[2020 Unpacked] Galaxy Avengers Finally Appear... Standing Ovation and Cheers as Z Flip Unveiled (Comprehensive)

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Launches S20 and Z Flip Simultaneously
President No Tae-moon Declares "A New Decade"

[San Francisco (USA) = Asia Economy reporters Han Jinju and Jo Seulgina] 15 minutes before the countdown. The 3,000-seat venue, with music playing softly, was packed with a crowd so dense that finding an empty seat was nearly impossible.

5 minutes before the countdown. The teaser video began. When the slogan "Change the shape of the future" appeared on the large screens covering three sides of the venue, cheers erupted reminiscent of BTS's world tour. As the video ended with the 'Galaxy Z Flip,' resembling a compact cosmetic case, folding shut, a standing ovation followed.

At exactly 11 a.m. on the 11th (local time), Samsung Electronics' Galaxy festival began at the historic Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, USA. The strategic products declaring a new decade for Samsung Electronics smartphones, the 'Galaxy S20 series' and Galaxy Z Flip, were unveiled. Debuting alongside Avengers-level new products at the 'Samsung Galaxy 2020 Unpacked,' Samsung Electronics Wireless Business Division President (CEO) No Tae-moon declared, "A new decade, the beginning of change."

◆Second Foldable Phone Release... Ambition to Lead Form Factor= The first product revealed was the Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung Electronics' second foldable phone. Compared to the Galaxy Fold, which was the industry's first foldable phone released last year, it reduced size and weight to enhance portability while lowering the price by about 30%. Competitor Apple, which has yet to announce any plans for a foldable phone, was clearly challenged as Samsung openly expressed its ambition to lead the initiative of form factor changes in the global smartphone market. This was driven by Samsung Electronics' judgment that the foldable market will grow rapidly.

The experience booths were also crowded with reporters, bloggers, and officials from various countries eager to try the Galaxy Z Flip. While the Galaxy Fold folds 'largely' up to 8 inches, the Galaxy Z Flip folds 'compactly' vertically. Thanks to this, it is easy to hold with one hand and fits snugly into a back pocket. The unfolded display measures 6.7 inches, and except for the front camera located at the top center, the entire screen is filled, implementing the first hole display on a foldable phone.

The most notable feature is the hinge technology that allows precise angle adjustment. Users can unfold it to the desired angle to take photos or enjoy content. At the Unpacked event, Rebecca Hurst, Samsung Electronics UK Marketing Manager, stood the Galaxy Z Flip at a 90-degree angle and said "Say cheese," folding and unfolding her hand, which triggered the camera to take a photo automatically. Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior Vice President of Google, who appeared as a surprise guest, introduced the 'Flex Mode,' where the screen automatically splits into two when unfolded at a specific angle.

Targeting female consumers, the Z Flip will be released on February 14, Valentine's Day. Priced at 1.65 million KRW, it is about 30% cheaper than the Galaxy Fold. It also has a price advantage compared to Motorola's Razr (1,500 USD). President No expressed confidence, saying, "It will play an important role in expanding the foldable category."

◆Galaxy S20 Opens a New Decade... Unprecedented Specs 'Camera Phone'= On this day, Samsung Electronics declared a 'new turning point' by changing the product numbering from the 10 series to the 20 series with the Galaxy S20 series. Responding to the demand for 5G smartphones, all models were released with 5G and equipped with unprecedented specs. Notably, the Galaxy S20 series focused on camera functions to satisfy consumers who felt a thirst for better smartphone cameras.

It is evaluated as a 'camera phone' that can satisfy everything from everyday social network service (SNS) uploads to professional-level photography. The top model, the S20 Ultra, is equipped with a 108-megapixel camera, while the S20 and S20+ have a 64-megapixel main camera. The image sensor size, which determines camera performance, has improved 1.65 to 2.9 times compared to the Galaxy S10.

The top model, S20 Ultra, features a 108-megapixel camera, and the image sensor size has improved 1.65 to 2.9 times compared to the Galaxy S10. The camera software, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), also attracted attention with features such as 'Single Take,' which captures photos and videos with multiple lenses at once and recommends the best shot. The 'Super Steady Mode,' which stabilizes hand shake using AI, has also been improved.

President No introduced the Galaxy S20 as "a smartphone that signals the start of a new change" and said, "It is a smartphone that says goodbye to today's smartphone cameras and shows the best way to see and share the world." The Galaxy S20 series, which will be released on March 6, will have pre-orders in Korea from February 20 to 26.

◆Aiming for the Throne of 5G Smartphones= Samsung Electronics, fiercely competing with Apple, which has established its presence with the iPhone, and Huawei, which is rapidly catching up with mid-range prices, considers the success of the newly unveiled S20 series and Z Flip more important than ever. Key figures who have led changes in the Galaxy series, including Samsung Electronics IM Division President (CEO) Koh Dong-jin, also appeared at the event to add strength.

According to market research firm Strategy Analytics (SA), Samsung Electronics (18.4%) lost the No. 1 spot in the smartphone market to Apple (18.9%) in the fourth quarter of last year for the first time in two years. On an annual basis, Samsung maintained first place (20.9%), but the gap with second-place Huawei (17.0%) was only about 4 percentage points. In the 5G mobile communication market, which began in earnest last year, Huawei took the lead instead. Moreover, the IM division's operating profit fell below 10 trillion KRW for the first time in eight years last year. This is a heavy burden for President No, who proclaims a 'new decade' instead of a 'crisis.'

Samsung Electronics' strategy is to capture the 'two rabbits' of the 5G market and the foldable phone market by leveraging the newly released products. They plan to lead the 5G market, which will accelerate from this year with the Galaxy S20, improving sales performance and profitability, while securing the foldable phone market with the more affordable Z Flip.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.