News

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, Z Fold5 launch with expected changes

FlexWindow, Zero Gap, more

Published

on

The Samsung Galaxy foldables are now in their fifth generation. Sticking to what’s worked so far, the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 improve on their predecessors in ways that most tech enthusiasts expected. And for the first time, the foldables were launched in a Galaxy Unpacked event held on Samsung’s home turf.

Samsung choosing to launch the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday, July 26, made this edition of the Galaxy Unpacked event feel grand. The headliners, however, aren’t that much different from what came before.

Galaxy Z Flip5

With the tagline “Welcome to the Flipside,” it would seem that Samsung has turned the spotlight on the Galaxy Z Flip line over its Fold counterpart. Over the years since it first came out, the Galaxy Z Flip has garnered more mainstream interest. It also helped that this particular foldable line has prominently featured in K-Dramas which has only boosted its appeal.

But what’s new on the Flip5? The biggest, most obvious addition is the Flex Window. That’s Samsung’s fancy name for the cover screen on the Flip5. It is now a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED display. A significant jump from the 1.9-inch display on the Flip4.

Naturally, you can do more with it. There are more widgets and you can get a quick view of all the active ones by pinching the screen. They’re also more functional now. For instance, you can quickly reply on a message directly on the Flex Window. With it, you can now also have a better view of the weather, control music playback, and even check on stock market updates.

The staple features that its form factor allows are still there. Flex Cam lets you prop up the Flip5 in a way that makes it easier for you to take photos and videos of yourself hands-free. The cover screen or Flex Window acts as your viewfinder so you’re able to frame yourself properly.

The Flex Hinge has also been improved making the device look flatter when folded. The rest of the phone, however, are nearly identical to the Galaxy Z Flip4.

Here are the Flip5’s specs:

Main screen — 6.7-inch FHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz Adaptive refresh rate (*Same as Flip4)
Cover screen — 3.4-inch Super AMOLED 60Hz Display
Rear dual camera: (*Same as Flip4)

  • 12MP Ultra Wide Camera f/2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚
  • 12MP Wide-angle Camera Dual Pixel AF, OIS, f/1.8, Pixel size: 1.8μm, FOV: 83˚

Front camera — 10MP Selfie Camera f/2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚ (*Same as Flip4)
Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM and Storage — 8GB+256GB, 8GB+512GB
Battery — 3,700mAh, Wired Charging: Up to 50% charge in around 30mins (*Same as Flip4)
Water resistance — IPX8
OS — Android 13, One UI 5.1.1
Network and connectivity — 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3
SIM card — One Nano SIM and One eSIM.

Pricing:

  • USA — Starts at US$ 999.99
  • Philippines — Starts at PhP 64,990

Galaxy Z Fold5

 

Similar to the Galaxy Z Flip5, the improvements on the Galaxy Z Fold5 from its immediate predecessor aren’t major but, perhaps, were much needed. It also has an improved Flex Hinge reducing the book-style foldable’s size thinner when folded.

Like every year since its inception, there’s a big focus on the Galaxy Z Fold being a productivity tool. It’s now even more pronounced as they highlight a “slimmer and more compact” S Pen Fold Edition. This year’s Slim S Pen case is nearly the same thickness as other regular Galaxy Z Fold5 cases. What’s fun is that they paired the Galaxy Z Fold5 with complimenting S Pen colors — similar to the Galaxy Note 9 execution.

The Fold5 is now also powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor. Performance and efficiency improvements are expected. But like the Flip5, the Fold5 is nearly identical to its predecessor on paper.

Here are the Galaxy Z Fold5’s specs:

Main screen — 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X , Infinity Flex Display (2176 x 1812, 21.6:18), 374ppi , 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz) (*Same as Fold4)
Cover screen — 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display (2316 x 904, 23.1:9), 402ppi, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (48~120Hz) (*Same as Fold4)
Cover camera — 10MP Selfie Camera, f/2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚
Under display camera — 4MP Under Display Camera, f/1.8, Pixel size: 2.0μm, FOV: 80˚
Rear Triple Camera: (*Same as Fold4)

  • 50MP Wide-angle Camera Dual Pixel AF, OIS, f/1.8
  • 10MP Telephoto Camera PDAF, f/2.4
  • 12MP Ultra Wide Camera f/2.2

Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM and Storage — 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, 12GB+1TB [Samsung.com Exclusive]
Battery — 4,400mAh, Wired Charging: Up to 50% charge in around 30 mins (*Same as Fold4)
Water resistance — IPX8
OS — Android 13, One UI 5.1.1
Network and connectivity — 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3
SIM card — Up to two Nano SIMs and One eSIM.

Pricing:

  • US — Starts at US$ 1799.99
  • Philippines — Starts at PhP 98,990

Buy here:

Galaxy Z Fold5: https://howl.me/ckeOzVqdyUn 
Galaxy Z Flip5: https://howl.me/ckeOySKS8Gp
Tab S9: https://howl.me/ckeOAoras3b
Watch6: https://howl.me/ckeOBaaFajd

Gaming

Microsoft dictates that a new Fallout game is coming

Microsoft cancelled an Avowed sequel to focus on Fallout.

