For the better part of the last decade, foldable phones have been the ultimate marker of a phone brand's ingenuity and innovation. That's only set to get more prominent, as it seems Apple will enter the space with its iPhone Ultra later this year.

But Samsung is already looking beyond the world of folding handsets. According to a new report, the brand is working on a device with a rollable display, which could launch in the first half of 2028.

It's not the first time we've seen rollable displays. Lenovo has been a major player in this arena, with many concepts being showcased at trade shows around the world over the last few years.

This feels a little different, though. The report suggests that the device from Samsung will be a full production model, rather than just a concept.

There's also no denying that Samsung is more of a household name brand, and we've already seen what kind of impact that can have. You only need to look at the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the subsequent uptick in smart ring interest to see that.

According to SamMobile, the device is expected to feature a 10-inch OLED panel, with a pixel density of 440ppi. That should make it a bit of a productivity demon, which can blur the lines between a traditional phone and tablet, similarly to how foldable phones have.

Personally, I'm really interested in this. I've always advocated for more innovation in the modern phone space, where things can often feel very one-dimensional.

While I can't possibly say whether or not this would be any good, I already know that it would be markedly different to anything else on the market right now – and that can only ever be a good thing. It's still a little way off, but we'll be keeping a very close eye on how this one develops.

Samsung could return to its split hardware strategy for the Galaxy Z Flip 8, expected to be announced on 22 July. That could see some versions of the phone equipped with Snapdragon, while others will get the latest Exynos chip.

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has been following Samsung's phones over the years, but in 2025, Samsung made a departure from the norm and equipped all versions of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 with the Exynos 2500.

That was out of character, especially for buyers in the US, where the phone is typically sitting on a Snapdragon platform. For those in the Europe and India, Exynos is much more typical.

Now it seems that this flip phone will be returning to a split hardware offering. That's said to see some devices using Snapdragon, while others take the Exynos 2600. The Exynos 2600 sits on a 2nm process, while Qualcomm is yet to move its Snapdragon from 3nm.

The report (via SamMobile) points to a leak from a Japanese carrier suggesting that it will get Snapdragon, while other regions – including Korea and Europe – will get Exynos.

While it's fairly predicable that Samsung will use the Exynos 2600 for the device, it's currently not clear what it will use from the Snapdragon range. Currently it's suggested that it will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but there's more hardware for Samsung to choose from.

Samsung typically uses a "for Galaxy" version of Snapdragon hardware, clocked slightly higher to boost performance of phones like the Galaxy S26 Ultra. While performance in this flagship phone is paramount, for folding devices the same level of power might not be needed.

That, potentially, opens the door to the 7-core version of the hardware, or indeed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, both of which drop the performance for intensive tasks slightly, while offering better endurance. That might suit a folding phone better.

Meanwhile, Samsung's biggest rival, the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra, comes packed with the older Snapdragon 8 Elite from 2024, so there's some precedence here to avoid top-tier hardware.

The price of phones is also increasing, with component prices like RAM and storage soaring fuelled by demand from AI companies, and that could see Samsung making decisions to keep the price under control.

With the phones expected to launch at a Galaxy Unpacked event on 22 July, there's not long to go before the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will be revealed in all its glory.

Samsung has revealed a major update to Samsung Health that transforms its smartwatches from passive fitness trackers into what the company calls a more "proactive health companion."

The update introduces a suite of AI-powered health tools that analyse everything from sleep quality and cardiovascular fitness to overall activity levels.

Samsung says the goal is to make health management simpler by translating complex biometric information into easy-to-understand guidance.

Among the headline additions is a new Vitals feature that monitors several overnight health indicators, including heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature and blood oxygen levels.

The system can then highlight unusual changes and trends that may warrant attention.

If the name sounds familiar, that's because the Apple Watch has a similar feature with the same name, introduced in watchOS 11.

This follows Samsung's strange trend of naming its products after their Apple equivalents (see also: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra).

Samsung is also introducing a Heart Health Score, which combines cardiovascular metrics into a single assessment, alongside Daily Cardio Load.

The feature, reminiscent of Training Load found on Garmin watches, is designed to help users understand how much strain exercise and daily activities place on their cardiovascular system.

Finally, the new Fitness Index brings together sleep, activity and fitness data to provide a broader view of overall wellbeing.

More than just a glorified health dashboard

The update appears to be part of Samsung's wider push towards preventative health monitoring and AI-driven coaching.

The company wants Samsung Health to identify patterns and offer actionable suggestions that can help improve habits over time.

Samsung has also redesigned the Samsung Health app, introducing dedicated sections for Sleep, Activity, Nutrition, Mindfulness and Vitals.

The company says these categories will work together to deliver more personalised recommendations and daily wellness guidance.

The rollout begins on 8 June, giving you an early look at the health platform ahead of Samsung's next Galaxy Watch launch.

While Samsung hasn't officially named the upcoming wearables in this announcement, the timing suggests these features will play a central role in the next generation of Galaxy Watch devices expected later this year.

Last year's announcement followed a very similar pattern, when the brand televised the new features a few weeks prior to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

Read more about the update at Samsung.

Ever wished travel could be just that little bit easier? Well, if you're a Samsung Galaxy user, your wish may have just been granted.

As reported by T3's sister publication, Android Central, Samsung phones can now act as a TSA-approved digital passport. The brand has partnered with CLEAR to offer verified Digital IDs in the Samsung Wallet.

The service will be available at over 250 TSA checkpoints and selected sporting venues in the USA, though it's currently only available in that country. To make use of the feature, you'll need a US passport and a Galaxy handset capable of running Android 9.0 or higher.

From there, simply head to the Quick Access section within the Samsung Wallet and click the plus button to add a new option. Under the Digital IDs section, you should now see an option called Samsung ID with CLEAR.

In theory, that then makes travel at any of the approved locations as easy as tapping your phone or scanning a QR code. And there's no need to worry about the safety or security of the system, with the brand's Knox hardware security ensuring everything is kept safe.

Personally, I think this is a really neat addition to the Samsung suite of features. While it's definitely not a catch all solution – you'll only be able to use it for domestic travel, for example – it's a good sign of what's possible with modern technology.

I certainly hope that such a feature could become more commonplace around the world. It would allow us to streamline the process and, potentially, do away with outdated physical documents.

There's still a way to go before we get to that point, though. For now, at least, a large swathe of Android users in the USA can reap the benefits – with the rest of us watching on jealously!

If you use a Samsung phone, there's some great news coming your way. That's because the brand has just unveiled rollout dates for its next software update – and it should be arriving within a matter of days.

The One UI 8.5 update is likely to be one of the last boosts given to this version of the software. That's because its successor – One UI 9 – is anticipated to arrive in the coming months, alongside the brand's new foldable phones.

The One UI 8.5 update is actually already rolling out to users in South Korea, with the first release on the 6th of May. For those of us in other territories, things are set to kick off on the 11th of May – this coming Monday.

According to a report from SamMobile, that will affect users in Europe, Hong Kong, India, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia and Taiwan. There's no word on release dates for other locations at the moment, but we'd assume it won't be too long after.

There's also a bevy of devices set to enjoy the updates. That includes the Samsung Galaxy S25 series – including the S25 Edge and S25 FE models – the Galaxy S24, the Z Fold and Flip 7 and the Z Fold and Flip 6 models, plus many more.

It even affects some of the brand's tablets, with the Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S10 series devices both set to enjoy the update. And mid-range handsets also see some love, with the Galaxy A56, Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A36 models all getting access.

Once the rollout begins, users will be able to install the update via the Settings menu on their handsets. Simply head there, and then to the Software Update section, where you'll be able to install the new software.

The update offers a liquid glass design, complete with enhanced Galaxy AI features and advanced security.

It's no secret that foldable phones have been gently creeping up in popularity over the years. What started as a niche has now got multiple different brands involved, offering their own take on the form.

2026 is tipped to be an even bigger year for the segment, with the anticipated launch of the iPhone Fold expected to bring new swathes of interest. Now, users may have a final chance to get their hands on one of the most interesting devices on the market.

That's because the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold looks set to be restocked later this week, for what is presumably the final time. As reported last month, the model is set to be wound down, marking it as something of an experiment from the Korean brand.

Its discontinuation doesn't point towards an issue with sales figures, though – quite the opposite in fact. The model has continued to sell out almost immediately every time it was restocked, with the next drop expected to offer much of the same.

The new stock is expected for the US online store, which currently has a timer set to run out at 9am ET (6am PT / 2pm BST) on the 10th of April.

There's no telling how much stock is coming, but its likely to be minimal, with the overall stock levels for the handset said to be low. For those who do miss the online allocation, there's also the opportunity to pick up some stock in stores.

According to 9to5Google, those locations include:

• Los Cerritos Center – Cerritos, CA
• Mall of America – Bloomington, MN
• Queens Center – Elmhurst, NY
• Roosevelt Field – Garden City, NY
• The Americana at Brand – Glendale, CA
• The Galleria – Houston, TX
• Stonebriar Centre – Frisco, TX

For anyone still hoping to get their hands on one of the most futuristic pieces of tech of the modern era, this could well be the last chance.

Samsung has enabled a new feature for Galaxy Watch users in the US, bringing the wearable's feature set more in line with international markets.

The update adds blood pressure monitoring to supported models (Galaxy Watch 4 onwards), a feature that has been available in select international markets for years but remained locked in the US due to regulatory hurdles.

The rollout means users can now track blood pressure directly from their wrist using Samsung Health, although the system isn’t quite as straightforward as heart rate tracking.

It requires regular calibration with a traditional cuff-based monitor, and Samsung positions it as a wellness feature rather than a medical-grade tool.

Not all heart data is treated equally

Blood pressure tracking sits in a more tightly regulated category than most smartwatch metrics, and companies have to tread carefully in how they present and deploy it.

Samsung appears to have taken the cautious route, waiting until it could bring the feature to the US in a compliant way rather than pushing ahead earlier.

The result is a delayed launch compared to other regions, but one that aligns more closely with regulatory expectations.

Rival wearable brand Whoop remains in a standoff with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after its blood pressure feature was flagged as an unauthorised medical device.

Updated guidance, however, suggests the door may be opening to more carefully framed wellness features.

The rules are still being written

Against that backdrop, Samsung’s approach looks more conservative, but also more sustainable.

By framing blood pressure monitoring as part of its broader heart health toolkit, alongside ECG and heart rate tracking, the company continues to build out its health ecosystem without risking overstepping into unsupported medical claims.

Blood pressure monitoring joins a range of health and wellness features already available on newer Galaxy Watches, including Antioxidant Index, Vascular Load, Bedtime Guidance and more.

Bottom line: one of the most requested Galaxy Watch features is finally available in the US, though it arrives with a few caveats.

[via NotebookCheck]

If you own an older Samsung phone, getting new updates can be a little like having a new phone all over again. As we speak, beta versions of the One UI 8.5 update have been rolling out to a range of handsets, and that now includes another older model.

It's great news for anyone still rocking a Samsung Galaxy S23 series handset, as the first builds for those has been spotted online. That was spotted by a Twitter user called Tarun Vats, and points to the potential launch of the software on those handsets in the not-too-distant future.

That would be a significant upgrade. Across the board, the update brings improvements to things like AI-powered image generation. For example, the updated Photo Assist feature allows users continuously edit imagery, without needing to save each different iteration.

There's also an improvement made to the Quick Share functionality. That can recognise the faces of people in your photos and suggest sharing them with them, which could be a really handy addition for the group photographer.

Another new feature sees Auracast functionality implemented, with Audio Broadcast. That allows users to share audio from their handset, as well as their voice via the built-in microphone in the device.

For anyone who has a full Samsung ecosystem, the new Storage Share feature allows you to browse files from across your Samsung devices, including tablets and PCs. That also works in reverse, so you'll be able to see files from your phone on your TV, if it's also a Samsung model.

There's no telling if all of that functionality will be possible on the older handsets – sometimes hardware limitations mean certain things simply aren't able to work. We'll have to wait and see on that front, but if it can keep full functionality, this looks set to revamp your old handset once again.

When the Samsung Galaxy S26 was first announced, one point on the spec sheet was notably different. The entry level storage for the base model started at 256GB, and with that came a price hike across the board.

But did you know that a 128GB version does exist – and it's cheaper? That's according to GSM Arena, which has spotted such a device online.

It comes as part of the brand's Enterprise Edition models, which are designed for its corporate customers. These models are offered with specific perks, including the Samsung Personal Data Engine and a year's subscription to the Knox suite for security.

According to the report, there was a 128GB version of the Galaxy S26 listed on the Enterprise site, with a retail price of £660 (approx. €760 / US$870 / AU$1,250). That's notably lower than the cost of the lowest spec retail model, which costs £879 (approx. €1,000 / US$1,160 / AU$1,690).

It's worth noting that when we checked out the site while writing this, we were unable to find such a device. That does raise some questions – was it pulled because it was a mistake, or because it simply wasn't meant to come to market just yet?

