Samsung has been leading the industry by introducing hardware (HW) and software (SW) that break the existing mold every year for the past 12 years since the unveiling of the first Galaxy S device in 2010. Some of the most game-changing so far include a large-screen smartphone with excellent immersion; a smartphone-stylus combination that enhanced productivity and creativity; and the world’s first dual-pixel camera technology. In addition, the Galaxy Note series, Galaxy tablet series and various wearable devices including Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds have contributed to the wider Galaxy ecosystem that has so transformed user’s lifestyles.

Ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked event set for February 10, Samsung Newsroom is providing a look back at the technological legacy of the Galaxy series. Read on to learn more about the 10 innovative Galaxy smartphone technologies that have set new standards and transformed the way we live our lives.

#1. 2010
The AMOLED Display: Bigger Is Better

One of the major benefits of a smartphone is that it allows users to enjoy content on a large screen with clear picture quality that sits right in the palm of their hand. Samsung kicked off the trend of the large screen era in the smartphone industry with the introduction of their AMOLED display. This display, developed using Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) technology, is characterized by its clear picture quality, self-luminescence and larger screen size.

The Samsung Galaxy S was the world’s first smartphone to be launched with a Super AMOLED display, an ultra-thin screen that consumes less power and provides crisper and more vivid picture quality. With the introduction of the Galaxy S in 2010, users’ interest became piqued in obtaining bigger screens — such as the 4- to 5-inch screens of the AMOLED display compared to the conventional 3-inches on other phones — on which to fully immerse themselves in their favorite content.

Samsung has continued to take its AMOLED technology to the next level by unveiling devices with more powerful and more advanced screens, such as the Galaxy S10, the world’s first mobile device with a High Dynamic Range10+ (HDR10+) supported Dynamic AMOLED display, and the Galaxy S21 series, which features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an automatic refresh rate of up to 120Hz based on the content type. Samsung’s innovative technology has enabled silky-smooth scrolling and uninterrupted viewing experiences, even on larger screens.

#2. 2011
The Galaxy Note and S Pen: Adding Analog Touch to Digital Devices

As of 2011, it became no longer necessary to keep notebooks and writing instruments in our bags at all times. With the introduction of the Galaxy Note equipped with S Pen, it is now possible to save and share everything from memos to drawings right on our smartphone’s screen. At that time, the Galaxy Note was launched with an S Pen that supported 256 levels of pressure onto the device’s large screen. Since then, both the Note and the S Pen have become inseparable, and as the series has developed, both have evolved significantly.

For example, Samsung introduced Air Command for the Galaxy Note 3 to give users easy access to signature S Pen features when hovering their S Pen over the screen. The company also then incorporated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology into the Galaxy Note 9 S Pen so that its stylus pen could also function as a remote control. For the Galaxy Note 10, the addition of Air Action features enabled users to remotely control their device when switching camera modes or zooming in or out, a marked change from previous models which only permitted users to take photos from a distance. In line with this innovative spirit, Samsung introduced the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered S Pen for the Galaxy Note 20 in order to provide users with a more delicate and sophisticated drawing experience, and as of last year, the innovative S Pen is now available on devices such as the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold3 to expand its compatibility.

#3. 2013
Samsung Knox: Your Trusted Mobile Bodyguard

We are now living in the era where most of our daily tasks and experiences can be undertaken all with a singular smartphone, meaning that the importance of security cannot be overemphasized. Samsung Knox has become a reliable shield for users concerned about information leakage or virus penetration.

Samsung Knox, installed on Galaxy devices since the Galaxy Note 3 in 2013, protects devices on a step-by-step basis from the chipset to the operating system (OS) and application level, while also blocking hacking and unauthorized access. In addition, thanks to its encrypted container space, a user’s personal and business data can be separated and managed safely.

In 2021, the company launched Samsung Knox Vault with the Galaxy S21 in order to thoroughly ensure the protection of ever-growing amounts of data. In addition to offering the industry’s highest level of security chipset (eSE, or embedded Secure Element) and a secure processor that prevents HW-level attacks, Samsung Knox Vault features a tamper-resistant security memory to protect a user’s various passwords and biometric information.

#4. 2014
Superb IP Rating: Ultimate Protection From Dust and Water

In the early 2010s, if you accidentally dropped your smartphone while using it in water, nothing but despair awaited you. To mitigate this, Samsung expanded the horizon of smartphone experiences by applying waterproof and dustproof functions to the Galaxy S5 for the first time in 2014.

From the Galaxy S7 in 2017 onwards, IP68,¹ the highest waterproof and dustproof rating, has been applied to Galaxy devices in order to strengthen their performance. The IP68 rating is given to devices after testing in fresh water at a depth of 1.5m for 30 minutes. Galaxy users are now able to use their smartphones with peace of mind thanks to strong waterproof and dustproof technologies.

