Samsung to unveil Galaxy Ring, new foldable phones in Paris

[Courtesy of Samsung Electronics]

Samsung Electronics is set to host its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10th in Paris, France, where it will unveil its latest products, including its first ring-shaped wearable device, the Galaxy Ring. Priced at 490,000 won ($360), the Galaxy Ring is designed to be worn like a ring and features advanced healthcare functions, such as 24-hour heart rate monitoring and various other health metrics.

According to industry sources, the Galaxy Ring is equipped with temperature and vibration sensors on its inner surface, similar to the Galaxy Watch. These sensors enable the device to measure heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sleep quality, stress levels, snoring habits, and menstrual cycles. Overseas IT tipsters have highlighted that the Galaxy Ring’s closer contact and higher skin area coverage compared to smartwatches could allow for more precise health measurements. The ring is estimated to be around 1 cm in width and thickness, weigh no more than 3 grams, and will be released in August with an anticipated price of 490,000 won.

In addition to the Galaxy Ring, Samsung will also reveal its latest foldable smartphones at the Unpacked event. These devices are expected to have the lowest prices globally when released in South Korea. For the 256GB models, the Galaxy Z Flip6 is anticipated to be priced at 1,485,000 won, and the Galaxy Z Fold6 at 2,229,700 won. These prices reflect an increase of 80,000 to 130,000 won compared to their predecessors, the Flip5 and Fold5, with the price hikes for the 512GB models expected to be similar. The new foldable phones are equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and improved camera and battery specifications, contributing to the price increase.

The new foldable series will feature advanced AI capabilities, including the ‘Galaxy AI’ real-time translation function, which will now be available not only on Galaxy phones but also on various third-party messaging apps such as KakaoTalk. Other AI features include website and call recording summarization and translation, image search and editing, and slow-motion video creation, all of which will be supported on premium models such as the Galaxy S24.