Latest news with #foldablephones
Phone Arena
19 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Galaxy Watch 8: it's coming back, but why?
Intro In early July, we are expecting a scorching hot Samsung Unpacked event that'll reveal the next generation of foldable phones from the company. However, as is tradition, we may very much also get new Galaxy Watches. But, in a bit of an unusual manner — there will be three models this time around! A reiteration of the Galaxy Watch Ultra and a base Galaxy Watch 8 — those are a given. But the Classic is also making a return, with its mechanical rotating bezel in tow! So, yes, we expect a Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. Typically, the regular one is more sporty whereas the latter one has a bit of a... classier look. And the aforementioned bezel. But, what else will separate them? Let's see what we know so far: Stainless steel vs aluminum build Rotating bezel and new crown-shaped button on Classic One size for Classic, two sizes for base model IP68, 5ATM for both 32 GB of storage for both Same sensors, including ECG, SpO2, temp on both Table of Contents: Design and Sizes Bands Software Battery Models Specs Summary Samsung isn't done spinning the bezel just yet — quite literally. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is supposedly bringing back that clicky, tactile bezel that is just right enough to make it feel like a "real" watch. It picks up right where the Watch 6 Classic left off and should come in a premium build with a stainless steel body, available only in a 46 mm size. Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy Watch 8 will be playing it safe — and slim. Expect a sleeker, lighter aluminum build, likely offered in two sizes (think 40 mm and 44 mm), with a digital-only bezel and a more fitness-focused design. Supposedly, it will be only 9 mm thin and should be your go-to if you are more interested in the fitness tracking capabilities of a smartwatch. Both watches should be getting the usual Home and Back buttons. Early leaks show the Classic also sporting a digital crown-looking button right between them. It'll probably not be rotatable — we expect it to be something like the Quick Button of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. But we'll see. Samsung redesigned the band locking mechanism with the Galaxy Watch 6. Surely, we are not due for another redesign. So, whatever straps you bought for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic or your regular Galaxy Watch since model 6, they should work with the new 8 generation. Hopefully, of course, hang tight for the official announcements. Software & Features If you've tried to follow Samsung's smartwatch software story over the years… well, grab a map. First, there was Tizen. Then came the big handshake with Google, merging it all into Wear OS — specifically, the Samsung-flavored version we've had since 2021. Then, despite new Wear OS being a joint effort, Samsung still felt the need to start dressing it up — thus, the One UI Watch interface was born. This year, we're expecting One UI Watch 8 to arrive baked into both the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic, running on top of Wear OS 6. Either on launch, or it should come out within months after release. Think the same familiar foundation, but with a slicker Samsung skin, plus the usual sprinkle of Galaxy-only features. AI will be front and center, supposedly offering smarter fitness tips, more intuitive workout recommendations, and — maybe — better sleep insights. We'll believe it when we see suggest Samsung may go the subscription route for advanced metrics — stuff like detailed coaching plans, pro-grade insights, or even premium AI analysis. Nothing confirmed, but with Apple and Fitbit already dipping into the fitness feature subscription pool, it wouldn't exactly be the bright side, Samsung seems to be cooking up some truly futuristic health tracking. Noninvasive blood measurements — yes, actual biomarker reads like antioxidant levels — are rumored to be in testing. Plus, a new vascular load metric might show just how hard your heart and blood vessels are working. If real, these would land on all Galaxy Watch 2025 models, not just the high-end ones. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is rumored to have around 425 mAh, so it may give us a day and a half easy. Of course, the Exynos W1000 energy efficiency may extend that further. The Galaxy Watch 8 , with its two sizes, is supposedly going to have ~300 mAh and ~425 mAh. So, its endurance and performance should be around the same as the Classic. The smaller one does have to feed a smaller screen, after all, so that may end up almost evening out. As mentioned above, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will only come in 46 mm. In that case, you will have a choice between a model with cellular and one without. The prices should be around $400-$450, but we are leaving room for inflation to surprise us. The Galaxy Watch 8 should be available in 40 mm and 44 mm variants, again — with our without LTE. So, the most basic model should start at around $300, the bigger one — $320. Add $50 to the price tag if you want a cellular modem inside. Here's what we generally expect: It's kind of very clear who the Classic is meant for and who the base model is for. Going just by previous experience — the Classic variants are heavier, bulkier, and their mechanical parts click and clack. Thus, they are not very practical for workouts. But they are quite pretty — so that's the watch meant for an outfit. If you already have a fitness tracker or don't care to use one — the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic should be more up your alley. The base Galaxy Watch 8 will bridge that gap between stylish watch and fitness tracker, as its predecessors have. It is kind of big but not too big. Kind of sporty but doesn't look out of place when paired with casual wear. So, it casts a wider net, and it may just catch you in it.
