UPDATE — Introducing the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4: Versatile and Powerful, the Samsung Z Series Changes the Way We Interact with Smartphones – GlobeNewswire
Samsung pushes the boundaries of smartphone versatility with its fourth-generation foldables, providing enhanced productivity, customization capabilities, and FlexCam experiences
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Aug. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Samsung Electronics Canada today announced the next generation of groundbreaking foldable smartphones: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. Both devices feature customizable form factors, tailored experiences, and upgraded performance. Now in its fourth generation, the Galaxy Z Series continues to break conventions to deliver new and immersive experiences that enhance everyday life.
“Samsung Galaxy foldables are built on the foundation of our openness philosophy, enabling new possibilities with complete customization both inside and out. Created in collaboration with our world-class partners, the next foldable devices offer mobile experiences that meet the needs of our most dynamic users,” said Dr. TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Through our unwavering focus and industry leadership, excitement for foldables continues to grow. We’ve successfully transformed this category from a radical project to a mainstream device lineup enjoyed by millions worldwide.”
A testament to Samsung’s dedication to superb craftsmanship, every component in the latest Galaxy Z Series has been designed to deliver optimized experiences that fit the needs of a user. The Galaxy Z Flip4 builds on the success of past Galaxy Z Flip devices with upgraded camera features, a larger battery1, and expanded customization opportunities, all while maintaining an ultra-compact design. Delivering Samsung’s most comprehensive smartphone experience to-date, the Galaxy Z Fold4 opens new possibilities by offering shape-shifting design, immersive2 displays and PC-like multitasking3 features supported by advanced camera technology and powerful mobile processors.
Galaxy Z Flip4, the Ultimate Self-expression Tool, Inside and Out The Galaxy Z Flip4 is the ultimate tool for self-expression. Its compact clamshell design offers unique experiences to users. Shoot hands-free video or capture full group selfies at various angles by partially folding Galaxy Z Flip4 to activate FlexCam4. Content can even be enjoyed on users’ favourite apps5 – thanks to the Samsung-Meta partnership, FlexCam6 is optimized for the most popular social platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook. Do more with Galaxy Z Flip4 by taking high-quality selfies right from the Cover Screen7 by leveraging the main camera with the upgraded Quick Shot. Start high-quality video recording in Quick Shot mode and then seamlessly switch to Flex8 mode to continue recording hands-free without stopping the video – ideal for content creators and vloggers. Users are now able to take selfies in Portrait Mode and see a preview in actual photo ratio when using Quick Shot. Plus, with an upgraded camera equipped with a 65 percent brighter sensor9 powered by the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, photos and videos are crisp and stable – day or night. The Galaxy Z Flip4 can also capture, watch, and connect longer thanks to an expanded 3,700mAh battery (typical)10 that, when paired with Super-Fast charging, can boost battery up to 50 percent in around 30 minutes11.
With a slimmer hinge, straightened edges, contrasting hazed back glass and glossy metal frame, the 2022 Galaxy Z Flip4 design is our most refined smartphone yet. Crafted to go truly hands-free, users can do more without ever opening their phone. Make calls, reply to texts, all from the Cover Screen12. The Galaxy Z Flip4 can also be customized inside and out with Galaxy Themes on both the Cover and Main Screen to complement each users unique style. Users can create their own Cover Screen13 with new clock designs and backgrounds in various formats such as images, GIFs and even video14.
Galaxy Z Fold4, a Multi-tasking Powerhouse The Galaxy Z Fold4 reflects the latest in Samsung Galaxy innovation delivering our most powerful smartphone yet. Galaxy Z Fold4 combines Samsung’s collective mobile technology expertise to create a device with increased functionality whether opened, closed, or in Flex mode15. Furthermore, it is the first Samsung device to ship with Android 12L, a special version of Android created by Google for large-screen experiences, including foldables.
Multitasking16 on Galaxy Z Fold4 is now super easy so users can get more done on the go. The new Taskbar17 provides a layout similar to your PC, offering access to your favourite and recent apps. Multitasking18 is also more intuitive thanks to new swipe gestures19. Instantly switch full-screen apps to pop-up windows or split your screen in half for more ways to multitask20.
Partnerships with Google and Microsoft further elevate multitasking experiences on Galaxy Z Fold4. Google apps, including Chrome and Gmail, now support drag-and-drop, allowing users to quickly copy and paste links, photos and more from one app to another. With Google Meet, users can now connect with more people while enjoying virtual co-activities, including co-watching videos on YouTube. Microsoft’s full Office suite and Outlook take advantage of the foldable display, providing more information on the screen and faster ways to interact with the content. The multitasking experience is complete with S Pen functionality21, enabling on-the-go drawing and notetaking with streamlined storage inside the Standing Cover with Pen case22.
Galaxy Z Fold4 takes stunning photos and videos with an upgraded 50MP wide lens and 30x Space Zoom23 lens. A variety of camera modes, including the larger zoom activated on Capture View Mode, Dual Preview, and Rear Cam Selfie are custom-built to take advantage of the unique form factor for increased capturing flexibility. And with the larger pixel size, a 23 percent brighter sensor24, and enhanced processing power, users can capture clear images even at night.