While it's purely speculative to say, I really hope that there might be a less costly version of the flagship Android phone with less storage coming. Samsung has always been good with mid-tier handsets, but snagging a flagship for less is always a more attractive prospect. It's exactly the reason why people look to sales events like Black Friday for previous generation kit.

It's not the only headlines the Korean brand has garnered in recent weeks. The first leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide were seen recently, showing off the device expected to go toe-to-toe with the first iPhone Fold, when that launches later in the year.

Recently, we wrote about Samsung bringing AirDrop support to its current generation of flagship phones. That's a major milestone for the brand, allowing for greater connectivity with Apple handsets than ever before.

It makes use of the Android Quick Share functionality – to all intents and purposes, the same feature just for Android phones – but combines it with the ability to share files with iPhones with ease. That's a feature which debuted on the Google Pixel 10 series, and has since been unveiled for Samsung Galaxy S26 series handsets.

Older devices from the Korean brand weren't supported when the functionality was announced, but there's good news. It appears that some users of older handsets have started to spot the functionality in their software.

As shared on Reddit, a slew of users noted seeing details about the feature on their Samsung Galaxy S25 series handsets. There's just one slight problem – none of them were actually able to get it working.

Quick Share Airdrop Update for Galaxy S25 from r/GalaxyS25

The consensus among the thread seemed to be that it was waiting on the One UI 8.5 software update, which is currently rolling out to top tier devices in beta. That means similarly early software should soon be available for the older generation of handsets, which should allow this functionality to fulfil its potential.

Either way, it's a refreshing place to be. If you're still utilising an older Galaxy handset, it's good to know that major new features will still make their way down the pipeline – even if they do take a little longer to get there.

For the wider Android ecosystem, this stands to be one of the most important changes in a long time. For decades, people have had to split themselves between ecosystems or face convoluted workarounds to quickly share files and content. This change negates that, and it looks as though it'll be a feature welcomed across large parts of the industry.

This year looks set to mark a landmark one for the Samsung foldable phone range. While the brand has long offered two models – the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, in its most recent form – there's set to be another addition this time out.

That's another book-style foldable with a shorter, fatter frame, designed to go toe-to-toe with the heavily rumoured iPhone Fold, also set to debut late this year. Now, fresh leaks have given us a first look at the handset in all its glory.

Dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide in the leak on Android Headlines, the report also contains a suite of renders of the handset. Those come courtesy of OnLeaks – a well-regarded leaker with a track record for accurately sharing images of impending devices.

Based on the renders, this certainly looks like an interesting device. The altered aspect ratio still looks really odd to my eye, though I'm sure it will become easier to look at as other manufacturers inevitably take their design cues from the big players.

In terms of other specs, the report suggests that the model will be packing a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 For Galaxy under the hood. That's a top-of-the-line processor, and is expected to be paired with a 5,000mAh battery and 45W charging.

On the back, a pair of rear cameras can be found, with a design not dissimilar to that of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. That does mean we're missing a camera compared to the Z Fold 7, which will make this an interesting prospect indeed.

While that might point to it being a sort of stripped-down, cut-price foldable in a similar vein, I can't see that being the reality. Instead, rumours point to a price tag in the US$2,000 (approx. £1,500 / €1,730 / AU$2,880) range. That's pretty consistent with other models in its range, and should make this an interesting prospect indeed.

The head-to-head between Samsung phones and iPhones is a tale as old as time. The two brands have been battling for the industry top spot for generations, with many siding staunchly with one or the other.

Up to now, the ability to share content between the two systems has been relatively convoluted. But a new initiative launching today could make that process a whole lot smoother.

That's because a new feature called AirDrop over Quick Share is coming, and it stands to unite the two systems. The feature should be fairly easy to understand from the name alone – AirDrop is Apple's system for sharing content quickly and seamlessly among its devices, and Quick Share is the Android equivalent.

According to the report on 9to5Google, the feature will debut on Samsung Galaxy S26 series devices today, with the early rollout kicking off in Korea. That will come to the USA later in the week, with other regions including Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia and Taiwan also set to enjoy it.

There's also said to be support for other devices in the Galaxy ecosystem, though there's no word on when that will arrive. It's worth noting that Samsung won't enable the new feature by default, though – users will need to head into their Quick Settings to enable 'Share with Apple devices'.

It's also not a new feature, with it debuting as part of the Google Pixel 10 launch last year. However, seeing the functionality expand to Samsung handsets should be seen as a good sign for all Android phone users.

Having two of the biggest players on the platform utilising the feature makes it much more widely accessible, and should encourage others to follow suit. That's a tantalising prospect for me, as someone who uses an Android device with a MacOS laptop. For as long as I can remember, the sharing of devices has been a real pain point, but it looks like that's finally going to disappear.

Samsung recently confirmed that its upcoming smartwatches will adopt Qualcomm’s new wearable platform, a move expected to deliver a major boost in performance and battery life.

But a new leak now suggests that not every watch in the lineup will benefit from the upgrade.

According to a report citing industry sources, the high-end Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is likely to feature the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, while the standard Galaxy Watch 9 could continue using Samsung’s in-house Exynos processor instead.

If accurate, the strategy would mark a shift for Samsung’s smartwatch lineup, effectively creating a clearer performance gap between the Ultra model and the regular Galaxy Watch.

A big step forward for wearable chips

The Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, announced at Mobile World Congress 2026, is Qualcomm’s most powerful wearable chipset to date.

Built on a 3nm process, it promises up to five-times faster CPU performance and up to seven-times faster graphics than previous Snapdragon wearable chips.

The chip also includes a dedicated neural processing unit capable of running AI models directly on the watch, enabling features such as real-time voice processing, smarter health insights, and context-aware notifications without relying heavily on cloud processing.

Qualcomm also claims the platform could deliver around 30% longer battery life, thanks to its improved architecture and power efficiency.

A split strategy for Samsung’s watches

Samsung has traditionally relied on its own Exynos wearable chips, but the company confirmed last week that upcoming Galaxy Watch models will incorporate Qualcomm’s new platform to power more advanced AI-driven features.

However, the latest leak indicates that the Snapdragon chip might not appear across the entire lineup.

Instead, Samsung could reserve the more powerful silicon for its premium models while sticking with Exynos in the standard Galaxy Watch.

That approach wouldn’t be unprecedented, as Samsung often differentiates its products through processor choices, and a similar strategy has been used in its smartphone lineup.

What it could mean for the Galaxy Watch 9

If Samsung does split its wearable processors, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 would likely become the showcase for Qualcomm’s new chip, potentially offering faster performance, improved AI capabilities and longer battery life.

The Galaxy Watch 9, meanwhile, may remain closer to current models in terms of raw processing power, positioning it as the more affordable entry point into Samsung’s smartwatch ecosystem.

Samsung is widely expected to unveil its next Galaxy Watch lineup alongside its foldable phones this summer at its bi-annual Galaxy Unpacked event, which means we may not have to wait long to find out which watches get the upgrade.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is currently down to £299 on Amazon, a £150 price cut compared to its recommended retail price

[via Notebookcheck]

Not only have foldable phones grown in popularity in recent years, they've evolved massively as products, too. In fact, if you were to look at the sleek, slim designs which are common across the market today and compare them to the doorstops which first arrived, you'd think they were different species.

Still, all of that evolution doesn't mean that things have stagnated. The latest reports suggest that Samsung is adding a cool new feature to its next generation of foldable devices, which should help to protect the displays.

That comes in the form of a new software feature, which is designed to alert you to any substances which may be impeding the closure of the device. The news comes from the team at Android Authority, who found it in early builds for the upcoming One UI 9 software.

Their findings include two strings of code, which say, "Phone not fully folded," and "Your phone didn't fold completely. Open your phone again, and check if there is any foreign substances on the screen to avoid screen damage. If you don't need this detection alert, you can turn it off in the Settings," respectively.

Those are accompanied by a trio of images, each of which represents one of the foldable phones we're expecting from the brand this year. That includes successors to the current Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 models, as well as a rumoured 'Wide Fold' version, made to go toe-to-toe with the iPhone Fold.

Speaking of Apple's long-awaited entry into that market, this is one feature which hasn't been rumoured for that device. To that end, it could be something which differentiates the two brands – though it's not entirely unique as I've seen something similar on my Honor Magic V5 in the past.

It's not the only news for the Korean outfit. Tonight, the brand looks set to unveil a new range on non-folding Android phones as part of a big event in San Francisco.

The first major Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026 has come and gone – at a later time than last year's event – with the full Galaxy S26 line-up revealed at the February event in San Francisco.

All of the new flagship phones are now official, with Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra being joined by the all-new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (and base Buds 4) earbuds.

T3's Tech Editor, Mike Lowe, was on the ground at the event, handling coverage live and direct. You can jump into all of that in the original blog below, but first here are the key headline take-aways:

Galaxy Unpacked 2026: Key headlines

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review (early verdict)
• Samsung Galaxy S26 UK pre-orders – best offers available
• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra double storage pre-order promo
• What is Samsung Privacy Display and how does it work in the S26 Ultra?
• Samsung just pulled off world first, debuting 2-nanometer Exynos chipset
• Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro just totally changed my mind about earbuds

Original live blog continues below...

While later than last year's Unpacked, the stage is once again set for one of the biggest launches in the tech calendar – the new Samsung Galaxy S series reveal.

The next Galaxy Unpacked reveal is upon us for the Galaxy S26 series – and T3's tech editor, Mike Lowe, is on the ground at the event to report all the latest and greatest news, with support from the team in UK.

Samsung's first Unpacked of 2026 runs from 18:00 GMT (10:00 PT, 13:00 ET) today – Wednesday 25 February. You can watch along live, via the embedded YouTube video below, or in the run-up and aftermath of the event itself, you can glean all of the biggest takeaways posted on this very page.

In this live blog, we'll be highlighting all of the most important news related to the new handsets – and any related Samsung products and services, should there be any surprises!

So stay tuned – this is the place to catch all your Galaxy S26 news, opinions, previews and breakdowns. Take it from me: there's going to be a lot to take in from this year's event.

Hello from San Francisco!

Good morning from me here, so good evening to you there (or maybe it's the afternoon?)! Wherever you're at in the world, welcome to Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

T3's tech editor, Mike, here to kick things off – live from San Francisco. Similar to last year's event – which was down the road in San Jose – this is the launch location for the next Galaxy flagship handsets.

I'm fighting the jet lag once more to bring you all the latest Galaxy S26 goodies from the ground – before, during and after the Unpacked event.

So strap in for live commentary, teases, leaks, opinions, and plenty more besides.

Hello from London and Bath!

Hi all, it's T3's news editor Rik Henderson here and while Mike will be reporting live from San Francisco later today (and through the event), I will be on hand in the UK – along with other members of the T3 team – to bring you up to date with everything ahead of Unpacked.

That includes some of the juiciest rumours and what you should expect to see. There have also been plenty of sightings of the Samsung Galaxy S26 phone family over the last few weeks, so we'll give you a glimpse along the way.

So come back often as we detail everything Samsung throughout the day.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on sale already

Perhaps the biggest surprise we've had in the build up to Unpacked was when YouTuber Sahil Karoul revealed that he'd managed to buy a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in Dubai long before it's expected to be in stores.

This was accompanied by a flurry of pics and videos showing the likes of the new Privacy Display and other key hardware additions.

Samsung will undoubtedly be fuming, as this is arguably the biggest leak we've seen over the years, and especially so as it seems to have some from one of its own retail outlets.

It's not just Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung has already confirmed that it won't just be the Samsung Galaxy S26 phones launched today – there will be new Samsung Galaxy Buds too.

Thought to be the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro, the new wireless in-ears were revealed via the official Samsung Canada store site, which included them in the Q&A section at the bottom.

We've also seen a fair few leaks about the Buds in recent times, which show a design change in the standard model – to look more like Apple's AirPods.

What is the Privacy Display?

Undoubtedly the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's biggest new feature will be the Privacy Display, which was confirmed by Samsung itself last month. We expect the manufacturer to spend a lot of time on it during its presentation, that's for sure. But what is it?

Well, the Privacy Display is built into the new screen and is selectable through the phone's settings. It essentially reduces the viewing angle of the display to ensure onlookers either side of you cannot see what's on your screen. That's great if you're reading sensitive information on the train, for example, or entering passwords and banking information.

You can also set the strength of the Privacy Display, it seems, to just obscure the screen or make it look like it's completely blacked out. Other brands will undoubtedly copy this feature in the coming months.

Not so MagSafe

While previous rumours suggested the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra would come with magnets in the rear, to comply with Qi2.2 standards, it seems they were wrong. Or at least, Samsung decided to omit them after original testing.

According to several later reports, while the flagship phone is expected to support 25W wireless charging, it won't be MagSafe compatible. As with the S25 Ultra, you'll need a separate case with magnets in the rear to have that kind of secure connectivity.

