Samsung has unveiled its latest range of smartphones at its Unpacked press event in San Francisco. Building upon previous releases, the company announced the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Alongside these annual upgrades, Samsung also confirmed the existence of their more reasonably-priced flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip. This is the second foldable device from the smartphone manufacturer, after they put a hold on 2019's Galaxy Fold.

Samsung Galaxy S20

The first Galaxy S device was released back in 2010, so the Galaxy S20 represents over a decade's worth of upgrades and improvements. However, the S20 bears little resemblance to that initial device.

The 6.2-inch Quad HD display is coupled with a 4,000mAh battery, alongside 128GB of onboard storage. There are two RAM options, as well; 8GB or 12GB. It comes equipped with a triple-lens camera, consisting of a 12MP ultra-wide lens, 2MP wide-angle lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens. Plus, there's even a 10MP front-facing camera.

Samsung Galaxy S20 range

As with most recent Galaxy S-range launches, there is a premium edition of the device, the Galaxy S20+. This increases the screen to 6.7-inches, adds 500mAh to the battery, and comes in variants with up to 512GB of storage. The camera is upgraded, too, with the S20+ featuring a quad lens rear camera, adding a fourth depth-sensing lens to the S20's setup.

Rounding things off is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, the high-end edition of the device. Once again, the display is boosted to 6.9-inches, the battery is increased to a 5,000mAh capacity, and the front-facing camera features an incredible 40MP sensor.

The three devices will be available from March 6, 2020, while pre-orders will open on February 21. The standard Galaxy S20 will cost $999.99, the Galaxy S20+ retails from $1,199.99, while the Galaxy S20 Ultra starts at $1,399.99.

To find out more about these devices, check out our guide to everything you should know about the Samsung Galaxy S20 series.

Samsung Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip

The Galaxy Fold, a foldable smartphone, was launched at Unpacked 2019, but the device never really took off. After reviewers got their hands on pre-release units, it became clear that the folding mechanism wouldn't withstand much, if any, use. This led to Samsung delaying the Galaxy Fold launch, citing the need for further improvements.

However, at Unpacked, Samsung recommitted to the high-end Galaxy Fold. They also introduced the more affordable Galaxy Z Flip. While the Galaxy Fold's display opens up to the size of a tablet, the Galaxy Z Flip closes like a clamshell, shrinking the device to about half the unfolded length.

Despite a reasonably hefty price tag---the phone will retail for over $1,300---the Galaxy Z Flip appears to be an intentional throwback to the mid-2000s when flip phones like the Motorola Razr were the among the most popular cell phones.

Are Foldable Phones the Future?

Most commentators have only had limited hands-on time with the devices, so far. Many, though, have noted that the Galaxy S20 will likely be the best smartphone of the year. But, that doesn't necessarily make it exciting. The smartphone market has become increasingly repetitive, with new releases coming with just small performance upgrades on last year's model.

Foldable phones, so widely hyped throughout 2019, add some excitement back. Although, for now, they appear to be an expensive novelty rather than a game-changing new feature. Perhaps, as famed rapper Pitbull once said, to understand the future, we have to go back in time. To get that thrill of nostalgia, it might be worth checking out the best smartphones with physical keyboards.