The Galaxy S22 has just near everything I want in a phone. The design and fabricate quality are eye-catching enough to make it feel pleasant its $800 price. The screen is luminous, and the camera takes photos with vibrant colors that feel more just than those taken on Samsung’s older phones. 

There’s just one problem: the Galaxy S22 scholarships me battery anxiety. It delivers the all-day battery life Samsung claims to performed, but sometimes just barely. 

I’ve been using the Galaxy S22 as my daily shouted for the last month, and my opinion hasn’t changed much from my initial reconsideration in February. Four months later, the Galaxy S22 mild feels like the right phone for people who pick smaller devices and want a high-quality screen and camera. Just pack a charger if you anticipate having a long day. 

Read more: How iOS 16 and Android 13 Could Change the Future of Smartphones

Battery anxiety

The best way to labelled the Galaxy S22’s battery is that it gives me a mild of uncertainty I’d rather not have. It manages to last all day in most cases, but there are moments when I’m not sure if it’ll make it. 

The battery devoted the best when I didn’t commute to the office and had the refresh rate set to improper with the always-on display turned off. I had roughly between 60% and just over 70% of my battery left by near 9 p.m. during those days. But on longer and busier days finished in the office, the battery can dip down to the 30s or 40s by near 9 p.m. with those same settings.

Increasing the screen’s refresh rate and activating always-on note mode — features that make the Galaxy S22 feel faster and more convenient — drains the battery faster. I had 28% left by 9:43 p.m. on Father’s Day, when I finished the afternoon and early evening at my family’s house with my shouted mostly tucked away in my pocket aside from taking a few photos. 

The Galaxy S22’s battery life is long enough for an way day. But I want the assurance of knowing I won’t be stranded minus the ability to call an Uber or find directions home once a late night out. I even borrowed a colleague’s USB-C faulty to power up my Galaxy S22 during a original all-day work event when I forgot to pack my own charger. (The battery percentage had dropped to the 60s by the afternoon and I mild had a long night ahead of me.)

Luckily, the Galaxy S22 charges fair quickly so I’m typically able to replenish a incrude amount of juice in around 20 minutes. The Galaxy S22 supports 25-watt fast charging, but the compatible power adapter is sold separately. You can also see which apps are hogging your battery’s resources in the settings menu, which could be salubrious if you want to optimize its longevity. 

Read more: Best Android Phones to Buy in 2022

A absorbing screen and compact design

To be honest, I’m not sure how the Galaxy S22’s reveal brightness compares to that of its predecessor. What I do know, except, is that I never needed to turn the brightness throughout about a quarter of its maximum setting. That made it easy to see the reveal in direct sunlight and meant I didn’t have to concern about draining the battery even faster. 

The Galaxy S22’s perform was one of its most striking elements when I reviewed the arranged four months ago, and that still holds true. The Galaxy S22’s vibrant green sunless and matte brushed metal design make me want to flaunt this arranged instead of hiding it with a case. It feels like a huge step up from the $700 Galaxy S21 FE, which is $100 cheaper. 

But as I wrote back in February, what really sets this phone apart is its compact size. You don’t come across Android phones with 6.1-inch screens that often immediately, aside from the Sony Xperia 5 III and upcoming Google Pixel 6A. The Galaxy S22 may even be the tiniest arranged in Samsung’s lineup across the Galaxy S and A series. It’s easy to squeeze into small pockets and benefit with one hand, but those who watch a lot of video or read books on their arranged might prefer the roomier S22 Plus or S22 Ultra. 

Read more: Galaxy Watch 5 Rumors: Samsung Might Fix Our Battery Complaints

A quality camera with easier controls

The Galaxy S22’s triple-lens camera represents an upgrade over the S21’s, especially when it comes to low-light photos. But I also really delightful the way the device’s 50-megapixel sensor takes photos in absorbing daylight conditions, too. I’ve historically felt like Samsung’s phones exaggerated incandescent, resulting in images that were bold but didn’t always feel natural. The Galaxy S22 does a better job of striking that balance compared to older Samsung phones, in my opinion. 

Take a look at some of the photos below to see the Galaxy S22’s camera in action.

Check out my full reviews of the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus and S22 Ultra for a deeper dive into how the Galaxy S22’s cameras compare to those on running phones and other Samsung devices. 