Content is even more immersive and distinctive on the 7.6-inch Main Screen25 with a brighter display, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate26, and a less visible Under Display Camera (UDC) thanks to a new scatter-type sub-pixel arrangement. Popular social media apps, such as Netflix and Facebook, are optimized for the large-screen experience to make content more enjoyable, and users can even watch streaming entertainment service apps hands-free with Flex mode27. For non-optimized apps, users can control the device without disrupting content with the new Flex Mode Touchpad28, offering accuracy while pausing, rewinding, and playing videos, or zooming in and out of content while the device is in Flex mode29.
Games are snappier too thanks to the powerful Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform and hyper-fast 5G30. With a slimmer hinge, lighter weight, and even narrower bezels, the wider screen enables easier one-handed interactions while using the Cover Screen31.
Folding Screen Technology That Stands the Test of Time Samsung continues its barrier-defying innovation journey to deliver the level of durability32 consumers expect, both in and out. With our Armor Aluminum frames and hinge cover along with exclusive Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+ on the Cover Screen and rear glass, Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4 are our toughest foldables yet. Durability of the Main Screen panel is also enhanced, thanks to the optimized layer structure. In addition, both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4 are equipped with IPX833 water resistance, so users can worry less if they get caught in the rain.
Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Premium Design with the Ultimate Listening Experience Joining the Galaxy Z Series are Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro – Samsung’s new top-of-the-line earbuds that provide immersive wireless audio experiences. With a new, compact design and seamless connectivity, Galaxy Buds2 Pro are designed to elevate everyday life. Appreciate every musical interlude with superb Hi-Fi 24bit Audio34, high-dynamic range and crystal-clear resolution that helps you feel connected to what you’re listening to. Users can also take calls or listen to their favourite content on-the-go with powerful ANC35 that eliminates outside noise and distractions. The new compact, ergonomic design is also 15 percent smaller36 and designed with a secure fit engineered to prevent rotation which makes it ideal for fitness activities.
The new Galaxy Buds2 Pro allow users to escape into their own world and simultaneously stay connected to their life. Whether quickly transitioning from a lunchtime walk outside to join a meeting on your PC or gaming on your tablet and need to answer a phone call, Galaxy Buds2 Pro features Auto Switch37 to seamlessly connect to your Galaxy device with a touch of a finger. Samsung seamless codec enables quality music transfer without a pause and the new coaxial 2-way speaker makes those sounds richer.
Galaxy for the Planet Since the launch of the Galaxy S22 Series, Samsung has incorporated recycled materials not just in our packaging, but also in the hardware of our new products. These are the first steps in our Galaxy for the Planet initiative, which includes our continued incorporation of recycled plastics and the creation of new materials in partnership with leading sustainability partners. As we continue to pursue innovations in sustainable manufacturing, we are proud to announce that more than 90% of the new Galaxy Buds2 Pro is made with recycled materials38. The new Galaxy Z Series also incorporates ocean-bound plastics into key components and 100 percent recycled paper for its packaging. We also reduced volume of the packaging up to 58%39 compared to the first-generation Galaxy foldables. This equates to a saving of approximately 10,000 tons of carbon emissions based on transportation from Korea to Europe this year40.
Canadian Availability The Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro are available for pre-order starting August 10, 2022 and for purchase starting August 26, 2022 at samsung.com/ca, Samsung Experience Stores and various retail/carrier partners across Canada.
Galaxy Z Fold4: The Galaxy Z Fold4 and Standing Cover with Pen41 case are offered in refined colours that include Graygreen, Moon Beige and Phantom Black42. The 256GB model is available for $2,269.99 (MSRP). The 512GB model is available for $2,429.99 (MSRP). For more information, please see https://www.samsung.com/ca/smartphones/galaxy-z-fold4/
Galaxy Z Flip4: Galaxy Z Flip4 complements users’ styles with premium designs in legacy colours: Bora Purple and Graphite, and new colours: Pink Gold and Blue. The 128GB model is available for $1,259.99 (MSRP). The 256GB model is available for $1,329.99 (MSRP), and the 512GB is available for $1,499.99 (MSRP). For more information, please see https://www.samsung.com/ca/smartphones/galaxy-z-flip4/
The expanded Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition – available in 256GB for $1399.99 (MSRP) – offers glass colours and frame options that provide 75 combinations to choose from, allowing customers to completely control the look of their device43. For more information, please see https://www.samsung.com/ca/mobile/galaxy-bespoke/galaxy-z-flip4/
Promotional Offers
Twice the Storage. Same Price. Canadians can receive twice the storage for the same price when they pre-order between August 10 to August 25, 2022 (upon completion of purchase) or purchase from August 26 to September 8, 2022 that equates to $160 savings on the Galaxy Z Fold4 512 GB or Galaxy Z Flip4 512 GB, and $80 savings on the Galaxy Z Flip4 256 GB. To learn more, please see https://www.samsung.com/ca/offer/flagship-memory-upgrade/
Trade-In Offer Canadians can also get up to $86145 when trading in their old smartphone and pre-order (and complete) their purchase of an eligible Galaxy Z Fold4 or Galaxy Z Flip4 device between August 10, 2022 and August 25, 2022, or when purchasing an eligible Galaxy Z Fold4 or Galaxy Z Flip4 device between August 26, 2022 and October 3, 2022. To learn more, please see https://www.samsung.com/ca/offer/flagship-trade-in/
Peace of Mind with Samsung Care+ With a Samsung Care+ Plan, Canadians can experience a total care service for their new Galaxy Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet or Wearable device. Users will be protected for up to two years against physical or liquid damage and mechanical malfunction or defects, with a team of dedicated Galaxy experts available to help them get back on track.46
Canadians who pre-order a Galaxy Z Fold4 or Galaxy Z Flip4 smartphone between August 10 and August 25, 2022 and complete their purchase by September 8, 2022 will receive either a Bonus Samsung Care+ 1 Year Plan at no additional charge or Samsung Care+ 2 Year Plan at 50% off. To learn more, please see https://www.samsung.com/ca/offer/samsung-care-plus/
Premium Care Service Your Galaxy Z Fold4 or Galaxy Z Flip4 device comes with dedicated customer care services designed specifically to deliver our best customer service experience to our valued customers. Specially trained experts are available 24/7 via live chat or by phone 9am-9pm EST at 1-888-970-FOLD to provide you with personalized and exclusive support for your device. Visit www.samsung.com/ca/support for more information.