#5. 2015
Samsung Pay: A Mobile Wallet in Your Pocket

It is no exaggeration to say that, after 2015, the trend of going ‘wallet-less’ saw a surge in increase. At this time, Samsung introduced Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service that replaces the cash and credit cards in a user’s wallet. Since this service was first introduced on the Galaxy S6 in 2015, it has established itself as a core representational service of the Galaxy smartphone.

When using public transportation, as well as when out shopping, users need just touch their smartphone instead of having to get out their wallet to pay. These days, leaving the house without a wallet has become a normal habit.

#6. 2016
Advanced Camera Technology: The World’s First Dual Pixel Sensor

Smartphone camera technologies are advancing day by day, to the extent at which if you have a smartphone, you’re able to capture pictures and videos comparable to that of professionals.

In 2016, Samsung raised the smartphone camera function to a new level by installing the industry’s first dual pixel in the Galaxy S7. At that time, the dual pixel was an image sensor only seen in high-end digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. By increasing the amount of light received by both the front and rear cameras, the Galaxy S7 was able to focus quickly and accurately, as well as take optimal photos in dark environments.

Samsung then combined an Ultra-Wide angle lens and intelligent SW in the Galaxy S10 to help users take even sharper pictures. The Galaxy S20 features a remarkable four quad cameras, raising the level of camera functionality once again. In particular, the optical zoom performance has been greatly improved; Galaxy S20 Ultra users can harness the Space Zoom function to zoom in up to 100 times, allowing them to take clear pictures of the night sky.

#7. 2018
One UI: Making My Own Galaxy

One UI is an interface that supports the unique user experience of Samsung Galaxy, and was first introduced in November 2018.

By dividing the viewing area and the touching area, the layout of One UI allows users to comfortably perform all operations with just one hand, and all necessary essential functions are included concisely on-screen so that everyone and anyone is able to use it easily. One UI is also characterized by a unified user experience as it has been applied consistently to devices across the Galaxy ecosystem, including smartphones, tablets and wearables.

One UI 4, updated last year, harnesses a completely different color palette with which to decorate a device’s home screen, icons, notifications and wallpapers in your own style. In addition, One UI 4 features strengthened security features, such as allowing users to easily select what to share and what to keep private in order to keep up with users who increasingly value their individuality and their privacy.

#8. 2019
Galaxy Z Series: The Dawn of the Era of Foldable Smartphones

In 2019, Samsung pioneered the field of foldable smartphones by unveiling the world’s first Galaxy Z Fold, equipped with a 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display.

Samsung’s newly developed hinge technology makes it possible to open and close the smartphone as smoothly as one opens a book, and offers users secure, long-lasting flexibility that passed a test to withstand 200,000 folds. In 2020, the company’s foldable lineup was expanding to include the Galaxy Z Flip, which features a compact design as the screen unfolds vertically.

Samsung not only pioneered a new form factor, but also new usability options through such functions as Flex mode, which allows for more usage scenarios by fixing the hinge at a specific angle, and Multi-Active Window, which can open and run apps at the same time with applications optimized for the foldable screen for a split screen view.

Last year, Samsung expanded their foldable lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold3, which saw the inclusion of an S Pen and waterproof and dustproof technology, and the colorful, pastel-toned Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition, leading the era of foldable popularization.

#9. 2021
An AI-Powered Eraser: Removing Unwanted Objects From Photos

As part of Samsung’s mission to expand the application of innovative AI technologies to all smartphones, the company introduced the Object Eraser feature that lets you remove any unwanted objects in your photos with just a touch.

The Object Eraser function, first introduced in the Galaxy S21 in 2021, is a photo editing tool that harnesses artificial intelligence. Simply by touching the object you want to remove from a photo and tapping the ‘object erase’ button, the object is deleted without the need for a separate editing program. Currently, this function is available on smartphones with One UI 3.1 or higher, such as the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Fold3.

Samsung first applied its AI-powered interface, Bixby, to the Galaxy S8 in 2017, and now users can control their major Galaxy devices using only their voice. In addition, Samsung has been incorporating AI technologies into its device OS, battery and camera in order to improve performance and convenience.

#10. 2021
Galaxy for the Planet: For a Sustainable Future

Samsung is fully committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its products throughout the entire lifecycle of its smartphones, from the design to the production stage through to their usage and disposal, in order to ensure that Galaxy smartphones contribute to greater environmental sustainability. Under the sustainability vision of its Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, “Galaxy for the Planet,” Samsung is consistently working to achieve a circular economy by reusing and recycling resources in order to build a better Galaxy ecosystem.

One such effort towards sustainability is a reduction of plastic usage in smartphone packaging. The percentage of plastics used in the Galaxy S21 packaging accounts for a mere 4 percent of the total weight, cutting down the waste generated per packaging unit by 49 percent as compared with that of the Galaxy S7. In addition, the Galaxy S21 packaging contains only 58 percent of the paper used in that of the Galaxy S7, helping save some 44,802 trees a year. Samsung plans to exclude plastic materials in its product packaging and apply recycled materials to all of its products in the MX division by 2025.