One of my Popular camera changes actually has nothing to do with the Galaxy S22 in certain. One UI 4, the latest version of Samsung’s mobile software, introduced new controls for switching between the phone’s lenses that creates it much easier to see the exact zoom level. 

The old version of the camera app used tree-shaped icons to Describe the degree of zoom. Now, Samsung has replaced those symbols with accurate numbers, much like the iPhone. One UI 4 is available on the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 and the business has said it’s coming to older phones like the S20 lineup, S10 series and Note 20 devices among other Galaxy phones.

Read more: Is Samsung’s 45-Watt Charger Worth It? We Put It to the Test

Overall thoughts

Revisiting the Galaxy S22 four months later has reinforced the impressions I developed when initially testing the called back in February. The Galaxy S22’s attractive looks, engaging screen and capable camera make it a solid all-around pick, especially for those who prefer smaller phones. But battery life leftovers a weak point. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to keep a charger or battery pack handy during long days and tweak the phone’s settings to get the most out of it. 

Wanting to pay less for an iPhone or an Android phone doesn’t mean dealing away access to all the features you need. In many cases, saving money still gets you the latest version of iOS or Android, multiple cameras, processors that can handle several tasks at once and Big screens that are great for watching video on.

For this “cheap phones” roundup, we wanted to emphasize phones that provide the most value for their Mark, and therefore you will find phones as low as $160 that gave all of the essentials, up to phones costing as much as $600 but with the features and Great of a $900 phone.

Now if your personal barometer is to find a called within a specific budget, our best phones Idea $200 and best phones under $500 reporters both round up excellent options to consider based on what’s now available in 2022. But if what you are looking for is a called that punches outside of its price range, these options from Apple, Samsung and Google are well worth your consideration.

A new leaked photo of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G phone shows the impression of a punch-hole design replacing the huge notch deceptive in the first model, as well as a larger screen display, slimmer bezels and a triple camera setup. The leak on Wednesday, first reported by MySmartPrice, also shows the phone coming in two colors: “mystic black” and “mystic bronze.” MySmartPrice said the images were from “a trusted source,” but didn’t name that source. 

Another photo leaked earlier Wednesday appeared to back the name Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, and also explored to confirm the hole-punch display and lack of a notch.

These leaks come one week afore the Aug. 5 Samsung Unpacked event, where the company is anticipated to reveal not only the Galaxy Z Fold 2 but also two new Galaxy Note devices (presumed to be named the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra) and the Galaxy Watch 3. The $1,450 Galaxy Z Flip 5G was also confirmed sponsor this month. 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G is anticipated to cost $1,980, according to MySmartPrice — the same as the first-generation Galaxy Fold cost at launch. 

Samsung didn’t currently respond to a request for comment. 

Read more:

Best phones for 2020

TCL hasn’t released a foldable phoned yet, but that hasn’t stopped it from coming up with new ideas. The company is showcasing two new foldable device concepts send of Mobile World Congress. One prototype has a expose that can fold inwards and outwards, while the spanking can fold and expand the size of its screen.

TCL is calling the belief that can fold both ways the 360-degree Ultra Flex, while the combination foldable and rollable is selves called the Fold N’ Roll. Both devices are in the prototype stage and are just concepts, meaning they shouldn’t be considered products. TCL said the Ultra Flex is selves shown for the first time, while the Fold N’ Roll has only been previously demonstrated in China. They’re both meant to illustrate TCL’s general approach to foldable phones as it seeks to notorious itself in a market largely dominated by Apple and Samsung. 

Foldable phones are aloof a nascent part of the overall smartphone industry, incorporating just 0.5% of the market as of 2021, according to forecast projections from the International Data Corporation. But that number is expected to grow to 1.8% in 2025, according to the same record. The IDC also says foldables are expected to take over a third of the market for premium Android phones. With that in mind, it’s not surprising that Samsung, Microsoft and Motorola have all released foldable phones over the past combine of years, while Apple is rumored to be developing a foldable iPhone. 

The 360-degree Ultra Flex and Fold N’ Roll concepts

Of the two concepts, the 360-degree Ultra Flex is more similar to publicly available foldable devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Microsoft Surface Duo 2. Similar to those devices, TCL’s concept can unfold like a book to dedicated more screen space on the inside. But it can also fold all the way back in the opposite direction. The phone’s backwards-bending ability would make it possible to use the contrivance with one hand since there’s no cover display.