About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. Samsung Electronics Canada inspires Canadians to reach their full potential through a transformative ecosystem of products and services that deliver innovation and distinct design to every aspect of their connected lives. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones and wearable devices, tablets and digital appliances. In 2022, Samsung was ranked as one of Canada’s “Most Reputable Companies” in Léger’s Corporate Reputation Study. Dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of Canadians, Samsung’s award-winning corporate giving initiatives support public education and health-related issues in communities across the country. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada, or Instagram @samsungcanada or Twitter @SamsungCanada.
*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip4’s Main Screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.6″ with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
Cover Screen
1.9-inch Super AMOLED Display* 260 x 512
*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip4’s Cover Screen size is 1.9″ in the full rectangle and 1.8″ with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.
Dimension & Weight
Folded
71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1mm (Hinge) – 15.9mm (Sagging)
Unfolded
71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9mm
*The thickness of Galaxy Z Flip4 when unfolded does not include the frame of the Main Screen.
Weight
187g
Camera
Front Camera
10MP Selfie Camera F2.4, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 80˚
Rear Dual Camera
12MP Ultra Wide Camera F2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚
12MP Wide-angle Camera Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.8μm, FOV: 83˚
AP
4㎚ Octa-Core Processor
Memory
8GB RAM with 512GB internal storage 8GB RAM with 256GB internal storage 8GB RAM with 128GB internal storage
*Availability may vary by market or channel. Actual storage space may vary by market, model, file size and format.
Battery
3,700 mAh (typical) dual battery
*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 3595mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Charging
Super Fast Charging*: Up to 0% to 50% charge in around 30mins with 25W adapter** or higher Fast Wireless Charging 2.0*** Wireless PowerShare****
*Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC. **25W Power Adapter sold separately. Super Fast Charging available when using 25W or higher adapter. Results from internal Samsung lab tests, conducted with 25W Travel Adapter while it has 0% of power remaining, with all the services, features and screen turned off. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions and other factors. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables. ***Wireless charging compatible with WPC. ****Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with WPC Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, S22 series, Z Fold3 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 FE 5G, S21 series, Z Fold2, Note20 series, S20 series, Z Flip, Note10 series, S10 series, S9 series, S8 series, S7 series, S6 series, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Buds2, Buds Pro, Buds Live, Watch5, Watch5 Pro, Watch4, Watch4 Classic, Watch3, Watch Active2, Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds. May not work with certain accessories, covers, or other brand devices. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.
Water Resistance
IPX8
*IPX8 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Not dust-resistant.
*5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.
*SIM card sold separately. Availability may vary depending on market and carrier. **eSIM availability may vary depending on software version, region and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM.
Colours
Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue [Bespoke Edition] Front/Back (Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki, Red), Frame (Silver/Black/Gold)
*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Fold4’s Main Screen size is 7.6″ in the full rectangle and 7.4″ with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.
Cover Screen
6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display (2316 x 904, 23.1:9)
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (48~120Hz)
*Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Fold4’s Cover Screen size is 6.2″ in a full rectangle and 6.1″ accounting for the rounded corners. The actual viewable area is smaller due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
Dimension & Weight
Folded
67.1 x 155.1 x 15.8mm(Hinge) ~ 14.2mm(Sagging)
Unfolded
130.1 x 155.1 x 6.3mm
Weight
263g
Camera
Cover Camera
10MP Selfie Camera F2.2, Pixel size: 1.22μm, FOV: 85˚
Under display camera
4MP Under Display Camera F1.8, Pixel size: 2.0μm, FOV: 80˚
Rear Triple Camera
12MP Ultra Wide Camera F2.2, Pixel size: 1.12μm, FOV: 123˚
50MP Wide-angle Camera Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, Pixel size: 1.0μm, FOV: 85˚
*30X Space Zoom includes 3x Optical Zoom and 30x digital zoom with AI Super Resolution technology. Zooming in past 3x may cause some image deterioration
AP
4㎚ Octa-Core Processor
Memory
12GB RAM with 1TB internal storage 12GB RAM with 512GB internal storage 12GB RAM with 256GB internal storage
*Availability may vary by market or channel. Actual storage space may vary by market, model, file size and format.