The products set to be unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked 2022 are drawing attention thanks to the revelation that they have been designed using eco-conscious materials recycled from marine waste. Samsung has succeeded in transforming discarded fishing nets, a major contributor to marine pollution, into a material with which to produce smart devices, and the company plans to apply this material to all its products in the future.

¹ IP (Degree of Ingress Protection, IP Code) is a product-related protection technology standard established by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and is applied to various IT products and industrial devices. IP68 is the highest rating for dust and water resistance. Ip68 has a waterproof function that can withstand 1.5m of clear water for 30 minutes, but it is recommended that the device be washed off immediately after contact with water and then dried.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Take a look at the infographic below for an in-depth look at 10 of the Galaxy range’s leading innovations that have redefined the smartphone experience over the past 10 years.

1. AMOLED Displays

First featured on: the Galaxy S (2010)

Samsung’s introduction of the first smartphone with a Super AMOLED display laid the groundwork for AMOLED technology to become the industry standard, and ultimately helped pave the way for the era of large-screen smartphones.

The Galaxy S10’s Dynamic AMOLED display takes the immersive viewing experiences that Samsung devices are known for to the next level, combining exceptional color accuracy (100 percent color volume in the DCI-P3 color range) with a peak luminance of 1,200 nits, and without requiring a filter or compromising picture quality, blue light reduction provides maximized eye comfort.

Those stellar specs, along with the display’s groundbreaking support for HDR10+, a next-generation open standard for HDR video, allow Samsung’s newest smartphones to offer a level of picture quality that’s so spectacular, you have to see it to believe it.

2. The S Pen

First featured on: the Galaxy Note (2011)

Since its launch, Samsung’s category-defining Galaxy Note line has introduced a variety of intuitive tools designed to help users maximize their productivity. Chief among these is the devices’ signature stylus: the S Pen.

Each new addition to the Note family adds convenient capabilities to this handy feature; for example, the S Pen that debuted with Note devices starting with the Galaxy Note7 harnesses electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology, keeping the S Pen and its device connected without relying on static electricity – meaning the functionality of the S Pen is unaffected by water.

Furthermore, while the Galaxy Note3’s S Pen was 1.6mm in diameter, the S Pen of last year’s Galaxy Note9 is just 0.7mm in diameter, and while the debut Galaxy Note’s S Pen supported a pressure level of 256, the Galaxy Note9’s S Pen supports a pressure level of 4096, providing users with a natural writing experience just like that of a real pen.

The S Pen equipping the Galaxy Note9 is also the most versatile yet, thanks to its Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) support, customizable clicks, and deeper integration with fan-favorite Note features.

3. Samsung Knox

First featured on: the Galaxy Note3 (2013)

Built into the company’s smartphones, tablets and wearables at the manufacturing stage, Samsung’s comprehensive security platform, Samsung Knox, offers Galaxy device users a simple and secure environment for storing and managing sensitive data.

Since its introduction, Samsung Knox has helped countless Galaxy users safeguard apps, photos and more from malware, viruses and other malicious threats. Its multi-layered security technology runs through each and every component of a device, from its chipset to its OS through to its applications. Secured by Knox, all your data is securely encrypted and hosted, completely isolated, on a secure place on device to keep your data private.

IT developers and administrators have been driving the security leadership agenda in the mobile industry, and today, Samsung continues to strengthen and enrich Samsung Knox with updates and enhancements that offer businesses and individuals greater security, and greater peace of mind.

4. Biometric Authentication

First featured on: the Galaxy S5 (2014)

Speaking of stalwart security, over the last ten years, Samsung has continuously enhanced its Galaxy lineup with the latest advancements in biometric technologies in order to offer users more tools to protect their devices and personal data.

The Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note4 were the first devices in the series to offer biometric security in the form of home button-embedded fingerprint scanners. It wasn’t long before Samsung expanded its biometric authentication arsenal with iris and facial scanning respectively.

The Galaxy S10 line takes biometric convenience a step further with an Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner that’s incorporated into the display, and utilizes ultrasonic waves to recognize the real, 3D contours of a user’s physical fingerprint, more secure than just 2D image recognition.

5. IP68 Dust and Water Resistance

First featured on: the Galaxy S5 (2014)

The Galaxy S5 was the first device in the Galaxy series to achieve an international standard rating of IP67 for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S7 then achieved an IP68² rating, the highest possible in this certification, meaning that Galaxy users can rest assured that their smartphones are built to stand up to the odd splash, spill or storm.

Prior to this technology, devices stood higher risks of hardware erosion and suffering from electrical shorts when up against adverse conditions. However, Samsung’s technology means that people can use their devices more safely, even in wet environments.

This premium durability standard has now become a staple of Galaxy flagship devices. It’s all part of Samsung’s commitment to ensuring that its devices will be there for users whenever they need them.