Looks like iPhone and Google Pixel 10 will continue to solely savour that feature for a bit longer.

Get a £30 voucher with pre-registration... but be quick

If you plan to pre-order one of the new Samsung Galaxy S26 handsets, you still have a chance to snag a £30 voucher to spend on Samsung's online store – at least in the UK.

You have until 6pm GMT to register your interest by heading to the dedicated Unpacked webpage. Once there, enter your details and, if you pre-order any of the phones after their launch, you'll also receive the voucher.

You'll also be entered into a prize draw to be in with a chance to win an additional £500 voucher, which can be spent on any other Samsung products.

All pre-orders in the UK (and Europe, it seems) will double the storage – an offer Samsung has run for the last few years. This will give you a 512GB Samsung Galaxy S26 for the price of a 256GB model, for example.

Remember though, while the double storage offer will still be in place, the vouchers are only if you pre-register before 6pm GMT.

One case manufacturer goes early

Dbrand has never been shy when it comes to risking the ire of manufacturers, it regularly bucks the trend with its phone and gaming accessories. And as such it has already started to sell its Samsung Galaxy S26 cases.

There are three cases on offer, with magnets built into each shell to make the phones compatible with MagSafe chargers.

You can also order Dbrand skins in multiple designs, to decorate your shiny new phone when it arrives.

Any big secrets?

While the launch plans for this Samsung Galaxy Unpacked seemed to have been leakier than hessian swimming trunks, there's the likelihood of one product tease we haven't already been privy to.

The last two major Unpacked events ended with a sneak peek of something coming up later that year. In 2024, we got a glimpse at the Samsung Galaxy Ring long before its official unveiling, and last year we were treated to a brief look at Project Moohan – which eventually became the Samsung Galaxy XR headset.

While we don't yet know what is coming at the end of today's presentation, the smart money would be on either XR smart glasses, which we've heard rumblings about for a while, or the new square-like foldable to take on the iPhone Fold in the autumn.

You should definitely watch until the end, therefore.

Don't expect crazy colours

Although Samsung went with the trend of orange devices for its Galaxy S25 Ultra model last year, the leaked colours for the Galaxy S26 Ultra seem to be more muted.

They leaked around three weeks ago, with a purple model joining sky blue, white and black versions. Now we've seen them lined up together in another major leak – this time on a marketing sheet.

Of course, there could be additional colours down the line. After all, Samsung likes to add exclusive designs after launch. But these are the four we expect to see today.

AI Camera technology

Good afternoon, tech fans. T3's Sam Cross here, ready to take you through to just before the kick off of the event itself.

One area we are rumoured to see less of an update is in the camera. Leaked specs for that appear broadly the same as its predecessors, though there's likely to be a lot more AI under the hood according to teasers from the brand.

It will be interesting to see what that entails – personally I'd be more enamoured with improvements to the raw hardware of the camera, but maybe there's some fun new tech to play with.

What's the charge?

While we're talking about leaks, it's worth mentioning a recent one from notorious Samsung insider, Ice Universe. That showcased marketing material from a Spanish language source, and gave away a lot of details about the rumoured specs of the device.

One thing which I was really excited by in that leak was the battery specs. While it's still a 5,000mAh battery, there is said to be 60W charging on offer, which would be a significant improvement.

The materials shared suggested that it would be capable of charging from 0-75% in just 30 minutes, which is seriously impressive. It would be a real marker for a brand which has been slightly lacking in the battery department for the last decade, and I certainly hope this one proves true.

Sweeter than SUGA

We know these Samsung events are a hotbed for celebrity appearances, and it's likely that today will be no different. A few hours ago, Samsung shared a poster of popular K-pop rapper, SUGA – a member of the group BTS – which suggested that they might be in the house.

In previous events, we've seen celebrities like Sydney Sweeney appear to promote devices, while I'd keep an eye out for brand ambassador and football legend, Son Heung-Min, who is currently plying his trade down the road in Los Angeles.

A Perplexing addition

One rather big change we could see on the software side includes a new voice assistant command. "Hey Plex!" is the command new users are expected to be using, with the Perplexity AI engine said to be coming to Galaxy AI.

That could offer a significant boost for users of the devices, with more options for different AI engines meaning greater flexibility in what can be achieved. As we wrote at the time the news broke, though, we're just hoping that the integration and day-to-day usage is nice and seamless.

Live from the Palace of Fine Arts

Good morning from a rather soggy San Francisco, where the dramatic grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts aren't being especially kind to camera lenses thus far.

However! I'm on the inside, ready for Galaxy Unpacked 2026 to kick off, with the clock now counting down – and 40 minutes to go.

So strap in, as the predicted hour of event is certain to promise plenty of product announcements and more. I'll be guiding you throughout, so long as Wi-Fi holds up its end of the deal...

One more thing?

As I count down the clock for Unpacked's kick-off, it's got me reflecting on the first Unpacked of 2025, when the Galaxy S25 series was launched.

Except, at that event in San Jose, the big and unexpected reveal was actually the Galaxy S25 Edge – which got people really, really excited. Honestly, it was full-on elbows out at that event, as everyone jostled to get a look.

Whilst I don't hope for such a bundle of bodies this year, there is the big question mark over 'just what might Samsung tease'? Rumours point to new AR glasses, but whether that comes to fruition we'll have to wait and see...

One UI for Multi AI?

For a brief period of time, Samsung pushed a One UI 8.5 beta on the current Galaxy flagship, which you could sign-up for – with the final software and some new features anticipated for the S26 series.

I suspect this new software is going to be an integral upgrade for the new S26 handsets. As you've already read from my colleagues' input in this very live blog, Perplexity AI is expected to be an integrated part of this update.

Indeed, artificial intelligence as a whole – and not just Samsung's own Galaxy AI – is seemingly set to be a major part of the new line-up's ambitions in creating a cross-platform, always-on AI experience. I'm sure more detail will be a major part of the live show – more as it happens!

Living on the Edge

Speaking of the Edge's reveal just over a year ago, it's got me wondering: will we see an update at this Unpacked?

Rumour is that the Korean brand might actually shelve the project entirely due to slow sales. My hope is rather different: that a would-be Edge replacement could slip into the Galaxy flagship range in place of the Plus model.

Does the Plus even make sense anymore? I'm less convinced about it than in past years, because of the rise of Samsung's FE model, masses of competition, and close pricing to the Ultra model in the range.

I think an Edge would naturally fit into the range but, honestly, don't think it'll be the topic of conversation for this Unpacked 2026 event...

Tick tock...

No, not the social network! We've got just under 10 minutes to go until everything kicks off.

The music at the venue has changed, the bass is thumping, and the countdown is on for the imminent S26 series reveal...

The cat's out of the bag...

In classic Samsung fashion, as Unpacked commences, the product embargo has lifted – so I can reveal our S26 Ultra preview already. That's the main headline today.

But do keep following along, as new features are detailed, new surprises appear, and we get a deeper dive from a Samsung perspective on the 2026 line-up...

Best friends with AI

A lovely 'best friends' promotional video over and Samsung's big boss, TM Roh, enters the stage.

"AI for everyone" is the message. "It has to work for everyone". And "thats where Galaxy keeps pushing forward".

"Reach, openness and confidence," are the trio of Samsung's goals with AI. Reach everyone, make it effortless with the same quality of experience to all, and security so you can entrust where your information is held and/or shared.

Lots to love in Galaxy AI

We're being treated to a rundown of the Galaxy AI feature set, now.

Circle to Search, Now Brief, the Personal Data Engine and more, all get a moment in the sun here. The word 'agentic' is being tossed around a lot, too. My senses suggest something is coming in the Galaxy AI realm...

New Gemini features for S26

The partnership with Google to power AI experiences is well noted, and it seems that's evolving here! AI OS – don't make any iPhone-related Freudian slips, there – is the name, and it includes a first look at some of Gemini's new features on the S26 range.

That includes the ability for the AI engine to work in the background, keeping your handset free for you to use, while it summarises and does tasks. That will be an early preview on S26. Neat!

"Android is always where you see the future, first."

"Android is always where you see the future, first."

There's no room for subtlety at these events. Anyway, it looks like we've got some phone news now...

It comes from within

A 39% more powerful NPU allows for faster AI-powered functionality, while a 19% boost to the CPU ensures raw performance is also made better. There's also a boost to the GPU, designed to keep mobile gamers happy. "Console level performance in your pocket," they say.

All powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 For Galaxy, with the brand's largest vapour chamber inside, and confirmation of those killer battery charging speeds we saw rumoured last week. It's a hefty boost for the internals.

Don't stand so close to me

Now there's a moment for the new Privacy Display. And on the face of it, this looks like a genuinely brilliant upgrade.

As stated, third-party solutions always have some cost in terms of picture quality, but Samsung has rebuilt it right into the display itself. That includes something called narrow pixels, which narrow the beams of light to just the user.

It can even be used only for specific apps and notifications, which is something you can't get anywhere else. "A new standard for display innovation," reads the voiceover. This writer certainly agrees.

Hooked on privacy

Tech creator, MilesAboveTech, is on stage showing off the Privacy Display. My mind is made up – this is fantastic.

The ability to turn it on or off as needed, and even for just certain apps or notifications? That's brilliant. Now to cameras...

It's time for your close up

First up is the front facing camera, which is powered by an AI signal processing engine. But more important than that is the 200MP main sensor, which now packs in a whopping f/1.4 aperture. That's seriously impressive, and should help with shallow depth of field and low light shooting.

Speaking of which, we've got a lovely video showing off the Nightography Video functionality. It looks mighty good to this viewer!

Pro grade video

Another cool video feature – Super Steady with Horizon Lock. That should help to make video look much more stable, and will be great for any wannabe creators.

The devices also offer LOG video, for pro-grade editing workflows. And we learn that the entire livestream has been done from the new S26 Ultra! Huzzah!

AI Imagery

Now we're back on AI, with the ability to blend facets of two different images using AI. That means you can add in someone who wasn't there for the shot.

It also showcases changing outfits, replacing bite marks from cakes and more. All of the AI-generated content gets tagged, too, which is good to know.

Introducing the Samsung Galaxy S26 range

There are three models here – the S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra. All three are available from March 11th, with pre-orders starting today. UK Pricing is as follows:

Ultra: from £1279
Plus : from £1099
Base: from £879

Audiophiles welcome

Now, onto the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Tuned woofers and tweeters deliver fidelity across the sonic spectrum, with a dual amplifier design to boot. Paired up with 24 bit / 96kHz audio, these sound like they could become a force to be reckoned with, and there's even an EQ in the app, to really tailor it to your liking.

It's not just audiophiles who can enjoy the benefits, either. Taking calls on these buds sounds fantastic!

Fresh design, flat stem

While they seem to be all about top-notch audio this time out, I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of the new design. The flat stem is an peculiar look, though maybe it's one of those which will grow on you over time.

They seem to be much easier to use within the Galaxy ecosystem, too. No pairing is required, and you can simply talk with them in to wake AI, without needing your phone.

Priced at US$249 for the Pro model and US$179 for the standard variant, these could be really impressive units.

Galaxy going green

With the products seemingly wrapped up, we've moved onto some talk about recycled materials for the brand. Every Galaxy product will have recycled material in it, which is positive.

The brand is also making a statement about its water use, as part of its larger sustainability initiatives.

That's all, folks

And that's a wrap on another Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event. We've seen a trio of new Android phones and a duo of new earbuds, all of which sound fantastic.

Be sure to check out our early verdict on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, as well as our guide to pre-orders – and even a natty free upgrade to be had!

It's Samsung Galaxy S26 week, people, and in a little over 24 hours, were going to know everything there is to know about the new Android phone range. But fear not – if you're the kind of person who need the information right now, we've just seen a huge leak which gives us everything in advance.

The information comes courtesy of renowned Samsung leaker, Ice Universe, who has shared a few images on Twitter. Those are marketing materials a Spanish language source, though we can gleam a lot of the intended messaging.

First up, let's talk cameras. The rear of the device is shown with the usual four sensor array, complete with a 50MP ultra-wide sensor, a 200MP complete with a 2x 'optical quality zoom', a 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP 3x optical zoom.

Then there's the battery. That's a 5,000mAh unit, which is said to offer 31 hours of video playback time, and can recharge from 0-75% in just 30 minutes. That comes courtesy of the new 60W charging on the model.

Ice notes that these figures come from testing in Samsung's controlled environment and that things can change in real-world scenarios. Even so, that's a marked improvement in an area which has plagued the brand for the better part of a decade.

All in all, it sounds like a fair upgrade over previous generations. It's not exactly a groundbreaking update, but those are becoming rarer, with the brand opting to make incremental changes over a longer period of time.

Of course, these leaks don't tell us anything about changes to the software on those devices. Given the more modest changes listed for the physical devices, I'd expect those to be more emphatic.

Of course, there's no way to know for sure until the new products are showcased at the brand's event. That's taking place tomorrow evening, so we don't have long to wait.

