Samsung’s second Galaxy -packed event of the year is over – and it was another great one for fans of foldable and smartwatches.
As predicted by (many) leaks and rumors, Samsung launched a trio of new foldable. The leading package was the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, but we were also treated with more affordable alternatives in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE (which appears to be Z -Flip 6 in disguise).
It was also not only a big foldable party, with Samsung also delivered the Galaxy Watch 8 series. Alongside the new Galaxy Watch 8, we also saw the return of the rotating frame with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, a smartwatch that also makes a very good imitation of a dress.
But what else revealed Samsung (or fails to reveal) on what is likely to be its last unpacked event in 2025? Here are all the big headlines in a practical place …
1. .. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 finally brings a usable cover screen to the party
In recent years, it feels like the Galaxy Z Flip series has been a step behind the competition – but that is finally changing with the new Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Samsung has apparently innovated in all the right places with its latest flip foldable, which boasts a large, beautiful coverage screen (it is now 4.1 inches!) And a number of meaningful life upgrades as a stronger hinge and a more powerful exynos 2500 chipset.
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Flip 7’s internal screen has also been increased. At 6.9 inches it is larger and wider than the inner screen of the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and as we noticed in our practical Galaxy Z Flip 7 review, this size increases “the phone more like a Galaxy S25 Ultra and less as a strangely shaped foldable in hand.”
Other upgrades include a larger battery and improved waterproofing, but the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is about the new display experience – both are bigger and better and as a result paths Samsung’s flip series no longer behind them like Motorola Razr Ultra.
2nd Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an ‘Ultra’ level phone with a price to match
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was arguably the star of this latest unpacked event. Far from just being an iterative upgrade, this was an all-round improvement on the already EXECEMELENT SAMSUNG GALAXY Z Fold 6, as we have described in our practical Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review.
Of course, there are the expected power upgrades where this phone gets a Snapdragon 8 elite chipset and – at the top end – an extra 4 GB of RAM. But Samsung has also equipped the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a new 200MP primary snapper and increased the sizes of both screens.
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The most important thing is that this is by far the slimmest and lightest z fold yet, which comes in at only 215 g (it is smaller than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra!), And only 8.9 mm thick when folded and 4.2 mm thick when unfolded.
But all this comes at a high price, with Galaxy Z Fold 7, starting at $ 1,999.99 / £ 1,799 / AU $ 2,899 – which in the US is $ 100 more than last year’s phone and in Australia is AU $ 150 more. Ouch.
3. Galaxy Z Flip 6 has been reborn as Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
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For the first time, Samsung has launched a FE version of one of its collapsible phones, giving potential buyers a cheaper entry point than usual. But if you’ve been watching folding phones, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE may seem strangely known to you.
It’s because this is basically Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 again. It has exactly the same dimensions, it weighs the same, and they both have a 6.7-inch 120Hz folding screen and a 3.4-inch 60Hz tire screen.
Their cameras are also the same (though in justice they also match the standard z Flip 7’s camera specifications) and both phones have a 4,000 mAh battery.
The biggest differences are simply chipset and RAM, where the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE has an Exynos 2400 and 8 GB, rather than a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12 GB. So the newer phone is actually less powerful – but it also costs less, starting at $ 899 / £ 849 / AU $ 1,499. Whether the lower price will be enough to tempt buyers will be looking to see.
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is slimmer and brighter than before
Not only were phones on unpacked – Samsung also revealed some wearables, including Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and this has a new slimmer 8.6 mm thick design and a much lighter screen that can reach 3,000 nits.
It’s not just the hardware that has been upgraded either, as the Galaxy Watch 8 also has some new software features, such as Gemini on your wrist, and a new running coach that can put you on one of 160 different running plans.
There is now also an ‘antioxidant index’ that can give you an idea of whether you are eating enough fruits and vegetables (though deep down, you probably know the answer to it already).