Battery
4,400mAh (typical) dual battery*
*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4275mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Charging
Super Fast Charging*: Up to 0% to 50% charge in around 30mins with 25W adapter ** or higher Fast wireless charging 2.0*** Wireless PowerShare****
*Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC. **25W Power Adapter sold separately. Super Fast Charging available when using 25W or higher adapter. Results from internal Samsung lab tests, conducted with 25W Travel Adapter while it has 0% of power remaining, with all the services, features and screen turned off. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions and other factors. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables. ***Wireless charging compatible with WPC. ****Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with WPC Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, S22 series, Z Fold3 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 FE 5G, S21 series, Z Fold2, Note20 series, S20 series, Z Flip, Note10 series, S10 series, S9 series, S8 series, S7 series, S6 series, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Buds2, Buds Pro, Buds Live, Watch5, Watch5 Pro, Watch4, Watch4 Classic, Watch3, Watch Active2, Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy Buds. May not work with certain accessories, covers, or other brand devices. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.
Water Resistance
IPX8
*IPX8 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Not dust-resistant.
*5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment. **Wi-Fi 6E network availability may vary by market, network provider and user environment. Requires optimal connection. Will require a Wi-Fi 6E router.
*SIM card sold separately. Availability may vary depending on market and carrier. **eSIM availability may vary depending on software version, region and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM.
Graphite, White, Bora Purple *Available colours may vary by market, carrier or retailer.
Dimensions & Weight
Earbud: 19.9 x 21.6 x 18.7 mm, 5.5g Charging Case: 50.1 x 50.2 x 27.7 mm, 43.4g
Speaker
Custom Coaxial 2-way (Tweeter + Woofer) Speaker
Sound Quality
24bit Hi-Fi* 360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel** *24-bit Hi-Fi sound requires Samsung Galaxy devices running OneUI 4.0 or higher and Galaxy Buds2 Pro. 24-bit Hi-Fi sound support may vary depending on the application **Direct Multi-channel is supported with Android One UI version 4.1.1 or later, 360 Audio Supports One UI 3.1 or later
ANC & Ambient Sound
ANC*+High SNR Microphone (2 outer + 1 inner)** Ambient Sound Voice Detect*** **With 3 high SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) microphones, Galaxy Buds2 Pro can eliminate small noises by capturing lower level sounds. ***Galaxy Buds2 Pro can distinguish between noise and human voices. When you speak, it switches temporarily to Ambient mode and reduces media volume so that you can hear conversations without taking out your earbuds.
** The typical capacity has been tested under third party laboratory conditions. The typical capacity is the estimated average capacity considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under the IEC 61960-3 standard. The rated capacity is 58mAh (earbuds), 500mAh (charging case). Actual battery life may vary depending on the network environment, usage patterns, and other factors.
Play Time
Up to 5 hours / Total up to 18 hours (ANC on) Up to 8 hours / Total up to 29 hours (ANC off) *Earbuds provide up to 5hrs play time with ANC on (up to 8 hrs with ANC off), while the case provides up to 18 hours of battery life (up to 29 hours with ANC off) when the case and earbuds are charged to 100%. Based on internal testing. Audio playback time internally tested by Samsung using default settings** including ANC on. Actual battery life may vary and depend on usage conditions, settings, number of times charged, Bluetooth signal strength, and other factors ** Default setting refers to the original setting for the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, simply with the power turned on.
Talk Time
Up to 3.5 hours / Total up to 14h (ANC on) Up to 4.0 hours / Total up to 15h (ANC off) *Earbuds provide up to 3.5hrs voice call time with ANC on (up to 4 hrs with ANC off), while the case provides up to 14 hours of battery life (up to 15 hours with ANC off) when the case and earbuds are charged to 100%. Based on internal testing. Voice call time internally tested by Samsung using default settings** including ANC on. Actual battery life may vary and depend on usage conditions, settings, number of times charged, Bluetooth signal strength, and other factors. ** Default setting refers to the original setting for the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, simply with the power turned on.
Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Hall, Touch, Voice Pickup Unit (VPU)
Compatibility
Android 8.0 or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM *Some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices. Availability may vary by market, operator or connected device.
Water Resistance
IPX7 *IPX7 is based on laboratory test conditions for submersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Charging case is not water resistant. If the earbuds are damaged, they are not guaranteed to be water resistant. If the earbuds or your hands are wet, they must be dried thoroughly prior to handling or placing into the charging case.