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Phone Arena
Can Samsung come on top of Huawei with the Galaxy G Fold tri-fold?
Huawei, baby. – You, outraged at my shenanigans. True that: I really do find the Oppo Find N5 – the virtual successor to the OG masterpiece OnePlus Open (OnePlus and Oppo are joined at the hip, their devices share components more often than not) – to be an amazing piece of technology. People are astonished by its 4.2mm thin (when unfolded) chassis, but I don't care that much about super thin phones. The Oppo Find N5. | Image by PhoneArena Instead, I'm fascinated by the Find N5's extreme toughness and fierce elegance, its potent chipset (inside, there's the top-shelf Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon), its 5,600 mAh battery (hey, that's more than what my non-folding flagship's cell offers) and its overall performance: reliable, premium, incredibly cool. But, at the end of the day, I don't need it. Did you see that? Did you see what I just did? I praised a phone, I explained how thrilled I'm with its specs, I almost said how it's second to none in my heart. And yet, I said: no, thank you, I will not buy you. I'm a stable person who makes the correct financial decision. The ability to refrain yourself from buying things just because you happen to like them very much is great, and I do recommend meditating on it. As I said, because they have what nobody else has: the Huawei Pura X. That's a foldable, but unlike anything else you've seen: Image by PhoneArena See?That's a flip-style phone that opens sideways to a 16:10 aspect ratio, 6.3-inch display. So clever. So you accuse me of not getting the Huawei Pura X right – and you'll be right, up to a point – let me assure you: I'm aware of the Pura X's shortcomings. That's not a standard phone, software-focused speaking. It comes on Huawei's own Harmony Next OS, so it doesn't support Android and iOS apps that people outside of China generally use. The phone itself will probably never be released outside its home country. Why, then, do I see it as a better option for me and my needs compared to the Oppo Find N5, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, or Motorola's cool Razr models? It's because of that 16:10 aspect ratio and the clamshell form factor. Being a flip phone, the Pura X offers me far better pocketability, while providing a large – both tall and wide – inner display.I like large displays: say, you've just come back from an exotic trip and you want to show some pictures and videos to your friends. A regular non-folding phone – even if it's a 6.8-inch beast – just doesn't cut it. Being a slab, candy bar-like device, the non-folding phone comes with a far narrower display and those wonderful photos you've captured just can't be seen that well on such a small a laptop or a tablet is out of the question, as I hate backpacks, bags, purses – I have pockets, thank you very much. Enter the Huawei Pura X.I don't intend on using it as anything more than a cool, large, foldable extra display to watch (and edit – why not?) photos and videos. An extra phone that doesn't take extra space in my pockets. – You, outraged at me once again. Hey, that's your money, remember? Joking aside, book style foldables are a great option as well, but they do take much more space (when folded) than a clamshell one. That's precisely why I won't be getting a book style foldable any time soon. Plus, they're twice (or more) as expensive, so… far, no foldable can come close to the camera power of dedicated camera-centric flagships like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra or the Oppo Find X8 Ultra. And since I value cameras above all in a smartphone, that kind of explains why I'm not getting the Pura X or the Oppo Find N5 (expensive or not) for a daily as great as the Pura X is, I can't deny that Samsung could very well make Huawei sweat in some months time precisely on the foldable a point in the future, many of us will rock tri-foldables like this one: Image by PhoneArena So far, this is the only commercially available tri-fold on the market, the Huawei Mate XT. It's a fascinating device that has its share of shortcomings, but its debut is now written in history. Apple and Samsung are also reportedly developing tri-folds of their own. Recently, I argued that while Samsung's tri-fold seems flawed, at least it's innovation (even if it's a Huawei comeback). Now, it seems that Samsung is on the right track and could very well produce a tri-fold of its own that could enchant many. The latest report hints at such a possibility: Samsung Galaxy tri-foldable's RAM and processor leak Samsung's upcoming Galaxy G Fold is shaping up to be one of the company's most ambitious and impressive smartphones to date. As a tri-foldable device, it could represent a major leap forward in design and engineering – yeah, it should come months after Huawei's revolutionary Mate XT, but it's still should set the Galaxy G Fold apart is its powerful hardware. Unlike the Galaxy