With a big Samsung event coming up next week, many will be looking to the torrent of leaks and rumours for an idea of what's to come. And while many of those we've seen thus far relate to the brand's impending Android phone launches, it doesn't look like those will be the only things unveiled.

The latest leak from a blog called SammyGuru has showcased a pair of new earbuds from the brand, and they look very different to what we've seen before. The report shows a range of images of what is said to be the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro – a successor the the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro we saw last year.

The design is the most striking difference, with stems which appear flatter than the round design of previous generations. It's an odd look, though it's possibly just because it's so different to what we see from other brands.

The case also get reworked, with a flat, squarish case that sees the buds sit face down, as opposed to the stems-down approach of the last model. The case is shown with a clear top section, which folds over to create a neat little pebble-shaped unit.

The rear of the case includes a USB-C port, and a small button which is presumably used for pairing. The report also says it will "reportedly [help] locate your connected phone by making it ring," which might point to some kind of find my device integration.

Elsewhere, it mentions automatic noise adjustment, head gesture controls and a real-time interpreter function. The latter can reportedly be triggered solely from the stems, which is handy.

It also suggests that we can expect an IP57 water and dust resistance rating, while there's said to be around 26 hours of battery life. All of that sounds pretty compelling – I'm excited to see what is launched!

Samsung appears to be gearing up for its next wave of wearables, according to recent leaks.

Listings spotted in the GSMA IMEI database suggest the company is preparing the Galaxy Watch 9 smartwatch alongside a follow-up to its rugged flagship, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The database entries don’t reveal any hardware details or feature upgrades, but their presence aligns neatly with Samsung’s usual release cadence.

It’s not particularly surprising that Samsung is launching new wearables this year, since the company, like Apple, tends to announce new smartwatches at its semi-annual Galaxy Unpacked event around August-September.

What didn’t make the list

However, if the leaks are true, they hint at the omission of two products we were hoping to see this year.

One is a successor to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, the sport-focused model launched in 2022.

Samsung hasn’t publicly announced that it’s ending the Galaxy Watch Pro series as a brand in official press releases or product roadmaps.

That said, if we don’t see a new iteration of the Pro line this year, it’s safe to assume we won’t see an update to the watch, which by all means and purposes has been replaced by the rugged multisport Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The Ultra received a minor update for 2025, but the Ultra 2 moniker suggests a more significant update for 2026.

Still no Galaxy Ring follow-up

Another notable omission is the Galaxy Ring 2. The original Galaxy Ring was launched at the height of smart ring hype in 2024.

Since then, the brand hasn’t as much as hinted at a successor to the finger wearable, even though it has released updates as recently as last week.

The lack of a new Galaxy Ring could reflect wider market hesitation, with Apple still showing little to no interest in launching a smart ring of its own.

As a result, rivals such as Samsung may be less inclined to accelerate development in the category, despite the huge growth in smart ring purchases seen last year.

For now, the only certainty is that Samsung will introduce at least one new wearable later this year, and likely more.

In the meantime, the current-generation Galaxy Watch 8 has dropped to £299 at John Lewis (down from £399), with buyers also eligible for a free 12-month Strava subscription worth £54.99 when claimed within 30 days of purchase before 2 April 2026.

[via GadgetsandWearables, Smartpix]

Samsung is preparing to take on the iPhone Fold with a new format of device, colloquially known as the Galaxy Fold Wide. Samsung will reportedly produce 1 million units of the new phone.

Samsung's motives, it seems, are to fend off the challenge from the iPhone Fold, with Apple expected to enter the folding phone market in 2026. The wider design - something we saw from the Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open previously - is expected to be adopted by Apple.

News of this special Galaxy Z model isn't new. A model previously surfaced with the model number SM-F971U, thought to be a wide-type folding phone, which will launch as a special edition alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The significance of the 1 million units that ETnews reports Samsung will be producing is that this is the highest volume for a special edition so far. That suggests that Samsung believes there will be great demand for this type of device, presumably spurred along by Apple's own folding phone.

To put this into context, the Galaxy Z TriFold is thought to be 30,000 units and the Fold SE - a special edition from 2024 - was 500,000 units.

The wide fold model is said to have a 4:3 aspect ratio display (unfolded), measuring 7.6-inches, while the external display is thought to be 5.4 inches.

It's thought that the additional folding model will be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8, likely in August 2026. It can realistically be expected that Apple would announce any new device in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18.

Samsung's plans would mean that it will have four folding phone formats available in 2026, with figures for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 reported to be 6 million in 2025.

Estimates suggest that the iPhone Fold is looking at 10 million units, with the expectation that Apple brings renewed interest in the segment leading to a boom in demand as customers convert to folding phones over traditional candybar devices.

Using the same aspect as the iPhone Fold could potentially mean that developers formatting apps or online content for the new iPhone could easily bring that over to Android, boosting the experience.

Samsung has announced a special edition of then Galaxy Z Flip 7 that's going to be taking to the podium at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, due to start in Milano Cortina in February 2026.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Olympic Edition will be given to around 3,800 athletes expected at the games, as Samsung maintains its position as a worldwide Olympic and Paralympic partner. It's not the only special edition flip phone that we've seen recently, with Motorola unveiling a FIFA World Cup edition Razr in January.

Samsung tells us that this special edition phone will feature in podium moments, with previous games seeing athletes taking and sharing selfies from the podium alongside collecting winning medals.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 Olympic Edition is doesn't make any changes from the regular phone that mere mortals can buy, with the focus being on the design of the device. That sees a signature blue colour to the glass on the bottom half of the phone, incorporating the Olympic and Milano Cortina logos.

There will be gold frame to the phone – any guesses why? – and a custom wallpaper which is said to be inspired by the marks left by skate blades in ice. If any Olympians are reading, when you get your device, if you'd be generous to share that wallpaper it would be much appreciated, because it looks great.

This isn't just a sponsorship deal, the phone that participants are given will also come with essential apps to help athletes through the games, including a Galaxy Athlete Card apps so athletes can tap to share and build a collection of those they meet around the Olympic village.

It's a bit like real life Pokémon, but for Olympic stars.

A 100GB SIM will come with the phone to avoid those roaming fees, while the phone will also provide access to free drinks through Coca-Cola vending machines. This is sounding better and better all the time.

There's a custom box and case that comes with it, while Samsung is hoping that athletes will be turning to Now Brief – one of its headline AI features – to keep themselves informed about what's happening in their day.

Athletes will probably find it telling them useful information, like that snow is forecast and they have one event that day, perhaps the Giant Slalom in Bormio.

It's unlikely that us normals will ever be able to buy this phone, but keep your eyes on eBay, because you never know…

The Samsung Galaxy S26 range is expected to launch in the coming weeks, and thanks to a torrent of leaks and rumours, we've already got a pretty good idea of what it may look like. That includes a full suite of renders, giving us a look at every angle of the device.

But according to the latest reports, there was a feature planned which would have borrowed heavily from the latest iPhone models. That's because a former employee for a Samsung supplier has reported that they were working on a camera button for the Galaxy S26.

In a post on LinkedIn (shared by Android Authority), the employee said they had "contributed to an initiative developing a new camera button with swipe gesture functionality for Samsung Galaxy S26."

Now of course, that doesn't get a mention in the leaks we've heard previously, nor does it appear in those renders. So, what might have caused the brand to change tact?

The most obvious answer is that they've seen the very mixed response to the same button on the iPhone and decided to steer clear. While the idea is not necessarily a bad one, the implementation leaves a lot to be desired at present, and if Samsung was unable to make it better, it is probably better off leaving it alone.

Still, it's interesting to wonder what could have been. As someone who loves photography, I'm all for any solution which makes that process easier on a phone.

I'm not convinced that this is making life easier, though. I've used the iPhone 17 complete with its side camera button and found the whole thing infuriatingly cumbersome, to the point where I could barely get it to function as intended.

With the new slew of Samsung phones expected within the next month, we should soon know even more about the range.

If you're patiently waiting for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 successor, your patience may soon wear thin. New reports are suggesting that the launch is being delayed, so we could have even longer to wait.

The next-gen Android phone – the Samsung Galaxy S26 range – is now expected to go on sale around mid-March. The news comes from the French outlet, Dealabs, though there's no reason to suspect that's a uniquely French decision.

If true, though, it would make it one of the latest launches for a flagship Samsung phone range in years. Recent generations have hit the shelves anywhere from the end of January to the middle of February, with the Korean outfit often one of the first to launch in the new year.

Still, it does make sense. Many voices of wisdom surrounding the tech industry have suggested that the launch event for these devices will take place towards the end of February. If we then factor in the usual week or two between the event and the release, the 11th of March seems about right.

The report also suggests that we'll see the usual three suspects unveiled. That includes the standard variant, a plus variant and the Ultra variant, which goes against earlier rumours of a name change.

If the rumours are to be believed, the new range should be pretty impressive, too. There has been talk of camera improvements, with a global shutter being offered on the model, which should make capturing fast-moving action much easier.

It's also expected to be the first range using a processor built on a 2nm process, with Samsung's Exynos 2600 chip expected to power things. Of course, there's no telling exactly where that will be the case, though, with the brand offering splitting models in different territories around the world.

Even if you're not a fan of Stranger Things, you'll have struggled to avoid the furore surrounding the series in recent weeks. As it finally reached its climactic ending, a swathe of conspiracies and farewells have elevated it to new heights.

Now, those using a Samsung phone will be able to show off their love of the franchise in style. That's because there's a new theme and wallpaper pack which can be used on those devices – but it's only available for a limited time.

According to the report, the pack contains five live-action wallpapers, as well as a theme for your handset. It's being made available from today, and will be available to download in 186 countries around the world.

Access requirements are a little more involved than you might expect, but still not too bad. You'll need to have the Netflix app installed and launch it once, after which the content will be free to get from the Galaxy Store.

In order to utilise the theme, users will need a Samsung Galaxy handset running either Android 15 or Android 16. That means you'll need something relatively modern in order to show off your Stranger things love every day.

Fortunately, the requirements for the wallpapers are easier to get behind. Those will run on anything with Android 8 or newer, which must include pretty much every Samsung device still working at this point.

It follows a similar offering from the two brands at the launch of Stranger Things Season 4. They also did something similar with the K-Pop Demon Hunters film which launched last year.

The report suggests that the pack will be available from today until the 22nd of February. Bizarrely, though, it also suggests that the pack "could be pulled at any time", so if you're looking to snag it on your personal device, you'd be wise to get in there quickly.

Over the last few years, wearable health tracking has managed to get pretty damn good at the basics, from flagging sketchy sleep to keeping an eye on your resting heart rate, and even nudging you to move if you've been on the sofa too long. Some devices can even warn you about things like irregular rhythms or high blood pressure trends.

But when it comes to brain health - the stuff people are quietly worried about as they get older - consumer tech hasn’t exactly had many genuinely helpful tools, beyond the usual “sleep more” and “stress less” advice.

Now, however, Samsung is looking to change all that. Off the back of its CES 2026 'First Look' event, the Korean tech giant has confirmed - after many rumours - that Galaxy wearables will soon help detect early signs of dementia.

Detecting early warning signs

Using signals picked up across future Galaxy devices like the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring, Samsung said it will be able to flag potential mental decline early enough that people can decide whether it’s time to speak to a doctor.

This will work via devices looking for changes in things like speech, movement, and daily activity patterns that could point to early cognitive decline. The examples Samsung gave include things like slurred speech while using Bixby, slower movement, or shifts in how someone interacts with other connected home devices.

The key thing here is that Samsung isn’t positioning this as a diagnosis tool. Instead, the aim seems to be more of an early heads-up - something that could help users and families spot changes sooner, rather than months or years down the line when patterns are harder to ignore (or easier to explain away).

Coming "soon"

Samsung says these features will launch in beta in select markets, though it hasn’t shared exactly which countries are first up, or a firm release date beyond “soon”.

This also sounds like part of a broader health push that we've written about before, which sees Samsung using AI more across its ecosystem, for example, using data from phones, wearables and even appliances to offer more useful health coaching and suggestions that could potentially help reduce the risk of major chronic diseases.

Samsung’s clearly doesn't want its Galaxy wearables to be just about logging your steps and sleep any more - the brand is looking more at how these devices should start acting more like preventative health companions.

And if the dementia-detection tools are accurate, careful, and responsibly explained when they arrive, it could be one of the most meaningful shifts we’ve seen in mainstream smartwatch health features in a long time.

When you think of the pinnacle of photographic image quality, chances are you're not picturing a smartphone. While that does tend to be the most commonly used device for snapping shots, a proper mirrorless camera or older DSLR will often offer superior quality.

But not if Samsung has anything to do with it. The brand has been hard at work on some new camera technology, which could get rid of one major bug bear for phone photographers.

According to a report from the Korean site, Sisa Journal (via 9to5Google), the brand is working on a global shutter image sensor. That's the kind of technology you'd find in really high-end, professional cameras, making it an unusual thing to have on a phone.