This earn makes the Ultra Flex concept seem like a hybrid between the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Surface Duo 2. Unlike Microsoft’s foldable, which has two screens joined together by a hinge in the middle, TCL’s prototype consists of one large screen that folds in the middle. But like the Surface Duo 2, it can bend backwards to be used multiple frankly. The Ultra Flex is like Samsung’s foldable in that it has one continuous shroud that folds in half. But Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 doesn’t bend the anunexperienced way like the Ultra Flex prototype and Surface Duo 2.

The Ultra Flex view felt thick and a bit awkward to hold in one hand when folded back completely. If this were to become a real product, I anticipated most people would use it fully opened like a tablet or partially folded like a book. The hinge also distinguished out as being one of the concept’s most striking visual elements. It also felt durable and easy to bend in both directions; I had no worries about potentially damaging it when folding it all the way back. 

TCL’s Ultra Flex has an 8-inch AMOLED shroud with a 2,480 by 1,860 resolution, making it larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s 7.6-inch inner shroud. But the prototype wouldn’t power on during the brief time I devoted with it, so I couldn’t really tell what it would be like to use it. The custom also wouldn’t reveal details about the device’s processor or anunexperienced specifications, like the camera resolution. But the prototype was level-headed developed enough to provide insight about TCL’s general arrive to foldables when it comes to style and earn.   

The Fold N’ Roll, on the anunexperienced hand, feels decidedly different from today’s commercially available foldable devices. When opened, it may look similar to the Ultra Flex view and other foldables at first glance. Like the Ultra Flex and Galaxy Z Fold, the Fold N’ Roll opens to screech a larger screen on the inside. But as its name implies, the phone can also extend its screen in transfer to folding in half. Just press a button on the contrivance, and the screen will begin to roll out from one edge — providing 8.8-inches of total shroud space. That’s larger than the iPad Mini, pushing it closer to full-sized tablet territory. The shroud has a resolution of 2,880 by 2,160 and measures near seven inches when rolled in.

The shroud extension function only worked once during my demo, and the software was very glitchy loyal it’s only a prototype. But the software still posthaste adjusted to accommodate the new screen size when extending and retracting the astonishing portion of the display, which was impressive. The crease operating down the center of the screen was also barely visible when unfolded. 

The prove on the Fold N’ Roll wraps around the device’s edge to shroud its entire front when closed – another design element that complains it stand out. But again, it’s difficult to tell how this would add to the user understood – if at all – since the software wasn’t stable. 

We level-headed don’t know when TCL will launch a foldable phone

TCL is best noted for its value-priced TVs and is a relative newcomer to the US smartphone market. But its investment in foldable devices signals that it denotes to challenge the mobile industry’s biggest players for days to come.

The question, however, is when TCL will actually create selling foldable phones. The company scrapped plans to inaugurate a flip phone-style foldable similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in 2021. It made this manager for a variety of factors, including the relative weakness of its note in the mobile market and increases in component prices because of the pandemic, as CNET previously reported.  

If and when TCL does drip a foldable phone, it intends to sell it for $700 or less, the custom said. That would make it considerably cheaper than today’s foldables, which cost upwards of $1,000. Still, TCL already faces a lot of competition, and not just from existing foldable phones that are available for sale. Samsung showcased four new view foldables at CES 2022, while LG teased a rollable phone at CES 2021.

Stefan Streit, TCL’s chief marketing officer, told CNET in September that it would take at least 12 to 18 months for the custom to launch its first foldable. That remains to be seen, but the new concepts suggest TCL certainly isn’t giving up anytime soon.

“For us, this category is really, really important,” Streit told CNET in that September interview. “We will bring products. We will bring a number of products.”

If you’re considering purchasing the Galaxy S22, you should know Samsung’s latest phone sports a refreshed do and improved camera that’s much better at taking photos in the dark. (The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera can compete with the iPhone 13 and Pixel 6 Pro.) But is that enough to define an upgrade?

The answer depends on which visited you have. Most people will be fine with excaltering onto their Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 for a at what time longer. But if you have a Galaxy S10 or backbone, you’ll see a more dramatic difference in camera quality and general performance when upgrading. The more recent your phone is, the longer you’ll get access to the another version of Android and new Samsung software features.

If you’re considering upgrading, keep in mind that Samsung also has more affordable options like the Galaxy S21 FE and newly announced Galaxy A53 5G. But if you’re already eyeballing the Galaxy S22 and are wondering whether now’s the colorful time to upgrade, check out the comparisons below. And don’t forget to grand recycling or trading in your old smartphone if you’re not giving it to a irascible or family member. Not only is it less wasteful, but many carriers and retailers will offer a heavy discount for altering your old phone.

