[2020 Unpacked] 'Galaxy Z Flip' and 'Galaxy S20' Showing the Future of Galaxy (Summary)

'Galaxy Z Flip' Approaching Foldable Popularization
'Galaxy S20' to Quench Camera Thirst
Cheers and Applause Erupt as Z Flip Unveiled
President No Tae-moon Introduces Galaxy S20 at Unpacked Debut
Galaxy Z Flip Features Angle-Adjustable Hinge

[San Francisco (USA) = Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Samsung Electronics, which pioneered the history of foldable phones, unveiled its second foldable phone, the 'Galaxy Z Flip,' which is affordable yet highly practical. The 'Galaxy S20,' designed to quench the thirst for smartphone cameras, is Samsung Electronics' weapon to target the 5G market. On the debut stage of the Unpacked event, President No Tae-moon introduced the Galaxy S20 as 'a new decade, the beginning of change.'

On the 11th (local time), Samsung Electronics unveiled the 'Galaxy Z Flip' and 'Galaxy S20' at the 'Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2020' held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, USA. As the Galaxy Z Flip video started, applause and cheers erupted everywhere. About 3,000 people, including partners and media, attended the event. Famous IT Twitter user Max Weinbach and President Ko Dong-jin also attended the Unpacked event. Unusually this year, due to concerns about the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), thermal cameras were installed at the security checkpoint before entering the venue, and masks and hand sanitizers were provided at the entrance.

No Tae-moon, President of Samsung Electronics' Wireless Business Division, said, "We have newly drawn the 'future of mobile experience' with a foldable phone for consumers who want a larger screen in a pocket-sized device. The Galaxy Z Flip will play an important role in expanding the foldable category," and introduced the Galaxy S20 as "a smartphone that says goodbye to today's smartphone cameras and shows the best way to see and share the world."

◆The second foldable ambitious product 'Galaxy Z Flip'

On the Unpacked stage, Rebecca Hearst, Samsung Electronics' UK Marketing Director, stood the Galaxy Z Flip upright at a 90-degree angle, stepped back, said "Say cheese," and took a photo as she folded and unfolded her hands.

While the Galaxy Fold folds 'largely' up to 8 inches, the Galaxy Z Flip folds 'small' vertically. Thanks to this, portability has improved, and it is easier to hold with one hand. The unfolded display is 6.7 inches and uses 'Ultra Thin Glass (UTG),' making the screen smoother and more solid than previous foldable phones. Except for the front camera at the top center, it implements the first hole display filled entirely with the screen, and the aspect ratio is 21.9:9, similar to a movie theater screen. As expected of a highly anticipated product, the experience booth was crowded with reporters and bloggers eager to see and try the Galaxy Z Flip.

The Galaxy Z Flip's feature is the hinge technology that allows meticulous angle adjustment. The Hideaway hinge helps users unfold the phone at the desired angle to take photos or enjoy content. It also offers a 'freestop' folding function that can be fixed at any angle from 70 to 180 degrees. On the Unpacked stage, Rebecca Hurst, Samsung Electronics UK Marketing Director, demonstrated placing the Galaxy Z Flip upright at 90 degrees, stepping back, saying 'Say cheese,' and folding and unfolding her hand to take a photo.

At the event, a surprise guest, Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior Vice President of Google, appeared to introduce the Galaxy Z Flip's 'Flex Mode.' When unfolded at a certain angle, the screen automatically splits into two; the upper screen shows photos or videos, while the lower screen controls camera effects. This feature will be supported by apps such as YouTube, Snow, and B612 in the future. The 1.1-inch cover display visible when folded allows users to check smartphone status, time, notifications, calls, or take selfies.

The Galaxy Z Flip will be released on the 14th, priced at 1.65 million KRW. It will be available in two colors in Korea: Mirror Purple and Mirror Black. Buyers of the Galaxy Z Flip will receive 'Z Premier Service,' which includes display damage insurance (limited to once per year), free protective film application (once), and on-site repair service (limited to twice per year).

