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Samsung Unpacked July 2025
The Verge· 2025-07-09 16:26
Product Innovation & Design - Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest fold yet with redesigned hinge and wing plates [1] - Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a larger 41% in Flex Window with a 68% reduced bezel [14] - Galaxy Watch 8 series features a 3nm processor, dual frequency GPS, and bioactive sensor [18] AI & Software Integration - 1 UI 8 on Android 16 expands AI experience across the ecosystem [2] - Gemini Live allows users to interact with Gemini through the camera or screen [2][3][4] - New devices come with 6 months of Google AI Pro [5] - Gemini integration in Galaxy Watch 8 enables tasks like finding cafes and texting [22] Camera & Display Technology - Z series introduces a 200 megapixel wide angle camera with a 44% larger image sensor [9][10] - Ultrawide camera features autofocus for macro capabilities and front camera captures up to 100° field of view [11] Performance & Security - Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy delivers up to 38% faster CPU, 41% stronger MPU, and a 26% boost in GPU [9] - New level of security creates encrypted app-specific environments in secure storage area [8] Availability & Pricing - Galaxy Z Fold 7 pricing starts at $1,999 [13] - Galaxy Z Flip 7 pricing starts at $1,099 [17] - Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE starts at $899 [18] - Galaxy Watch 8 series starts at $349, Classic from $499, and Ultra from $649 [23] - Full lineup launches on July 25th [13][17][23]
Hands-on with Samsung's new foldables
The Verge· 2025-07-09 14:01
Product Design & Features - Samsung's new foldable phones, including Flip models and a redesigned Fold, feature significant design improvements [1] - The Flip 7 boasts a larger cover screen extending to the edges, and the phone is wider, providing a more conventional phone-like experience when unfolded [1] - The redesigned Fold is remarkably thin, barely thicker than a USBC port when unfolded [1][2] - The cover screen is wider, improving usability [2] - The new Fold is lighter and less bulky compared to the ZFold 6 [2] Pricing & Market Position - The new Fold is positioned as a luxury item due to its price of $19.99% [2]
Galaxy Watch 8 Ultra hands-on: why the new face?
The Verge· 2025-07-09 14:01
Product Updates - The Galaxy Watch series introduces three models: Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and a slightly updated Galaxy Watch Ultra [1] - The watches feature a new "squirle" design, which allows for a thinner watch, a flatter fit on the wrist, and a slightly bigger battery [2] - The Classic model now only comes in a 46mm size and includes the rotating bezel and the Ultra's quick button [4][5] - The Ultra model receives an increase in storage from 32GB to 64GB and a new blue color [6] Software and Features - The watches feature Wear OS 6 with Gemini, a generative AI assistant, replacing Google Assistant [7] - Gemini can handle complex queries requiring multiple apps in sequence, such as creating a running playlist or starting a run to burn calories [8] - New health features include vascular load measurement during sleep, bedtime guidance, and a running coach for beginners and intermediate users [11][12][13] - A new antioxidant index uses LEDs to measure carotenoid levels in the skin to provide guidance on fruit and vegetable intake [14][15] Pricing and Availability - The Galaxy Watch 8's starting price increased by $50 to $34999, while the Classic increased by $100 to $49999 [18] - Additional costs apply for LTE versions or the larger size of the regular 8, while the Ultra remains at $64999 [18]
Trying the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Series
The Verge· 2025-07-09 14:00
Product Design & Features - The new Galaxy Watch 8 features a "squirrel" design for a flatter wrist fit, thinner profile, and slightly bigger battery [1] - The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic brings back the rotating bezel and includes the Ultra's quick button for shortcuts [2] - A new antioxidant index feature allows users to assess their need for fruits and vegetables via a sensor [3] Software & Functionality - Gemini replaces Assistant on the wrist, enabling more complex queries [2] Pricing & Availability - The regular Galaxy Watch 8 starting price is $50 (349.99%) higher [4] - The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is $100 (499.99%) more expensive [4] - A blue Galaxy Watch Ultra with double the storage is available at the same price [4]
Samsung Fold 7 hands-on: 26% thinner for $2,000?