6. Wireless Charging

First featured on: the Galaxy S6 (2015)

Samsung has been at the forefront of wireless charging innovation since the technology’s beginnings, introducing advancements that have helped usher in an era in which charging your phone is as simple as placing it on a pad.

After introducing built-in wireless charging support to the Galaxy lineup with the Galaxy S6, Samsung took the technology to new heights with the introduction of Wireless PowerShare on the Galaxy S10, giving users the power to share their device’s impressive battery capacity supported by the Galaxy S10’s Fast Wireless Charging 2.0. Now, the Galaxy series’ latest additions are not only capable of charging wirelessly, but they’re also capable of wirelessly charging other devices, including Qi-certified¹ smartphones and wearables.

7. Samsung Pay

First featured on: the Galaxy S6 (2015)

Simple, secure, and available almost anywhere, Samsung Pay has quickly established itself as a mobile payment platform that consumers can trust.

First introduced with the Galaxy S6, Samsung Pay supports seamless payments via both near field communication (NFC) and magnetic secure transmission (MST). Samsung Pay uses three levels of security to ensure and enable secure payments: biometric authentication through fingerprint or iris recognition, tokenization³ and Samsung Knox, Samsung’s defense-grade mobile security platform.

Samsung Pay is available across six continents, with more markets joining the fold each year – and the service’s rapid growth and expansion are revolutionizing the mobile payment landscape. As of August 2018, Samsung Pay has surpassed 1.3 billion transactions globally available in 24 markets.

8. The Infinity Display

First featured on: the Galaxy S8 (2017)

Samsung’s introduction of the Infinity Display in 2017 marked the beginning of a bold new chapter in screen design, following the legacy of the increased screen real estate and better grip experience provided by the world’s first curved display, Edge, that debuted on the Galaxy Note edge.

Featuring a bezel-less, dual-edge design that elegantly spills over the edges of the phone, the Infinity Display pushes the boundaries of immersion, enabling users to see and do more than ever before. Seamless and sleek, the display is a beauty to behold – which makes it the perfect canvas for the likewise stunning viewing experiences that Galaxy devices are known for.

Since its introduction on the Galaxy S8, the Infinity Display has become a signature feature of Samsung’s flagship phones. Each year, the company introduces enhancements that make the display even more engrossing and maximizes screen real estate for users to enjoy. The Infinity-O Display available on the Galaxy S10 range is the series’ most immersive, advanced and revolutionary yet.

9. Bixby

First featured on: the Galaxy S8 (2017)

Introduced alongside the Galaxy S8, Samsung’s scalable AI platform, Bixby, was created to offer users a more personal, intelligent and intuitive AI assistant.

Samsung continuously enhances its AI platform with ever-more convenient capabilities designed to help users save time and simplify their day. Users also now have access to Bixby Marketplace, a new ecosystem resource for third-party services – known as ‘capsules’ – that are custom-fit for use with Bixby and allow users to do more of what they need with the assistance of Bixby.

10. Pro-grade Camera (Dual Aperture)

First featured on: the Galaxy S9 (2018)

Smartphone users have come to expect groundbreaking innovations from the Galaxy series – especially when it comes to the devices’ cameras. The Dual Aperture technology included in the series’ recent flagships is one such example of pioneering camera innovation.

Samsung officially debuted the technology on the Galaxy S9, making the device the first smartphone to feature a Dual Aperture camera. In a nutshell, the technology enables the camera to automatically adjust to various lighting conditions just as the human eye would. It does this by combining an F1.5 aperture lens with an F2.4. The ability to let in more light when it’s dark and less when it’s bright enables the camera to minimize visual distortion and ensures that photos are crisp and clear anytime, anywhere.

The Galaxy S10’s camera comes with intelligent software and professional lenses so that users can capture exactly what they see, as they see it, thanks to an unprecedented Ultra Wide 123° panoramic field of view among other innovations that allow users to capture pro-grade photos and videos.

¹ Qi is an open interface standard for wireless charging that was created by the Wireless Power Consortium – an industry group that includes device manufacturers, accessory makers and others.

² An IP68 certification means a device has received a 6 ranking (out of a possible 6, with 6 being the best) in terms of protection against solid damage, and an 8 ranking (out of a possible 8, with 8 being the best) for protection against water of up to 1.5m in depth for up to 30 minutes (not advised for beach or pool use). In the case of contact with water, users are advised to immediately rinse any residue and dry the device.

³ Tokenization is a process that generates virtual information for a transaction without the storing of financial details in a device. This protects users’ financial information.

Fusing rich visuals with crisp acoustics, the Samsung HMD Odyssey offers an experience that draws you in deeper to the world of mixed reality, a blend of virtual reality and augmented reality.

HMD Odyssey is a head-mounted display, developed to explore the world of Windows Mixed Reality. The headset was designed in partnership with Microsoft, creating a device that seeks to reimagine the realms of virtual reality through its high-resolution dual displays, AKG headphones, built-in microphone and intuitive installation.