______________________________________ 1 Compared to Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. 2 Measured diagonally, Z Fold4’s Main Screen size is 7.6” in the full rectangle and 7.4” when accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners. 3 Certain applications may not support multi-tasking. 4 FlexCam refers to camera experience using Flex mode. Flex mode supported at angles between 75° and 115°. For your convenience, it may be difficult to maintain Flex Mode while moving due to shaking or other movement. It is recommended to keep the phone stationary while in Flex Mode. 5 Compatibility may differ by application. 6 FlexCam refers to camera experience using Flex mode. Flex mode supported at angles between 75° and 115°. For your convenience, it may be difficult to maintain Flex Mode while moving due to shaking or other movement. It is recommended to keep the phone stationary while in Flex Mode. 7 Certain applications may not be supported on the Cover Screen. 8 Flex mode supported at angles between 75° and 115°. For your convenience, it may be difficult to maintain Flex Mode while moving due to shaking or other movement. It is recommended to keep the phone stationary while in Flex Mode. 9 Compared to Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. 10 Compared to Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 3,595mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors. 11 Super Fast Charging available when using 25W or higher adapter. Results from internal Samsung lab tests, conducted with 25W Travel Adapter while it has 0% of power remaining, with all the services, features and screen turned off. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions and other factors. Travel Adapter sold separately. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables. 12 Certain applications may not be supported on the Cover Screen 13 Certain applications may not be supported on the Cover Screen 14 For video, resolution from 176×144 (qCIF) to 1920×1080 (FHD), up to 15 seconds playback time and maximum 100MB size is supported. 15 Flex mode supported at angles between 75° and 115°. For your convenience, it may be difficult to maintain Flex Mode while moving due to shaking or other movement. It is recommended to keep the phone stationary while in Flex Mode. 16 Certain applications may not support multi-tasking. 17 Taskbar feature supported on the main screen only. 18 Certain applications may not support multi-tasking. 19 Requires activation of Labs in Settings. 20 Certain applications may not support Multi Active Window or App Pair. 21 S Pen sold separately. Only Z Fold4 Main Screen has S Pen capability. Compatible only with the S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro. All other S Pens or stylus pens not designed for Z Fold4 (including those by other manufacturers) may damage the screen. 22 S Pen Fold Edition is included in the Standing Cover with Pen case. Accessories sold separately. 23 30X Space Zoom includes 3x Optical Zoom and 30x digital zoom with AI Super Resolution technology. Zooming in past 3x may cause some image deterioration. 24 Compared to Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. 25 Measured diagonally, Z Fold4’s Main Screen size is 7.6” in the full rectangle and 7.4” when accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners. Compared to Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. 26 Screen refresh rate varies depending on the app used, and certain apps may not support up to 120Hz. 27 Flex mode supported at angles between 75° and 115°. For your convenience, it may be difficult to maintain Flex Mode while moving due to shaking or other movement. It is recommended to keep the phone stationary while in Flex Mode 28 Requires activation of Labs in Settings. 29 Flex mode supported at angles between 75° and 115°. For your convenience, it may be difficult to maintain Flex Mode while moving due to shaking or other movement. It is recommended to keep the phone stationary while in Flex Mode 30 5G speeds vary and require optimal network and connection (factors include frequency, bandwidth, congestion); see carrier for availability. 31 Compared to Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. 32 Compared to Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. 33 Consistent with IPX8 rating, water resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry after wet. 34 Samsung Galaxy device with One UI 4.0 or higher is required. 24-bit audio support may vary depending on the application. 35 Compared to Galaxy Buds Pro: -3dB (50~1kHz Average). 36 Compared to the dimensions of Galaxy Buds Pro. 37 Auto Switch feature for Samsung TV is only available on Samsung TVs launched Feb 2022 or later after getting a firmware update from Jul 2022. Auto Switch with TV is only available for making and receiving phone calls. 38 More than 90% of all the plastic components of Galaxy Buds2 Pro, in weight, are made of recycled materials. 29 grams of plastics are used in the Galaxy Buds2 Pro in total, and it includes more than 27 grams recycled materials. Each of these components contains at least 20% of either discarded fishing nets (ocean-bound plastic) or post-consumer materials. Recycled fishing nets are used in three internal components of the cradle case in its bracket deco front, bracket battery holder and bracket-PCB. Post-consumer recycled materials are used in eight exterior components. Four components in both Buds in its case front left/right, case rear left/right. And four components in the cradle case in its deco front, case-upper, case-upper inner, and case-lower. 39 The package volume of Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 has been reduced 58.2% and 52.8%. respectively, as compared to the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip devices. 40 Calculated based on ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006 standard, using Ecoinvent 3.8 database for transportation of SM-F700F, SM-F721B, SM-F900F and SM-F936B models from Korea to Europe. 41 Accessories sold separately. 42 Available colours may vary by market, carrier and retailer. 43 Customers can choose frame options of Black, Silver, or Gold and front and back colors of Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki or Red. Color availability may vary depending on country, region, or carrier. Bespoke Edition only available on Samsung.com. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks (estimate) for delivery. Bespoke Edition color availability may vary depending on country, region or carrier. 44 Each earbud is 5.5g, 0.8g lighter compared to the earbud weight of Galaxy Buds Pro. 45 Based on trade in value of Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G 512 GB and purchasing the Galaxy Z Fold4. 46 Terms and Conditions apply. For full Terms and Conditions, please see https://support-ca.samsung.com/secaew/consumer/ca/terms.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty
A team of researchers from Newcastle University and Loughborough University in the United Kingdom had pressing questions about a feature of many popular video games. More and more, digital games seemed to be incorporating something called “loot boxes”—a surprise bag of random in-game goodies players could acquire in exchange for real-world money. Take the popular “FIFA” video game franchise, for instance, which has introduced loot boxes in the form of player packs. Gamers can purchase packs and collect famous soccer stars to play on their team. In addition to an aesthetic benefit, packs have a small chance of containing “rare” or “legendary” players who can strengthen one’s team in-game. Loot boxes don’t meet the legal definition of gambling, but they often take pages out of the same book.
