News
Samsung announces Galaxy Ring, Watch7, Watch Ultra
Samsung’s latest AI-powered wearables
Samsung has officially announced its latest batch of wearables, all powered by Galaxy AI to provide intelligent health experiences for all. They are the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch7, and Galaxy Watch Ultra.
The newest additions align with Samsung’s vision for Galaxy AI to enhance digital health. All devices boast of sensor innovations, enabling them to deliver personalized insights and tailored health experiences by obtaining more accurate, detailed, and advanced user information.
Particularly, both the Galaxy Watch7 and Watch Ultra feature a 3nm Exynos W1000 processor. This allows them to deliver faster performance on the Wear OS 5 platform.
All devices also introduce novel health monitoring capabilities and support for various workouts not seen in previous versions of Samsung’s Galaxy wearable lineups. For added convenience, both watches support advanced features like Gestures and wallet payments. The Ring can also take photos using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone via double pinching.
Price, availability, preorder offers
The Galaxy Ring is available in Titanium Black, Silver, and Gold. There are sizing kits to help interested customers find the right fit from nine sizes. It is priced starting at US$ 399.99.
The Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra come in the following sizes and colors:
- Galaxy Watch7 44mm: Green and Silver
- Galaxy Watch7 40mm: Green and Cream
- Galaxy Watch Ultra 47mm: Titanium Silver, Gray, and White
The Galaxy Watch7 starts at US$ 299.99 while the Watch Ultra will retail for US$ 649.99.
All three new offerings will be available on Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, and other major retailers. Preorders in the United States will be open by July 10, 2024, with general sales beginning on July 24.
Galaxy Ring
Samsung first teased about the Galaxy Ring six months ago, and then unveiled it at MWC Barcelona earlier in the year. It is designed for 24/7 health monitoring, coming in the lightweight form of a stylish accessory. The ring has 10ATM water resistance and a Titanium Grade 5 finish.
More than its appearance, the Samsung Galaxy Ring integrates data and insights into Samsung Health for seamless access. It offers users an advanced sleep AI algorithm to help them understand their sleeping patterns through advanced sleep metrics.
Furthermore, the Galaxy Ring can provide personalized recommendations based on four significant factors: Sleep, Activity, Sleeping Heart Rate, and Sleeping Heart Rate Variability.
For everyday wellness monitoring, the wearable supports Heart Rate Alert and Live Heart Rate Check. It also helps users maintain an active lifestyle with Auto Workout Detection and Inactive Alert.
Galaxy Watch7
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch7 is designed to give users a better understanding of themselves. It supports over 100 workouts, and lets users develop active habits with Workout Routine. Body Composition, on the other hand, gives them a comprehensive understanding of their physical bodies.
Likewise new to the Galaxy Watch7 is an advanced AI algorithm, and the De Novo FDA-authorized Sleep Apnea feature. This simple tool checks potential signs for moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Among the smartwatch’s advanced monitoring capabilities are Heart Rate, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN), and Electrocardiogram (ECG). The Watch7’s BioActive Sensor makes tracking these indicators in a more accurate manner possible. Moreover, the device can track advanced glycation end products (AGEs) right from a user’s wrist. AGEs reflect an indication of metabolic health.
The Watch 7 is equipped with a 3nm processor, delivering an even faster performance compared to its predecessor. It is also the first Galaxy product to feature dual-frequency GPS system.
Galaxy Watch Ultra
For a personal active performance companion, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is your best bet. Aside from having the Galaxy Watch7’s advanced health monitoring features and powerful hardware, the Watch Ultra variant also supports enhanced fitness experiences.
The watch is built for extreme durability with its 10ATM water resistance and Titanium Grade 4 frame. It can operate at up to 500 meters below sea level, or 9,000 meters above. It can also last up to 100 hours on Power Saving and 48 in Exercise Power Saving.
For high-level athletes, the Watch Ultra features a new Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling power. This is an AI-powered metric that helps athletes unlock their full potential based on their own indicators. The device also has a Personalized HR Zone and Multi-sports tile for multi-course workouts.
Among its other features are Quick Button and Emergency Siren, which are both helpful during workouts.
Gaming
Xbox saves Kojima’s PHYSINT after PlayStation drops support
PlayStation says the separation was mutual, but Kojima hints otherwise.
Things aren’t going well in the PlayStation camp. After two months of frankly questionable decisions, the company adds another to the pile by dropping support for Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT.
