Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

Samsung is at last launching the Galaxy Z TriFold, although it might not be an unequivocal success.

On paper, the Galaxy Z TriFold appears to be nearly the ideal upgrade for anyone who has been utilizing foldable phones for years. It’s sleek, speedy, features a robust camera system, and boasts an even bigger display when unfolded.

When it was revealed, my enthusiasm naturally surged, as is typically the case with new foldable phone unveilings. However, since that moment, my eagerness has gradually faded to the point where I question whether I’ll actually attempt to purchase one at launch. (Who am I kidding, of course I will.)

Even if I do sacrifice one of my kidneys to afford the likely even pricier price tag, I’m somewhat uncertain about how long it will stay as my primary device. And honestly, I hold Harish responsible for this, as he just recently had some hands-on experience with the Galaxy Z TriFold.

Unusual design choice

In the lead-up to the announcement, something in my mind indicated that Samsung would choose a design reminiscent of the Huawei Mate XT. Rather than merely offering two screen sizes, the Mate XT allows you to keep one screen closed, resulting in a total of three screen configurations.

This introduces another level of adaptability, as there will likely be instances when I would prefer not to use a 10-inch tablet but would be fine with utilizing an 8-inch one. Regrettably, this doesn’t seem to be the direction Samsung opted for, and I’m genuinely intrigued as to the reasoning behind it.

DeX Mode should’ve been the standard

Another aspect that left me rather puzzled is that if Samsung intends to provide us with just two configuration options, why isn’t DeX Mode the standard layout when unfolding the phone? It’s the same question I’ve been posing for years whenever a new Galaxy Tab is launched, as Android isn’t particularly suited for larger displays without a significant amount of adjustments.

And it’s not as if you can just effortlessly install an alternative launcher, due to API constraints, resulting in a rather flawed experience. Technically, it can be done, but installing and using different launchers necessitates some tinkering with Bixby Routines or tools like Tasker. Instead, I will unfold the TriFold only to be met with a home screen filled with more wasted space than one could imagine.

To clarify, I’m not referring to the “old” DeX Mode, which was more akin to a desktop-like interface. I’m discussing the “New DeX,” revamped with One UI 8 and built upon Android 16 Desktop Mode.

Essentially, it’s a hybrid launcher that can resemble a more conventional desktop, with added advantages like widgets, something previously impossible. Now would have been an ideal moment to unveil such an alteration, especially with the introduction of a (mostly) new product category.

Previous generation

Originally, this was the part where I was going to express my discontent about a potential $3,000 phone lacking the latest flagship processor. To some degree, I still hold that view, and not merely because I have a penchant for the latest technology. But it reflects the same frustration I have towards Samsung and Google for not equipping their most expensive phones with flagship cameras.

Don’t misunderstand me, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is a highly capable processor that will certainly endure as long as those trifold screens do. Yet, I also believe it would have been incredibly impressive to see the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 leading the charge.

That said, pursuing that route would likely entail an even steeper price tag. Furthermore, the current DRAM shortage provides phone manufacturers with ample justification to impose higher costs, not merely to enhance profit margins.

Even steeper prices are on the horizon

It’s also plausible that the Galaxy Z TriFold will be among the initial phones to face such challenges, as we still lack clarity on its pricing in North America. Samsung has launched pre-orders for the TriFold in its home market of South Korea, with a listed price of KRW 3,590,400. When converted to USD, that amounts to approximately $2,400.

Which is rather surprising on its own, as it’s only $400 more than the base model Galaxy Z Fold 7. Considering that this will be a niche device within a niche category, that’s considerably better than I anticipated.

What’s astonishing is that Samsung reportedly sold out of the TriFold “in minutes,” but the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition did as well. So I’m uncertain whether it’s a reflection of enthusiasm for the phone, merely indicative of the brand loyalty Samsung has at home, or if the initial product run is just a limited one.

As I previously mentioned, I will likely still attempt to acquire the Z TriFold once it is officially launched here in the States. But I would be dishonest if I claimed that Huawei’s Mate XT might not end up being the superior execution of this new form factor.

With just weeks left until 2026, it’s the perfect moment to begin gathering gear for improved health and fitness – or to discover athletic Christmas presents for friends and family.

The technology isn’t functioning as intended for individuals in wheelchairs.

Fitbit is going through a significant transformation, and I’ve spent a month exploring the preview of the newly revamped app and personal health coach. The app is heavily focused on AI, which is not surprising in 2025, given that every company is exploring ways to incorporate AI into their offerings. While this may not resonate with consumers who are hesitant about AI, the redesigned app modernizes the Fitbit experience for Android users, making it feel more like an all-encompassing fitness guide compared to its standard version.

