News

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, Z Fold5 launch with expected changes

FlexWindow, Zero Gap, more

Published

July 26, 2023

Rodneil Quiteles

The Samsung Galaxy foldables are now in their fifth generation. Sticking to what’s worked so far, the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 improve on their predecessors in ways that most tech enthusiasts expected. And for the first time, the foldables were launched in a Galaxy Unpacked event held on Samsung’s home turf.

Samsung choosing to launch the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday, July 26, made this edition of the Galaxy Unpacked event feel grand. The headliners, however, aren’t that much different from what came before.

Galaxy Z Flip5

With the tagline “Welcome to the Flipside,” it would seem that Samsung has turned the spotlight on the Galaxy Z Flip line over its Fold counterpart. Over the years since it first came out, the Galaxy Z Flip has garnered more mainstream interest. It also helped that this particular foldable line has prominently featured in K-Dramas which has only boosted its appeal.

But what’s new on the Flip5? The biggest, most obvious addition is the Flex Window. That’s Samsung’s fancy name for the cover screen on the Flip5. It is now a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED display. A significant jump from the 1.9-inch display on the Flip4.

Naturally, you can do more with it. There are more widgets and you can get a quick view of all the active ones by pinching the screen. They’re also more functional now. For instance, you can quickly reply on a message directly on the Flex Window. With it, you can now also have a better view of the weather, control music playback, and even check on stock market updates.

The staple features that its form factor allows are still there. Flex Cam lets you prop up the Flip5 in a way that makes it easier for you to take photos and videos of yourself hands-free. The cover screen or Flex Window acts as your viewfinder so you’re able to frame yourself properly.

The Flex Hinge has also been improved making the device look flatter when folded. The rest of the phone, however, are nearly identical to the Galaxy Z Flip4.

Here are the Flip5’s specs:

Main screen — 6.7-inch FHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz Adaptive refresh rate (*Same as Flip4)
Cover screen — 3.4-inch Super AMOLED 60Hz Display
Rear dual camera: (*Same as Flip4)

12MP Ultra Wide Camera f/2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚
12MP Wide-angle Camera Dual Pixel AF, OIS, f/1.8, Pixel size: 1.8μm, FOV: 83˚

Front camera — 10MP Selfie Camera f/2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚ (*Same as Flip4)
Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM and Storage — 8GB+256GB, 8GB+512GB
Battery — 3,700mAh, Wired Charging: Up to 50% charge in around 30mins (*Same as Flip4)
Water resistance — IPX8
OS — Android 13, One UI 5.1.1
Network and connectivity — 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3
SIM card — One Nano SIM and One eSIM.

Pricing:

USA — Starts at US$ 999.99
Philippines — Starts at PhP 64,990

Galaxy Z Fold5

Similar to the Galaxy Z Flip5, the improvements on the Galaxy Z Fold5 from its immediate predecessor aren’t major but, perhaps, were much needed. It also has an improved Flex Hinge reducing the book-style foldable’s size thinner when folded.

Like every year since its inception, there’s a big focus on the Galaxy Z Fold being a productivity tool. It’s now even more pronounced as they highlight a “slimmer and more compact” S Pen Fold Edition. This year’s Slim S Pen case is nearly the same thickness as other regular Galaxy Z Fold5 cases. What’s fun is that they paired the Galaxy Z Fold5 with complimenting S Pen colors — similar to the Galaxy Note 9 execution.

The Fold5 is now also powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor. Performance and efficiency improvements are expected. But like the Flip5, the Fold5 is nearly identical to its predecessor on paper.

Here are the Galaxy Z Fold5’s specs:

Main screen — 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X , Infinity Flex Display (2176 x 1812, 21.6:18), 374ppi , 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz) (*Same as Fold4)
Cover screen — 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display (2316 x 904, 23.1:9), 402ppi, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (48~120Hz) (*Same as Fold4)
Cover camera — 10MP Selfie Camera, f/2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚
Under display camera — 4MP Under Display Camera, f/1.8, Pixel size: 2.0μm, FOV: 80˚
Rear Triple Camera: (*Same as Fold4)

50MP Wide-angle Camera Dual Pixel AF, OIS, f/1.8
10MP Telephoto Camera PDAF, f/2.4
12MP Ultra Wide Camera f/2.2

Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM and Storage — 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, 12GB+1TB [Samsung.com Exclusive]
Battery — 4,400mAh, Wired Charging: Up to 50% charge in around 30 mins (*Same as Fold4)
Water resistance — IPX8
OS — Android 13, One UI 5.1.1
Network and connectivity — 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3
SIM card — Up to two Nano SIMs and One eSIM.

Pricing:

US — Starts at US$ 1799.99
Philippines — Starts at PhP 98,990

Buy here:

Galaxy Z Fold5: https://howl.me/ckeOzVqdyUn
Galaxy Z Flip5: https://howl.me/ckeOySKS8Gp
Tab S9: https://howl.me/ckeOAoras3b
Watch6: https://howl.me/ckeOBaaFajd

Related Topics:Galaxy Z Flip 5 Galaxy Z Fold 5 Galaxy Z Fold5 Galazy Z Flip5 Samsung Samsung Galaxy

Gaming

Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections release date

Pre-orders now available

Published

August 22, 2023

GadgetMatch

It doesn’t get any more ‘ultimate’ than this. The grand Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections game is officially coming out on November 16 and pre-orders are now available.

Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections retells the entire story of the classic Ani-Manga franchise. It’ll tackle everything from Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto. A special story focused on Boruto has been created specifically for the game.

The game features over 130 characters — the most in an Ultimate Ninja Storm game. Announced alongside the release date are three new playable characters: Boro, Delta and Koji Kashin from the Kara Organisation.

Pre-order details

The game is now available for pre-order on PlayStation and Xbox digitally, and on all platforms physically except PC. Players will be able to choose different editions. Pre-order now on Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia’s e-store or visit any participating retailers in your country.

Package Early Purchase Bonus & Digital Pre-Order Bonus

All pre-orders of Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections will give players access to the following bonus content:

Three (3) Costumes

Naruto Uzumaki (The Final Battle)
Naruto Uzumaki (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
Sasuke Uchiha (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)

Receive an extra pre-order bonus item set which you can use in NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER if you own this full game on top of Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections.

Nanashi T-shirt
Merz Costume — Costume: Merz Style and Hair: Merz

These bonuses will be available in NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER after 16 November 2023.

Standard, Deluxe & Sound Ultimate Edition

The contents for the Standard, Deluxe and Sound Ultimate Edition of the game are as follows:

Standard Edition

The main game, NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS

Deluxe Edition

The main game
Season Pass containing 5 playable characters that will be announced at a later date
Season Pass Bonus — 1 costume
Deluxe Bonus — 1 costume

Sound Ultimate Edition

Contains the same content as the Deluxe Edition
Ultimate Bonus — 5 costumes and 2 accessories
Nostalgic Anime Song & Item Pack — 5 anime songs and 3 in-game items

Premium Collector’s Edition

The main game
Two (2) Figurines
A Steelbook
Special Reversible Inlay
(Six) 6 Collectible Cards
(One) 1 Official Scroll
Season Pass containing 5 playable characters that will be announced at a later date
Season Pass Bonus — 1 costume
Deluxe Bonus — 1 costume
Ultimate Bonus — 5 costumes and 2 accessories

Additional DLC

Nostalgic Anime Song & Item Pack (available from launch)

With this pack, you’ll be able to change the in-game music during matches and enjoy the battle by listening to nostalgic Naruto songs. This pack comes with 5 iconic songs from the NARUTO anime and 3 in-game items.

NARUTO anime songs:

Haruka Kanata / ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
GO!!! / FLOW
Blue Bird / Ikimonogakari
Silhouette / KANA-BOON
Kaze / Yamazaru

In-game items:

Substitution Item: Microphone
Substitution Item: Orange Headphones
Ninja Info Card Skin: Nostalgic Anime Song Skin

News

Caviar is selling a Barbie collection of smartphones

Including the Galaxy Z Flip5, iPhone 15, and Apple Watch 9

Published

August 22, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Exactly a month since the film premiered, Barbie fever is still high. If the love for all things pink hasn’t left you yet, Caviar has a new smartphone collection for you — if you have the cash, that is. As is typical with the brand, the smartphone customization company has released a new collection that it called #Barbiecore.

For years, Caviar has been known for creating luxurious versions of popular smartphones. Sometimes, the company does tie-ins with popular franchises of the time. The brand is also notorious for selling its products for way higher than the usual price of an unmodified smartphone.

The latest #Barbiecore collection is no different. However, it is iconic of what a Barbie fan might expect from such a model. The collection will include five difference devices: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, the Galaxy Z Flip5, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the Apple Watch 9.

The Galaxy Z series will come with a golden rear panel outfitted with a small pink pom-pom made of faux fur. The rear panel, engraved with Barbie-themed graphics, will also come with 49 rubies.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 series will come with pink alligator skin for its rear panel. Outside of the stylized panel, the series is covered in 24K gold all over. Plus, the cameras are surrounded by 61 Swarovski crystals.

Finally, the Apple Watch 9 is covered in Rose Gold PVD coating. The pink rubber strap is less spectacular, but it does complement the theme and the attractiveness of the watch.

As always, all devices in the collection cost quite a lot. The Galaxy Z series will start at US$ 8,560. The iPhone 15 series starts at US$ 7,990. Finally, the Watch 9 costs US$ 1,900.

News

Samsung is reportedly testing a Galaxy Z FE

Coming after the Flip6 and Fold6

Published

August 22, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Foldable smartphones are still too expensive to replace traditional slab phones as everyone’s daily drivers. Next year might finally change the zeitgeist, though. According to a new rumor, Samsung is testing FE models for the Galaxy Z series.

After a brief break from the series, Samsung is reportedly resurrecting Fan Editions. The company already spoiled that the Galaxy S23 FE is likely launching later this year. Additionally, Samsung France made no qualms about revealing the existence of a Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+.

The S23 FE is set to be released soon, and there are possibilities that Samsung plans to consistently introduce the FE brand annually. Simultaneously, there are rumors of ongoing testing for the launch of the Galaxy Z FE(lite model), after the Fold/Flip 6.

— Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) August 20, 2023

Now, the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold are the next devices to get an FE-themed rub. According to @Tech_Reve on X, a Galaxy Z Flip6 FE and a Galaxy Z Fold6 FE are coming as early as next year. As the Fan Editions are known for, the rumored devices will likely knock the price points of the foldable series down a notch. By how much is still a mystery, though.

Regardless, a Fan Edition for the foldable devices is still a big bump for the market. Despite the abundance of foldable devices in the market today, Samsung is still feasting atop the industry. Adding a competitively priced foldable will hopefully bring the segment down to manageable prices.