Not all good news-Our practical Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review noted, for example, that the life of the battery is still too short, but the upgrades that have been sounds promise. There is also a new classic version for fans of rotating frames …
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is this year’s response to Ultra
Last year, Samsung Samsung launched Galaxy Watch Ultra, but rather than getting a new Ultra model this year, we have the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.
The classic has a rotating frame, like previous classic models, and our practical Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Review was as taken with this as ever. But it also borrows from Ultra with, for example, a programmable fast button. And although this laptop is definitely dressed to impress, it is not small and enters a thick 10.6 mm thick.
Most of the other highlights are on the software side, with the Watch 8 Classic Packing On-Wits Gemini, Sleep Apnea Detection and the same new Running Coach app as the default Galaxy Watch 8.
For $ 499 / £ 449 / AU $ 899 this is a more expensive view than the standard Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, but it is also sure to turn more heads.
6. Google Gemini comes to Galaxy Watch 8 – and everyone wears us -Smartwatches
One of the big AI messages at this unpacked event was that Google Gemini would come to the Galaxy Watch 8 series. And now Google has followed up by revealing that Gemini is rolling out over all Wear OS -Watches, including those from Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi and of course Pixel Watches.
This means you can talk to Gemini without having your phone nearby and will let you ask your Smartwatch questions using natural language. In theory, you also need to get quick, concise answers, but we seem to try this for ourselves before we make a judgment.
Google says Gemini will start rolling out to carry us -watch “in the coming weeks” as long as your watch is driving us 4 or higher.
7. The one UI 8 -Outruming will land soon (for some)
If it does not feel that long ago a UI 7 landed, it was Non-Samsung’s takeover of Android 15 arrived as late as December 2024. But a UI 8 will soon take the baton only six months on, with the new OS Pre-installed on Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7-as both the ship on July 25.
So what’s new with a UI 8? As we covered in our recent rumor -Roundup, you can expect to see an improved AI sound rubber, plus several other AI improvements. These include a more powerful Gemini Live feature (now also available on Z Flip 7’s Flex window) and a better version of Circle to search that can utilize Google’s AI mode for more in-depth answers to your questions.
However, one of our big unanswered questions is exactly when a UI 8 will roll out to older Samsung devices like the Galaxy S25? Samsung did not treat it at its latest unpacked, which would leave some concerned that it could pull on in a similar vein as a UI 7.
8. Z Fold 7 Ditches S Pen
A more controversial piece of news from Samsung’s second unpacked this year is that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has dropped support for S Pen. Why? It all helps to the leaner coincidental design.
By ditching the Digitizer layer on the display that supports the S -Pen, Samsung has been able to get the Galaxy Z folded 7 down to only 8.9 mm thick when folded and only 4.2 mm when unfolded. For some, the lack of S PEN support will be an annoying compromise, but Samsung clearly seems to be one that is worth doing.
To be fair, the Z Fold series has never come with an S pen, nor has it had a slot where you could stash one away. It was also only possible to use it on the folding inner screen rather than the cover display. But Samsung may have sustained anger of power users who see the fold series as the natural heirs of his old note family.
9. Samsung’s tri-foldable is still not ready for prime-time
All the stars pointed to an official teaser of Samsung Galaxy Tri-Foldable or G Fold, as it has been referred to in rumors, at this unpacked 2025 event. But we didn’t even get a trailer in five seconds.
This was disappointing as we have seen the first signs of the tri-folding in recent days in a UI 8 along with credible rumors of mass production starting in September. It made us think that Samsung would at least start building the hype for the next big foldable design.
But there are also probably good reasons why it did not, including Tri-Foldable’s expected exclusivity. Not only was it rumored to be insurmountable animal (early whispers predicted a brand in the range $ 3,000- $ 3,500), which is a chance that it can also only be sold in South Korea and China, originally.
If so, a reveal at a global event like unpacked 2025 would make less sense. But it doesn’t make us less excited to see it later in the year.
