The Galaxy S20 Ultra and Z Flip, Samsung's new technological flagships

The Korean manufacturer is thinking big, using the latest technologies to develop its new premium smartphones. 5G compatibility, 8K video, and a new foldable clamshell phone are all part of the new generation of Galaxy phones.
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.

At its Unpacked event in San Francisco, Samsung kicked off the high-end smartphone battle of 2020 with its new flagships The new generation of Galaxy phones, known as the S20, with the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the most premium model in the range. At the same time, the Korean firm presented the Galaxy Z Flip, a new folding smartphone. What do all these new models have in common? The desire to bring highly differentiating innovations to the premium mobile market. In addition to the power and responsiveness of these handsets, they also make video-conferencing easier, and business travellers will be impressed by the Galaxy S20 Ultra, which is already ready for 5G.

After the Fold, the Flip

Clamshell phones are making a comeback, but they're now more popular than ever. packed with technology. After launching its folding screen, the Fold, in the autumn, which opened in two on the side to transform itself into a tablet - like its direct rival Huawei's Mate 30 X - Samsung is now unveiling the foldable Galaxy Z Flip phone, which closes up like a small compact into a square format weighing just 180 grams.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.

This charming pocket phone has all the makings of a big one when unfolded, with its ultra-thin 6.7-inch glass screen with a 22:9 aspect ratio. While its hinge seems more resistant than that of the Fold, the Flip has many uses. by unfolding it completely or by opening it just 90°. Once the phone is half open and placed on a table, you can enjoy a display divided into two parts, for example during video conversations, which will appear in the upper part while you search for additional information in the lower part. Also worth noting is the native integration of the Google Duo button for making... video calls. Ease of use is also assured with a small square screen that displays the time and essential notifications, starting with incoming calls, when the phone is folded up.

When unfolded, you can communicate as well as watch videos. However, this is not a true entertainment phone, as the Flip only has a single mono speaker. Similarly, its photo functions are stripped down to the essentials, with a dual 12MP camera module comprising a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle sensor. This compact smartphone is above all dedicated to communication. Positioned at the top end of the market, this luxury handset comes with some surprising features, such as the fact that it is not up to date with the new WiFi-6 standards, nor is it 5G compatible like Samsung's other new products. Another downside is that its 256GB storage capacity is not expandable, due to the lack of a microSD slot. In terms of specs, however, it's still better than Motorola's new Razr, a folding clamshell phone that was recently announced, but is less robust according to its specification sheet and in the same price bracket as the Flip. Clearly, flexibility and compactness come at a very premium price!

Ultra differentiation

Compatible with 5G, the new Galaxy S20 range comprises three models, the S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra, the latter being the Korean manufacturer's technological flagship at a price that exceeds the iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple's most expensive smartphone.

5G is the first differentiator in this range. While 5G communications specialist Huawei and its latest superstar smartphone, the Mate 30 Pro, has been weakened by the pillorying of the Chinese manufacturer by the Trump administration in the United States and the inability to access Google services, Samsung is making its presence felt, for the time being, with no rival to match on this subject. But the S20 Ultra is presented as the Korean manufacturer's real technological showcase, this ultra-premium handset setting new records in terms of screen size and photo-video, as well as responsiveness and power with its components under the bonnet.

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Almost the same size as a tablet, the S20 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Super Amoled screen that refreshes images at 120 Hz, or 120 frames per second on screen. The result is responsiveness in line with the possibilities offered by 5G. Another differentiating innovation is the 108-megapixel sensor, already offered by Xiaomi's Mi Note 10, which gives the S20 Ultra de shoot in 8KAnd that's not counting the 100X digital zoom. The smartphone features a quadruple camera with an imposing rear camera unit. What's the point of filming in 8K at a time when the first televisions with this ultra-high definition have recently come onto the market? The possibility of extracting high-definition portraits and panoramas from the film.

The one-upmanship goes all the way to front-mounted sensor for selfies 40 MP. This is a clear attempt to undercut Chinese manufacturer Huawei, the king of photography. This level of equipment and its integrated technologies are backed up by the Exynos 990 chip designed by Samsung, all running on Android 10. Likewise, the Ultra's autonomy is underpinned by an upgraded 5000 mAh battery, with the smartphone supplied with a 45W rapid charger.

Security features remain the same as previous generations, with a fingerprint reader under the glass screen. There's also the native integration of the Google Duo button, as on the Flip, but which will ensure the same high level of security as the Flip. video meetings And what's more, on a 5G network. In short, this technology-packed 'jewel' is set to make cameras disappear from your bag once and for all, while already being ready for 5G even before the latter is adopted on the French market!

 

The pocket foldable - Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

Samsung-galaxy-z-closedDimensions (closed) : 73.6 x 87.4 x 17.3 mm.
Weight : 183g.
Screen : Amoled (2636×1080 px) 6.7-inch.
Photo : dual 12-megapixel (f/1.8) and ultra-wide-angle 12-megapixel (f/2.2) sensors at the rear and 10-megapixel (f/2.4) sensor.
Processor : Qualcomm Snapdragon 855.
Storage : 256 GB.
RAM : 8 GB.
Connectivity : 4G, Wifi, BT 5.0, NFC.
Port : USB C, no jack.
Safety : Fingerprint reader.
Battery : 3300 mAh.
Operating system : Android 10.
Availability: at once.
Price : 1509 euros.

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The Nec plus ultra - Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

Samsung-Galaxy-S20-Ultra-5GDimensions : 166.9 x 76x 8.8 mm.
Weight : 220 g.
Screen : Dynamic Amoled (definition 3200 x 1440 px) 6.9 inches.
Photo : Wide angle 108 MP (f1/8) + Ultra wide angle 12 MP (f-2.2) + Telezoom 48 MP (f/3.5+ at rear. 40 MP (f 2.2) at the front.
Zoom 10x hybrid.
Video : 8K.
Processor : Exynos 990.
Operating system : Android 10.
Storage : 128 GB and 512 GB depending on version, expandable via microSDXC.
RAM : 12 GB and 16 GB depending on version.
Connectivity : 5 G, WiFi 6, BT 5.0, NFC.
Port : USB C, no jack.
Safety : Fingerprint reader.
Battery : 5000 mAh.
Operating system : Android 10.
Availability: 13th March.
Price : from 1,359 euros.