Samsung will unveil its next Galaxy Z Fold handsets on July 9.

In just 15 days, the South Korean company will hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in Brooklyn, New York where it promises to showcase “the best of Galaxy AI and Samsung craftsmanship”. The event will be available to stream on YouTube from 3pm BST. Of course, GB News will also have everything you need to know about the next-generation Galaxy devices.

Samsung refreshed its Galaxy S lineup back in January, with the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. These handsets arrived with speedier processors to enable more Galaxy AI tasks on-device, a refined design with rounded corners to make them more comfortable to hold, and some fresh colourways. All three devices were later joined by the ultra-svelte Galaxy S25 Edge, the thinnest flagship smartphone ever released by the brand. That leaves Samsung’s popular range of foldable phones.

The most recent additions, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, were launched back in July 2024, so are due a refresh. In the invitation to the event, Samsung has teased that its “newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet — meticulously crafted and built to last”. It’s also promised “the Ultra experience is ready to unfold,” which adds weight to rumours that — like the Galaxy S25 Ultra — the South Korean firm will badge its all-singing, all-dancing foldable phone with this moniker. Samsung launches entirely new way to buy its Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Edge phones in UK Ahead of the event, whispers suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could launch with a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy system-on-a-chip, the same processor found in the Galaxy S25 lineup, and a 200MP main camera. We’re also expecting a much thinner frame on the handset, as confirmed by the invite from Samsung.

There’s also speculation about a new budget-friendly Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, lowering the price of folding phones, as well as an all-new tri-fold form-factor from the brand, which would unfold like a pamphlet to squeeze even more screen real estate into a device that’s still pocketable. Own a Samsung 4K TV? You can play hundreds of Xbox games for free this summer Aside from some shiny new hardware, Samsung is keen to position Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the centrepiece of this event. The press release about its next Galaxy Unpacked event reads: “As AI rapidly becomes the new user interface, it’s redefining our relationship with technology.

Smartphone theft is an increasing problem nowadays, and hence, Samsung has recently suggested that users activate the latest anti-theft features available on their devices. In order to curb the growing issue of smartphone theft, the smartphone manufacturer suggested that their users to use the company’s new security tools that are designed to help them protect their devices and personal data more effectively.

Here’s What Samsung Has to Say Regarding Smartphone Theft:

Samsung issues a public safety message alert to 40 million Samsung Account holders. This was done for the users in UK. The company has send message alert with the help of customer communication channels and the Samsung Members platform.

Additionally, the tech giant is also taking significant marketing spend for the smartphone theft issue. This is just like an awareness campaign around the privacy features that’s available on the Samsung Knox Security Platform.

As per Samsung, ““Samsung is deeply committed to working closely with the Home Office on the issue of mobile phone theft and related crimes and we’re in constant collaboration with our partners across the industry, to look at new and existing solutions to help combat this complex issue and ultimately help improve the safety of mobile phone users.”

The company then tells about recently released One UI 7 updates that brings several anti-theft features to the table. The update is embedded with additional theft-protection and security delay anti-robbery features.

Features in Theft Protection:

Theft Detection Lock:

This feature uses machine learning in order to detect theft related motions including snatching. It then instantly locks the screen so that it can stop unauthorized access.

Offline Device Lock:

Another major feature is the Offline Device Lock that can automatically locks the screen if your Samsung device is disconnected from the network for a long period of time. This ensures the protection even when your Samsung phone is offline.

Remote Lock:

The next is Remote Lock that works when your Samsung phone is already stolen. In this case you can lock your device remotely using your phone number and a quick verification step.

New Anti-Robbery Features released on One UI 7 include:

Identity Check:

In this feature if your PIN is compromised then the ‘Safe Places’ feature will require your biometric authentication for any changes to be made in your phone.

Security Delay:

If someone tries to reset your biometric data, then a feature called ‘a one hour delay’ will be automatically gets activated that too before any changes could be made.

Eligible Devices for Anti-Theft Feature:

There are several older Samsung devices that are getting this crucial feature. These devices include:

Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip 5, S23 and S22 series

Google has released its “biggest updates in years” with a dramatic new facelift, notifications that refresh in real-time, support for hearings, and much more. The Californian company is well ahead of schedule with this release, since new versions of Android typically launch at the tail-end of summer, something Google acknowledged in a blog post.

“This is the earliest Android has launched a major release in the last few years, which ensures you get the latest updates as soon as possible on your devices,” wrote Seang Chau, Vice President of Android Platform. “Android 16 lays the foundation for our new Material 3 Expressive design, with features that make Android more accessible and easy to use.”

But not every Android handset will be able to update to the all-new experience today.

