News

Everything Announced At Samsung’s Unpacked 2023 Event

Samsung just held its summer Unpacked event in South Korea. Here’s what we learned about the most anticipated upcoming new releases.

Published

3 years ago

July 27, 2023

Nour Nasir

Samsung

Samsung has just concluded its second Galaxy Unpacked event of 2023. After stunning tech enthusiasts with its Galaxy S23 line, the Korean electronics powerhouse is preparing to release a raft of new devices.

Here’s what we learned from the event:

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 & Galaxy Z Fold5

samsung galaxy z flip5 and galaxy z fold5

Samsung’s 5th generation foldables are sleek and compact, with multiple customization options and powerful performance. Main screens are equipped with shock dispersion layers, and a new integrated hinge features a dual rail structure to diffuse external impacts.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 now features a 3.78x larger Flex Window, while a new Flipsuit Case provides protection with a changeable NFC card. Users can snap hands-free photos using FlexCam and edit the shots in Flex Mode. As well as an improved Nightography capability, an AI-powered image signal processing (ISP) algorithm helps to correct visual noise while enhancing details and tone.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy Z Fold5 is the “thinnest, lightest Fold yet.” The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset uses AI to enhance gaming, while an advanced cooling system dissipates heat more effectively for less lag and performance drops. Peak brightness from the 7.6-inch main screen has increased by more than 30%, meaning improved outdoor viewing, especially in bright sunlight.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

samsung galaxy tab s9

The new Galaxy Tab S9 comes in three sizes: The 14.6-inch Tab S9 Ultra, 12.4-inch Tab S9+, and the 11-inch Tab S9.

The 14.6-inch model features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while HDR10+ allows scene-by-scene, frame-by-frame tone optimization. The dynamic refresh rates of the Galaxy Tab S9 models automatically calibrate from 60 to 120Hz to balance smoothness with optimized battery life, and an Eye Comfort mode reduces strain and blocks blue light by over 70%. Audio capabilities are also enhanced by the 20% larger quad speakers with sound by AKG and Dolby Atmos.

Galaxy Watch6 & Galaxy Watch6 Classic

samsung galaxy watch6 and galaxy watch6 classic

At the Unpacked event, Samsung also introduced two new smartwatch models, the Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic. The Galaxy Watch6 comes in a 44mm Graphite and Silver case or a 40mm Graphite and Gold model. The Galaxy Watch6 Classic features a rotating bezel and is available in Black and Silver 43mm and 47mm versions. The Galaxy Watch6 now has a 30% slimmer bezel, while the Galaxy Watch6 Classic sports a 15% thinner rotating version.

Both devices offer in-depth sleep analysis and feature a Personalized Heart Rate Zone that defines five optimal running intensity levels. In addition, a new Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification feature helps wearers monitor their heart health more accurately.

Also Read: MIT’s “PhotoGuard” Protects Images From Unauthorized AI Edits

The Middle East’s Top Smartphone Brand

Samsung is currently the top smartphone vendor in the Middle East, with 3.8 million handsets shipped in Q1 2023. However, the company has plans to expand its MENA reach even further. “This year, [we are] in preparation for an even more significant increase in demand. We have ramped up manufacturing capabilities accordingly. Not just smartphones but also tablets and wearable devices, we see an incredible market opportunity to drive additional growth across these devices,” explained Fadi Abu Shamat, Spokesperson and Head of Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics.

News

Microsoft Plans $10 Billion-Plus Gulf Expansion Despite Iran Conflict

Security is shaping Microsoft’s approach, from resilience work with governments to what it will say about how the money splits by country.

Published

4 days ago

September 24, 2026

Nour Nasir

Microsoft

Microsoft is planning more than $10 billion of investment across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait through 2030, Vice Chair and President Brad Smith told Reuters, calling the spending schedule aggressive. The Iranian conflict that began on February 28 has not persuaded the company to scale back.

“We’re sustaining all the investments we planned to make before this conflict started, and we are in fact adding to them,” Smith said. The $10 billion-plus total does not, however, show how large those additions are.

The investment, which Smith described as part of Microsoft’s continued infrastructure expansion, is aimed at cloud and AI infrastructure and at the company’s growing regional operations. Microsoft also intends to put more than $400 million into subsea and terrestrial connectivity across the Middle East by 2030.

The spending fits the region’s own ambitions too. Gulf governments have been investing heavily in AI infrastructure as part of a push to diversify their economies beyond oil and gas and turn themselves into global technology hubs. Major cloud and AI providers have been drawn in part by the land and relatively low-cost energy on offer.

Microsoft is widening its partnerships with regional AI companies, though not on identical terms. In 2024, it invested $1.5 billion in Abu Dhabi-based G42 for a minority stake, and Smith currently sits on G42’s board. Saudi Arabia’s Humain and Qatar’s Qai are working with Microsoft on selected priority areas, but Smith said the company does not plan to make capital investments in either.

Also Read: Egypt’s Mobile Wallets Are Booming, But Cash Still Has Power

The conflict has added another strand to Microsoft’s work in the region. Since it began, Smith said, the company has supported regional partners with digital resilience assessments, and it is now working with Gulf countries through a digital resilience initiative focused on preparedness and the protection of critical data.

So far, the company has given no country-by-country breakdown of the investment, citing security among other factors. So while the headline figure is public, how Microsoft divides the spending among the four countries is not.