Samsung’s first Unpacked event of 2024: What to expect and how to watch

Samsung’s January 17 Unpacked event is set to unveil the Galaxy S24 lineup, featuring flagship smartphones with advanced specs and design.

The event will also introduce One UI 6.1, offering improved user experience and features. Additionally, Samsung may showcase new AI developments under the Galaxy AI branding, highlighting advancements in artificial intelligence technology within their ecosystem.

Samsung’s Unpacked event on January 17 is expected to showcase the latest Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S24 lineup. This event is significant for setting the direction of Samsung’s offerings in 2024.

The Samsung Unpacked event for the launch of the Galaxy S24 lineup, One UI 6.1, and Galaxy AI is scheduled to take place on January 17 at 10 AM PT in San Jose, California.

The highlight of the Samsung Unpacked event is expected to be the unveiling of the new Galaxy S24 lineup, including models like the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra. These smartphones are anticipated to showcase Samsung’s latest advancements in smartphone technology.

Rumors suggest that the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus models may share a resemblance with their S23 counterparts, featuring centered punch-hole front cameras and triple rear camera setups. On the other hand, the S24 Ultra might adopt a flat display, a departure from the curved displays of its predecessors. Additionally, there are expectations of the S24 Ultra featuring a titanium frame, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro models.

As usual, consumers will have the choice between the Galaxy S24’s 6.1-inch, the Galaxy S24 Plus’s 6.6-inch, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 6.8-inch panels. Recent leaks suggest that the vanilla and Plus models might have slightly larger displays, measuring 6.17 inches and 6.65 inches, respectively. The S24 Ultra’s display is rumored to boast a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, making it the smoothest ever on any Samsung smartphone display.

Under the hood, all three phones in the Galaxy S24 lineup are expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, although certain regions might receive an Exynos 2400 variant.

In addition to the Galaxy S24 lineup, Samsung might unveil the rumored Galaxy Fit 3 fitness tracker. This would mark the company’s return to dedicated fitness bands after a years-long hiatus. Leaked renders suggest a sleek and minimalist design for the fitness tracker.

At the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung will introduce Galaxy AI as its new generative AI system. Described as a “comprehensive mobile AI experience” and “universal intelligence on your phone,” Galaxy AI will cover areas such as communication, productivity, and creativity.

It will be powered by Samsung’s Gauss AI system, featuring language, image, and code generators accessible through Samsung devices. While some features will run locally, cloud connectivity will enable more advanced capabilities.

Galaxy AI is set to seamlessly integrate into Samsung’s ecosystem, particularly through One UI and smartphones like the new S24 series. As major players like Google, Microsoft, and others make advancements in AI, the Galaxy Unpacked event provides Samsung with an opportunity to assert its position in the AI landscape.

On the software front, Samsung is expected to unveil One UI 6.1, the next iteration of its Android interface. This version will come pre-installed on the Galaxy S24 series and will subsequently be made available for older Galaxy devices in the months following the Unpacked event.

One UI 6.1 is anticipated to enhance the user experience with new personalization options, productivity features, and integration with Galaxy AI, providing attendees and livestream viewers with the first glimpse of Samsung’s refined interface.

The Samsung Unpacked 2024 event is scheduled for January 17 at 10 AM PT (1:30 PM IST) and will be livestreamed on Samsung’s YouTube channel, samsung.com, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. The livestream provides accessibility to a global audience, allowing viewers to witness the breaking announcements in real-time.

The event is expected to showcase innovative hardware such as the Galaxy S24 series, along with software highlights like One UI 6.1 and the official launch and demo of Galaxy AI. As Samsung’s first major showcase of the year, the Unpacked event sets high expectations for the company’s technological advancements.