Live Updates will automatically refresh, bringing the latest information about an ongoing process, like an Uber Eats delivery, a flight or train journey. It appears on the lock screen, or in the notification drop-down GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE As usual, Google’s own Pixel smartphones are at the front of the queue to receive the upgrade to Android 16. The new software should arrive in the coming days, but if you want to speed things along, you can check manually by heading to Settings > System > Sofware Updates. Google Pixel smartphones compatible with Android 16 are: Pixel 6 and 6 Pro

Pixel 6a

Pixel 7 and 7 Pro

Pixel 7a

Pixel Fold

Pixel Tablet

Pixel 8 and 8 Pro

Pixel 8a

Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold

Pixel 9a Google VP Seang Chau has promised that support for “more phone brands to come later this year.” We already know that Samsung is testing many of the latest Andorid 16 features as part of its One UI 8 update, which is in beta now. Other brands that rely on the Android operating system, like OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, to name a few, will likely start to roll-out in the coming months. Google has confirmed the following devices will support the beat release. HONOR

iQOO

Lenovo

OnePlus

OPPO

realme

vivo

Xiaomi

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What have you got to look forward to? The most eye-catching new addition is the Material 3 Expressive design. This new look doubles down on the personalisation first introduced in 2021 with the Material You design aesthetic that arrived with Android 12. Improved themes will now roll out to every corner of the operating system, and Google has introduced new font options too. The Californian company confirmed that it’s “working to bring these visual choices across Google apps like Google Photos, Fitbit and Gmail” too, so when you select a new theme, you’ll see the visual changes across the Android operating system and your favourite applications. For those who don’t know, the clever theme option built into Android leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to choose complementary hues from your chosen wallpaper and paint this colour across the operating system, from the incoming notifications to the settings menu and core applications like Messages.

Google has confirmed plans to expand Material 3 Expressive into many of its own applications, including Google Photos, Fitbit and Gmail GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE Third-party developers aren’t always keen to adopt this system, so don’t be surprised if Facebook keeps its trademark shade of blue throughout its applications, no matter what shades you’ve picked for your Android operating system. At least with the latest update, Google is embracing its customisable themes within all of its own apps. Material 3 Expressive will also bring “natural, springy animations” across the operating system.

Google has added playful animations and haptics throughout Android 16, including a “springy” new look when you swipe-to-dismiss a notification GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE For example, when you swipe to dismiss a notification, the others nearby subtly move too, as if you’re pulling one free from the stack. Google has added haptic feedback to these expressive animations too, so you should feel a subtle tap, click, or rumble when these animations play. According to Mindy Brooks, Vice President of Product Management and User Experiences for Android, these new animations are designed to “bring a moment of delight to everyday routines”.

It’s not just about the visuals, either. Android 16 will summon Live Update widgets that surfaces real-time updates from within applications, so you can track a delivery at a glance on the homescreen or from the lockscreen GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE But Android 16 isn’t just about the visual changes. Google is also bringing Live Updates widgets that’ll surface real-time progress from within apps, like Uber Eats or Google Maps, to your homescreen. That means you won’t need to hunt inside applications to find information about ongoing processes, like an upcoming delivery. You’ll also be able to customise the Quick Settings menu to squeeze in more of your favourite actions, like a shortcut for the Torch and Do Not Disturb too. If you plug an Android 16 smartphone or tablet into an external monitor, your mobile apps will respond like a traditional laptop or desktop PC. You’ll be able to open, move, and resize multiple windows for easier multitasking on your tablet. You can even group together multiple apps to streamline your workflow. Google has also tweaked the haptics, which respond to the movement and speed of your swipes on the volume and phone brightness sliders. Hearing aids also enjoy improvements in the latest update, continuing the work that Samsung has done with Auracast. Control hearing devices from your device for a simpler experience across different hearing device brands.

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Material 3 Expressive is also coming to Wear OS, which is used on smartwatches and fitness trackers. For the first time, Wear OS will benefit from the same dynamic colour-theming as your Android handset. Choose a favourite colour to paint every corner of your smartphone, and it’ll be applied to a paired smartwatch — altering the watch face and every menu in the system. Do NOT open this email from Google! Warning issued to 1.8bn Gmail users Under the bonnet, updating to Wear OS 6 also promises a 10% boost to battery life, thanks to several performance optimisations — no small feat given that you’ll still be able to use features like an always-on display and power-hungry sensors, like heart-rate tracking and skin temperature throughout the day.

Wear OS 6 has been overhauled to “stretch to hug the display”, so that it looks good on square and circular screens alike GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE Google has redesigned elements of Wear OS to work better with circular displays. Buttons and notifications will now “stretch to hug the display”, so everything should be easily legible at a glance no matter the size — or shape — of the screen on your wrist-worn gadget. “Tiles are also more engaging, providing quick access to information or actions that matters most, like texting your favourite contacts or starting a workout,” Android VP Mindy Brooks explains in a blog post. Android 16 and its stylish new Material 3 Expressive design is expected to launch in the coming months. But it could be months before you get a chance to enjoy these new features and customisation.

Pixel smartphones and smartwatches, which are designed and built by Google, will be first in line to receive the Android 16 and Wear OS 6 updates. However, other Android device manufacturers will take longer to follow. That’s because many of these brands have their own operating system design and unique features that must be tested with the newest version of Android — adding months of additional development that can only begin after the final version has been released by Google. For example, Samsung has its own design language, dubbed One UI, that combats the strain of larger displays by shifting the interactive elements to the lower third of the screen. It recently announced a swathe of new features coming to One UI in the coming months, and it’s unlikely to throw-out all of that work to adopt the new look previewed in Material 3 Expressive from Google. That said, we’d expect to see some of the new animations, theme options, and Live Update widgets introduced with Android 16 crop-up in a future version of the operating system.