Selling loot boxes in popular video games, the U.K. researchers wrote in a 2022 report, is “problematic,” in no small part because these games are regularly played by children and young people. Gambling, meanwhile, is restricted to adults above 18. In their study of 42 English families with children between the ages of 5 and 17, the researchers investigated how young people engaged with these paid reward systems—and their findings were striking and concerning.
One young person they interviewed routinely spent up to seven hours each day playing a popular mobile card game. He watched YouTubers who played the game and aspired to compete with them—but to do that, he needed better cards. The game sold him loot boxes in the form of packs of random cards that he purchased with real money. Since buying a pack didn’t guarantee that he’d get the rare cards he wanted, he kept purchasing packs, again and again. Over the course of a month, he had spent nearly $550 on the game.
“As soon as I was getting better players, I wanted to get better and better and better and better, like, I couldn’t stop,” the anonymous young person told the researchers.
“In my head I was like ‘stop,’” another young person told the researchers. “My guts were saying ‘stop’. Everything was saying ‘stop’, but my brain wasn’t. My brain was like ‘keep opening [loot boxes]’. It was hard. It was like when you’re addicted to something.”
Loot boxes have existed in video games for years. A Chinese game called Zhengtu Online, released in 2007 for PC, has been cited as the first modern online version of this element. The simplest explanation for their growing prevalence—by some estimates, they are now present in amajority of popular digital games— is that they make loads of money for gaming companies by encouraging players to make continuous microtransactions. These small payments to buy loot boxes add up: Market research firm Juniper Research estimates that loot boxes will generate video games over $20 billion in revenue by 2025.
But there may be a disturbing underbelly to this trend. High levels of loot box purchasing have been linked to signs of problem gambling, with new research suggesting the former might predict the latter in young players. Meanwhile, a new study finds that industry self-regulation (the main form of regulation in the U.S. and Europe) is significantly lacking. Taken together, experts interviewed by The Daily Beast say there’s cause for concern that parents may not be fully aware of the risks of loot boxes on their children and teens.
Your (Kid’s) Brain on Loot Boxes
Luke Clark, the director of the Centre for Gambling Research at The University of British Columbia, had been studying gambling for over a decade when his graduate students brought a new topic to his attention. They had been keeping tabs on “Star Wars: Battlefront II,” a much-anticipated 2017 video game that stirred up controversy in beta testing because of purchasable loot boxes that gave players an advantage through items, crafting parts, and in-game currency. Loot boxes only had a small chance of giving players the strongest items and parts, though, leading many to spend upwards of $100 to open the boxes again and again, leading players and officials alike to compare the game mechanic to gambling. “This game is a Star-Wars-themed online casino, designed to lure kids into spending money. It’s a trap,” Hawaiian Democratic State Rep. Chris Lee said at the time.
The apparent similarities between loot box purchasing and traditional gambling led Clark and graduate student Gabriel Brooks to conduct one of the first studies linking loot box usage to problem gambling. Since then, the association between the two has been pretty easy to establish in other games as well, Clark told The Daily Beast.
But there’s still an important distinction between determining an association between the two behaviors and figuring out if loot box engagement causes a person to develop problem gambling behaviors. Correlation, Clark emphasized, does not equal causation. A 2022 report from the U.K.’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport underscored this point between loot boxes and gambling harms, concluding there was evidence for an association but not a cause-and-effect relationship.
Currently, this leaves room for two theories, Clark said. The first is “migration”—that underage and adult video gamers exposed to gambling-like loot boxes might be more likely to move onto conventional gambling. The other theory is that the association is due to a case of reverse causality—experienced gamblers are attracted to video games with loot boxes.
Recent research is beginning to offer answers to these quandaries. Clark and Brooks published a study in the April issue of Computers in Human Behavior that tracked young gamblers’ and non-gamblers’ engagement with loot boxes and conventional gambling over the course of six months. They found that the more a non-gambler spent on loot boxes, the higher their odds of becoming a gambler after six months—providing evidence for the migration hypothesis.