So, what exactly is a global shutter? Well, in essence, it's a different way of capturing data from the sensor, which captures everything at once, rather than in a staggered readout.

That technology offers a suite of benefits, most notably a total reduction of the effects of rolling shutter. That means you'll see next to no motion blur for any moving subjects, which is something beloved by sports and wildlife photographers.

However, there are some drawbacks too, most notably a lower resolution and longer processing times. Neither of those have traditionally been wanted in phone cameras, which does make Samsung's interest more intriguing.

From a technical standpoint, Samsung's shutter system isn't a true global shutter. 2x2 pixel arrays act like a rolling shutter, but those are considerably smaller than having the whole sensor acting in a rolling manner.

According to the report, the brand has also developed an algorithm which can correct for the smaller amounts of roll in those little arrays.

We'll have to wait and see exactly how this technology is implemented on future versions of the Samsung Galaxy phones, but I'm excited to see what they can do.

One way Android phones continue to improve over the life of the device is with software updates. And that's exactly what users of a Samsung phone have just received, with a new update arriving.

That's the long-rumoured One UI 8.5 update, which is finally available to users in the beta stage. According to the brand, that update is set to "fundamentally rethink how users interact with their devices."

There are a range of new features which come as part of the update. Perhaps the most important for most people is Storage Share, which allows users to access files from Galaxy tablets and PCs directly from your phones file manager.

There's also a new Theft Protection and Failed Authentication Lock feature, which is designed to improve the security on its devices. And if that doesn't float your boat, the Smart Sharing feature may be more up your street.

That recognises people in images and makes suggestions of who to share them with. That could be really handy for those folders full of images you forgot to share after the last group outing.

The last two features are slightly more niche offerings, but should still be a useful addition for users. Up first is Audio Broadcast, which lets you communicate with multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously. The brand suggests it could be used for tour guides and events, for exmaple.

Last, but certainly not least, there's Photo Assist 2.0. That allows users to continuously edit photos with a full edit history, removing friction from the creative process. That might be more specialist, but it's one I'm excited to try.

The new feature is available to users of the Samsung Galaxy S25 range, but only in select countries. Those are the UK, USA, Germany, Korea, India and Poland.

It's that time of year folks. The mercury is dropping. Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé are thawing out, ready to bless us with a customary eight weeks of festive tunes, before returning to hibernation.

In the world of tech, the turn of the year is an exciting one, with lots of brands looking to push out new devices. We've already heard about some pretty high profile Android phone launches – the OnePlus 15, for example.

Now, we've garnered some additional details about what Samsung has in store for us – and it sounds pretty interesting. As reported by Android Authority, the brand held an earnings call, in which its VP of Mobile Experience, Daniel Araujo, said that the new range will "revolutionize the user experience with user-centric, next-gen AI, a second-generation custom AP, and stronger performance, including new camera sensors.”

While there was no chance of a cast-iron guarantee, it's entirely plausible that those words point to the Exynos 2600 chipset being used. That's said to be the first 2nm chip from the brand – an advancement which could plausibly empower all of those other features.

Of course, it could also simply be in relation to a "For Galaxy" version of the Snapdragon processor. That's something we've seen used a lot in the past, and basically offers and overclocked variant of the standard Snapdragon chip for that year.

There's no way of knowing for sure until the brand launches its new devices, but it's certainly an exciting time. I'm predicting a lot of innovation this year – with Apple set to unveil the long-awaited iPhone Fold, I think other brands will be taking the opportunity to showcase new things as well.

Samsung usually unveils its products early in the year, so we shouldn't have to wait too long to know for sure.

When the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was launched earlier this year, many were left thoroughly impressed. The Korean brand had been involved in the foldable phone space for a number of years prior to that, but only with this iteration did the form factor finally marry up with other devices on the market.

Still, it's not all plain sailing. That device may have been slimmer than its ancestors, but it couldn't improve on the battery specs of those devices, either. The 4,400mAh unit inside that device is a lightyear behind competitors like the Honor Magic V5.

Still, that could all be set to change next time out. According to a Korean publication called Dealsite, the Z Fold 8 could pack in a battery in excess of 5,000mAh. That would mark a seismic shift for the brand, which has famously been ultra-conservative where batteries are concerned.

Quite how that will be achieved isn't clear, but it's certainly an exciting prospect. The battery capacity is one of the biggest gripes many users have had with this iteration, so improvements there will solidify the brand's standing.

It couldn't happen at a better time, either. All signs point to Apple's long-anticipated iPhone Fold arriving next year, which will add some stiff competition to the market.

The report suggests it's not just the battery capacity which is being boosted, either. It says that the S Pen is tipped to make a return to the device, after being cast aside for the Z Fold 7.

Personally, I'm not convinced that both of those things will come true. While it would be a lovely device to see released, the internal capacity required to include both of those elements is something we're led to believe isn't really possible.

Still, with those devices usually launching around the end of summer, there's a good while left to go before we'll get to see what Samsung is really capable of.

Overnight, Korean tech giants, Samsung, finally launched a long-awaited device. Dubbed the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, the model marks the brand's first move into the mixed reality headset space, and sees it go toe-to-toe with the Apple Vision Pro.

It makes a good case for itself, too, with a substantially lower price tag than Apple's equivalent offering, which should make it more appealing to the general public. The headset is currently only available in the USA and South Korea, though we're hoping it comes further afield in due course.

But it wasn't the only piece of exciting news. The final moments of the presentation were utilised to offer insight into the brand's work in the smart glasses space.

While very little was actually confirmed, the speaker did note that Samsung would be working with both Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on the project. For the unaware, those are two eyewear manufacturers, and are the same two partners noted by Google at its showcase earlier this year.

Personally, I think that's a really smart move from Samsung. Tech is one half of the battle, but something you wear needs to be stylish and fashionable if it's really going to work.

It's a big part of the reason why I think Meta has been so successful in its Ray-Ban collaboration. Users aren't seeing a tech product, they see a pair of fashionable glasses with a cool, technological twist and that's much more palatable for the masses.

The end sequence shows a dramatized idea of what those smart glasses could offer. That includes overlays in the airport which point you towards the right gate for your departure, or at a football match, to give you a virtual scoreboard and live player data.

There's no word on when this is coming, but it certainly looks like an interesting development. We'll be keeping a close eye on this one.

Samsung will finally launch its first Android XR headset today, with a live streamed Galaxy Event expected to be dedicated to the long-awaited device.

Codenamed Project Moohan, the headset has been teased since the Samsung Galaxy S25 launch in January, so it's taken a while for it to be fully ready for public consumption.

However, we'll finally get to see the finished model and the experiences it will bring.

You can watch it all unfold live above, although those in the UK might baulk at the 3am start time – it's due to kick off at 10pm EDT in the States.

Here's everything you need to know for now.

How to watch the Samsung Android XR headset launch

The special Samsung Galaxy Event will be streamed live today and you can watch it right here, via the video further up this page.

Alternatively, the event will also be streamed on the Samsung Newsroom, and the company's YouTube channel.

What time does the October Galaxy Event start?

The Project Moohan event will begin at 10pm EDT. That’s the local time zone over on the US East Coast.

For the start time elsewhere in the world, check out the list below:

• US West Coast: 19:00 PDT
• US East Coast: 22:00 EDT
• UK: 03:00 BST (22 October)
• Central Europe: 04:00 CEST (22 October)
• India (New Delhi): 07:30 IST (22 October)
• China (Beijing): 10:00 CST (22 October)
• Japan (Tokyo): 11:00 JST (22 October)
• South Korea (Seoul): 11:00 KST (22 October)
• Australia (Sydney): 13:00 AEST (22 October)

What to expect during Samsung's Android XR Galaxy Event

Samsung has been very clear about its October Galaxy Event – it's to launch the company's first XR headset.

Called Project Moohan for the last year, the headset is the result of a collaboration between Google, Qualcomm and Samsung itself, of course. It will be a direct rival to the Apple Vision Pro and will be the first premium device to run on Google's new Android XR platform.

We'll no doubt find out all the gritty details during the launch event, and that should include its final name. Current thinking is that it'll be called the Samsung Galaxy XR.

As for price, you should expect it to be in the premium category – well over £1,000 therefore (possibly even £2K).

Join us for the full launch later, and we can all find out together.

In 2025, one of the most prolific new sectors of the Android phone market is the arrival of slim phones. It even spilled out of the world of Android, with the iPhone Air marking Apple's attempt on the form.

We're also seeing a lot of leaks about the new Motorola 70 Edge, which is expected in the coming weeks. But the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is still the real poster child for the slim phone movement, having been the first on the market.

Now, a new report suggests that the Edge may have a very short life. According to SamMobile, the next-gen Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge is set to be dropped in favour of the Galaxy S26+.

The site doesn't cite its sources, though it does say that the decision has come due to poor sales of the current S25 Edge. Apparently, the Korean brand had been preparing four models for the S26 series, but has recently made the call to drop the slim handset.

There's no word on whether that's a permanent revision. It is, of course, possible that the brand could be opting to release the model on a bi-annual basis, similar to what it does with its Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic model.

It's also not alone in those issues. Other reports about the aforementioned iPhone Air suggest its sales figures aren't exactly setting the world alight, either.

It's something I don't personally find all that surprising. While the new models have been the centrepiece of their respective launch events, I've never fully understood the need for such a device.

In fact, I've even said before now that the launch of these models is more tactical than anything, allowing the brands to diversify the associated R&D costs of slimming down the chassis across more than just their foldable phones.

Even so, it'll be a shame to see the market be so short-lived.

With the mercury dropping, the leaves turning brown and the year drawing to a close, fans of tech will be getting ready for a new onslaught of Android phones. Many major brands launch new handsets around the turn of the year, making it an exciting time for the industry.

That includes Samsung, with the Korean brand traditionally bringing its new handsets to market at the start of the new year. Now, a fresh leak has emerged about the new range, which could point to some disappointment for users.

That suggests that the new devices will all make use of a 12MP front-facing camera. It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, as that's the same spec we've seen on devices going back to the Samsung Galaxy S23 range.

The news comes from respected tech insider, Roland Quandt, on Bluesky, which gives it a degree of credibility. There's a lack of added detail, though, so it's possible that Samsung could still make improvements to other aspects like the aperture or a larger sensor.

tidbit: all Galaxy S26 models have a 12MP AF front-facing camera.

— @rquandt.bsky.social (@rquandt.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-10-03T10:06:39.607Z

Still, it's likely to be something of a disappointment for fans. Not only would it mark a third year without a significant upgrade in that area, it comes as Apple makes a significant change there.

The Centre Stage camera on the iPhone 17 range marks one of the most drastic redesigns of the front-facing camera since it was first included on a phone. That makes use of a square sensor, which can be cropped vertically or horizontally without moving your hand.

Some may have expected Samsung to come forward with its own interpretation of that technology, though it looks like that may not be the case. With its handsets usually launched just into the new year, we really don't have too long to wait until we'll know for sure what's happening under the hood.

Whether your allegiances lie with iPhones or Android phones, you'll be unable to escape the camera bump this year. While they've always been a thing, it seems that brands are becoming more and adventurous with the designs they employ, which means bigger bumps overall.

Now, leaked renders of the next-gen Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra show that even that handset isn't impervious to change. The renders – shared by popular tech leakers, Android Headlines – show a bump surrounding the trio of cameras on the rear panel.

That's pretty timid compared to some of the other camera bumps we've seen this year – here's looking at you, iPhone 17 Pro – but it's still a bit of a shame. The dimensions listed suggest an overall thickness of 7.9mm, which leaps to 12.4mm at the camera bump.

It's a trend were seeing more and more of this year. I've written about the iPhone Air before now, which touts a 5.64mm slim design, but almost doubles when the camera comes into play.

Elsewhere, the devices are tipped to weigh just 217g, which is broadly par for the course with a device of this ilk. It also retains the flat screen, with much of the overall design remaining similar to the current Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Physical buttons are kept to the right-hand edge of the device, while the SIM card tray and USB-C port are housed at the base. That's also where S-Pen fans will find that housed.

Back to that rear camera array, we find a quartet of rear cameras, as has become the norm for these phones. Three of those sit within the camera bump, while the fourth sits alongside.

It's certainly an interesting design. With Samsung's Ultra models tending to err on the chunkier side anyway, I had hoped that it might be able to strike out from the camera bump crowd.

If you're using an older Samsung smartwatch, you might have watched the latest product launches from the brand with a slight hint of jealousy. With each iteration of its devices, the brand updates both the hardware and the software it uses.

That means newer devices – like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 – enjoy added features which older devices couldn't. Fortunately, those software updates are rolling out to older devices, and there's a new one joining the fray.

Currently, users of a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 are able to gain access to the latest One UI 8 software. That's only available in its beta program right now, though – you'll need to be signed up for Samsung's beta program in order to gain access.