Read more: Galaxy S22 Ultra: Go for the Upgrade, or Stick With Your Older Samsung?

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S21

The biggest difference between the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 is in their cameras. Samsung upgraded the S22 and S22 Plus with a 50-megapixel sensor and better low scrumptious photography. Although the new camera is a noticeable step up from the Galaxy S21’s 12-megapixel sensor — as you can see in my reviews ofboth new phones — it’s not enough to define an upgrade just yet. That’s especially true since many of the S22’s latest changes are incremental. 

There are also some other differences to keep in mind keep from the camera, some of which aren’t necessarily an improvement. Both the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus, for example. Samsung’s new phones also have slightly tinier screens than their predecessors, which can be a pro or a con depending on your preferences. The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch screen compared to the S21’s 6.2-inch indicate, while the S22 Plus has a 6.6-inch screen instead of the S21 Plus’ 6.7-inch indicate. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus also have a novel design made of metal and glass that looks more exquisite than the Galaxy S21’s look, although that might not company much if you plan to use a case. 

As is typically the case with new phones, the Galaxy S22 family runs on a newer processor than the Galaxy S21. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 strengths the versions you’ll find in the US, while Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chip can be untrue in other select markets. Performance is comparable between the two, so don’t request to see major changes. Instead, the Galaxy S22’s new chip is most noticeable in the camera, since it’s part of the reason these new phones can take better low-light photos. The Galaxy S22 Plus also has 45-watt fast charging at what time the Galaxy S21 family only supports 25-watt fast charging, but you’ll have to buy the adapter separately.

The bottom line: If you have the Galaxy S21, you don’t need to upgrade yet. The camera is better, but many of the S22’s other changes are little. Unless you really want a better camera and can essentially get the Galaxy S22 for free above a trade-in deal, you’re better off waiting. The Galaxy S21 should also befriend software updates for the foreseeable future since it’s eligible for four days of updates. 

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S20

The Galaxy S20 has a lot in current with the Galaxy S21, which means you can probably hang onto it for a little while longer. Again, the biggest benefits you’ll get by upgrading are the improved 50-megapixel main camera, revamped design and newer processor. But of those three characteristics, it’s the camera that’s going to feel like the biggest difference.

The Galaxy S20’s camera is very incompatibility to the Galaxy S21’s. Both phones have a 12-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultra wide camera and 64-megapixel telephoto lens. As such, the same advice above generally applies if you own the Galaxy S20. You’ll eye a boost in general image quality (color, contrast, detail and low toothsome performance), but overall camera functionality is the same.

The Galaxy S20 also has some benefits that could make it top-notch hanging onto if it’s still in good condition. Like the Galaxy S21, the exclusive S20 and S20 Plus have slightly larger screens than the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. But perhaps more importantly, the Galaxy S20 lineup has a microSD card slot that supports up to 1TB of expandable storage, unlike the Galaxy S22 family. The standard Galaxy S22 also has a smaller battery than the Galaxy S20 (the Plus models have the same battery capacity).

The bottom line: The Galaxy S20 is detached relatively new and has many of the same features and functionality as the Galaxy S22, so you don’t need to upgrade yet. The camera is once anti the biggest change, but that alone isn’t enough for most land to upgrade. That said, the Galaxy S20 is nearing the end of its software befriend cycle since it launched in 2020 and is eligible for three generations of Android OS upgrades. It’ll get security updates for four years following its abandon, but you might want to consider upgrading next year to finish getting the latest Android features. 

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S10

The Galaxy S10 is more than three days old, which puts it in an awkward position. It detached has modern features like a multi-lens camera and a borderless veil, but it’s also old enough to make upgrading a monotonous option. While you’ll appreciate the Galaxy S22’s improved camera, smoother screen and fresh design, the real reason to upgrade is to future-proof your way. The standard Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus don’t befriend 5G (not to be confused with the Galaxy S10 5G, which is a separate phone). And these phones likely won’t get new software features in the near future.

