Samsung is set to host its second big product launch of the year on August 11.
The South Korean technology company is expected to unveil two new foldable smartphones and a new smartwatch.
New products will help the company to diversify its current portfolio and attract more customers while strengthening its premium line-up of electronic devices, industry analysts said.
Samsung launched its premium Galaxy S21 phone series in January.
Here's what to expect from the Galaxy Unpacked event on August 11 that is being held online because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two new foldable smartphones
Samsung, which was first to introduce foldable technologies in smartphones in 2019, will launch two new devices in the category – Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, industry insiders said.
The company is also expected to introduce the S Pen stylus, the signature feature of the premium Note series phones, to the new foldable devices to attract more niche professional users.
Samsung, which holds nearly 75 per cent of the foldable smartphone industry, currently offers three foldable models.
Why is Samsung pinning its hopes on foldables?
The IT and mobile communications arm at Samsung reported a 22.4 per cent quarterly decline in sales in the April-June period to 22.7 trillion Korean won ($20 billion), influenced by a “component supply shortage” in the industry, as well as “production disruptions in its Vietnam factory”.
The company said it planned to achieve “solid revenue and profit by boosting the competitiveness of the product line-up with the launch of new foldable models and the expansion of mass market 5G phones”.
Will Samsung scrap the Note series?
Samsung is unlikely to release its Galaxy Note series smartphones at the coming event to reduce production pressure on the company.
Samsung usually issues its Note series, one of its best-selling models known for its stylus S Pen, in August every year.
“Note series is positioned as a high-end model in our business portfolio … it could be a burden to unveil two flagship models in a year so it might be difficult to release Note model [in second half] … we seek to release a Note model next year,” DJ Koh, co-chief executive of Samsung's IT and mobile communications division, said during an annual shareholders meeting in March.
The high-end Note series made up nearly 5 per cent of Samsung’s global smartphone shipments over the past two years, the International Data Corporation said.
A new smartwatch
The company is expected to launch its new smartwatch Galaxy Watch 4 that will come with a combined operating system from Google and Samsung.
To challenge the dominance of Apple Watch, which has been the best-selling smartwatch for many years, Samsung has merged its Tizen OS with Wear OS.
New ear buds
Samsung will launch new Galaxy Buds 2 to compete with the likes of Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Being developed under the code name "berry", the new buds will be able to connect to several devices at the same time, TechRadar said in a report.
They will be priced at about $175, MySmartPrice said.
How do I watch the event?
Samsung’s event will start at 6pm UAE time on August 11. Viewers can tune in at Samsung’s website.
You can also watch the event on company’s YouTube page with the link going live an hour before the event begins.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
