Test Driving Foldables at the Samsung Galaxy Experience Space

This week I had the opportunity to visit Samsung’s Galaxy Experience Space in New York to celebrate the launch of their new foldables, watches, and tablets. Special thanks to the Samsung Global and US marketing teams for creating such an engaging space and inviting us to be a part of it. We had a special "Google Day" with 600+ NYC Googlers who showed up to the experience and support the partnership. There were exclusive raffles for special prizes, a DJ, food/mocktails, and even shuttle service to/from Google offices.

Foldables revolutionize the way we use our smartphones, offering a larger screen for better productivity, gaming or entertainment in a more portable form than traditional tablets and other large phones. Personally, I love the Flip because it gives me relief from the anxiety of having to be “always-on." The larger cover screen is a great interface for taking quick actions and managing notifications without having to open my device. I can be more present in live conversations and better connected with the world around me.

For a lot of folks, it’s hard to comprehend the nuances and benefits of foldables until you actually hold and experience one. Samsung’s space does an amazing job of showcasing the innovative experiences foldables enable and even managed to surprise me! Here are some of my favorite moments from my visit.

Emphasis on durability

The hardware update on the Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 may seem iterative on paper, but these devices feel noticeably different in the hand compared to the previous generation. The new hinges on both feel much sturdier and I love how these devices now fold completely flat. Samsung states that the flexible screens can withstand over 200K folds, which equates to roughly 5 years of normal use. It’s worth noting that the durability can exceed this number, as YouTuber Mrkeybrd recently exceeded 400K folds with the new Flip5.  

Gaming on the Fold5 

Foldables have come a long way since their first generation release and this is especially true when it comes to gaming. The larger screen and high resolution of foldables naturally make them ideal devices for conquering missions or engaging in action-packed battles. And now paired with longer battery life, you can enjoy games for even longer without having to worry about running out of power. Additionally, the foldable form factor provides flexibility to play in a variety of ways – for instance, hold the device in landscape mode for a more immersive experience or fold it in half for a more portability. I was tempted to bring out my own pro controller.

Delightful personalization on Flip5’s new cover screen

I love how the Z Flip5 offers more personalization options that help make the device uniquely your own. Add a custom image or photo as your background on the new Flex Window or pop on a Galaxy Flipsuit case and have the device automatically match the cover screen wallpaper for you. New widgets also let you choose what you can see and take quick action on from Flex Window. You can show the time, weather, stocks, and even get quick access to your messages or music controls. There are so many creative ways to add your own personal touch!

My other favorite things: 

• The new Galaxy Watch S6 comes with new features and can also identify your sleep pattern. I was a Lion! I don’t know what that says about me. 
• Both the Z Fold5 and Tab S9 are compatible with the amazing S Pen, which of course is also built into the S23 Ultra. It’s as light as a feather but comes packed with many neat features. I just love how it feels as precise as a real pen. I was ready to do some art work right on the spot. 

Samsung’s Galaxy Experience Space is not only fun and interactive but it can also be eye-opening, especially for those who have limited experience and interaction with foldables. For those in the NYC area, I encourage you to stop by Samsung’s experience before it wraps up at the end of this week on August 20th. I’m eager to know if you all find the experience to be as memorable and insightful as it was for me.