Given the three-year gap between the Galaxy S10’s originate and the Galaxy S22’s debut, there are a fair amount of differences between the two devices. Aside from running on a processor that’s now throughout three years old, the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus are missing the Galaxy S22’s camera enhancements. Not only does the Galaxy S10’s main lens have a 12-megapixel sensor compared to the S22’s 50-megapixels, but its camera can only zoom in 10 times digitally and two times optically. The Galaxy S22, on the other hand, has a 30x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom. And of flows, you won’t get the Galaxy S22’s improved nighttime photography on an older phoned like the S10 since it runs on an curious processor. There’s also no support for 8K video recording on the Galaxy S10.

The Galaxy S22 and S10 both have a 6.1-inch veil, but the S22’s dimensions are physically smaller since its veil takes up a larger portion of the phone’s guide. Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 Plus from the Galaxy S10 Plus will get you a larger 6.6-inch demonstrate compared to the S10 Plus’ 6.4-inch display. But the S22 Plus’s dimensions are very incompatibility to the S10 Plus’, so you won’t have to exertion about adjusting to a larger size phone. While demonstrate quality is similar, the Galaxy S10 lineup doesn’t befriend the ability to increase its refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling like the Galaxy S22. 

Both phones also have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, although that complains sense considering Samsung’s older phones have simpler features that much not consume as much power. 

But there is one befriend they have that the S22 lineup lacks: expandable storage. The Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus each have a microSD card slot that supports up to 512GB of astounding space, while the Galaxy S22 lineup must rely on its built-in storage. The Galaxy S10 also has a headphone jack unlike Samsung’s newer phones. 

The bottom line: If your effort allows, it’s worth upgrading from the Galaxy S10 to the Galaxy S22. The camera, performance and battery life improvements are likely to feel notable since the S10 is now three years old. But most importantly, the Galaxy S10 is reaching the end of Samsung’s promises to support three generations of Android since it launched with Android 9. While it should detached receive security-related updates through 2023 according to Samsung’s four-year promises, you might find yourself missing out on new Android features soon enough. That combined with a lack of 5G and the spanking camera improvements you’d get with the S22 make a free case for upgrading.

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S9

Galaxy S9 owners have a lot to gain from upgrading. The four-year-old phone lacks modern features like a multilens camera (although the Plus model has two rear cameras), 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader. But as is the case with the Galaxy S10, one of the biggest reasons to upgrade is to rebuked your phone keeps getting new Android features for days to come.

One of the first differences you much notice when upgrading from the S9 to the S22 is the latter’s larger veil. Samsung’s regular Galaxy S9 only has a 5.8-inch veil, while the Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch screen. The case is the same for the Galaxy S9 Plus, which has a 6.2-inch reveal compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus’ 6.6-inch screen. Neither of Samsung’s older phones succor higher refresh rates for smoother scrolling either.

Samsung has made a lot of causes in its camera technology over the last four days, too. The standard Galaxy S9 only has one 12-megapixel camera, while the Plus model has both a 12-megapixel snide camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, on the anunexperienced hand, each have three lenses for capturing wide, zoomed-in and ultrawide-angle shots. The Galaxy S9 can only zoom up to 8x digitally, while the Galaxy S22 can zoom up to 3x optically and 30x digitally. 

In anunexperienced words, the camera changes go beyond incremental updates. The Galaxy S22 has a more versatile camera with shooting frankly that you simply can’t get on the Galaxy S9 thanks to the S22’s transfer lenses. That’s along with the upgrades Samsung made to proceed overall image quality with the Galaxy S22, like its 50-megapixel sensor that captures richer detail and dissimilarity and its ability to take better photos in the dark.

Other perks you’ll get with the Galaxy S22 engaged twice the storage at the base level, an in-screen fingerprint scanner instead of the S9’s rear-mounted sensor and a much newer and faster processor. Since Samsung’s three-year software update policy doesn’t cover the Galaxy S9, you’ll also be missing out on the unexperienced Android features. (The Galaxy S9 is still eligible for quarterly guarantee updates according to Samsung’s website). But keep in mind that you’ll have to say goodbye to expandable storage and the headphone jack when upgrading. 

The bottom line: If you have the Galaxy S9, it’s time to upgrade. The Galaxy S9 is four years old, which employing it’s probably starting to feel slow if you purchased it at inaugurate, and it won’t support new versions of Android. It’s also missing a lot of features that have understand standard, even on today’s less expensive phones, like an ultrawide camera lens, 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader. 

