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Samsung Unveils Multiple New Products At Galaxy Unpacked 2022
Samsung shows off two new foldable smartphones, two smartwatches, and upgraded earphones at its Galaxy Unpacked 2022 event.
Summer 2022 has already seen several major tech releases, including the Google Pixel 6a and the much-hyped Nothing Phone 1. This week, it was industry giant Samsung’s turn to show off its latest designs at the annual Galaxy Unpacked event. The virtual presentation gave us a glimpse of several new releases, from smartphones to earphones and more.
Galaxy Z Fold 4
A new Galaxy Fold will always be the star in any product announcement, and this summer’s reveal was no exception. The foldable device blends the line between tablet and smartphone, and this year’s Fold 4 brings several improvements, including a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor for faster performance, smaller bezels, and a reduction in the noticeable size of the screen crease.
The Fold 4 team has concentrated on incremental improvements for this device iteration, so there’s a tweaked aspect ratio, a slightly lighter weight and an increase in stiffness for the new model, plus software improvements to aid with multitasking. Overall, the device looks like an exciting release, and we can’t wait to get our hands on one!
Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Flip 4 is arguably the more accessible and exciting of Samsung’s foldables, bringing back the much-loved clamshell format to create a pocketable large-screen smartphone.
This year’s Flip 4 offers a higher capacity battery, rapid charging, and the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor seen in the Galaxy Fold 4. The upgrades are all welcome additions to the smartphone, though it has to be said that the camera specs still don’t seem like they’re going to worry other flagship devices.
Galaxy Watch 5 & Watch 5 Pro
Samsung seems to have a habit of releasing new watches at all of its events, and this year’s Galaxy Unpacked was no exception, showing off two new wearables: The Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The non-pro model is the smaller of the two devices and now features a few decent upgrades, including a sapphire glass face. The Watch 5 Pro takes the place of previous Classic models, and although the watch boasts a huge new battery, the iconic rotating bezel is now gone forever.
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Finally, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro were also on display at the event as a perfect partner for the newly announced range of foldable phones. The earbuds have always been a solid premium design with excellent sound, so we’re keen to get our hands on a set very soon.
Overall, an exciting event for Samsung. While nothing revolutionary was announced, the devices featured had a raft of upgrades that should keep the lineup fresh and perhaps even tempt the odd Apple fan to jump ship!
News
UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.