S25 series, which continues to ship with 12 GB of RAM, the G Fold is expected to come with 16 GB of RAM as standard. It's said to run exclusively on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and this piece of silicon is a beast on its own. Much better than the Kirin chipset in the Mate XT. While the G Fold's innovative design and premium specs (judging from rumors right now) mark it as a standout device, it's not without trade-offs. Battery capacity and charging speeds could remain a weak point, echoing the same limitations seen in Samsung's other foldables. The phone may feature a 4,400 mAh battery – relatively small given its size – and will likely charge slowly compared to other flagship phones. Image by PhoneArena I really hope this 4,400 mAh rumor doesn't hold true, because it would be a shame, so to say. Come on, Samsung, 5,000 mAh is not that hard of a task! The original Mate XT packs a 5,600 mAh cell, albeit with an inferior Kirin chipset that's not as power-efficient as the Snapdragon 8 Elite. But, in the end, the reality is that the majority of people (outside of China) will probably go with the Samsung tri-fold – even if it has a 4,400 mAh. The well-known Galaxy and One UI ecosystem, the unlimited access to the whole plethora of Google services (yeah, the Mate XT doesn't fully support those), and the peace of mind that you're getting a Samsung (some people are actually afraid of getting "exotic" brands"): these are major selling points. The upcoming One UI 8 is designed precisely with foldables in mind – system animations and screen elements should look amazing on all Galaxy almost sees like a clear win for the upcoming Galaxy G Fold (minus the battery). Unless the upcoming Huawei Mate XT 2 turns out to be a beast out of this world. The plot thickens, ladies and gentlemen.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Motorola Razr Ultra deal: Get a free upgrade to 1TB of storage
Ryan Haines / Android Authority Samsung will likely release new foldable phones next month at its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. We're not sure what we'll see then, but until we find out more, the current hottest foldable flip phone is the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025. While there are no discounts on it right now, you can pretty much get a free upgrade to 1TB of storage, which is a nice incentive for those already looking to get the device. This translates to $200 in savings. Buy the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 with 1TB for $1,299.99 ($200 off) This offer is available directly from Motorola's website. The sale applies to all color versions available: Pantone Scarab, Pantone Mountain Trail, Pantone Cabaret, and Pantone Rio Red. Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 (1TB) Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 (1TB) High-end processing power in a folding shell Adding Ultra to the name, the Motorola Razr Ultra is the first folding phone from Moto with a top-tier processor. The 7-inch folding display is paired with a half-size front display to give you both a premium experience, and a compact and portable communication device. See price at Motorola Save $200.00 The Motorola Razr Ultra takes foldable flip phones to a whole other level. As we mentioned in our Razr Ultra review, you might as well stop waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and get this instead. Why? There are many reasons. For starters, it is very capable in terms of performance. You'll get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 16GB of RAM. These specs put it up there with all the best Android phones available right now. The build hasn't changed much since last year. The device features an aluminum frame and a stainless steel hinge, along with an IP48 rating. That said, the design got a really nice upgrade this time around. Mostly in the back, as Motorola introduced really fun leather-like materials there. In fact, the wooden look made a comeback this year. These look amazing, and they feel soft to the touch. Ryan Haines / Android Authority We also really like the vibrant display. It has a 7.0-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 1,224 x 2,912. Even more astonishing is the smooth 165Hz refresh rate. This beats nearly all other phones out there. Even the 4.0-inch external display keeps the same panel technology and refresh rate, but the resolution is obviously reduced. That 1,272 x 1,080 resolution is still great for such a small display. We were also impressed by the battery life. Our tests show that the 4,700mAh battery can last nearly 25 hours playing 4K content. And when it's time to recharge, you can do so at 68W wired or 30W wirelessly. As of today, this is the best flip phone you can get, and we're not sure if Samsung will beat it. A penny under $1,300 is still quite expensive, but this is a premium device that competes against the best out there, which is rare for a flip phone. Take advantage of this offer while you can!