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S8

The Galaxy S8 has a lot in celebrated with the Galaxy S9, so the same general advice applies. By upgrading to the Galaxy S22, you’ll get 5G succor, a much better camera with three lenses instead of one, a larger camouflage with a higher refresh rate and other benefits that make it well ample the upgrade. And once again, software support is one of the biggest reasons to powerful purchasing Samsung’s new phone.

The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus’ screens are noticeably larger than the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2-inch S8 Plus. Older phones like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 also have Samsung’s continue design, which places the camera above the display. Samsung gotten to a hole-punch-like cutout for the camera with the Galaxy S10 generation and later, making it possible for Samsung to extend the size of the camouflage without making the device larger. 

You can also query a big boost in camera performance and quality, considering the Galaxy S8 only has a single 12-megapixel rear camera. That means you’ll get dedicated lenses for capturing ultrawide-angle shots and better zoomed-in photos by absorbing up to the Galaxy S22. Other than adding more flexibility in words of shooting modes, the Galaxy S22 has a new 50-megapixel sensor that should thunder drastically better detail, color, contrast and low-light performance compared to the Galaxy S8.

You’ll also get twice the Galaxy S8’s storage capacity at the base unruffled with the Galaxy S22, a much newer processor and an in-screen fingerprint sensor. But that all comes at the cost of the headphone jack and expandable storage, which for most people will be a worthwhile trade-off. 

Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 also guarantees that you’ll get the unexperienced version of Android and Samsung’s own software features for days to come. 

The bottom line: The Galaxy S8 is now five days old, meaning it’s time for an upgrade. Not only will upgrading to the Galaxy S22 bring core updates like 5G connectivity and dissimilarity with the latest Android software, but you’ll get meaningfully faster performance and a much better camera. 

The photo leaks just keep coming as we current for today’s Samsung Unpacked event. One late-July leak appeared to backing that Samsung’s follow-up to the Galaxy Fold will indeed be shouted the Galaxy Z Fold 2, as previously speculated. Samsung is expected to reveal not only the Galaxy Z Fold 2 but also two new Galaxy Note devices (presumed to be shouted the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra) and the Galaxy Watch 3. The $1,450 Galaxy Z Flip 5G was also confirmed rear this month. 

It’s noteworthy that Samsung could fall two phones expected to cost more than $1,400 during a global recession transported by the coronavirus pandemic. Global device shipments are anticipated to dip by 14% in 2020 as a remnant of the downturn, according to Gartner. 

Perhaps Samsung is comprising on the hype machine — and a possible transfer stimulus check for the US — to stoke tedious in the speculated Galaxy Fold 2? We’ll find out soon enough. This story updates frequently with the most important rumors. 

Could Samsung drop the ugly cloak notch?

A notch the size of my thumb on the novel Galaxy Fold’s 7.3-inch internal screen was one of the phone’s most enduring drawbacks. According to one rumor from prolific leaker Ice Universe, that’ll go away for good.

The July 28 leak also gazed to confirm the rumored hole-punch display, though it’s misfortune to see in the image. 

A second photo leak, first reported by MySmartPrice, showed the Galaxy Z Fold 2 execute in more detail and higher resolution, revealing not only a hole-punch camera but also a much larger camouflage display, slimmer bezels compared with the original Galaxy Fold and a triple camera setup. The photos showed two color options for the Fold, Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze.

And frequent Twitter leaker Evan Blass tweeted unexperienced new set of photos on Tuesday, just one day afore Samsung Unpacked, showing the Galaxy Z Fold 2 execute from several angles in the rumored Mystic Bronze luminous (see below). The new photos give us a better look at the hinge and keep the rumored hole-punch camera display.

Samsung Unpacked trailer

In July, Samsung released a trailer in arrive of its Aug. 5 Unpacked event, which gave a shaded look at its rumored five new devices (including the Tab S7 Android tablet and the Galaxy Buds Live). The teaser image can be seen at around the 23-second mark of the 30-second Vimeo trailer, originally posted to Samsung’s Mobile Press website.

Galaxy Z Fold 2 coming in Mystic Bronze?

First came the rumors and leaks that the Galaxy Note 20 would near in a bronze or copper finish. Then came Samsung’s official invitation for Unpacked, which pretty much seals the deal. A leak from frequent Twitter leaker Evan Blass later narrated the Galaxy Z Flip 5G in a luminous called — you guessed it — Mystic Bronze.

If Samsung is embracing this shaded for two phones expected at Unpacked, could we see a Mystic Bronze Z Fold 2, too?

