IFA 2020 is a different experience for consumers, vendors, and exhibitors alike. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen some notable technology names drop out of the annual consumer tech showground.
One of the biggest names missing from IFA 2020 is Samsung, which held a separate event displaying the latest additions to its mobile, wearables, TV, audio, and home appliance ranges.
The Samsung Life Unstoppable show took place on September 2nd, and here’s what you need to know.
Samsung Life Unstoppable was a virtual experience, allowing consumers to tune in from around the world to take stock of the latest Samsung hardware. While Samsung is not exhibiting at IFA 2020 or using the IFA virtual event showcase, the South Korean tech giant is keeping step with the main event.
Life Unstoppable featured several key Samsung products:
- The Premier, a brand-new smart projector
- New additions to the Galaxy smartphone range, including the much-hyped Galaxy Z Fold2
- The Odyssey G5 gaming monitor with a super-fast response rate
- An interesting Wireless Trio Charger, for multiple-device wireless charging
- The updated Galaxy Fit2 smartwatch and fitness tracker
- Smart washing machine and tumble dryer units
The standout Samsung release is The Premier, a smart projector that brings a phenomenal 120- or 130-inch 4K cinematic experience into your living room.
The Premier is an Ultra Short Throw laser projector, which means you no longer require an expensive projector mount (or a pile of carefully balanced books). Instead, the laser projector beams the image upwards onto your wall at a very short distance, making The Premier more versatile than other options.
The smart projector includes Samsung’s HDR10+ technology, which is an alternative to Dolby’s Vision HDR format. You’ll also find all the standard bells and whistles from Samsung’s Smart TV platform, too.
A Samsung hardware launch wouldn’t be complete without some new Galaxy smartphone models, and Life Unstoppable didn’t disappoint.
The Galaxy Z Fold2 is Samsung’s long-awaited foldable smartphone, featuring an external 6.2-inch screen and a massive 7.6-inch internal screen. That’s right—the Fold2 comes with multiple screens, depending on how you use the device. Powering the folding phone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 64-bit octa-core processor, complete with 12GB RAM.
Those specs alone make it one of the most powerful smartphones on the market. Adding to those specs are three cameras, a 4,500mAh dual battery, 5G support, and 256GB storage at launch. With that, however, comes the price. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 will set you back a cool $1,999.99.
If that price seems a little excessive or you’re just not into folding smartphones, the Galaxy A42 5G might interest you. The Galaxy A42 5G is a new addition to Samsung’s midrange A-series of smartphones, and this latest model comes with the bonus of 5G support.
Aside from the 5G connectivity, the A42 5G features a new quad-camera layout, incorporating four cameras into the rear of the device. It also sports a decent 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen, which will use a waterdrop notch for its front-facing camera (rather than the punch-hole cutout option seen on other Galaxy models).
The A42 5G will launch with 128GB storage, though there is no information on the processor or other hardware specifications as yet.
Samsung’s Odyssey series of gaming monitors always attempts to push the boundaries of consumer gaming tech. The Odyssey G5 joins the roster with updated hardware, offering 1-millisecond response time, a rapid 240Hz refresh rate, and a 27-inch curved 1000R WQHD screen, and AMD’s FreeSync Premium technology.
Ever have the feeling you need more space for charging your wireless devices? Samsung hears you, loud and clear. Enter the Wireless Trio Charger, with space for three devices to charge wirelessly using Samsung’s Qi charging tech.
The Wireless Trio Charger is wide enough for several smartphones, although the Life Unstoppable demo shows the charger with a Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy Watch 3, and Galaxy Buds Live.
The Galaxy Fit2 is the latest update to Samsung’s range of smartwatches-cum-fitness trackers. The Fit2 builds on the success of the original Galaxy Fit and budget Galaxy Fit e, merging some of the concepts into the new device.
First up, the Galaxy Fit2 does away with the physical button on the side of the tracker. Instead, all device interaction comes through the 1.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen. The Fit2 weighs just 21g and manages to upgrade to a decent 159mAh battery. With everyday use, Samsung estimates the battery will last around 15-days, and more using the inbuilt power-saving options.
One significant change is the build materials. Where the Galaxy Fit featured metal, the Fit2 switches up entirely to silicon and plastic, making the device easier to wear for longer periods.
OK, washing machines and tumble dryers aren’t the most exciting tech. However, they are absolute necessities, and for anyone that deals with a busy household’s load of washing, anything that makes the process easier is a welcome addition.
The WW9800T washing machine and DV8000T tumble dryer use smart technology and a bit of AI-integration to learn and remember your washing mode combinations. The machines will also detect and monitor the level of soiling in your clothes along with the weight, and suggest the most efficient form of washing and drying, sending the program across both devices.
Unfortunately, you’ll still have to switch the clothes between the washer and the dryer physically. But you’ll at least receive a handy notification on your smartphone, reminding you to make the switch.
Samsung’s Life Unstoppable virtual experience is now over, but you can watch a full replay of the live event below:
The virtual experience takes you through each of the new Samsung products mentioned above, as well as some that didn’t make the cut. Samsung is always pushing technology forward, and the Life Unstoppable event—as an alternative to IFA 2020—illustrates that fact.