Read on for our hands-on, first impressions look at the new mixed reality headset.

Out of the Box, Into the Game

Set-up is truly intuitive. As well as being ready to play right out of the box, the Samsung HMD Odyssey’s ergonomic design also allowed me to adjust the device to my satisfaction in moments.

The HMD Odyssey does not require any external motion sensors, thanks to its Inside-Out Position Tracking, which frees you from the confines of a single environment and allows you to plug and play, anywhere. Just connect the device to a compatible PC^* wherever you are and get ready to explore a virtual world.

To set up the HMD Odyssey, I first connected my device to a compatible PC. Next, I was instructed to point the headset towards my PC monitor, and draw the shape of the room, while keeping the headset facing the monitor. This allowed the device to map the physical space around me, and any obstacles, such as furniture and walls, in the physical world became “walls” in the virtual world, to prevent me from bumping into anything.

Everyone’s body is different, and the HMD Odyssey is designed for an optimal fit for everybody. For example, the hard type headband, with its cushioned Forehead Pad, is easily adjustable and ensures an even weight balance for hours of comfortable play. The headband can be tightened to sit snugly on the head, even while wearing glasses, and blocks out any surrounding light. A nice addition is the physical volume buttons, which mean that you can control sound levels with just one press, rather than scrolling through in-game controls. What is more, the Inter Pupillary Distance (IPD) Control Wheel, positioned under the goggles, adjusts the distance between the left and right dual displays, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your eyes.

See More, Experience More

At the heart of the full visual immersion is superior picture quality. The world may have been virtual, but the sharp, crystal clear images that surrounded me made it feel completely real.

The Samsung HMD Odyssey’s dual 3.5-inch AMOLED displays are finely tuned for the mixed reality experience, offering remarkable image definition.

At the same time as delivering more vibrant colors, deeper blacks and sharper contrast, the HMD Odyssey also renders motions more smoothly. The larger screen size and 1440×1600 high-resolution picture quality per each display on the left and right, provide a fluid and lifelike virtual experience, with fast focusing and a clear and stable experience overall.

The HMD Odyssey’s 110-degree Field of View alters the boundaries of the mixed reality world. The scope is greater than that of other devices and closer to the average person’s 120-degree real world field of view, allowing you to explore and move through worlds without viewing distortion, for heightened realism.

Achieving True Immersion

Incorporating the sense of sound through its built-in headphones and mic, the HMD Odyssey adds another crucial dimension to the mixed reality experience.

I was pulled further into the world by the device’s 360° Spatial Sound. By simulating 3D sound using direction, distance and environment, 360° Spatial Sound allowed me to pinpoint the source of noise in the virtual realm. The whole effect encourages you to use your hearing as you would in the real world, listening through built-in AKG headsets which produce clear, world-class acoustic and bass.

Whether working together as a team to clear missions and battle enemies, or simply chatting to other players, it is well known that building bonds a key part of the gamer’s experience. I found these bonds are even tighter with the HMD Odyssey’s fitted array mic, which allows players to communicate with each other mid-game, without ever having to remove the headset.

To help me navigate Windows Mixed Reality, the HMD Odyssey came equipped with two 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DOF) motion controllers that tracked movements inside the mixed reality world. A tutorial guided me through using these tools when I first connected my device to a PC, in which I learnt how to maneuver through the world, performing actions like “teleport” to rapidly shift from one place to another.

I soon discovered that 6DOF goes beyond the three axes of regular VR controllers: I had the freedom to move not only straight – forward and back, up and down, left and right – but also in the rounded and rolling motions: yaw, pitch and roll. The HMD Odyssey headset also supports 6DOF, so that your head as well as your arms can control motion in the game.

Diving Into Windows Mixed Reality

The first place you will visit in your Windows Mixed Reality journey, and whenever you use the headset, is the Mixed Reality Portal. The portal appears in the virtual world as Cliff House, a spacious villa with an ocean view, that I could explore and customize to access all my Windows apps.

A wide range of apps and games can be downloaded from the Microsoft store, ready to make you feel totally immersed. There is also support for Steam VR, which has over 2,000 VR games in its catalogue^**.

My first game was the music-themed Rock&Rails, an exhilarating thrill-ride. I struggled not to flinch or recoil as I flew through the sky, fighting off enemies by shooting from my guitar. Rock&Rails is available from the Microsoft store with purchase of the Samsung HMD Odyssey headset, so you can get into the game as soon as you unbox your device^***.

With a set-up that is effortless, striking 1440×1600 resolution dual AMOLED displays, built-in AKG headphones and support for a wide range of games and media. Samsung’s HMD Odyssey provides all that you need to experience the exciting new realm of mixed reality.

^*Windows Mixed Reality requires a compatible Windows 10 PC and the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Compatibility may be checked using the Windows Mixed Reality PC Check tool available on the Microsoft Store.

