been the best-selling smartwatch for many years, Samsung has merged its Tizen OS with Wear OS. The new operating system grants users access to various Google services.
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
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1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
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Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
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He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
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3. More tax audits
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4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
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6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
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9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
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Name: Abeer Al Bah
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