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Samsung’s Unpacked event was brief, but certainly not light on details. The company gave us a rundown on the new hardware and features we can expect to see in the coming weeks. Here are the most important things Samsung announced.
Enlarge ImageJosh Miller/CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 packs a new stylus
The newest member of Samsung’s Galaxy Note lineup doesn’t change all that much over its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 4 . The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 packs the same Exynos 7420 you’ll find in the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, albeit behind a 5.7-inch display that has a 2,560-by-1,440-pixel resolution. Samsung’s stylus, the S-Pen, has been tweaked. Samsung claims the pen will be a lot more responsive, and it offers new features, like the ability to jot memos even when the phone’s display is turned off. It’ll be available in the US and Canada on August 21.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ stretches the dual-curve design to 5.7 inches
If you thought the only thing missing from Samsung’s dual-curved Galaxy S6 Edge was a bit of screen real-estate, your demands have been heard. The S6 Edge+ is a slightly larger variant of its plus-free predecessor, with that dual-curved design teased out to 5.7 inches, over the S6 Edge’s 5.1-inch display. The rest of the specifications are mostly the same: the screen keeps the 2,560-by-1,440-pixel resolution, which means the pixel density drops to 518 pixels per inch, versus 557 pixels per inch. You’re getting a slightly larger battery at 3,000mAh and 4GB of RAM, versus a 2,660mAh battery and 3GB of RAM. It’ll be available in the US and Canada on August 21.
Samsung’s big, curvy Galaxy S6 Edge+ (pictures)
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Samsung’s Keyboard Cover case adds physical keys to your phablet
If you must have a physical keyboard but don’t want to pick up a BlackBerry, Samsung’s keyboard cover might be a worthwhile stopgap. It’s exactly what it sounds like: the keyboard end of the case pops off, so you can attach it to the front of the device when you need it, and snap it on to the back of the phone when you don’t.
Punch up the Galaxy Note 5 with this keyboard case (photos)
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Samsung’s Live Broadcast lets you stream directly to YouTube
Like live streaming? You might like Live Broadcast. Samsung has partnered with YouTube to build living streaming directly into their new phones. The companies are betting that you’ll be likelier to find friends and family on YouTube than on the myriad live streaming apps out there.
Samsung Sidesync arrives on Macs
Samsung’s Sidesync software lets you pair your Samsung phone with your PC, allowing you to drag and drop files, use apps, and share your screen. It’s been on PCs for some time, but Samsung is hoping some Apple fans might want to see what life is like on the other side of the aisle by bringing the service to Macs.
Samsung Pay arrives in the US on September 28
“If retailers can swipe a card, they can most likely accept Samsung Pay.” Even at fruit stores! It’s a lofty claim, but Samsung Pay will work with mag-stripe card readers, thanks to the Magnetic Secure Transmission technology Samsung picked up when it acquired LoopPay earlier this year. We’ll find out for ourselves soon: Samsung Pay arrives in Korea on August 20, the US on September 28, and will arrive in the UK, Spain and China soon afterward.
The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch goes round
Samsung released a torrent of wearables in the last few years, including the Galaxy Gear, the Gear 2 , the Gear Live , and the Gear Fit fitness band. We’re still a little light on details about the Samsung Gear S2, but we’ll learn more at IFA in Berlin on September 3.