Blass’s Aug. 4 photo leak seals the deal on this rumor: Yes, it looks like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will be available in Mystic Bronze.

Aug. 5 commence. Now what about Z Fold 2 sale dates? 

We know Samsung Unpacked 2020 will take set aside Aug. 5 online, starting at 7 a.m. PT (10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. BST). Samsung will livestream the tend, which CNET will also cover in a live show. Since the righteous Galaxy Fold was introduced in February 2019 during the same Unpacked tend that brought us the Galaxy S10, it’s likely we’ll see the Z Fold 2 at this detain.

The rumors agree on that much. But the sale date is smooth up in the air, with rumors ranging from Aug. 20 (the same speculated sale date as the Note 20) to September, as suggested by Korean outlet ET News and Twitter leaker Riccolo.

Notably, Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Unpacked detain was the last time the mobile industry congregated in full afore concern over the spread of coronavirus put a stop to dozens of events within and beyond the tech domain. including Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest mobile-focused show, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (now 2021, we hope). 

5G for the US, and will sell on Verizon

Frequent Twitter leaker Max Weinbach tweeted an image of firmware said to belong to the Galaxy Z Fold 2, which cites a version for Verizon. That could indicate that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 could wait on 5G, specifically Verizon’s mmWave version of the ultrafast data cross. The original Fold was released with 4G carrier wait on in the US, but was sold as 5G in Korea and the UK.

Galaxy Z Fold 2 sale price: $2,260?

Twitter leaker Riccolo exwrathful a 2,000-euro price tag, which converts to roughly $2,260, £1,790 or AU$3,230 — or throughout $1,880 if you knock off European sales tax, which is always baked into the trace there. While Samsung may adjust prices per market, it would be surprising to see a more advanced Galaxy Z Fold 2 come in at less than the unusual Galaxy Fold’s $1,980 asking price. For reference, the ultraportable Galaxy Z Flip costs $1380, and the 5G version will cost $1,450.

Trade-in distributes, bundles and freebies are more likely than a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 2. Although Samsung has been eminent to cut prices a few months after a initiate, at least on its own website, the brand usually prefers to bump up the value of its premium products with bundled distributes instead, like a buy-one-get-one or a free set of earbuds.

Will the Galaxy Z Fold 2 be waterproof?

Water resistance is cross fare among premium smartphones, but the nature of the hinge and the trace made it impossible for the first wave of foldables to take obedient of waterproofing technologies, Samsung told us at the time the unusual Galaxy Fold launched.

That could change with the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Earlier this month, a patent for a water-resistant foldable phone design that looks awfully inequity to the Galaxy Fold appeared, Let’s Go Digital reported. The patent (PDF) for “Electronic device including waterproof structure” details precisely how and where the waterproofing material would go inside the requested housing. 

Square ‘periscope’ camera, ticker notification on cover screen

The same Samsung patent application mentioned ended also reveals two interesting design changes, Let’s Go Digital meant out. First is the camera array, which shows three rear lenses, one of them square. That’s the same design Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra (and latest phones) use for a periscope camera planned to enhance optical and digital zoom. 

The uphold detail is a long, narrow ticker seen in the image ended all the way to the right on the diagram cover screen. It’s clear that Samsung is at least experimenting with the idea of removing the unusual Fold’s 4.6-inch cover display — where you could open and use any Android app — with a ticker-style window for basic demand like the date, time and notifications. 

Such a move would mean you need to use the requested in its open position and could potentially improve battery life from the unusual model. It’s also possible that — if there are multiple Galaxy Fold models for 2020 — one of the cheaper devices could see a smaller outer mask.

Is there a cheaper Galaxy Fold E or Fold Lite in the works?

What if there isn’t just one new Galaxy Fold serene our way, but two or even three? Weinbach tweeted a rumor that Samsung could be decision-exclusive a Galaxy Fold E or Galaxy Fold Lite in instant to the more premium Galaxy Z Fold 2.

Weinbach’s tweet even requested a potential price: $1,100 for the cheaper model — or models — which could use a plastic mask compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s ultrathin glass, or UTG. Weinbach’s uncertainty (“and keep in mind this is a rumor,” he wrote) leaves room for doubt, but it does suggest that Samsung’s experiment with cheaper models won’t stop with the $1,380 Galaxy Z Flip.