Currently, feature parity with the traditional Fitbit app is not there yet. However, the new features are quite intriguing and heighten my anticipation for the complete version of the app, which is slated to be released in early 2026.

For the time being, here’s my experience using the preview of Fitbit’s new personal health coach.

Upon transitioning to the new preview for the first time, I found that setting up the health coach took more steps than I anticipated. After a brief introduction and reviewing some notices about data usage, I was invited to engage in a conversation with the AI health coach. Unlike the previous app that simply had users input their goals, like daily steps and sleep, the health coach transforms this into a dialogue.

I discussed my aspirations and what I believed worked or didn’t for me. The coach’s responsiveness matched my expectations for a Gemini-powered AI, and it seemed genuinely invested in getting to know me and comprehending my objectives. I mentioned my desire to build muscle, lose body fat, and develop enough endurance to run my first 5K.

I was then prompted to engage in a separate conversation to establish a workout plan, although this was optional. The AI utilized what it learned from our earlier discussion to devise a plan aimed at helping me achieve my goals while considering specific details like my asthma (it recommended lighter runs as a result).

I was not in favor of the initial proposal it offered, as I wanted to integrate some of my existing activities, such as a daily morning run and instructor-led yoga, Pilates, and HIIT on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, respectively. The AI pointed out that I might be overexerting myself (which I did).

It put forth a fairly persuasive case that I could be hindering my progress by pushing too hard and sought to find a middle ground, allowing me to maintain my instructor-led classes while asking which days I preferred to run.

After a few minutes, a workout plan was produced that seemed appropriately aligned with my preferences, offering a pleasing blend of my instructor-led classes, running, and weightlifting.

The revamped Fitbit app adopts Google’s Material 3 Expressive design, featuring colorful icons and expansive cards across the Today, Fitness, and Sleep sections for easily understandable data.

The top of the Today tab includes customizable focus metrics for a quick view of your progress and new Weekly cardio load. Scrolling through the Today section displays cards that present a snapshot of essential metrics, like sleep, readiness, previous activities, and more, each accompanied by AI-generated insights.

The updated Sleep and Fitness tabs clarify the data, enabling you to observe trends and delve into each metric, such as enhanced sleep tracking and targets. The Health tab consolidates all that information to provide a more thorough understanding of long-term trends.

AI insights are integrated throughout the app, which might feel overwhelming to some, but I appreciate receiving this information without needing to request it. If you have inquiries about your metrics, tapping “Say more about my x” at the bottom of each card opens a conversation with the coach.

This method resembles Oura’s AI advisor, which is present throughout the app and ready to discuss your statistics with you. Google is certainly showcasing its AI capabilities by utilizing it to facilitate a better understanding of your body. However, I think inundating users with text-heavy cards could be off-putting, and it might be useful to present them as expandable cards, giving users the choice to view insights at their discretion.

Additionally, there is a floating Ask Coach button always accessible in the app, allowing you to start conversations that way. I appreciate how the AI comes across as genuinely helpful and adaptable. For instance, I was set to go out of town for a vacation and knew I couldn’t adhere to that week’s plan, so I informed the Coach, and it promptly canceled that week’s plan, resuming once I returned from my trip.

If I miss a day, the coach suggests consolidating workouts to keep me on track “without overdoing it,” demonstrating its flexibility.

A summary of the most significant technology news that made waves this week.

The Garmin Vivosmart 6 is set to create a notable influence in the affordable fitness tracker segment, particularly with the incorporation of built-in GPS. This feature signifies a considerable improvement from the Vivosmart 5, which depended on an external GPS connection. The Vivosmart 6 is projected to be launched at CES 2026, consistent with Garmin’s pattern of unveiling new gadgets at this showcase.

The Vivosmart 6 is said to come with more than 30 sports applications, a remarkable rise from the 13 modes that its predecessor offered. This upgrade, along with the built-in GPS, positions the Vivosmart 6 as a more adaptable fitness tracker for athletes and fitness aficionados.

Concerning design, the Vivosmart 5 showcased a compact OLED touchscreen and key health metrics such as heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. The upcoming model is expected to keep a lightweight format while possibly providing a larger, full-color display to rival other budget-friendly fitness trackers like the Xiaomi Mi Band 10 and Fitbit Charge 6.

Garmin is anticipated to incorporate sophisticated health functionalities such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), sleep coaching, and the Health Status tool, which tracks health irregularities. These enhancements would modernize the Vivosmart 6 and boost its attractiveness in a market that has shifted towards economical smartwatches.

The pricing strategy for the Vivosmart 6 is still unclear, but Garmin needs to find a balance between cost and value, particularly in light of the competitive environment. If Garmin can offer these advanced features at a reasonable price, the Vivosmart 6 might emerge as an enticing choice for budget-minded consumers seeking a comprehensive fitness tracking solution.