To do that, simply head to the Samsung Members app and login with your Samsung account details. Once you've signed up, you'll need to check for software updates in the device settings, which should then present you with access to new, beta software versions.

It's worth noting here that this isn't an entirely risk-free process. Beta software is – by its very nature – unstable, and still in testing. That can be fine, but it does mean that bugs, glitches and other foibles are commonplace. You have ben warned.

Still, if you're okay with that, there's a wealth of new goodness to enjoy. The One UI 8 software brings access to things like Vascular Load reading and a new Antioxidant Index, to give you more granular control over your health data.

There's also the new Running Coach, which is designed to help you train more efficiently. And when all that is done, the Bedtime Guidance will ensure you have a good idea of your sleep routine.

This also signifies the end of the beta registration for users of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. It's worth noting that those who have already signed up won't be kicked out, you simply won't be able to sign up fresh from this point on.

The successor to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could be packing some cool new tech that protects your privacy. The latest rumours suggest the new device could pack in a combination of software and hardware designed to keep prying eyes away from those precious pixels.

The news, shared by T3's sister brand, Android Central, comes from a teardown of a One UI 8.5 build conducted by Android Authority. That's either called Private Display or Privacy Display, and should pretty much do what it says on the tin.

It's designed to limit how much of your screen can be seen when viewed from obscure angles. In theory, it should be able to stop prying eyes from viewing whatever you're looking at.

It could be even smarter than that, though. The report suggests that the feature uses intelligent technology to automatically kick in when you're using sensitive apps, and could also feature different levels of dimming for tailored privacy.

It's not just a software-based offering, either. Samsung's Display division has been working on something called "Flex Magic Pixel" technology for quite some time, and it's believed that this could be in use here.

The technology uses AI to adjust pixels and alter viewing angles. It's clever stuff, and this rumour suggests it could be present in the S26 Ultra.

That does mean that it's unlikely to be a backwards compatible feature, though. Given that current display technology doesn't make use of that feature, you'll likely need to upgrade to get the full benefit.

Still, it's an exciting upgrade. With Samsung routinely showcasing its devices near the beginning of the year, we should only have a few more months to wait until we know for certain what's on offer.

If you use a Samsung Galaxy phone, you may well have noticed a new option which has appeared in your camera assistant app. Recently, the brand has introduced a "3D Capture" setting – and the reasoning will all become clear in a short while.

As spotted by SamMobile, the option has appeared, and allows users to capture photos and videos with additional depth. That's perfect for viewing with an Android XR headset, like the Project Moohan device which is expected to launch before the end of the year.

The team there did have to do some work to get the feature live. The report suggests that the version of the app which supports the feature – version 4.0.0.3 – is currently only available on the new Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, but it doesn't show up on that device.

To get it working, the brand had to port that version over to a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, where it finally appeared. Beneath the 3D Capture heading in the menu, it says, "Add a 3D Capture option to the top of the preview so you can create spatial photos and videos for Galaxy XR headsets."

For fans of the brand, this will be a tantalising addition. We've been eagerly anticipating the brand's efforts in the XR space for years now, and the clock is ticking down on it finally making its way to the public.

It all adds to the excitement surrounding the device. The Apple Vision Pro – almost certainly the biggest rival for this device – was announced way back in June 2023. Ever since, fans of the format have been waiting for a serious rival to compete with it.

Other VR headsets are much less costly, but also don't have the spec sheet of the Vision Pro, which exists at a more premium segment of the market. Samsung's device should be able to go toe-to-toe with Apple, with the device said to have high resolution Micro OLED displays with a high refresh rate, and a stack of onboard cameras.

It's also going to be the first device to run Android XR – Google's headset operating system – which could end up being the standard for all non-Apple headsets, similar to how it works for Android phones.

After the excitement of the recent iPhone 17 launch, you might think technology fans would enjoy a moment of peace and quiet. Not so, though – freshly leaked renders of the iPhone's biggest rival have emerged, and they're not as different as we'd expected.

I'm talking, of course, about the Samsung Galaxy S26 range, and specifically the Galaxy S26 Pro. Don't be confused – that's expected to be the base model next time out, as the brand enjoys a shuffle in naming conventions, so this is going toe-to-toe with the base model iPhone.

These new leaked renders were shared by Android Headlines, and are the product of notable render leaker, OnLeaks. They showcase the S26 Pro and its a very familiar sight.

In fact... it's pretty much identical looking to the Samsung Galaxy S25, save for a slight bump around the camera, similar to what we saw on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. That pill-shaped cutout protrudes above the flat back of the phone, which is likely to cause some wobbling and added thickness.

Still, it does do one good thing. Aside from the leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge we've seen – which showcase a full-width camera bar similar to that of the new iPhone 17 Pro models – it unifies the appearance of the brand's devices quite nicely.

Samsung is no stranger to that sort of thing, but in fairness, neither was Apple. It's decision to completely split the designs of its product line this year will be seen as something of a shock, and has raised questions about how closely other brands will follow suit.

One other thing which we can't see quite as easily in those renders is the physical size of the handset. That's said to be getting bigger, too – a 6.3-inch display will offer a little bump over the previous generation.

It also lines up rather perfectly with the iPhone 17 base model, which enjoys a display of the same size. It seems, then, that a 6.3-inch display might be the new standard for phones moving forward.

This week, the attention of most technology fans will be focused on California, as Apple looks set to unveil its iPhone 17 range. The next generation of its handset might just be the biggest revision in recent history, as it looks set to take on a dramatically different look.

It seems it won't be alone, either. We reported just last week about how the Samsung Galaxy S26 range could take a similar design approach, and that report has just been corroborated with a fresh set of renders.

Those were shared by Smartprix, and were provided by renowned tech insider, Yogesh Brar. The renders show off three different models in the Samsung family – the S26 Pro, the S26 Ultra and the S26 Edge.

The Edge is going to be the most striking here. In a departure from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge we saw earlier this year, the model looks set to use a full width camera bump like we've seen in leaked renders of the new iPhone.

Elsewhere, the S26 Pro model also gets a raised camera bump, though its not spanning the full width of the device. Instead, that looks more like the S25 Edge – simply covering the camera position.

Something similar can be found on the S26 Ultra render, which enjoys the same flat-sided design as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra debuted earlier this year. That was a notable departure from Ultra models which came before it, so it's good to see some continuity there.

For me, the most exciting thing about having these camera bumps is what they might suggest is going on inside. The never ending quest for internal space is one of the biggest hurdles for phone manufacturers, and that's at least part of the reason why camera bumps have become more prominent.

I'm hoping that these bumps mean a more premium camera selection, with upgraded sensors. Samsung has always been fairly strong in this area anyway, but any improvement to help justify the slightly less sleek design is a good thing.

If you're an Android phone fan, chances are you've used a Samsung device at some point in your life. The Korean brand has long been a favourite for many, offering stellar quality in both hardware and software stakes.

If you're still using an older handset from the brand – good news! It has just pushed an update via the One UI 8 beta, which sees the Samsung Galaxy S24 range snag one of the best features from the Samsung Galaxy S25.

That's the Now Brief feature, which is the brand's take on the perfect integration of AI-powered updates. Users will receive a personalised briefing a few times per day, which covers everything from the weather updates to details from your calendar.

The feature has even evolved since it first came out, with new features like a parking spot reminder and YouTube recommendations appearing too. There's even now an audio playback feature, which allows users to listen to the briefing rather than reading it.

The move onto older handsets – albeit only those a generation previous – should be viewed as a great sign. It means that those who have older handsets don't have to be concerned about their devices becoming obsolete more quickly.

With the stable version of the One UI 8 beta software expected to arrive on Galaxy S25 series devices as soon as next month, this shouldn't be the last we hear on this front. The operating system is expected to arrive on devices as far back as the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, which is great news for anyone who isn't ready to update just yet.

It's expected to be a busy end to the year for the brand, too. After already showcasing new Android phones and a landmark foldable phone – as well as the first slim phone in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge – rumours suggest the Galaxy S25 FE will come soon, alongside the long-awaited Project Moohan.

It has already been a bumper year for Samsung. The Korean brand has enjoyed a stand out year, launching a range of devices which could be considered class-leading.

That started early with the Samsung Galaxy S25 range. The Android phone range offered a small but significant boost over its predecessor, while the event also showcased its first slim phone – the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

That was followed up more recently with the launch of its new foldable phones. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 marked a significant shift for the brand, with a slimmer profile and a killer spec sheet.

There's said to be even more to come before the calendar turns once more – and we might have a lot of detail for one specific product. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE has just been leaked by a European retailer, giving us a full look at the specs on offer.

As has been rumoured for a while, there's nothing too significant changing here. The design of the handset is just as on brand as ever, though slimmer bezels all around and thinner and lighter design should improve the feel in the hand.

Cameras are also pretty similar – the rear array looks identical, while the front-facing sensor gets a 2MP bump up to 12MP this time out. Inside, the Exynos 2400 chip drops the 'e' suffix of its predecessor, to take on some extra clock speed.

The battery does get a small improvement though, listed at 4,900mAh versus the previous 4,700mAh. Given the slimmer chassis, that's an impressive achievement, and should make for a device which feels far more premium than its price tag would suggest.

Speaking of price, the listing showed a price tag of €789.99, which translates to approximately £680 / US$915 / AU$1,400. That feels about right – the current Samsung Galaxy S24 FE model retailed for £649 here in the UK, so it's a hair more costly on that basis.

It has already been an impressive year for Samsung. The brand has gone from strength to strength, unveiling an array of different Android phones and foldable phones which stand proudly within their categories.

That includes the Samsung Galaxy S25 range, as well as a new slim phone in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. More recently, we saw the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, which revolutionised the Korean brands efforts in the foldable phone space.

It shows no signs of slowing down, either. New leaks about the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra suggest it could be a really attractive new entry into the fight for best tablet.

The news comes from respected tipster, Ahmed Quaider, who suggests that the device could be just 5.1mm thick. That's incredibly slim, and should make the device a really attractive prospect for everyday carry.

The leak goes on to discuss a much wider range of specs about the device. That includes a 14.6-inch display, with a 120Hz AMOLED panel.

Inside, the device is said to make use of a MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset. That's paired with an 11,600mAh battery, and should offer 45W charging speeds.

Elsewhere, the report suggests that there will be a 12MP front-facing camera on the device, while 13MP and 8MP units sit on the rear of the casing. That should be enough for the needs of most users, offering a way to make video calls and take pictures and video when necessary.

There's no exact word on when it's coming to market, but there are a lot of new products expected before the year comes to an end. The brand's Project Moohan AR headset is expected before the end of the year, in what should be a fitting finale for a fantastic year.

It's looking set to be a landmark year for Samsung. The Korean tech brand has enjoyed a handsome start to 2025, with a range of high profile launches that took their relative sectors by storm.

That includes its Samsung Galaxy S25 collection of Android phones and its first slim phone in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. More recently, we've see the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 prove that its foldable phone offering can compete with the very best in the sector.

Now, a new leak has emerged about its flagship handsets for next year. The Samsung Galaxy S26 range should arrive early in 2026 if historical release schedules are anything to go by, and they could arrive with a decent battery boost.

According to the Dutch Samsung blog, GalaxyClub, both the S26 base model – confusingly being referred to as the Pro this time out – and the S26 Ultra are said to have bigger battery capacities. The brand has a pretty solid reputation when it comes to sharing pre-release information, which lends some credibility to the claims.

They suggest that the S26 Pro will feature a 4,300mAh battery, while the S26 Edge will enjoy a 4,200mAh cell. That suggests a 300mAh boost on both counts, which is a respectable jump.

Sure, the difference is unlikely to be night and day, but it should be significant enough to be noticeable in regular daily use. It's tough to say without knowing more of the spec sheet, but we'd anticipate some boosts to the efficiency of the processor, which should also provide a boost to the overall performance and longevity.

Regardless, it's a solid sign. Samsung has put some significant work into its batteries in recent years, and the results are really starting to show.

With a lot of launches still expected before 2025 draws to a close – and now a big start to 2026 on the cards – it's certainly looking like an impressive era for the brand.

If you thought Samsung's progression through recent Galaxy S models has been a little iterative and pedestrian then prepare to get excited: the Galaxy S26 family could signal a change of direction for the popular Android phones.

While we heralded it as the "phone of the year", the Galaxy S25 Ultra was criticised in some quarters for being a little too much like its predecessor, itself accused of being a little too much like 2023's Galaxy S23 Ultra. You can see the pattern, and if you've witnessed recent Samsung devices side-by-side, you'd be right in thinking that not a lot has changed in recent years.

Well strap in for a ride, because there could be big changes coming. We've previously reported that the Galaxy S Plus model could be dropped from the line-up and replaced by the Galaxy S26 Edge. And now it seems that a Galaxy S26 Pro could be joining the line-up.