Crucially, however, the participants in the study were not minors—they were on average 22 years old, since they were asked to report gambling behaviors that would not have been legal for minors in the regions studied (the U.S., U.K., and Canada). Future studies should try to replicate this finding in a younger age group to cement a migration pathway, Clark added.
Still, the results highlight why, from a brain development perspective, there are reasons to be concerned about young people in particular. Adolescent brains lack a fully developed logic center to regulate decisions about risk-taking. In other words, the gas pedal develops before the brakes. Gambling in minors can lead to immediate financial and familial problems and are associated with other risky behaviors including drug use and truancy.
Video game publishers have defended the use of loot boxes using a variety of arguments. “Battlefront II” publisher Electronic Arts justified the game’s loot boxes in a Reddit comment as a way to provide players with “a sense of pride and accomplishment for unlocking different heroes.” Redditors clearly felt otherwise, as that post holds the record for the single-most downvoted comment on the platform.
Another defense of loot boxes likens them to trading cards and Kinder Eggs, not conventional gambling. But Natalie Coyle, an independent psychology and video games researcher based in the U.K., told The Daily Beast that the research doesn’t support these comparisons.
Studies have found that the process of purchasing trading cards and novelty eggs contain several key differences from that of buying loot boxes—most importantly, a built-in waiting period. Buying a real-world product requires you to drive to the store or wait for a delivery to arrive. Compare that to the immediate dopamine hit felt from purchasing a loot box in a game, Coyle said—“It’s really not the same thing.” And in fact, one 2021 study found that spending money on collectible trading cards was not linked to problem gambling in the same way that loot box spending was.
On the other hand, techniques programmed into the opening of some loot box, like portraying “near misses” and using sounds to simulate “wins,” are more akin to gambling, the 2022 U.K. report authors wrote.
Although calls for the regulation of loot boxes often come from concerns about protecting children, Coyle stressed that people of all ages and walks of life play video games. Children and adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to risks associated with loot boxes and gambling, but legal adults can be susceptible, too.
“When people go to college and get their own finances, there are horror stories of it being spent on video games,” she said. “While the psychology of [buying loot boxes] might not change, sometimes the difference between being 18 and up is having access to money.”
Researchers, parents, and regulators agree that the status quo of loot boxes in video games needs to change. And save for a few examples of federal regulation, most governments have relied on industry self-regulation from the same agencies that provide age-rating recommendations, Leon Xiao, a loot box regulation researcher at the IT University of Copenhagen, told The Daily Beast.
Infamous examples of industry self-regulation gone wrong—alcohol, tobacco, and fossil fuel, to name a few—should tell us that a laissez-faire approach to the video game industry is unlikely to succeed, though it seems few regulators have learned those lessons, Xiao said.
Xiao is the author of a study published on March 29 in Royal Society Open Science finding that, unfortunately, self-regulation isn’t going very well. In the U.S., the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the self-regulatory agency in charge of rating video games and alerting parents to games that contain loot boxes; in Europe, it’s Pan-European Game Information (PEGI). ESRB and PEGI labels for games containing loot boxes both read “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items).” But when Xiao looked at 66 games rated by both ESRB and PEGI, he found that more than 60 percent of them had been labeled by one agency but not the other—even though each agency was meant to alert consumers to the exact same thing.
When Xiao shared his findings with each board, they provided various explanations: ESRB did not retroactively label games that had been released prior to the launch of the loot box label, while some PEGI-labeled games did not contain loot boxes in Europe only. Still, the two agencies corrected several of their labels for mislabeled games.
Xiao also took a look at 100 popular games found on the Google Play Store that were known to contain loot boxes. When publishers upload a game to this store, they must fill out a questionnaire meant to help assign an age rating and loot box disclosure. Based on these games’ questionnaires, though, only 29 percent were labeled as containing loot boxes.
These games have since been properly labeled since Xiao shared his data, but he stressed that his findings are only the tip of the iceberg.
“The problem is, of course, that I only looked at about 100 games,” he said. “We got them labeled, but I will say there are tens of thousands of games containing loot boxes that are still not labeled on the Google Play Store.”
Even with proper disclosure, there’s some question of how well parents understand loot box warnings. A February study from researchers in Australia and New Zealand presented results from three experiments that found that “consumers do not appear to understand the ESRB/PEGI loot box warning.”
In the absence of better or more intuitive labeling, researchers like Xiao have called for “ethical loot box design” that would take more than industry self-regulation. In a 2019 paper, he and his co-author wrote that neither allowing industries to continue to self-regulate nor passing draconian bans would result in positive outcomes. Rather, they argued, “regulatory nudging” by offering video game companies tax and grant incentives could encourage them to lay off loot boxes or implement them more responsibly.
Many of the proposed changes in ethical loot box design are simple and intuitive, Coyle said: limiting low-value, “junk” items in loot boxes, capping purchases at a daily or monthly ceiling, and doing away with “pity” loot boxes that reward gamers who spend aggressively are all common-sense proposals that would enhance gameplay and start to mitigate the negative outcomes of loot box engagement.
