Samsung Unveils New Foldable Phone
Automatic Shadow Removal... Enhanced Camera Performance
Multimodal AI Capabilities Boosted with Gemini Live
Samsung Electronics' new foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold7 (Fold7), which opens and closes horizontally, has become thinner and lighter, and now incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) technology, raising expectations.
On July 10, Kim Jae-hyuk, Vice President of Samsung Electronics' MX Division, held a press conference at Samsung Electronics' press room in Jung-gu, Seoul, to explain the main features of the Galaxy Z Fold7, which was unveiled at the 'Galaxy Unpacked' event the previous day.
First, the weight and thickness?previously cited as drawbacks of foldable phones?have been significantly reduced. Samsung first introduced the Fold series in 2019, and compared to the first Fold model, the thickness has been reduced to about half, while the weight has been decreased by 61g.
Kim stated, "When folded, the Fold7 is 8.9mm thick; when unfolded, it is 4.2mm thick, and it weighs 215g, which is lighter than a cup of coffee." He added, "We have increased the width of the cover screen to improve typing accuracy for major applications." However, due to the thinner design, it has become harder to avoid the experience of the phone slipping from your hand when opening or closing it, and the protruding camera area, known as 'katuktwi,' has become even more pronounced.
Although the device is slimmer and lighter, concerns about durability have been addressed. The ultra-slim 'Armor Flex Hinge,' shaped like a water droplet, evenly disperses external shocks, thereby improving durability.
Regarding the display, Kim explained, "The bottom-most display, which comes into direct contact with the device, uses titanium material," and "although all components have been slimmed down, the ultra-thin tempered glass on the top layer of the display is 50% thicker to better withstand external impacts."
The device is equipped with Qualcomm's top-tier application processor (AP), the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and features a 4,400mAh battery, which improves power efficiency and extends usage time compared to the previous model.
The camera performance has also been enhanced to the level of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Kim said, "A 200-megapixel wide-angle camera has been applied to a foldable phone for the first time," and "it allows for images that are more than four times as detailed and 44% brighter than the previous model." A new video feature that distinguishes between subjects and noise in low-light environments enables brighter and clearer shooting.
Kim added, "The Fold7 now features a large 8.0-inch display, with an 11% wider screen compared to its predecessor," and "the form factor, which resembles two bar-type smartphones joined together, enhances productivity for multitasking with multiple apps in multi-window mode."
The AI-powered Photo Assist feature has also been upgraded. Previously, users had to manually select each part they wanted to erase from a photo during editing, but now AI automatically suggests removable elements such as shadows. The eraser experience is available not only for photos but also for audio. While watching videos in the gallery, users can remove unwanted background noises such as wind or static in real time.
In addition, the 'Gemini Live' feature enables real-time screen sharing and natural conversational responses. For example, by utilizing the large display, users can have a running shoe shopping site open on one side and share their running records on the other, allowing the AI to recommend the most suitable running shoes. AI-generated results can be freely moved and attached using drag-and-drop, enhancing convenience.
Kim explained, "Based on One UI 8, all AI features are optimized for foldables, enabling a wide range of multimodal AI experiences."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
