Samsung made phones fun again

Plus: the travel tech tricks I picked up in London, two smarter ways to find flights with points, and the payment methods scammers love.

Greetings, and welcome to another edition of the Rich on Tech newsletter.

This week, I was in London courtesy of Samsung, which covered my travel to Galaxy Unpacked. The company unveiled three new foldable phones, and I’m not sure Samsung could have asked for better headlines.

I’ve been using the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 for the past 48 hours, and I can confidently say it has made phones fun again.

Does that mean you need to run out and buy one? Not necessarily. But let me explain.

I’ve been covering smartphones since before the iPhone launched in 2007. Phones used to be exciting. Every new release introduced some strange, clever or useful feature that kept the industry moving and nerds like me entertained.

Music on your phone. Fingerprint unlock. Self-healing materials. Curved displays. Second screens. Pop-up selfie cameras. Wireless charging. More camera lenses. 100x zoom. Face unlock. Iris scanning.

The list went on and on.

And then it stopped.

BlackBerry, HTC, LG and OnePlus disappeared from the U.S. smartphone conversation. Huawei was pushed out. Things got stale.

Apple continued to polish the iPhone. Samsung did the same with the Galaxy lineup. Google mostly experimented with new software and AI features.

That changed this week.

Samsung now has three viable foldables in three distinct form factors, and it is hard to find a major fault with any of them.

Well, we can find faults because that’s our job. But overall, these are really good phones.

First, the rundown.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is Samsung’s modern take on the classic flip phone. It folds down into a compact square and opens into a traditional smartphone. This year’s model is a little thinner and lighter, and it gets an upgraded processor.

It also gets a $100 price increase.

Next is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the successor to last year’s Fold 7 with an added Ultra moniker. It looks like a tall, narrow phone when closed, then opens into a much larger screen.

Samsung gave it a bigger battery and faster charging this year. It is also much easier to open and close. The power button and fingerprint reader are raised slightly, making the button easier to find by feel and easier to press when you want to activate the AI assistant.

It also gets a $100 price increase.

But the phone everyone is talking about is the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

It looks a bit like a passport. Open it up, and you have a mini tablet in your pocket. It is fun, different and instantly feels at home in your hand.

That’s the model I’ve mostly used for the past two days, and it feels like a breath of fresh air in the smartphone market.

It is weird enough to be compelling.

Samsung also strengthened the folding displays this year, and the crease is much less noticeable. Basically, the company addressed many of the biggest complaints about its foldable lineup.

But the question remains: Why do you actually need a foldable?

At this point, the best answer is consolidation. You may no longer need a separate tablet or e-reader because you always have a larger screen in your pocket. At the same time, these devices still work perfectly well as regular phones when they are closed.

That doesn’t mean the experience is perfect.

The Fold 8 does not have Samsung’s best camera system. There is no dedicated optical zoom lens. The Fold 8 Ultra has a higher-resolution camera and a dedicated zoom lens.

The software experience can also feel overwhelming. Samsung’s One UI operating system has so many features that you could use the phone for years and still never discover all of them.

Also, because these screen ratios are relatively new, some apps may not fit them perfectly. The keyboard can take up nearly half of the outer display, while other apps might not make good use of the extra space. Things are improving, but expect a few quirks while developers (eventually) update their apps to better support these new layouts.

One new Samsung introduced with these phones is both fun and useful. It is called My FanCam.

You can record a video, then tap the person you want the phone to follow. The software zooms in and keeps that person framed, even if you change the video’s aspect ratio. In my testing, it works really well.

My advice is simple: If you’ve been wanting a foldable phone, this is the year to get one.

The problem is that this may also be the worst possible time to buy a smartphone.

The AI boom is creating a RAM-apocalypse, with demand for memory chips driving up prices across the technology industry. Samsung’s trade-in and upgrade incentives also do not appear to be as generous this year, possibly because there is less room to absorb those costs.

Then there is a little company called Apple.

Apple is expected to launch a foldable iPhone in a nearly identical passport style form factor. It will run iOS, developers will optimize their apps for it, accessory makers will produce countless cases and add-ons, and Apple has hundreds of stores where customers can get help, service or even some free Wi-Fi.

And therein lies Samsung’s problem.

Very few longtime iPhone owners are going to switch just because Samsung has spent seven years polishing foldable phones and has finally figured it out.

Apple devotees are more likely to look at the Fold 8 and say, “That’s amazing.”

Then they’ll add, “I can’t wait for Apple to do that.”

