Another Unpacked event is over, and Samsung Electronics has, once again, refreshed its foldable line-up.
While the introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Flip5 answers what the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturer has to now offer its consumers, beyond that are interesting points that would shape the company's future – and even the industry.
We take a look at some of the key takeaways from the event.
Foldable technology
Samsung is the undisputed leader in the foldable smartphone market, holding a 62 per cent market share, well ahead of second-placed Huawei Technologies with 16 per cent, the latest data from Counterpoint Research shows.
This gives the company a whole lot of cushion to fend off any challengers, at least in the foreseeable future.
However, the company is not resting on its laurels and says its employees “obsess over details in a never-ending pursuit of perfection”, mobile experience boss TM Roh said at the event.
Samsung has repeatedly said that it is continuing to develop “new experiences” for its devices, especially in its foldables segment, which it believes is the future of mobile communication.
Redesign long overdue?
Save for the Flex Hinge that lets the new Galaxy Z devices close without a gap and the Flip5's bigger cover screen, the basic aesthetics of both smartphones have virtually remained the same throughout their relatively short existence.
That being said, it feels as if a complete design overhaul is long overdue, and Samsung could have used the fifth year of the existence of foldables – somewhat a mini-anniversary – to do so. Instead, it chose to make token upgrades.
Samsung made the right decision to expand the Flip5 cover screen. Meanwhile, arguably the biggest design upgrade to the Fold was the use of an under-display camera within its inner screen, beginning with the Fold3.
Consumers may fall victim to, shall we say, visual fatigue, especially when the upgrades are minimal. The latest components, software and services are all well and good, but we cannot remove the fact that there are users that long for flair when holding a smartphone.
Even Apple has never waited that much: The longest period it took for an iPhone design refresh was four years, from 2013 to 2017, between the iPhone 6 and iPhone X.
And if rumours are true, that would be matched by the period between 2020's iPhone 12 and the coming iteration, presumably the iPhone 15, this September.
Should we expect a major redesign next year? We hope so. A slimmer device would be welcome.
New line-up
With another cycle passing – and with the above being said – we are, indeed, getting closer to new foldables from Samsung. It is not a matter of when, not if.
Remember, at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Samsung teased some “wild” prototypes, including one with a rollable screen and another described as a “tri-fold”.
Now, there is no guarantee these prototypes will actually make it to the market, but their mere existence proves that we can look forward to them, in one form or another.
The question, as always, is when Samsung deems them ready for the market. There are, indeed, challenges when developing advanced devices. The more complicated and intricate they are, the more the time and investment required to guarantee their performance.
We could tell that Samsung will not be launching devices simply for the sake of launching them, given major product road maps take years.
Flagship stores
While that was technically not part of the event, The National was able to take a tour of Samsung's first flagship retail store in Seoul's city centre.
And it is a very nice place.
Samsung has big “flagship” stores all around the world but they are just that – to sell their products.
But this one in the Gangnam area is different. It is bright and lively, has a coffee shop, a play area, places to sit back and relax, exclusive items and even a display of vintage Samsung phones.
And with booths and other novelties across six floors, it looks like a mini mall that will keep you busy.
Samsung definitely needs more of these. They have a long way to match Apple's 526 stores globally, which are renowned for their design, but everything has to start somewhere.
Does the Galaxy Z series matter?
Yes. Samsung is betting all its chips on foldable technology, which they believe is the future. They sacrificed the Note, which lives on in the S series, dedicating an Unpacked event to the Galaxy Z foldables.
Its device experience team “plans to sustain solid profitability with new foldable smartphone and wearable launches”, the company said in its second-quarter earnings on Thursday.
Samsung does not break down device sales but what is certain is that the Galaxy S series remains its best-selling flagship. At this point, we can see the company putting in more resources to grow the Galaxy Z and with it, very potentially, the expansion of the entire foldables market.
Samsung may not have been the first to launch a foldable device but it is banking on its market leadership to grow this category – not only for its bottom line but also for its legacy. That is why it matters.
The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte
Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000
Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm
Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Poacher
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RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008
Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
HWJN
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Remaining fixtures
Third-place-play-off: Portugal v Mexico, 4pm on Sunday
Final: Chile v Germany, 10pm on Sunday
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The%20specs
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70')
Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19
July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US
Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