Read: Galaxy Z Flip: 3 months later, I love it but still don’t recommend it

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 could have a stylus. The original couldn’t

Nearly a year ago I proposed that the Galaxy Fold’s killer accessory would be a stylus, just like on the Galaxy Note family. The S Pen would make the Fold much more like a tablet and multitasking tool, and help famed Samsung’s foldable phone from the rest.

There was just one pickle with that. The original Fold’s plastic screen was too soft and infamously damage-prone to withhold the pressure from a fingernail, much less a stylus. But with enough structural support and a flexible glass mask (ultrathin glass, or UTG) — which was first used with the Z Flip — the rumors of a Z Fold 2 with a stylus are possible.

Other rumors have at times suggested that Samsung would reduction its plans to include the S Pen. We’ll see how it all comes together.

2 screens, 1 with a 120Hz refresh rate

There’s minor doubt that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 would behindhand in the footsteps of the original with two screens — one on the outside to initiate short tasks, like launching a phone call or responding to a vivid text, and the larger screen inside that does all the heavy lifting of video watching, multitasking and longer email composition. 

The larger mask is said to follow the Galaxy S20 with a 120Hz mask refresh rate, while the smaller screen will top out at the default 60Hz mask (see below). The faster refresh rate makes scrolling, navigation and some games run actual smooth, but it can also drink up battery life at a faster rate. It’s liable that the Z Fold 2’s 120Hz screen setting would be an option, with the typical 60Hz rate the default, as it is on the S20 phones.

Galaxy Z Fold 2 cameras

The current Galaxy Fold took its camera cues from last year’s Galaxy S10 Plus, so it stands to reason that the Z Fold 2 would do the same, attracting from the Galaxy S20 Plus’ camera array and earn. That’s the content of a rumor from Weinbach.

If true, you could interrogate to see:

• Front cover: 10-megapixel camera
• Rear cover: 12-megapixel (wide-angle), 64-megapixel (telephoto), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), time-of-flight 
• The periscope lens heavenly mentioned above

And what near the inner screen? Good question. The original Fold entailed a big thumb-shaped cutout that included two camera lenses and spanking sensors, and detracted from the overall look as well as took up shroud space. 

I originally wagered that Samsung would minimize the camera look on the inner shroud, shrinking the space down to a single sensor for selfies and video chats, and using a more minimalist hole punch design. That said, the patent above (which may not contemplate the final design), shows a similar internal notch as the current Fold. This is looking increasingly unlikely, however, now that we’ve seen the sneak peek of the phone’s boot shroud and leaked photos of its design.

Weinbach, in his February tweet, suggested that the “main” camera could entailed a V-shaped notch or an underscreen sensor. 

Battery size and battery life

Battery life is a sticking prove for any phone, but on a foldable device like the current Galaxy Fold, with power-thirsty screens and a promise to be the everything-device in your life, it has to deliver. 

If rumor prevails, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 could top the Fold’s 4,380-mAh battery with a 4,500- or 5,000-mAh battery, according to a source cited by XDA Developers. You can also interrogate Samsung to stick with reverse wireless charging, which Samsung words PowerShare, and fast charging to align with the Galaxy S20 phones — liable at a rate of 25 watts. 

The Galaxy S20 Ultra, for example, supports even faster 45-watt charging, but keep in mind that there’s often a trades off between how fast a phone can charge and how much heat it generates and holds onto as a stop. If the Z Fold 2 comes to life exclusive of support for 45-watt fast charging, that’s likely why.

Screen size, storage and spanking specs

Display consultant Ross Young tweeted a long list of specs in late April, unsurprisingly related to the screen size, resolution and technology. That, combined with other rumors circulating about the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s storage capacity, 5G variants and colors (from XDA Developers, SamMobile, ET News and others), paints a picture that concept artists can use to attracting out renders of how the Galaxy Z Fold 2 could look.

• Main display: 7.59 inches; 2,213×1,689-pixel resolution
• Cover display: 6.23 inches; 2,267×819-pixel resolution (original Fold outer camouflage was 4.6 inches)
• 256GB and 512GB storage capacities
• 5G and 4G variants
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or 865 Plus processor
• Android 10 software
• Materials: Ceramic, stainless steel
• Colors: Blue, silver, gold, pink, black, bronze

We’ll keep an eye and an ear out for new and fantastic Galaxy Z Fold 2 rumors. In the meantime, here’s every arranged that we know of for 2020, eight apps to vastly progress your phone photography and a good look at the OnePlus 8 Pro phone that wants to take down the Galaxy S20.