Early adopters may buy whatever Apple unveils first, while everyone else waits a year for the bugs to get ironed out.

Don’t feel too bad for Samsung. It still has a huge worldwide market, sells other Galaxy phones by the truckload and supplies components to many of its competitors, including Apple.

In the end, this is the year foldable phones finally get the credit they deserve.

Even if you don’t buy one.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 starts at $1,200 with 256 GB of storage.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,900 with 256 GB of storage and 12 GB of RAM. To get 16 GB of RAM, you need to move up to the 1 TB storage model.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,100 with 256 GB of storage. The same RAM upgrade requirement applies.

Tech travel tricks I picked up in London

Every time I travel internationally, I pick up a few new tips and tricks. Visiting a foreign city is easier than ever thanks to tap to pay, automated passport scanners, eSIMs and Google Maps.

First, download an offline Google Map of the city you’re visiting. Search for the city, tap its name at the bottom of the screen, select More, then Download offline map. You can also just type in “ok maps” into the search bar and whatever area you’re looking at, you can download maps for it.

One important limitation: Offline maps are primarily useful for driving. Walking, cycling and public transit directions might not be available without an internet connection.

Also, I prefer Apple Maps for walking directions. It just seems to get a lock faster and I can see the route on my lock screen and Apple Watch. So if you have that setup, consider downloading offline maps there, too. Apple does include walking directions in their offline maps.

Next, make sure your cellular connection is ready to go. Check with your carrier to see what international service is included with your plan.

If international data is included, make sure Data Roaming is turned on after you land. If you want to avoid unexpected charges, leave it off.

I also recommend enabling Wi-Fi calling before leaving the United States. Depending on your phone and carrier, this can help you continue receiving calls and texts over Wi-Fi or through the data connection from a second eSIM. Calls can still cost money depending on your plan, so check with your carrier.

For travel data, I like Airalo. Its eSIMs are fast and easy to purchase and install, although there are now countless companies offering similar service. At this point, it often comes down to which provider has the best price and app experience.

When using a travel eSIM, you can usually leave your regular phone line turned on so calls and texts still come through. Just set the travel eSIM as your cellular data line and turn off Data Roaming for your primary line. The exact options vary by phone and carrier, so double-check everything before takeoff.

Make sure tap to pay is set up with a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees. My debit card charges 3 percent, so I try not to use it internationally unless I need cash.

In many cities, you can also tap your phone or contactless credit card directly at train and subway turnstiles. That saves you from buying a ticket or loading money onto a separate transit card. Check the local transit system before you arrive to see what it accepts.

Another important step is turning on your phone’s theft-protection features. Phone snatching happens frequently in busy tourist areas. There are even signs around London warning visitors to keep a tight grip on their devices.

On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, then scroll down to Stolen Device Protection and turn it on. Apple says this feature adds extra biometric checks and security delays when someone tries to make changes to your phone or Apple Account.

On Android, open Settings, tap Google, select All services, then Theft protection. Turn on Theft Detection Lock. Theft Detection Lock uses the phone’s sensors to detect a possible grab-and-run theft and automatically lock the screen.

Some theft protections might already be enabled, but it is worth checking. Mine weren’t.

Here’s another issue you might encounter: When you search Google from another country, the results might be localized or in a different language.

To switch them back, go to Google.com on your phone or computer, tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner, select Language, then look for Results region and choose United States.

A VPN is also super useful on an international trip. It creates an encrypted connection and lets websites see the location of the VPN server instead of your actual location.

This can help when a website acts differently overseas or blocks access based on your location. For instance, I wanted to stream a movie on one of my streaming apps and got a message saying it wasn’t available in my region. I connected my VPN to a Los Angeles server, refreshed the app and voilà. It worked.

One new thing I tried on this trip was using ChatGPT’s voice mode as a personal tour guide. I turned on the conversational version of ChatGPT while walking near Tower Bridge and asked questions along the way, as if I had a local guide beside me.

I could ask a about landmarks or monument and get into about the history, architecture or significance. The friendly voice would immediately explain what I was looking at and let me ask follow-up questions.

Keep in mind AI can and does make mistakes.

Sponsored by Surfshark

I’ve talked about newsletter sponsor Surfshark a lot, but it really came in handy during this trip.

For starters, I used it to secure all of the random Wi-Fi connections I joined along the way, including at the airport, my hotel and a few other spots.

