Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new foldable smartphones that come with Google's top-tier generative artificial intelligence service, as the company pushes its AI strategy further.
The world's biggest mobile device manufacturer introduced the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 at its second Unpacked event for 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, with both coming with six months of Google AI Pro for free.
The Fold7, the slimmest and lightest in its line, is noticeably thinner than its predecessor, in addition to having a 200MP main camera sensor that puts it on a par with the top-end Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Its price in the UAE, compared to the Fold6, is up from between Dh400 ($108.91) and Dh650. The highest-end 1TB model now costs Dh9,349.
The Flip7 has a bigger 6.9-inch (175mm) display, larger than the Galaxy S25+ and also equivalent to the Ultra model. Samsung did not hike the prices of the device.
“When it comes to foldables, the intent is not just to get the slimmest phone. The intent is to get a bar [form factor] feeling that also opens [up],” Omar Saheb, regional vice president of marketing and online business at Samsung Electronics Middle East and North Africa, told The National.
He expects the new Galaxy Z devices to perform well in the Middle East, where Samsung enjoys “quite a high user base” for large-screen phones.
The Galaxy Z Fold “sells quite high [in the Middle East] compared to other regions”, he added.
Slim is the new in?
Samsung's move picks up from the recently introduced Galaxy S25 Edge, a slimmed-down version of the flagship Galaxy S series introduced in January that may mark a new battle in the sector – especially with rival Apple being rumoured to launch a slimmer iPhone in September.
The company leaning into slimmer devices could be a preparation for its long-rumoured tri-fold smartphone, which would be significantly thicker than even its bulkiest devices. The Huawei Mate XT, completely folded, has a depth of 12.8mm.
According to unconfirmed reports, the device, said to be called the Galaxy G Fold, could be launched later this year. Multiple leaks about the purported device surfaced in the lead-up to Unpacked.
Contrary to speculation, the tri-fold device was not teased at Unpacked. The Suwon-based company said it does not comment on rumours.
Galaxy AI improvements
Samsung's generative artificial intelligence platform, Galaxy AI, has been further optimised for the Fold7's bigger screen.
And aside from the free Google AI Pro subscription, the Alphabet-owned company added four new features to its Gemini generative AI platform on the new Galaxy phones.
These include AI Mode on Circle to Search, which can now handle "tougher questions" and follow-ups, screen and camera sharing, connectivity to Samsung apps and being built-in to the Galaxy Watch 8.
"AI should be meaningful and accessible today ... and innovation means nothing without trust," T.M. Roh, president of Samsung Electronics' mobile division, said at Unpacked.
The company is banking on the new devices to help reverse its expected profit miss for the second quarter.
On Tuesday, Samsung flagged a 4.6 trillion won ($3.34 billion) operating profit for the three months ended June. That is a more than quarter below analyst expectations of about 6.2 trillion won and 56 per cent below the 10.44 trillion won it posted during the same period a year ago.
The company, in a statement, blamed the slide on the impact of US restrictions on advanced AI chips from China.
Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Squad for first two ODIs
Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Liverpool’s fixtures until end of 2019
Saturday, November 30, Brighton (h)
Wednesday, December 4, Everton (h)
Saturday, December 7, Bournemouth (a)
Tuesday, December 10, Salzburg (a) CL
Saturday, December 14, Watford (h)
Tuesday, December 17, Aston Villa (a) League Cup
Wednesday, December 18, Club World Cup in Qatar
Saturday, December 21, Club World Cup in Qatar
Thursday, December 26, Leicester (a)
Sunday, December 29, Wolves (h)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