Published

on

Bethesda used to be a bastion for RPG experiences. Today, however, the company prefers living off its older properties such as Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76. For a while now, the question has been: When will Bethesda release a new game in either of their two biggest franchises? Well, according to a report, a new Fallout game might be coming soon.

As of late, Microsoft has been restructuring its studios. In fact, the company might shut down the studio behind the Dishonored series and the upcoming game based on Marvel’s Blade. Now, as part of that reshuffling (via Bloomberg), Obsidian Entertainment has been told to cancel a sequel to Avowed and focus on a new Fallout game.

It’s a huge change. Microsoft has notably stayed away from its more popular franchises for a while now. The latest Fallout game is still Fallout 76. The latest Elder Scrolls game has been in development for a long, long time now. Only DOOM, via last year’s The Dark Ages, got a new title recently.

To be clear, it’s unknown whether we’re getting the true Fallout 5 or another iteration of the online 76. If it’s really the fifth mainline entry in the franchise, it’s coming at a very opportune time. The franchise is currently on a high, riding the popularity of the TV series of the same name. Fans will surely enjoy a follow-up.

To fuel things further, Josh Sawyer, the director behind the universally lauded New Vegas, is reportedly spearheading the production of the new game.

SEE ALSO: Fallout on Prime Video: What inspired producers to create series

Continue Reading

News

New York becomes first state to ban smart glasses

The ban affects all courtrooms in the state.

Published

on

Excitement over new technology is normal. However, when the dust settles, the rose-tinted glasses come off and reveal the potential concerns of using this new technology. Smart glasses are going through that phase now. While these glasses are all the rage now, some concerned establishments are now banning them. Case in point, the entirety of New York has just banned smart glasses in all of its courts.

In the United States, it’s already prohibited to record video or capture photos inside a court building. Naturally, the world is more complicated now. Anyone can just flaunt eyewear that can capture images for them, leaving bystanders none the wiser. As a result, the state of New York, according to Syracuse, has introduced a blanket ban for all smart glasses in all courtrooms. It’s the first state to do so across all courts.

Under the ban, users will be forbidden from even bringing these wearables into the building. This also includes smart glasses with prescription lenses. Those with affected eyesight can come back with a regular pair of glasses.

It’s a very interesting time for smart glasses. Especially for creators, the wearables have become a popular way to discreetly record events. Users don’t need to fiddle around with their phones or bring a bulky camera around.

However, it’s also a concern for privacy and cybersecurity. Though most of these wearables have a distinguishable LED indicator when they’re recording, they can also be modified to disable these indicators. As a bystander, you can be recorded without your knowledge.

SEE ALSO: ARTMS Heejin shows KPop concert day through Ray-Ban Meta glasses

Continue Reading

Gaming

HoYo FEST 2026 details announced; tickets on sale from July 16

Join the celebration

Published

on

HoYoverse’s annual flagship fan celebration in Southeast Asia, the HoYo FEST, as officially been announced with tickets selling starting July 16.

Fans across Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore can enjoy four days of interactive experiences, live entertainment, and more activities featuring HoYoverse’s famed titles:

  • Genshin Impact
  • Honkai Impact 3
  • Honkai: Star Rail
  • Tears of Themis
  • Zenless Zone Zero

In addition, the gathering will spotlight a first look at the upcoming Honkai: Nexus Anima. The game will be offered at the Experience Zone so visitors can be among the first to try through limited hands-on sessions.

Fans can expect the following experiences at each HoYo FEST:

  • Check-in Zone: Kick off your journey with activities across all six titles, plus exclusive freebies
  • Game Booths: Jump into immersive mini games inspired by the aforementioned titles
  • Hands-on experiences for Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero
  • Merch: Grab fan-favorite HoYo FEST merchandise from event-exclusive standees and pillows to Character Giftboxes and more
  • Artist Alley: An even larger creative hub for artists and fans to showcase, sell, and share HoYoverse-inspired art
  • HoYo FEST Stage: Feel the excitement with Open Stage performances, the Cosplay Runway Walk, and vibrant community showcases

Tickets will be available in the following categories:

  • 1-Day Pass
  • 1-Day Fast Pass with priority access and exclusive collectibles
  • 4-Day Pass (3-Day Pass in Singapore)

Venue details:

  • Bangkok: Central Ladprao, BCC Hall
  • Ho Chi Minh City: Sky Expo, Hall A4
  • Jakarta: Pondok Indah Mall 3, City Hall
  • Kuala Lumpur: Pavilion Exhibition Centre Bukit Jalil, Hall 1-3
  • Manila: SPACE at One Ayala, Hall A-D
  • Singapore: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 403
Continue Reading

Trending