Phone Arena
3 days ago
- Phone Arena
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE vs Motorola Razr (2025): Expected differences
Samsung will soon be announcing its new lineup of foldables, and this time around there is a pretty good chance we will see not one but two Galaxy Z Flip models. The new one will be called the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, and if you are at all familiar with Samsung's Fan Edition devices — you know what to expect. With the introduction of the Z Flip 7 FE, which is expected to go at the affordable price of $799, Motorola's entry-level Razr will finally have some competition to run against. But can Samsung deliver? Well, rumor has it that the Fan Edition of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will simply be a slightly toned down Galaxy Z Flip 6 . Based on that, we would venture to guess that while it will be better than the Razr (2025) in some ways, in others — not so much. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE vs Motorola Razr (2025) expected differences: *expected Table of Contents: Design Display Performance Camera Battery Specs Summary The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is expected to reuse the exact same chassis and display configuration as the Z Flip 6 . That means an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the outer panels, and a 3.4-inch cover display. The Razr has a similar look, but it's display is fully wrapped around the dual camera system and is slightly larger. Also, instead of a glass back panel, it comes with an aluminum or a silicone one. As for the size difference, here's what we expect: *expected The Razr (2025) has an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance, and we expect the same from the Z Flip 7 FE. Display Differences Like a lot of its hardware, the Z Flip 7 FE is expected to reuse the same 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED panel from the Z Flip 6 . with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2600 nits of peak brightness. That means excellent outdoor visibility and a smooth display. The cover screen will also be reused, so expect to see a 3.4-inch display with a rather low resolution of 720 x 748 pixels and just a 60Hz refresh rate. Then we have the Razr (2025), which is a tiny bit better in every way when it comes to the displays. For starters, you get a slightly larger 6.9-inch main and 3.6-inch cover screen. The cover display also has a higher resolution, which makes everything on it look crispier. *expected But probably the best cover-display advantage the Razr has over the Z Flip is that it allows full app access. In contrast, you have to install the Good Lock app on the Z Flip to achieve the same. Hopefully, Samsung catches up this year on this front. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is rumored to ship with the same Exynos 2400 chip found in some Galaxy S24 models, which puts it firmly in flagship territory. Paired with 8 GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, we expect great performance. On the other hand, the Motorola Razr (2025) uses the MediaTek Dimensity 7400X, a mid-range chip with. In our benchmarks, it fell well behind flagship chips — it scored 3037 on Geekbench 6 (multi) and only 1030 in 3DMark. Not to mention that the Razr uses outdated LPDDR4X RAM and slower UFS 2.2 storage. These hardware choices, combined with the mid-tier chip, result in a noticeably sluggish experience. The Z Flip 7 FE is said to come with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 fast storage, which should go perfectly with its flagship processor and result in a snappy and smooth experience. *expected On the software side, the Flip 7 FE should launch with Android 15 and One UI 7, with Samsung likely committing to at least four OS updates. Motorola's Razr (2025) ships with Android 15 as well, but Motorola typically promises fewer updates (3 years), and its skin is lighter, with a more Material You-style (vanilla Android) design. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is expected to carry over the same dual-camera setup we saw on the Z Flip 6 : a 50 MP main camera paired with a 12 MP ultra-wide. In our review of the Z Flip 6 , we found that the new 50 MP sensor delivered much sharper images with improved dynamic range and more consistent colors, especially in daylight and well-lit scenes. Low-light performance on the Z Flip 6 also benefited from better detail retention and less noise. The Motorola Razr (2025) also sports a 50 MP main camera, along with a 13 MP ultra-wide. In our testing, we were surprised by how solid the main camera was — it produced sharp photos with good contrast and pleasing colors. However, its dynamic range wasn't always