For a while now, Kojima and PlayStation were in a very productive relationship with the Death Stranding duology, a critically acclaimed collection of titles for the platform. When things looked like they were going well, Kojima announced PHYSINT, an espionage-themed game which reminded fans way too much of Metal Gear Solid.
If you were investing in a PlayStation 5 to play Kojima’s latest thriller, you might want to move your chips elsewhere now. PlayStation has just dropped support for the espionage game, meaning PHYSINT will no longer be a first-party title for the platform.
Though PlayStation claims that the decision came after “careful consideration,” Kojima himself has said that the move was “unexpected,” going against PlayStation’s assurance of a mutual separation.
Very quickly, Xbox has announced that their platform will support PHYSINT instead. It’s a big get for the competing brand because Xbox Game Studios is already supporting OD, Kojima’s other upcoming horror project starring Sophia Lillis.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say more. As is tradition, Kojima will not explain much more about his upcoming titles. In fact, OD’s trailer barely says anything. One thing’s for sure, though: we’re all in for quite a ride.
Entertainment
PH to celebrate 1st ever National Cinema Day; movies start at less than $2
Watch a movie on September 12 for a fraction of the cost
The Philippines will be celebrating its first ever National Cinema Day on September 12. On this day, movie tickets will go for as low as PhP 100 (US$ 1.60) at regular 2D cinemas.
The campaign aims to make moviegoing more accessible to audiences. This includes families, friends, students, and cinephiles in general.
Such initiative has been a staple in other countries, like the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and more. The same concept applies, with movie tickets going on sale for a lot less.
What’s great about the celebration is that all movies scheduled for exhibition on September 12, whether local or international, shall get the special admission price.
Advanced tickets sales have already begun. Customers can purchase through participating box offices, official websites, mobile apps, and authorized platforms.
Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to theater capacity. Prices vary for other viewing formats like Director’s Club or IMAX, for instance.
The campaign is organized by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), along with industry and government partners.
The initiative is supported by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and the Metro Manila Film Festival through the MMDA.
Participating cinemas include Ayala Malls Cinemas, SM Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, CityMall Cinema, Megaworld Cinemas, and more.
Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. It uses a passport-style design that opens into a larger display while retaining a more conventional smartphone experience when folded.
Price and availability
The iPhone Duo starts at PhP 159,990 in the Philippines for the 256GB model as listed on the Apple website.
Here’s the full local pricing:
- 256GB — PhP 159,990
- 512GB — PhP 175,990
- 1TB — PhP 207,990
- 2TB — PhP 254,990
The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky.
Actual availability in the Philippines has yet to be officially announced.
A foldable design with two displays
The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display when folded and expands to a 7.6-inch main display when opened. Both orientations use the same aspect ratio, allowing iOS to transition between them seamlessly.
The rear chassis uses Ceramic Shield, while the front display gets Ceramic Shield 2. The device is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.
Its hinge uses carbon fiber supports and magnets that produce an audible click when the phone is folded.
A20 Pro brings flagship performance
The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro series. Apple says the chip delivers 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.
It also comes with the new C2 cellular modem, which provides up to 50 percent faster uploads. Like other foldables, the Duo can be used in different configurations, including tent mode and a partially folded book-like position.
48-megapixel camera system
The iPhone Duo gets a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera alongside a 12-megapixel 2x telephoto camera.
For selfies and video calls, it has a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera. The inner display also uses an under-screen camera for a cleaner look.
Battery life goes beyond a day
The iPhone Duo offers up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the outer display.
Charging is also quick. Apple says a 20-minute charge can replenish half the battery, while a five-minute charge can provide up to five hours of video playback.
For the complete specifications and first-look details, check out our main iPhone Duo launch coverage.
-
News7 days agoHUAWEI Pura X View is 2026’s first WIDE slab-type smartphone
-
News7 days agoThe CAMON Slim 5G is TECNO’s latest ultra-slim smartphone
-
Cameras2 weeks agoDJI Osmo 360 II review: Going all-in on the ecosystem
-
IFA 20261 week agoTECNO MEGABOOK T15 360 unveiled at IFA 2026
-
Gaming1 week agoNBA 2K27 review: A two-way All-Star
-
Reviews2 weeks agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra review: It’s time to get a foldable
-
News4 days agoiPhone 18 Pro series: Price, availability in the Philippines
-
IFA 20261 week agoTECNO’s POVA 8 Pro gets a stealthy makeover