^**Title availability is subject to change.

^***Bundle availability may change with location and date.

Featuring automatic activity detection and support for a variety of exercises, the Gear Fit2 GPS sports band keeps track of vital fitness data without breaking a sweat. But how exactly does it work, and how can it help you reach your personal health goals? Here are a few common questions and answers to help you get better acquainted with the versatile fitness tool.

Q. What kinds of exercises can the Gear Fit2 track?

Experts advise taking a well-rounded approach to personal fitness, which is why the Gear Fit2 was designed to be game for a wide range of sports and activities.

Automatic activity detection means that the Gear Fit2 can automatically sense a number of aerobic exercises as soon as the user engages in active movements for 10 minutes—the minimum amount of time for these exercises to be effective. The Gear Fit2 can sense up to five cardio exercises, ranging from running, walking, cycling as well as workouts on the rowing machine and the elliptical trainer.

As for anaerobic exercises such as crunches, lunges, and squats, users can manually set the Gear Fit2 to count the number of reps on behalf of the user.

Q. I’m trying out a regular exercise routine for the first time. Can the Gear Fit2 help me get started on the right foot?

The Gear Fit2 was designed for both fitness enthusiasts and casual exercisers alike. The Super AMOLED display allows you to check your performance, track reps and monitor your progress toward fitness targets while also providing feedback to help you better understand what that data means in terms of your overall health.

The curved, hi-resolution screen also serves as a highly effective visual aid, displaying, for certain exercises, handy animations illustrating proper technique to help you master their form and exercise more efficiently.

Q. How does the HR monitor help me exercise smarter?

As you exercise, or simply carry on with your day, the Gear Fit2’s heart-rate monitor automatically measures your heart rate at regular intervals, providing insight into your daily patterns of exertion.

During workouts, such monitoring allows you to keep track of how strenuously you’re exercising so you can adjust accordingly. The Gear Fit2 displays your current heart rate and helps guide you to reach your vigorous-intensity zone—your body’s optimal heart rate range for effective exercise— keeping you focused and motivated by ensuring maximum efficiency in your workout.

Q. What else does the Gear Fit2 monitor?

While your personal fitness is the Gear Fit2’s main focus, its function extends beyond the scope of gyms and morning runs.

The Gear Fit2 also boasts sleep tracking capability, automatically analyzing your sleep status whenever you doze for an hour or more and displaying relevant data on screen.

Additionally, the Gear Fit2 is capable of displaying your friends’ daily step status. Syncing the device with the S Health app allows users to engage in friendly step challenges with rivals. Graphs of both parties’ daily step progress can be displayed on screen, keeping you up to date on how far ahead—or behind—you may be, and adding healthy motivation to your daily exercise routine.

Q. How accurate is the GPS?

With built-in accelerometer and GPS sensors, the Gear Fit2 allows you to keep track of both how far you travel and at what speed, completely independent of a mobile phone.

GPS operates on satellite signals, and connections are sometimes obstructed by environmental variables such as an abundance of buildings in an area or particularly cloudy skies. The Gear Fit2, however, benefits from updated software that streamlines your GPS connection during outdoor exercise.

Q. Can the Gear Fit2 store my music as well?

Absolutely. The Gear Fit2 offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly navigate your phone’s music library as you power through your workout. But it also features a standalone music player and 4GB of internal storage, if you’d rather leave your phone at home.

And with the Samsung Gear app you can even transfer songs between your smartphone and your Gear Fit2. Just go to the Gear Fit2’s Music Player app, change the setting to Gear Music mode, choose the playlists or songs that best suit your exercise, and you’re good to go.

Q. Which strap is best for me?

The Gear Fit2’s strap comes in two sizes: small and large. For those with rather thin wrists, measuring anywhere from 125 to 170 mm, the small strap will suit you just fine. For bigger wrists, measuring anywhere from 155 to 210 mm, go with the large strap.

Both are light and easy to wear, completing a sleek and unobtrusive aesthetic that’s suitable for both the gym and everyday use.

Smartphones have given us the ability to easily transition between work and play, and the Galaxy Note7 is no exception. Equipped with HDR streaming capabilities, which make video content look more vivid and lifelike, best-in-class gaming with new titles supported by Vulkan API, and advanced camera technology, the newest Galaxy Note smartphone provides a rich entertainment experience that’s as mobile as we are. Furthermore, an enhanced Gear VR headset, which now supports expanded compatibility, offers an even more immersive virtual experience.

Truer Colors, A Clearer Picture

To provide a better viewing experience, the film industry has continually improved video resolution—from HD to Full HD to Ultra HD. Most recently, the UHD Alliance, a consortium of production studios, content networks, tech companies and TV manufacturers—including Samsung—shifted their focus to High Dynamic Range (HDR). Equipped with Super AMOLED Display, HDR video streaming technology enables a cinema-like experience including brighter colors and a deeper black, to ensure users get the full experience that the filmmaker intended.