The details come from SammyPolice (via 9to5Google), which uncovered details in the GSMA database, pointing to a change in the records from the Galaxy S26 to Galaxy S26 Pro for model number SM-S942U.

That would see the Galaxy S26 family offering the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Edge and Galaxy S26 Pro. It's thought that the Galaxy S26 Pro replaces the regular S26, but currently there are no details on any specific hardware changes to make this a "pro" model.

A move to better compete with Apple?

It's likely that this is Samsung's attempt to bring more definition to the family, to better compete with rival brands. Look at any Chinese phone brand and you'll see that use of the term "pro" is much more liberal.

What Samsung is potentially looking to do is make the Galaxy S devices more distinctive. While the Ultra will continue to sit in that top position as one of the best phones you can buy, the Edge has a superslim design. It also sports a higher price point than the Plus model that it will "edge" out.

That leaves the entry-level device in the Galaxy S family as the Pro.

Consider that the Galaxy S25 runs on flagship hardware, has an excellent display and premium build quality, as well as getting seven years of software updates and a triple camera arrangement, and it's fairly "pro" in comparison to something like the iPhone 16. Apple's equivalent handset has fewer cameras, less powerful hardware and a lesser display than the iPhone 16 Pro.

It stands to reason, then, that Samsung might just be looking to elevate the naming of the regular Galaxy S26 in comparison to its biggest market rivals – without actually adding any "pro" features.

Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy S26 family of devices at a Galaxy Unpacked event in January 2026. We'll undoubtedly hear a lot more on its possible plans before then.

Samsung is having a strong year so far, with a wide array of new products which have rocked the tech market. Most recently, we've seen the brand's new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 handsets, which marked a significant moment for the Korean outfit.

Before it took the foldable phone world by storm, the brand had its sights set on the world of traditional Android phones. The Samsung Galaxy S25 range was launched back at the start of the year, and enjoyed a handsome reception at launch.

Now, it looks like a more affordable variant of that handset will be here sooner than expected. As reported by Android Authority, the brand has confirmed an earlier launch for the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE this year, as part of its Q2 earnings call.

Daniel Araujo, the brand's VP of Mobile Experience, said, "We will focus on maintaining sales momentum with seasonal promotions as well as an earlier launch of the S25 FE."

So, when exactly can we expect the new handset? The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE launched in October last year, so an earlier launch may arrive in either August or September.

That's exciting for fans of the brand, who will get their hands on goodies even sooner. However, it's even more exciting when we consider the other handsets expected to launch before the end of the year.

We're told to expect the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold before the calendar is taken off the wall, while the long awaited Project Moohan XR headset is also anticipated. Whether the early launch of the FE is designed to coincide with these launches at one big event, or to get out of the way of the other devices, is currently unclear.

Still, there's no denying it's an exciting time. Samsung has had a flying start to 2025, and it shows no sign of slowing down on the home straight.

If you're an Android phone fan, chances are you're using a Samsung handset. While the market is big and diverse – and growing ever more so by the moment – the Korean brand remains one of the most used out there.

Now, users in the USA are getting a really nifty free upgrade, which should make it easier to manage your cashflow. As of today, those making use of Samsung Wallet will be able to select an option for installment payments.

To use it, simply go to pay as you normally would in store with Samsung Wallet. A new option will appear which says 'Pay in installments', and you'll need to tap that before paying.

Once you've completed the transaction, you'll be able to select between four different installment plans, to find something which suits your situation. You'll even be able to keep an eye on all of the installment payments from within the Samsung Wallet app.

From today, the feature is available in a selection of states, with the plan to offer it across the country before the end of 2025. States where it can be used from today include:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Wyoming
• District of Columbia

The financial aspect of the system is provided by Splitit, so there's no actual lending happening on the part of Samsung. You'll have the option of making six payments every two weeks, eight payments every two weeks, six monthly payments or nine monthly payments.

You'll have 24 hours within which to select a plan, otherwise the amount will be paid in full. There's also a $50 minimum spend to trigger the option, and for some reason it won't work with a Chase Bank credit card.

Still, it's a neat addition overall. In times of financial hardship across many countries, anything which can help to ease the burden is a plus.

When Samsung unveils its next-gen budget earbuds, it could have a significant design difference. The model is expected to take something from the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which could set it above the base model.

That's because recently leaked imagery – shared by Evan Blass on Twitter, and subsequently taken down – shows the buds with a silicone ear tip. That's something which the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 don't have – those simply sit in the ear.

That's a different style, though it's something which is often associated with a more affordable product. That makes it peculiar to see on what should be the most affordable pair of buds in the brand's range.

While other parts of the build and design will also have an impact, those with silicone tips will generally enjoy better noise cancellation. They'll also tend to hold in place better, with the added resistance from the silicone stopping them from flying out of your ears.

It's the latest rumour to join a hefty suite of them from Samsung. We saw the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched recently, taking the brand's foldable phone offering to the next level. That saw a whopping 200MP camera included, and took the thickness down to new levels.

We're also expecting the brand's first tri-fold phone to come before the end of the year. That was previously said to be called the G Fold, though more recent reports suggest it will take a more conventional naming convention and come as the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.

With the brand's VR headset – co-developed with Google and Qualcomm – also said to be on the horizon before the year ends, these earbuds may well fall to the wayside for most people.

Still, it's a decent sounding launch, and anything which makes quality audio more affordable is always worthwhile.

I love a good trifle. Boozy cake, thick, rich custard, delicate whipped cream and just enough fruit to leave you feeling healthy at the end of it. What more could you ask for in a dessert?

Of course, we're not talking trifle today – but it does sound like we are. That's because the latest reports suggest that the long-awaited tri-fold handset from Samsung will be called the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.

That news comes from Max Jambor on Twitter. Jambor enjoys a solid reputation in the world of tech leaks, and has a fairly good track record when it comes to providing accurate information in advance.

Previous reports had suggested that the device would be called the Samsung Galaxy G Fold, owing to the folding orientation. The device is said to have both outer panels fold over the centre portion, leaving a G-shaped final, folded form.

By comparison, the brand naming it the Z TriFold is quite... logical. It will, of course, completely derail those who bemoan the etymology – technically there are only two folds on a handset like this, which would make it a tri-panel, bi-fold phone – but hey, you can't please everyone.

I'm also certain it will become colloquially known as the Trifle, but I also don't think that's such a bad thing. So much weight gets placed on the names of different devices, and something a little more light-hearted definitely wont hurt.

With the device set to launch at some point before the end of 2025, we shouldn't need to wait too much longer before we get to see it in the flesh. And after the recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, I'm really excited.

The slimness on show there will be absolutely crucial for a tri-fold handset, where three separate panels need to maintain a slim enough structure to be pocketable. With not long to wait, we'll be keeping a close eye on further developments.

The world of foldable phones has always been an exciting place, but it looks like it could get even more tantalising this year. The recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 marked a significant turning point for one of the biggest brands in the space, with a much more modern design.

It's not the only device worth keeping an eye on, though. The Honor Magic V5 is also shaping up to be a killer handset – and it's slowly creeping towards a global release.

As reported by GSMarena, the model launched in Malaysia overnight, and is expected to do something similar in Singapore this week. That's the first time it has come to market outside of China, and shows that the model is slowly edging towards a wider global release.

The Malaysian launch also offered a pretty sweet gift included in the form of a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 speaker. That's a seriously neat addition, and was offered alongside added protection plans and an instant rebate, according to the report.

I'm really excited for the launch of the Honor Magic V5. I used the previous generation Honor Magic V3 – the V4 moniker has been skipped over due to connotations with the number in the Chinese tongue – for a full year, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The next-gen model sounds like a solid upgrade over that handset, with an incredibly slim 8.8mm thin frame, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a seriously impressive camera array and an improved water and dust resistance rating.

More than any of that, though, I'm excited to test out the improvements to the hinge. That was where my Magic V3 model ultimately failed, and those improvements could stand to make the device a total knockout.

Will it be better than Samsung's offering? Well, I guess we'll have to get them side-by-side and see. But one thing is certain – having two competitors of this calibre means the fight will be one for the ages.

Last week saw the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. That device is a pretty big deal as the slimmest foldable phone in the brand's catalogue.

Still, no war is won without loss, and in the fight to shave off the millimetres, we lost the internal S-Pen functionality which previous generations had enjoyed. It was the latest chapter in a long-running saga regarding the stylus, which has had a question mark over its long-term future.

With the decision made to remove it from this device, many had feared the worst – that the beginning of the end of the S-Pen was here. Fortunately, it doesn't look like that is the case.

That's according to a report from the Korean outlet, ETnews, which suggests that the S-Pen could be subjected to the same thinning and lightening treatment that the phone was given this time out. That would be necessary if the stylus was to once more fit within the frame, as it had on previous models like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The report quotes a Samsung executive, who says, "We are also researching and developing thinner and innovative technologies for the S Pen, so we will reconsider it when the level of perfection increases and there is consumer demand.”

That's an exciting development. It's no secret that the S-Pen has a cult following – we saw that when its future was in question around the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra earlier this year – and as such, any questions over its future are met with swathes of eager eyes.

This report seems like the most concrete suggestion yet that the favoured stylus has a long-term future, which is certain to appease those with a soft spot for it. Quite what it will look like to fit into such a svelte chassis is unclear, but the promise of something even smaller suggests it could undergo a seismic change.

The second Samsung Galaxy Unpacked of the year was over in a flash, with a swathe of new products revealed at the summer event in Brooklyn, New York.

All of the new foldables are now official, with Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 leading the folding phone charge, supported by a cheaper Z Flip 7 FE, and the latest Watch 8 series of wearables.

T3's Tech Editor was on the ground at the event, delivering all the coverage live and direct, which you can jump into by following the links below.

• I tried Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and think it's the new foldable to beat
• Samsung just won the flip-phone game with the Z Flip 7’s insane display
• A new ‘Ultra’ is here: the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a major new foldable upgrade
• Galaxy Watch 8 puts comfort first, but this feature is the real star
• The 'Titanium Blue' Galaxy Watch Ultra is a great upgrade

Original live blog continues below:

After Samsung's major first Unpacked of the year – at which the S25 Edge was also revealed – the stage is now set once more for the summer edition. And, who knows, perhaps there'll be a shock 'and one more thing' reveal at this event too.

Taking place in Brooklyn, New York, T3 is on the ground to cover the event live and direct. We're anticipating new foldables – in the much-rumoured Z Fold 7, possible new 'Ultra' variant, and Z Flip 7 – and new wearables.

If you want to watch Galaxy Unpacked live – here's our How To Watch The Z Fold 7 Launch feature – then Samsung's YouTube page will be hosting a live feed, commencing 15:00 GMT (10:00 EDT, 07:00 PDT) on Wednesday 9 July.

It's expected to be a bumper issue, as ever, with many new devices, Galaxy AI updates, and surely a surprise or two. In this live blog we'll be highlighting all the biggest and most important news related to Unpacked, so stay tuned as it unfolds...

Hello from New York City!

Good morning/afternoon/whatever time it is, Samsung fans! T3's Tech Editor, Mike Lowe, here to kick the live blog off – live and direct from its launch site in Brooklyn.

That's where the next Galaxy Unpacked event will, pardon the pun, unfold. As mentioned: we're expecting it to bring new foldables, new wearables and more.

As ever, I'll be fighting the jetlag to bring you all the latest Galaxy goodies from the ground – ahead of, during and after the Unpacked event. So expect plenty of live commentary and hands-on imagery right from the epicentre of all the action...

Ultra cool design

Good morning Samsung fans! T3's Senior Staff Writer, Sam Cross, here to start the journey towards the event with you. It certainly looks set to be an exciting event – rumours suggest we'll see new foldable phones and a new suite of smartwatches.

For me, it's the latter which is really exciting. I was a vocal fan of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra design, and the reports we've heard suggest that the new models will look a lot like it. That's going to be great for the brand, giving users a clear and defined identity to look out for.

Finally an affordable foldable?

One of the strongest rumours on the phone side is the arrival of a new, more affordable flip phone. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE – as rumours suggest it could be called – would hopefully bring the form factor to all new audiences.

Personally, I'm really excited by that prospect. I'm a massive advocate for foldable phones, and I really do think that – if they were more attainable – more people would be as well. Hopefully, a model with the combination of a lower price point and the Samsung brand name could be a catalyst for more widespread adoption.

Sounds like a plan

Another product category which could see some movement is the wonderful world of earbuds. We're unlikely to see a successor to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro quite this soon – the brand uses a two-year cadence for audio product releases – but a more affordable set could be on the cards.

The brand released the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core in select markets recently, and it's thought that a variant of those buds could make their way to wider markets. We'll have to wait and see, but I'm certainly very excited by the prospect of some added audio goodness.

One more thing?

Before I leave you in the capable hands of another member of the team, there's one other thing I'm hoping to get a glimpse of at Unpacked. A few weeks ago, at The Android Show, Google suggested that its joint VR headset with Samsung and Qualcomm would be arriving before the end of the year.

