The main event of Samsung Electronics' second half 'Galaxy Unpacked' ceremony is undoubtedly the new foldable smartphone. However, this year two products have garnered as much attention as the main attraction: the 'Galaxy Watch8' series, which significantly enhances health management functions, and the 'Fan Edition (FE)' that is making its debut in the foldable smartphone lineup.
Samsung Electronics held the 'Galaxy Unpacked 2025' event on the 9th (local time) at the Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, New York, unveiling the 'Galaxy Watch8' and 'Galaxy Watch8 Classic'. The company introduced them as 'the thinnest and most comfortable products in the Galaxy Watch series, based on design innovation.'
Roh Tae-Moon, acting president of Samsung Electronics' DX division, noted, 'The Galaxy Watch8 series sets a new standard for wearables by completely redesigning the hardware, from components to exterior, based on Samsung Electronics' hardware innovations,' and added, 'We will provide more precise information to users with our unique technology to support them in developing healthy habits.'
Samsung Electronics also presented its new foldable smartphones, the 'Galaxy Z Fold7' and 'Galaxy Z Flip7', at this event. Since launching its first foldable smartphone in 2019, Samsung Electronics has unveiled two foldable phones at the Galaxy Unpacked events in the second half of the year. However, this time it introduced an additional foldable phone that is its first budget model, the 'Galaxy Z Flip7 FE.'
FE refers to products designed with lower specifications at a more affordable price while retaining popular features from flagship models. Samsung Electronics introduced the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE as 'a product that can provide a foldable experience to more users.'
◇FE is 286,000 won cheaper than Z Flip7… camera and waterproof performance are the same
The FE is a product line focused on 'cost performance'. Samsung Electronics, which opened the global foldable smartphone market with the Galaxy Z Fold, has anticipated that the new form factor, rather than the traditional bar design, will become mainstream. However, the proportion of foldable phones in the global smartphone market last year was only 12.2%.
Samsung Electronics has taken 'strong measures' to expand the foldable phone market. Despite the high tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration on smartphones imported into the United States, it has frozen the price of the 'Galaxy Z Flip7'. The launch of the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is also seen as part of a strategy aimed at 'popularizing foldable phones.'
The price of the 'Galaxy Z Flip7 FE' with 8 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 256 GB of storage has been set at 1,199,000 won, which is 286,000 won cheaper than the 'Galaxy Z Flip7' with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.
The thickness of the Flip7 FE is 14.9 mm when folded and 6.9 mm when unfolded. Its width is 71.9 mm. Although it is smaller than the Flip7 (width of 75.2 mm), it is slightly thicker (13.7 mm, 6.5 mm). While the Flip7 is equipped with a 4300 mAh battery, the Flip7 FE has a smaller capacity of 4000 mAh. The Flip7 FE is 1 gram lighter than the Flip7. Its application processor (AP), known as the brain of the smartphone, is also the 'Exynos 2400', which is one generation behind the Flip7.
However, the camera performance is the same as the Flip7. It is equipped with a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide dual camera. The front camera supports 10 megapixels. The waterproof and dustproof performance is also the same at 'IP48'. This rating ensures that particles of 1 mm in size cannot penetrate the device and that it is protected for 30 minutes in water at a depth of 1.5 meters.
The Flip7 FE will be available in two colors, black and white. Like the Fold and Flip7, it will be released worldwide sequentially starting from the 25th. Pre-orders will be conducted domestically for seven days from the 15th to the 21st.
◇Check sleep, diet, and exercise information with Watch8… 11% thinner for better comfort compared to the previous model
The Galaxy Watch8 series unveiled by Samsung Electronics includes ▲ the slim and minimalist 'Galaxy Watch8' ▲ and the 'Galaxy Watch8 Classic', which incorporates a rotating bezel and quick buttons to evoke the feel of an analog watch. Both models feature a cushion design. The display brightness has been enhanced by 50% compared to the previous model, supporting a maximum of 3000 nits. The battery capacity has also increased from the previous model. Additionally, it is equipped with a 'dual-frequency GPS system' for accurate location tracking.
The company stated, 'We have newly designed the internal structure of the product and improved the component integration rate by 30%, resulting in a thickness that is 11% thinner than the Galaxy Watch7,' and added, 'By applying the 'Dynamic Lug System' that improves the connection structure of the watch band, we optimized the design for wrist movement, enhancing the wearing comfort and improving the accuracy of health indicator measurements.'
Through the 'Bioactive Sensor' that precisely measures various health indicators, users can check comprehensive information about their health. They can access information related to sleep, diet, and exercise. The 'Running Coach' feature analyzes the user's running level and establishes a personalized workout plan while providing real-time coaching. The 'Together' feature helps users achieve exercise goals by competing with people around them.
For the first time in a smartwatch, the 'oxidative stress index' measurement feature has been incorporated. It can determine the levels of carotenoids, one of the antioxidant components, in just five seconds. The company explained, 'This feature provides motivation to form healthy habits by allowing users to intuitively see the impact of changes in diet or lifestyle on their body,' and noted, 'Although the oxidative stress index can be measured with all fingers, it is recommended to use the thumb for more accurate results.'
The Galaxy Watch8 series also includes a 'Sleep Time Guide' feature that analyzes the user's sleep patterns over the past three days. It incorporates the first smartwatch feature that measures the level of stress on the cardiovascular system during sleep.
If high levels of stress persist for a certain period in daily life, an alarm is sent to the user to recommend taking a break. Additionally, with the 'Mindfulness' feature, users can start breathing exercises and record their mood. The AI-based 'Energy Score' allows users to comprehensively manage their condition by considering the physical and mental impacts of health on daily life.
Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with Google, has incorporated the Wear Operating System 6 (OS 6) and the AI model 'Gemini' into the Galaxy Watch8 series for the first time. This allows users to easily perform various actions with voice commands, as if they were conversing in daily life. For example, saying, 'Start a 300-calorie circuit training workout' triggers the exercise feature on Samsung Health.
The 'Galaxy Watch8' and 'Galaxy Watch8 Classic' will also be released sequentially worldwide starting from the 25th. In Korea, pre-orders will be held from midnight on the 10th to the 21st. The 'Galaxy Watch8' will be available in silver and graphite colors in 44 mm and 40 mm sizes. The 'Galaxy Watch8 Classic' will come in black and white colors in 46 mm size.
The prices for the Galaxy Watch8 are: ▲ 44 mm Bluetooth 459,000 won ▲ 44 mm LTE 489,500 won ▲ 40 mm Bluetooth 419,000 won ▲ 44 mm LTE model 449,900 won. The Galaxy Watch8 Classic prices are: ▲ 46 mm Bluetooth 569,000 won ▲ 46 mm LTE 599,500 won.