Now Galaxy Note7 users can stream HDR video in HDR10 format, a standard that denotes a color depth based on a 10-bit signal. Therefore, they can experience the same HDR color and quality on their mobile device as they can on a television.

Samsung was able to bring this extraordinary technology to the Galaxy Note7 by utilizing Mobile Digital Natural Image Engine (mDNIe) technology and the Super AMOLED display.

The powerful mDNIe chipset, which was designed by Samsung, is the most advanced image processing engine to date, and ensures that dark and bright colors appear the way they do in real life. It also makes use of the Galaxy Note7’s 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display—which exhibits the largest range of colors and brightness among smartphone displays—to vividly and clearly express the colors intended by the content developer.

The chipset also allows the smartphone to seamlessly process streamed HDR content without straining the battery, meaning users can stay immersed in their favorite TV shows and movies for even longer.

All Fun and Games

In February, Samsung set a new industry standard with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which were the first smartphones to support Vulkan, an API that brings more robust and responsive performance and power efficiency to gaming.

Samsung once again incorporated Vulkan into the Galaxy Note7, giving gamers the ability to play high-performance, graphic-intensive games for even longer, and also giving developers an unprecedented tool to create unique gaming experiences.

With the Galaxy Game Pack, available through Google Play, users can access top game titles, an easy redemption process and new user benefits.

Virtual Reality Gets Real

Since the launch of the first Gear VR in 2014, Samsung has continued to innovate in the VR space by offering a robust VR ecosystem with the Gear 360 as well as an enhanced Gear VR headset.

Brought to life by the Samsung Galaxy smartphone, Gear VR provides engaging content, putting users in the center of the action for a more immersive experience. By pairing the Galaxy Note7 with the new Gear VR powered by Oculus, the latest version now supports USB Type-C and micro-USB port connections, giving even more users access to the world of VR.

Furthermore, with improved lenses and ergonomics, the updated headset lets users more comfortably view 360-degree videos and create Gear 360 content. These memories can then be shared with friends via platforms including YouTube 360 and Facebook, and can be relived through the ultra-immersive Gear VR. Together with the Galaxy Note7, the new Gear VR is a gateway to new experiences and great adventures.

Picture-Perfect

The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with the advanced camera that debuted on the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, allowing users to capture important memories in true-to-life colors. Dual-pixel technology, a wide aperture and fast autofocus work together to capture sharp images, even in low-light conditions, so that users never miss a shareable moment.

While the camera of the Galaxy Note7 boasts the same great specs, it has been updated to provide a more streamlined, intuitive user experience.

For more product information, please visit www.samsung.com/galaxy

*All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

Samsung Electronics today announced that its new Gear Fit2 GPS sports band is now commercially available in select markets including the US, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Australia, and will gradually be launched around the globe.

Featuring an ergonomic and sleek design, the Gear Fit2 offers accurate and robust fitness tracking and measurement with an embedded GPS and heart rate monitor (HRM). Whether you’re walking, running, cycling, or even using an elliptical trainer or rowing machine, the Gear Fit2 automatically detects the type of activity you’re engaging in and tracks your progress. It also monitors 15 different activities including Exercise bike, Step machine, Pilates, Lunges, Crunches and Squats.

Users can easily monitor their workout status and check notifications with a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED curved display. In addition, its standalone music player, seamless integration with S Health and new “Steps Challenges” for one-on-one competition with friends provide enhanced motivation and enable users to work out more actively, even without a smartphone.

The Gear Fit2 is compatible with smartphones running on Android OS 4.4 and above with over 1.5GB RAM. It’s available in three colors (Black, Blue and Pink) and two sizes—Small (for wrist sizes 125-170 millimeters) and Large (for wrist sizes 155-210 millimeters).

Samsung began developing the function in earnest about three years ago, based on two of users’ biggest needs: the ability to check information quickly and to differentiate themselves from other users. But there were multiple factors that needed to be considered. One of the most pressing ones was power consumption.

Decreasing Power Consumption from the Inside Out

The AMOLED display of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge was beneficial for implementing the AOD in the first place, because the black pixels of an AMOLED display actually are turned off, and thus consume less power.

Despite this advantage, other components, such as the Display Driver IC (DDI), the Application Processor (AP) and various sensors still consume power.

From among these components, the DDI consumes the most power. To implement the AOD in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Samsung reduced power consumption in sleep mode to less than one-fifth of previous rates. It’s almost half the power consumption of the Night Clock feature on the previous model, which uses only the edge screen of the display.

Samsung also applied Smart Power Saving, a new hardware algorithm, to further improve the performance of the DDI of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Through this, the company was able to separate the power needed for the DDI in normal activity mode and that needed for the AOD at the hardware level. That is to say, it is like how a car driver chooses 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive depending on road conditions in order to use the engine power in the most efficient way.