reliable, and highlights could sometimes blow out in challenging lighting. The ultra-wide was usable, but lagged behind the main camera in detail and sharpness. *expected One of the benefits of a foldable phone is using its main cameras to snap a selfie. But for the occasional situations where you can't go for that option, both the Z Flip 7 FE and the Razr (2025) have selfie cameras embedded in the inner foldable display. The FE is said to come with the same selfie10 MP snapper — again, just like on the Z Flip 6 — which delivered sharp, balanced photos with good dynamic range and colors. The same can be said for the 32 MP inner camera on the Razr (2025). Samsung is expected to equip the Z Flip 7 FE with a 4,000 mAh battery, 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Those specs are the same as on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which delivered solid but not amazing results in our battery tests. The Motorola Razr (2025) is actually somewhat ahead here, with a slightly larger 4,200 mAh battery and 30W wired charging. In our testing, the Razr (2025) managed over 8 hours of screen-on time, with particularly good efficiency during video playback and browsing. *expected The Razr does not support wireless charging, though, which is one of the main trade-offs when we compare it to the Z Flip. Still, for a budget foldable, the Razr delivered reliable battery life in our daily use and beat the Z Flip 6 's results in most scenarios. *expected So, there you have it! Will the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE overthrow the entry-level Motorola Razr? Well, that's unlikely, but it does appear to have several things going for it. For starters, there is no doubt that it will be the more powerful phone between the two if it comes with the Exynos 2400. Not to mention the faster memory and storage. But where it will lack is — like previous years — the displays, which are arguably the most important part for a foldable phone . I do see one way Samsung could really make Motorola sweat with the Z Flip 7 FE, though, and that's if it finally makes the cover display more user-friendly and versatile. If that happens, then it's slightly smaller size would matter much less. Whatever the case ends up being, it is good to see competition in the affordable clamshell segment, because that means these two manufacturers will be pushed to offer users the best budget flip phone they can muster.
Phone Arena
3 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Score a sweet discount on the OnePlus Open plus a $300 freebie
Samsung may have launched the reservations for its upcoming foldables, allowing early birds to save up to a whopping $1,200, but OnePlus fans will always choose the OnePlus Open over a Galaxy Fold phone. The statement above holds true, especially now that bargain hunters can save up to $200 on this foldable beauty by trading in an eligible device at the official OnePlus store. On top of that, the manufacturer is offering its OnePlus Watch 2 as a freebie when purchasing a new OnePlus Open . This adds an extra $300 in value, bringing your total savings to about $500 if you receive the full trade-in discount. Trade-in Gift $1499 99 $1999 98 $500 off (25%) Save up to $200 on the OnePlus Open by trading in your old phone. Plus, the official store is throwing in a OnePlus Watch 2 for free with your purchase, making this deal even harder to resist. Don't hesitate! Buy at OnePlus We believe this is a pretty awesome deal. Not only will you get one of the best foldable phones on the market, but you'll also score a capable smartwatch for free. Just don't wait around, as the offer has been available for a few weeks, and you never know when it could expire. Granted, the OnePlus Open has also been around for quite some time now, but it still delivers speedy performance thanks to its high-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Moreover, it rocks a beautiful 7.82-inch inner display with 2440 x 2268 resolution, Dolby Vision support, and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering stunning visuals. Another of its selling points is the 6.31-inch outer screen, which allows for comfortable use without needing to unfold the phone every time. Meanwhile, the 48MP main camera on board will let you take gorgeous photos. As for the OnePlus Watch 2, well, it runs on Wear OS, which means you'll have access to a plethora of apps via the Google Play store. It also has a sleek design, so it matches any outfit. It's also loaded with health-tracking features like sleep tracking and stress monitoring. So, in short, it's an awesome gift! That's why we encourage you to act fast and save with this deal now while you can! Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