Opening a new decade with 'Galaxy S20'

On the 11th (local time), at the 'Galaxy Unpacked 2020' held in San Francisco, USA, Tae-moon Roh, head of Samsung Electronics' Wireless Business Division, is introducing the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

The Galaxy S20 targets consumers thirsty for smartphone cameras. It is a 'camera phone' that satisfies everyone from casual photo and video sharers to those wanting professional-level cameras. To respond to global 5G smartphone demand, all models are released with 5G, focusing on the 'basics' such as camera, display, and RAM.

President No Tae-moon said, "We are promoting the convergence of 5G, AI, and IoT technologies, and the Galaxy S20 supports 5G and will be a device that opens a meaningful era of mobile experience," adding, "The Galaxy S20 is a smartphone that signals the start of new changes."

Samsung named the model Galaxy S20 instead of S11 to embody its ambition to open a new era. The Galaxy S20 series includes three models: the 6.2-inch Galaxy S20, 6.7-inch Galaxy S20 Plus, and 6.9-inch Galaxy S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S20 Ultra features a 108-megapixel camera, while the S20 and S20+ have a 64-megapixel main camera. The image sensor size, which determines camera performance, has improved 1.65 to 2.9 times compared to the Galaxy S10.

The Galaxy S20 is a model focused on the 'camera.' Combining the largest-ever image sensor with AI, it can take clear photos and videos. Especially, the S20 Ultra supports 'Space Zoom,' which allows up to 100x zoom without image quality loss, even when shooting at 10x zoom. The Galaxy S20 and S20+ can shoot photos up to 3x zoom without quality loss, and the Ultra up to 10x. The Galaxy S20 Ultra can take clear photos in dark places thanks to nona-binning technology, which merges nine pixels into one to capture more light.

The AI-integrated camera software features are also notable. The 'Single Take' function captures photos and videos with multiple lenses at once and recommends the best shots, useful for photographing children or pets. It also supports 8K video recording and allows uploading 8K videos to YouTube. Users can capture desired scenes from videos to get clear high-resolution images. The 'Super Steady Mode,' which stabilizes shaky hands using AI, has also been improved.

'Galaxy S20' aims for the 5G smartphone throne

Galaxy S20 Ultra

The Galaxy S20 is Samsung Electronics' weapon to maintain leadership in the 5G market and reclaim the smartphone throne. Samsung lost the top smartphone spot to Apple in Q4 last year. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple took first place after eight quarters, powered by the iPhone 11. Last year's smartphone shipments were Samsung (296.5 million units), Huawei (238.5 million units), and Apple (196.2 million units) in order. The IM division's operating profit also fell short of 10 trillion KRW for the first time in eight years, staying at 9.27 trillion KRW. President No, who proclaims 'a new decade' instead of 'crisis,' carries a heavy burden.

Last year, Samsung narrowly lost the 5G smartphone number one spot to Huawei and is now targeting the global 5G market by expanding 5G network support. The Galaxy S20 supports the latest 5G standard, Standalone mode. Depending on each country's 5G network infrastructure, it supports both low-frequency (Sub-6) and high-frequency (mmWave) bands simultaneously. The Galaxy S20 series will be released on March 6. In Korea, pre-orders will be held from February 20 to 26.

The Galaxy S20 with 128GB is priced at 1,248,500 KRW and comes in four colors: Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue, Cloud White, and Cloud Pink. The Galaxy S20+ with 256GB is priced at 1,353,000 KRW and comes in five colors: Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue, Cloud White, Aura Red, and Aura Blue. The Galaxy S20 Ultra, also with 256GB, is priced at 1,595,000 KRW and comes in two colors: Cosmic Gray and Cosmic Black.

Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Buds+

Also on stage was the wireless earphone 'Galaxy Buds+,' which features improved battery specs and sound quality. It can play music for up to 11 hours on a single charge and up to 22 hours with additional charging via the case. The usage time is nearly doubled compared to the previous model. Equipped with dynamic 2-way speakers, the volume is richer. It has three microphones to provide clear call quality. Additionally, the Galaxy Buds+ supports not only Android but also iOS, allowing use regardless of the user's smartphone model. The Galaxy Buds+ will be officially released on the 14th in black, white, and blue colors, priced at 179,300 KRW. Online pre-orders will be held from the 12th to 13th on Samsung Electronics' website and other platforms.