Power consumption rates vary depending on the information users want to check via the AOD. The display only uses eight colors when it displays simple information, including the time and date. If more images or colors are to be displayed on the screen, then bit depth is increased to 16 million colors, requiring a little more power. This change happens automatically and seamlessly by AOD software and hardware in a harmonious way.

A Display That Responds to You and Your Surroundings

Samsung also reduced the power consumption by decreasing the frame rate. Compared to the phone’s normal mode, the AOD uses fewer frames per second—the number of times the image on the screen is refreshed per second. It’s because the AOD displays a relatively small amount of information compared with the phone’s normal mode. Nevertheless, Samsung determined an optimal number of frames to ensure that there was no compromise in display quality.

The new AOD feature ensures that users can check information at any time, but special proximity, RGB light and accelerometer sensors work to automatically disable the AOD in situations when users are unable to see the screen, such as when the phone is in a pocket or a bag.

These sensors also help to adjust the brightness of information displayed on the AOD in the same way that the display’s brightness is automatically fine-tuned according to light levels in the users’ surroundings.

Of course, users have the option to enable or disable the AOD, and should the phone’s battery level reach less than 5 percent, the AOD automatically turns off.

Samsung has tried to provide a more immersive viewing experience with its AMOLED displays. But now, the company has taken things to the next level with a new feature that distinguishes the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, even when its screen is on standby.

Last summer, DisplayMate Technologies called the Galaxy Note5 screen the best smartphone display they had ever rated. Now the Galaxy S7 is even better, writes the leading evaluator of video screens.

In an in-depth analysis of the new Galaxy flagship phones, DisplayMate’s judgment was clear: “The display on the Galaxy S7 matches and even exceeds the performance of the Galaxy Note5 that we tested in 2015 and rated as the Best Performing Smartphone Display that we had ever tested.” Let’s take a deeper look at the Galaxy S7’s screen and why it has won such high praise from the industry’s premier analysts.

The Screen—Brighter and Better Contrast

The core specs of the screens on the flagship Samsung smartphones remain as strong as before—2560×1440 Super AMOLED displays, in 5.1 inches for the Galaxy S7 and 5.5 inches for the Galaxy S7 edge. Absolute color accuracy, color gamut and intensity, viewing angles and power consumption remain at the same industry-leading levels as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note5.

But where the new Galaxy screens really shine is in high ambient light conditions, like outdoors on a sunny day. With a high screen brightness of up to 855 nits and low screen reflectance, the Galaxy S7 had a contrast rating for high ambient light “among the highest that we have ever measured for a smartphone.”

Source: Samsung Display Blog 

The DisplayMate review also noted that because the Galaxy S7 pixels are 24 percent smaller than the Galaxy Note5, those pixels had to output at a 24 percent higher level for the screen to deliver the same overall brightness and performance.

Always On Display Adds Convenience Without Draining Battery

The new Always On Display for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge also won many plaudits. Always On Display lets users see the time, calendar, status messages and notifications even when the phone is in standby mode, with the screen off. This is possible because the new phones use the AMOLED screen to take advantage of the independently powered sub-pixels, therefore not using any power at all when black. So when the phone is in standby mode with a black background it is still possible to show some text and graphics without a significant power drain.

Personalized Automatic Brightness Control That Really Works

The Galaxy S7 has added an interactive Personalized Automatic Brightness Control, not only changing the brightness settings on the screen depending on the setting, but also learning and storing those settings based on a consumer’s preferences and usage. Brightness Control is useful for ensuring the screen is at the right level for the ambient light conditions while maximizing battery life.

In the past, DisplayMate has been critical of attempts at automatic brightness control, but for the Galaxy S7, DisplayMate’s opinion was resoundingly clear: The Galaxy S7 is “the first to do Automatic Brightness correctly!”

The analysis also praised the Galaxy S7’s Super Dimming mode, which allows the phone to drop as low as 2 nits, so it doesn’t distract when used in a dark environment, like beside someone’s bed at night. But even at the lowest brightness setting, the display still delivers 24-bit color with excellent picture quality.

Curved Screen of Galaxy S7 edge Also Shines

The DisplayMate review once again had many positive points to add about the quality of the dual curved screen of the Galaxy S7 edge. The curved edge display allows for a variety of apps and menus to be placed on the rounded sides of the phone, however that entails a slightly different manufacturing process and materials. But even with the improvements to the Galaxy S7 display, the curved edge screen had kept pace and was called “essentially the same.”

Relentlessly Pushing the Limits of the Possible

Two years ago with the Galaxy Note4, DisplayMate called the Samsung smartphone display the best in the world. That continued last year with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note5. But Samsung was never complacent with those achievements, and now, with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, Samsung continues to relentlessly innovate and improve all aspects of its smartphones, always pushing the limits of what is possible to enhance people’s lives.

Both the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge were unveiled in Barcelona on February 21, and are slated to go on sale beginning March 11 in select market.