The Verge· 2025-07-09 14:00
Product Overview & Positioning - Samsung's Z Fold 7 is significantly thinner and feels more like a regular phone when closed [1][3][4] - The Z Fold 7 is priced at $2,000, positioning it as a luxury product [1][4] - The Z Flip 7 features an edge-to-edge cover screen, a 4.1% inch screen compared to 3.4% inches of previous version [1][6][7] - The Z Flip 7 is priced at $1099 and includes upgrades like a larger cover screen and battery [6][8] - A Z Flip 7 FE (Fan Edition) is also available at $899, featuring an older design and Exynos chipset [9] Technical Specifications & Upgrades - The Z Fold 7's inner screen is now eight inches, up from 7.6% inches [3] - The Z Fold 7 is 8.9% millimeters thick when folded [3] - The Z Fold 7 includes a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset and a 200 megapixel main camera [4][5] - The Z Flip 7 has a larger 4,300 milliamp-hour battery compared to 4,000 milliamp-hour [8] Market & Competitive Landscape - Motorola offers a flip phone at a lower price point of $699 [9] - The industry acknowledges Samsung's improvements in design and functionality, making the new models feel like the phones they "were supposed to be from the beginning" [12]
Ladder’s integration with Spotify and Apple Music #Vergecast
The Verge· 2025-07-08 15:00
Product Features & User Preferences - Ladder users appreciate the ability to listen to their own playlists [1] - Integration with Spotify and Apple Music is a core value proposition for users [2] - Approximately one-third of the 75,000 app store reviews reference playing their own music [2] Business Strategy & Development - The music integration feature was initially an accidental discovery due to limited resources at launch in 2020 [1] - Offering music integration became a differentiator for Ladder [2]
Some news! David and Nilay are heading out on parental leave this summer!
The Verge· 2025-07-08 14:00
Personnel Changes - David Pierce and Nei are taking parental leave for the summer [1] - Jake Castanakis and other team members will host the Friday show [1] - A rotating set of hosts, including Vong, Gen 2, Allison Johnson, and Mia, will host the Tuesday show [2] - David Pierce and Nei will return in the fall [2]
A quest for the best headphone mics | The Vergecast
The Verge· 2025-07-08 12:00
Headphone Microphone Testing - The Vergecast conducted microphone tests on over-ear headphones, including Nothing Headphone 1 ($299), Sony WH-1000XM6s ($449), AirPods Max ($549), and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra [1][2] - Sony WH-1000XM6s were rated as the top pick for voice calls due to clear voice quality and effective background noise cancellation [2][3] - Nothing Headphone 1 was ranked second, offering good noise cancellation but with some voice compression [1][3] - AirPods Max were noted to let in more ambient noise and produced a thinner voice quality, ranking them last for voice calls [2][3] - Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra exhibited an echoey voice quality and inconsistent noise handling, placing them third [3] Strength Training App (Ladder) - Ladder aims to replicate personal training experience through programming, coaching, and accountability, making strength training accessible [3][4] - Ladder uses a matching algorithm to connect users with suitable programs and coaches based on fitness level, goals, and preferences [4] - Ladder emphasizes real coaching and proper form through movement videos and expert-designed progressive workouts [4] - Ladder's integration with Spotify and Apple Music, allowing users to listen to their own playlists, is a core value proposition [5][7] - Ladder uses AI to amplify the work of its coaches, helping them manage team chats and personalize the experience [7][16] - Ladder is exploring nutrition integration and using AI to provide personalized recommendations based on user data [16] AI Fitness Insights - AI fitness insights are seen as potentially beneficial for beginners who lack foundational fitness knowledge [19][21] - Companies offer AI summaries and chatbots, but the effectiveness varies, with some providing generic insights [22][23] - The value of AI lies in contextualizing data, but current AI fitness summaries often fall short of providing meaningful insights [28][32] - Companies acknowledge the need for AI in fitness but are still working on improving its accuracy and personalization [26][27]
Here's an update to our Nothing Headphone (1) review.
The Verge· 2025-07-07 17:30
I got to try Nothing's new headphone 1. Here's what I found after using them for a week. These do stick out from other Bluetooth headphones.They look cool here, but I think in person they might look a little cheesy with this plastic piece and rectangular shape. They are comfortable even after wearing all day. But the ear pads are not my favorite texture, and they aren't removable.The most interesting part to me is the controls. This roller wheel is for volume and pausing music. The paddle switch skips track ...
We took some sample photos with Project Indigo and the normal iPhone camera to see how they compare.
The Verge· 2025-07-05 14:01
Overview of Project Indigo - Project Indigo is an Adobe app designed to create images with a more natural, high-contrast look, contrasting with the typical washed-out photos from camera phones [1][2] - The app utilizes computational photography, merging multiple frames to reduce noise and enhance dynamic range [2][3] - The app's processing leans towards darker exposures, differing from the iPhone's tendency to brighten shadows [3] Performance and Trade-offs - Project Indigo is currently in beta, which results in it running hot and processing images slowly [4] - There is a risk of losing images if the user switches to the main camera app during processing [4] Availability and Future - The app is currently free for download and use, but its future pricing is uncertain [5]