Samsung’s AI-powered foldable phones get slimmer, thinner, pricier
CNN
Samsung’s latest generation of foldable phones aim to get more buy-in draw in from traditional phone users with the help of artificial intelligence.
Samsung’s latest generation of foldable phones aim to draw in traditional phone users with the help of artificial intelligence. At its annual Unpacked event on Wednesday, held in Paris for the first time, the company announced updates to its foldable devices and earbuds, and shared more details about its upcoming smart ring. The stars of the show, however, are Samsung’s latest foldables phones, now lighter, slimmer and packed with AI tools: the Galaxy Z Fold 6, a smartphone that opens outward like a book to form a tablet, and the clamshell-like Galaxy Z Flip 6, with a design reminiscent of flip phones from the early 2000s. The company says both devices feature a more durable hinge, better battery life and run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor optimized for AI processing. These upgrades, however, come with a higher cost. The new Galaxy Z Fold starts at $1,899.99, up $100 from last year, and is available in silver, pink and navy. Meanwhile, the Z Flip starts at $1,099.99 (also $100 more than last year) and comes in silver, yellow, blue and mint. The devices go on sale Wednesday. Price remains one of the biggest challenges to get consumers on board with foldable smartphones. According to ABI Research, foldable shipments reached 20 million in 2023, which is likely to improve to around 28 million units in 2024, or less than 3% of total shipments.
Nippon Steel is expected to re-file its application for a national security review by American regulators of its $15 billion takeover bid of US Steel, sources familiar with the matter told CNN on Tuesday, buying Japan’s largest steelmaker an additional 90 days to close its acquisition of an American rival after political opposition emerged in an election year.
So far, the attacks that targeted Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah members through their pagers have had devastating consequences. At least nine people, including an eight-year-old girl, were killed, and at least 2,800 were wounded. Over 150 of those injured are in critical condition, according to the Lebanese health minister.