With only a handful of expected events from those brands between now and 2026, I'm hoping that we get a good look at it this time. It wouldn't be the first time the brand has surprised us with a 'One More Thing' – the earlier Samsung Galaxy S25 launch saw the unveiling of the Galaxy S25 Edge.

Make phones small again

Good morning all, it's Mat Gallagher here for the next hour or so, bringing you closer to the excitement of this evening's (or morning's depending on timezone) Galaxy Unpacked event. As much as I'm looking forward to seeing what the new Flip and Fold (7) devices bring, I'm actually excited about the rumoured third model.

Samsung's FE, or Fan Edition models have always been a great mix of features and affordability, and if we get a Flip FE, I can see it being a real winner. There's definitely a desire for smaller phones, and the Flip design lets you have that without sacrificing screen size. The problem is, it's still pretty pricey for most users. So a more affordable model sounds ideal.

Is it the end for the S Pen?

According to Roland Quant on Bluesky (via The Verge) the new Z Fold 7 will no longer support the S Pen. Now, I'm sure the S Pen will still work with the Z Fold 7, it just won't allow you to store the Pen inside the phone. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so.

If you really want a stylus, there will be case options to hold it, as there have been in the past, and the phone itself can get even slimmer. I'm sure the market for a stylus with a screen of this size is a contracting market, so prioritising space over storage makes sense to me.

Tri-folds

Another story in the wind seems to be that we could hear more about Samsung's tri-fold product. The workings of a tri-fold screen always remind me of the old Rubik's Magic puzzle, the flat version of the cube that makes you fold to solve it. The process is extremely clever, though, and it certainly means a much bigger screen in a pocket-sized device.

Personally, I'm more excited to hear about Samsung's mixed reality product, the Android XR headset, and what it could mean for the VR/AR market that still hasn't quite found its flow.

Wider ramifications?

Returning to that earlier rumour about the Z Fold 7 dropping the S Pen, I think it's probably worth exploring what that could actually mean if it's true. Yes, the stylus might still be supported if not officially paired, like on the Z Fold 6, but that isn't what the leaked images suggest. They're indicating that it won't work at all, even though it wasn't that long ago that Samsung was claiming it's still committed to the accessory.

If one of its most premium and therefore expensive flagships does debut without S Pen support, what does that mean for the next generation of the Galaxy S Ultra, which has traditionally housed a pen stored in the phone itself?

It seems like this could indeed start to spell the end for a long-lived accessory that Samsung has doubtless carefully analysed in terms of user numbers. If more people care about a thinner phone than about a stylus, that's basically the likely end of the debate.

Price is everything

While it's always worthwhile scanning through rumoured spec changes and sheets' worth of leaks about design tweaks, there's one huge factor that will determine much of how new foldables (and wearables) land – price.

After all, while their new features are pretty easy to sell, if there's a single challenge that foldable phones have been faced with over the last half-decade, it's been getting prices down to more consumer-friendly levels. Early adopters might be enthusiastic, but while a Z Fold is still considerably more expensive than a Galaxy S25 at launch, it'll always have a smaller audience.

Samsung clearly knows this, based on its pricing strategy over time, so it'll be fascinating to see whether it can push prices lower this time around.

Let's talk preorder deals

One thing we'll be keeping an eye out for today, once the event wraps up, is pre-order deals on the new phones announced. It's a long-standing tradition that Samsung and various other retailers offer a pretty tidy incentive on new foldables.

This has typically meant that you can upgrade to the next storage level above the typical, often doubling your internal storage, completely for free if you do it before the phone comes out. That's a great little way to get even more for your money, and there's every chance it returns this year.

Still, you never know when a good deal will disappear, so who knows – and how's that for a segue to mention our round-up of the best Prime Day deals going on right now for those who've missed it?

More watches than you'd think

Samsung took a few years to get up to speed on the smartwatch side of things, but it's now well established as one of the major competitors to Apple's supremacy, especially with its Android tie-ins.

This year, it might not just launch a Galaxy Watch 8 and call it a day, either. There are rumours of multiple models and editions launching alongside it, and the most common number being bandied around is that there'll be three distinct devices to check out.

We'll know more very soon, of course, but it suggests that today could be a bumper day for wearable fans.

Pre-order details

Hi all, News Editor Rik Henderson here for a bit, and I've got another leak to whet your appetite before the event. Steve Hemmerstoffer, otherwise known as OnLeaks, has revealed when the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7 and Flip 7 FE will be available.

He claims that pre-orders will officially start today – as soon as the event finishes, I expect – with the full on sale date being 25 July. So you'll have a couple of weeks to wait before your new device(s) arrive.

He also suggests the same dates will apply to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 family, but there's no word on the other rumoured products – such as any new Galaxy Buds or the tri-fold phone (thought to be called the Samsung Galaxy G Fold).

Last minute folding phone deals

While we wait to hear how much Samsung's new foldables will cost, there are some great deals on its existing models. It is Prime Day, after all.

At the very least, you should keep the current versions in mind when comparing the devices – bar design, there might not be that many differences between them, and you could save yourself a fair penny on a similar device.

You might even find that prices for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 drop further soon after the launch.

Hello Android 16

One of the things that will debut with the Z Fold 7, Flip 7 and Flip 7 FE is One UI 8.0 – Samsung's operating system built on Android 16.

It's been available in beta form for a few weeks, but the new foldables will be the first in Samsung's lineup to get the full and final version.

It'll also be released soon for a wide array of existing Samsung handsets – as far back as the Fold 4 and Flip 4, even the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, in fact.

Badged up

Hello once more Samsungers. Mike Lowe back in the hot seat, powered by coffee, adrenaline and, lookie here, a Galaxy Unpacked Media badge (which doesn't unfold, might've missed a trick there).

The event proper doesn't kick off for another couple of hours, but I'm hopeful to squeeze into the Brooklyn site early doors to see what trinkets are on display ahead of the show.

There'll be a lot to get through, no doubt, so stay tuned as I keep you up to date, step by step, with all things Galaxy Unpacked...

And ready to roll

Ah, the glamour! I'm in line, but doors won't open until 09:00 here (14:00 UK time), so other than a quickly growing queue of eager attendees, don't expect any major reveals in the next 15 minutes...

But while we wait: what to expect?

Whilst I have a moment balancing my laptop on a temporary bollard, however, let's get to the summary of what to expect from this summer Unpacked event. It appears a lot has leaked already, but I'm still hopeful there'll be some fun surprises that nobody knows about (except the Samsung exec team).

Galaxy Z Fold 7: Don't call it the Ultra, although that's what the Z Fold 7 appears to be based on all the leaks. Samsung's slimmest-ever foldable, this re-designed book-like foldable looks like a giant leap for the brand.

Galaxy Z Flip 7: Don't underestimate the flip phone, though, as the Z Flip 7's new cover display looks like it'll cover the full exterior and be a giant upgrade too. The kind to put Motorola's recent Razr Ultra launch in its place.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Less has been revealed about this supposed new model, but it appears a Fan Edition model will also be revealed for the first time in the range, offering a more affordable access point into the flip phone market.

Galaxy Watch 8 series: It's not all phones, with Samsung's latest wearables anticipated to be revealed too. No new Ultra just yet, but the latest Watch and Watch Classic are expected to bring an updated design and potentially a number of the Ultra's features too.

And we're in!

Elbows out! I've hustled my way in a grabbed a nice central seat to get a good view of the show, which kicks off in around 40 minutes from now.

There are hashtags worth following on socials if you want to drown yourself with all things Samsung Unpacked: #GalaxyUnpacked is the key one.

Ready, set...

They say a picture paints a thousand words, so I'll leave you with the above. We're just moments away from the off.

T3's Sam Cross back in the hot seat until further notice, ready to bring you the latest and greatest from Samsung live. Details on how to watch along here.

...Go!

We are underway at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked. The opening sequence serves as a reminder of the brand's innovative efforts over the years, and it's quite an interesting watch.

Let's hope that theme continues today. TM Roh takes to the stage...

The first words of the day go to Galaxy AI. The brand's AI-powered software suite has been really well received.

More notably though – the Android XR headset is on the screen! That's one checked off the list, though I hope we hear more later.

Now onto foldable phones – and boy, do they look good in blue.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is here

We're starting big with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The brand has gone big on teasing the 'Ultra' moniker for this model, and the first impressions are great. It's much slimmer than previous handsets, which is a major step forward.

The idea seems to have been to take the ever popular Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and split it in half... and that's genius! It should mean the in-hand experience is fantastic.

Every module of the new hinge is smaller and lighter, with protections to avoid separation even under impact. The brand has also improved the droplet hinge, and reworked the display itself to be slim and light, but maintaining its toughness.

The best foldable phone?

All day battery and a 200MP main sensor? In a foldable phone? That's a massive win for Samsung. As long as the proof can match the pudding, the brand might have just nailed the form factor for this style, which is great news for all involved.

One UI 8 makes an appearance

One UI 8 is here, too. The latest Samsung operating system is packed into a host of form factors here, including the foldables we've already seen and some smartwatches we're hoping to later on.

The integration of AI runs throughout, while work has also been done to make the experience across devices similar, and more intelligent.

Google is in the house – and it brought new features!

Rick Osterloh of Google fame is here. Gemini is the focus of his speech here, where he's covered the benefits of the system and speaks of the partnership between the two companies.

Gemini Live's latest features are present, but there's also a deeper integration with Samsung's first-party apps, which allows Gemini to convert conversation into actions right away.

Woah, there's also six months of Google AI Pro included – a neat boost for those buying the new handset.

I got the blues

We're hearing a lot about how the Z Fold 7 is going to help in your day to day life. There's not too much which is new here – all of the Galaxy AI features you know and love are present, correct and better than ever.

What I can't get over, though, is how stunning that blue hue is. That's a really gorgeous design choice, and it's certain to be popular.

KEEP is a new security protocol, too. That ensures each app is only able to access its own sensitive data. It's all hardware-encrypted, FYI.

The perfect shot

Right, let's talk cameras. The next-gen ProVisual Engine – Samsung's computational photography – offers new levels of clarity. It's something the brand has always been good at, and it's nice to see that continue here.

There's also 10-bit video, for some seriously killer visuals, while the selfie view is increased by 25%. Editing of photo and video looks easier than ever, too, with the benefits of the Galaxy AI suite and the larger inner display.

Oh, and pricing – $1,999 USD, with pre-orders starting today. Four colours are available too – the blue, a black, a silver and a mint. Nice.

Now, onto the Flip.

Flip the script

Woah! The largest battery ever in a Z Flip phone gives an extra 8 hours of battery life. That's a serious upgrade for those seeking an all-day device.

There's an upgrade to the hinge, also, while the cover display is also given a bigger surface area. That's not dissimilar to how the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra looks, but it's a great design overall.

Affordable foldable? You bet!

A 50MP main sensor takes the stage on the Z Flip 7, complete with the ProVisual Engine upgrades we mentioned earlier. I can't help but adore the vintage camcorder style of holding it, too.

Pre-orders start today, with a price tag of $1,099. And there's a Z Flip 7 FE!

The more affordable device comes in just two colours – black and white – and offers a more affordable package at $899. It's not as cheap as we'd have hoped, but it's still a nice addition.

Watch out!

Now we're on to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series. And as we've seen rumoured for a while, the design language of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is present across the range.

I'm a big fan of that style, so I'm certainly pleased with the decision. They're also slimmer, though there's no word of just how slim these are...

Yes, Coach

Ooh, we've got an all-new Running Coach on the devices! Your watch can now pick up your fitness level from a 12 minute run, to offer personalised training insights and tips as you get more familiar with running.

That's a really cool new feature for those looking to improve their running times and seek out a PB.

Healthier you

New features in the sleep section are here. Vascular load – no, I didn't know either – is now trackable, while a new feature can give you an Antioxidant Index reading by placing a finger on the sensor on the rear of your watch.

Now, the CEO of Xealth, Mike McSherry, is on stage (Samsung has just acquired the brand, in case you didn't know).

Building a better you

Galaxy Watch 8 is boasting a first – the first smartwatch to feature Gemini right out of the box! As a self-confessed Gemini lover, that's an incredible addition and should make the overall user experience even better.

We've brushed over that, though, to the Bedtime Guidance feature. That tracks your sleep and offers insights help you improve the quality of your sleep. It'll tell you to go to sleep at certain times, or get you to avoid caffeine, alcohol or certain foods to improve your sleep.

We also see Running Coach in action. At least the chap keeling over is a little more relatable than a marathon world record holder...

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 pricing

There's the pricing for you, too – from $349! That feels well-priced to me, and should be quite competitive in the scope of the current market.

That's all folks!

And just like that, the party is over. It's been a fun ride, folks. We've seen a trio of new foldable phones, some new smartwatches and got a glimpse – albeit brief – of the highly-anticipated Samsung headset.

Thanks for sticking with us through the broadcast, and we'll see you again next time!