If nothing else, this field of research should cause gamers and their families to take a skeptical look at loot boxes. More often than not, Coyle said, it’s not a fair shake for the consumer.
“The house always wins, and that’s especially true when it comes to video game publishers,” she said.
On almost every single April Fool’s Day, Mojang creates a fun and bizarre version of Minecraft for players to download. This particular version of the game will obviously not have any major features that will be featured in the future. Rather, it contains several new ones that will simply be there for fun and pranks. The developer recently posted a YouTube video and an article showcasing The Vote Update snapshot
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In this April Fool’s Day snapshot, players will be able to choose from a set of bizarre options that will be implemented in the game.
Mojang releases April Fool’s snapshot called ‘The Vote Update’ for Minecraft
What is The Vote Update?
In the video published by Mojang, they explained how they came up with the mob and biome voting system, allowing fans to choose one of the features coming to the next update; however, on April Fool’s Day, they wanted the player base to choose from a whole set of new bizarre and hilarious features inside the game itself.
Patch notes for the April Fool’s snapshot
Mojang not only created a hilarious snapshot for players to explore and have fun in; they even made the patch notes of the snapshot humorous. They did not even leave the name of the snapshot version itself. Here are the patch notes for Minecraft snapshot 23w13a_or_b:
FEATURES
Introduces Voting: a way to change everything!*
Realistic voting action – no need to wait for next Minecraft Live to get angry about other people’s choices!
Revolutionary Meta-voting Technology for Metaverse!
Includes multiple new features too good to be included in mainstream releases – up to now!
Minimal chances of vote result destroying your world!
Exciting countdowns!
BLOCKS
Yes for blocks.
We couldn’t quite decide whether to make a ‘b’ snapshot this week, but he had a bunch of ideas so I guess you can choose for yourselves if you want it. Minecraft Snapshot 23w13a_or_b is now available in the Launcher! minecraft.net/article/vote-u…
We couldn’t quite decide whether to make a ‘b’ snapshot this week, but he had a bunch of ideas so I guess you can choose for yourselves if you want it. Minecraft Snapshot 23w13a_or_b is now available in the Launcher! minecraft.net/article/vote-u…
ITEMS
Items for a better future!
TECHNICAL CHANGES
Very exciting!
BUGS
Added multiple new bugs (unless you hold a vote to decide they are features)
How to download the April Fool’s Day Minecraft snapshot
<img class=”lazy-img” width=”1920″ height=”1080″ data-img=”https://staticc.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/19110-16803470916656-1920.jpg” sizes=”(max-width: 360px) 720w,(max-width: 420px) 840w,(max-width: 600px) 1200w, 1920w” alt=”Players can find the April Fool’s Day Minecraft snapshot in the official launcher (Image via Sportskeeda)” data-img-low=”https://staticc.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/19110-16803470916656-1920.jpg” src=”data:image/svg+xml,” srcset=”https://staticc.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/19110-16803470916656-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticc.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/19110-16803470916656-1920.jpg?w=840 840w, https://staticc.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/19110-16803470916656-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticc.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/04/19110-16803470916656-1920.jpg 1920w”>Players can find the April Fool’s Day Minecraft snapshot in the official launcher (Image via Sportskeeda)
Right after Mojang released the YouTube video explaining the April Fool’s Day snapshot, they released it on the official launcher as well. Players can simply open the launcher and search for the ‘Latest Snapshot’ version in the version list as well. Users will also notice a fascinating and funny April Fool’s Day easter egg in the launcher as well.
Many car makers tout smartphone connectivity as a selling point, but GM won’t in the future. In a Reutersinterview, GM digital chief Edward Kummer and executive cockpit director Mike Himche say GM will phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with upcoming electric cars, beginning with the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV. Instead, you’ll have to rely on Android Automotive and its apps.
Users will get eight years of free Google Assistant and Google Maps use at no extra charge, GM says. The company doesn’t mention what you’ll pay if you still need those functions afterward. We’ve asked GM for comment. It will still offer CarPlay and Android Auto in combustion engine models, and you won’t lose access on existing EVs. GM plans an all-electric passenger vehicle line by 2035.
The company argues that Android Automotive provides more control over the experience. There are upcoming driver assistance technologies that are “more tightly coupled” with navigation features, Himche says, and GM doesn’t want them to require a smartphone. Kummer also acknowledged that there are “subscription revenue opportunities.” Don’t be surprised if you’re paying a recurring fee for certain features like you already do with some brands.
Android Automotive has a growing footprint. On top of GM, companies like BMW, Honda, Polestar, Stellantis, Volvo and VW are adopting it with or without Google apps. However, the platform doesn’t preclude support for CarPlay or Android Auto. GM is deliberately dropping those features. While this could lead to some innovative driver aids, it could also force you to mount your phone if there’s an app or function the EV’s infotainment system doesn’t support.
The decision is a blow to Apple. Its services may not have native support in GM EVs. The iPhone maker is also developing a next-gen CarPlay experience that can take over the entire dashboard — GM just ruled itself out as a potential customer. If Apple is going to have more control over your drive, it will have to turn to other marques.
