The latest versions of Samsung's folding smartphones line-up will soon hit the market as the South Korean giant doubles down on generative artificial intelligence and expands its range of wearable tech.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 – the next generation of Samsung's successful folding devices that have propelled the company to a years-long pole position in the market – were the stars of the unveiling at the company’s Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris ahead of the Olympic Games.
With a design now featuring flat edges, similar to what Samsung did with the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year, the new line-up, according to the company, is the thinnest and lightest yet.
For the first time in three years, Samsung announced changes to the pricing structure on Wednesday.
Its customers will now have to spend more to get hold of the generative AI-powered line up of folding smartphones.
The range of wearable devices was also boosted with a new generation of Ultra watch and the highly anticipated Galaxy Ring finally made its debut.
The global launch date for the devices is July 24, and pre-orders are already live. The Galaxy Ring is not available in the UAE at the moment, and Samsung will confirm its availability soon, according to a company representative.
The National takes a look at what was unveiled in Paris and the new price structure.
Coming to grips with the Galaxy Z Fold 6
Let's take a quick glance at the new specs, with some comparisons to their predecessors:
· Main display: 7.6 inches (unchanged)
· Cover display: 6.3 inches (from 6.2 inches)
· Main camera: 50MP wide plus 12MP ultra-wide plus 10MP telephoto (unchanged)
· Inner camera: 4MP under-display (unchanged)
· Cover camera: 10MP (unchanged)
· Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy (same with the S24)
· Memory/storage: 12GB plus 256GB/512GB/1TB (unchanged)
· Battery: 4400 mAh (unchanged)
· Charging: Up to 50 per cent in 30 minutes (unchanged)
· Durability: IP48
· Colours: Navy, pink, silver shadow; crafted black and white exclusive on samsung.com
· Prices: Dh7,199, Dh7,699 and Dh8,699 – from Dh6,799, Dh7,249 and Dh8,149 – the first price increase in three years
The lowdown on the Galaxy Z Flip 6
Aside from the improved Galaxy AI, arguably the most notable boost to the new Flip is its new 50MP main camera sensor, putting it on par with Samsung's other flagship devices (except the Galaxy S24 Ultra).
That gives the device more versatility to perform powerful tasks, such as instant slow-motion on videos.
· Main display: 6.7 inches (unchanged)
· Cover display: 3.4 inches (unchanged)
· Main camera: 50MP wide (from 12MP) plus 12MP ultra-wide
· Cover camera: 10MP (unchanged)
· Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy (same with the S24)
· Memory/storage: 12GB (from 8GB) plus 256GB/512GB
· Battery: 4000 mAh (from 3700mAh)
· Charging: Up to 50 per cent in 30 minutes (unchanged)
· Durability: IP48
· Colours: Blue, mint, silver shadow, yellow; crafted black, peach and white exclusive on samsung.com
· Prices: Dh4,299, Dh4,799 – from Dh3,899 and Dh4,349 – first price rise in three years
Important notes on Galaxy AI
There's a lot to digest on the updated Galaxy AI, so here's a quick glance:
· Galaxy AI: The tech is now more deeply integrated with Google Gemini
· Circle to search: This feature has now been expanded to help solve maths problems
· Composer: Using Samsung Keyboard, it generates suggested text based on simple keywords
· Sketch to image: Creates more sophisticated art pieces by generating image options simply by you simply sketching or drawing on photos in Gallery or on the Note screen. For example, if you draw an outline of a house, Galaxy AI will convert it into an actual drawing
· Interpreter: Now with a new conversation mode that enables both parties to view translations on the main and cover screens for better interactions
· Live translate: It has now been extended beyond Samsung’s own native calling app to certain third-party apps
· Auto zoom: Lets the FlexCam feature automatically find the best framing for a shot by detecting the subject and zooming in and out before making any necessary adjustments
· Listening mode: Using the new Galaxy Buds 3 series (more on these later), it will listen to voice or speech and translate it for the user
· Another key announcement: Samsung is planning to expand Galaxy AI to other Galaxy devices by the end of 2024.
The Galaxy Ring is finally here
The Galaxy Ring has three sensors that help measure sleep, heart rate and other metrics, as well as other insights – without any subscription.
It comes in nine sizes, ensuring there's one for everyone. Black and gold options are available, and is made of titanium.
Samsung says pairing it with a Galaxy Watch gives more accurate results. It is priced at $399.
Samsung goes 'Ultra' on your wrist
A new wearable is here: The Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is an “extremely durable” smartwatch that can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
Suffice to say, it's a direct challenge to the Apple Watch Ultra. (Samsung has been using the “Ultra” moniker since the mid-2000s.)
Aside from the usual health and performance metrics, it has one distinct feature: It is the first smartwatch certified by the US Food and Drug Administration to track sleep apnoea.
It is priced at $649.
Galaxy Watch 7
Samsung's latest entry-level smartwatch is the Galaxy Watch 7.
It is a lower-end version of the Watch Ultra – without the “extreme” features.
Your new Galaxy Buds
Also out of the box are the Galaxy Buds 3 and the high-end Buds 3 Pro, which come with an interpreter feature powered by generative AI that can translate speech, as well as a voice command to control certain functions without having to touch the connected smartphone.
The Pro version, in particular, has a more enhanced sound system and a more reliable active noise cancellation.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 715bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,289,376
On sale: now
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