I also used it to make my online experience feel more like I was back home. By connecting to a Surfshark server in Los Angeles, websites and logins worked the way I expected instead of acting weird because I was actually in London.

But the icing on the cake came when I needed to connect to a free Wi-Fi hotspot that asked for my name, date of birth and email address.

I did not want to hand over my real information or get spammed forever just because I needed to hop online for a few minutes.

So I opened Surfshark’s Alternative ID feature, copied the information it generated and pasted it into the form. I got online, and my real information stayed private.

Surfshark is one of the first apps I download on all of my devices. It gives me more control over my internet experience, helps protect my privacy and can even block ads, trackers, malware and other online threats.

It is one of my favorite online tools.

Right now, use my link to get Surfshark for as low as $2.39 a month, plus four extra months, when you sign up for the two-year plan.

Download this

There’s a new Chrome extension worth checking out from Seats.aero, the website that helps travelers find flights using points.

Once installed, the extension adds award pricing directly to your Google Flights search results, making it easier to compare the cash price with the number of points you would need.

A similar extension called Points Path is also handy. It goes a step further by offering guidance on whether you’re getting better value by using points or paying cash.

If you use Google Flights often and want to get the most out of your points, both are worth trying. See which one gives you the information you find most useful.

🔗 Seats.aero Chrome Extension

🔗 Points Path Chrome Extension

Scam corner: The payment method is the warning

Scammers are brutal. Last year, they stole more than $4 billion from people through bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments.

The FTC’s advice is simple: If someone contacts you and insists the only way to pay is by wire transfer, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, Cash App, Zelle, Venmo or gift card, your internal alarm bells should start ringing.

Never send money to someone who says that is the only way to resolve a problem. Before paying, search the company’s name online and add words like “scam” or “complaint.” The Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker is another useful resource.

Whenever possible, pay by credit card, especially on a website you do not regularly use. Credit cards generally give you more options to dispute a fraudulent charge.

And if you realize you have been scammed, contact the bank, payment app or company you used immediately. Tell them the transaction was fraudulent and ask whether it can be stopped or reversed.

I recently spoke with someone who nearly lost $100,000. A scammer called pretending to be from his bank, warned him about fraudulent charges and then texted him a one-time security code. He read the code back to the caller, and the scammers began draining his accounts.

Miraculously, he eventually recovered all of the money. Many victims are not that lucky.

The lesson is simple: Never share a one-time security code with anyone who calls or texts you, even if they claim to be from your bank.

Tech tidbits

Minimalist e-ink phone maker Light Phone is making a flip version of its device, designed to help you spend less time staring at a screen, but it’s pricey.

Strava and Samsung are teaming up to bring Routes, one of Strava’s most popular features, directly to Samsung Galaxy Watch users.

Amazon is rolling out a new accessibility setting called Adaptive Display for select Fire TV Stick devices. It makes text, icons and menus larger while keeping artwork properly proportioned.

Google now lets you save a video selfie as a way to verify your identity if you are ever locked out of your account or it gets hacked.

Q&A: Is this virtual assistant job a scam?

Breanna writes:

I was offered a virtual assistant job by someone claiming to be the CEO of a healthcare company. My first task was to deposit a money order into my personal account, deduct my pay, and send the remaining money to a research project. It sounded too good to be true. Is this a scam, and where should I report it?

Yes, this is a scam. Do not deposit the money order and do not send any money.

This is a common fake-check scam. The money may appear in your account at first, but once the bank discovers the money order is fraudulent, the deposit will be reversed. You could then be responsible for any money you sent.

Report it to local law enforcement and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. You should also contact the real healthcare company using the phone number or email listed on its official website. The company may have no idea its name is being used.

Feedbag

A few kind notes from readers and listeners this week:

“I am very thankful for what you do. I listen to your program most weeks and marvel at your ability to explain technology.” - Gavin in Oklahoma City

“You’ve helped me so many times over the years.” - Jennifer in Lebanon, Tennessee

“As always, thank you so very much for all the information you provide. You have no idea how valuable it is to me.” - Ken

“I really enjoy the newsletter and show.” - Matt

And Mike in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, wrote to say he enjoys the show while also correcting me on my search for vegan ice cream. Apparently, under FDA regulations, actual “ice cream” must contain milkfat. Fair enough, Mike. The search for a great frozen vegan “dessert” continues.

Two more things before I go.

First, my United flight had wireless charging built right into the seat. I had never seen that before, but this was a brand-new interior, so perhaps it will become more common.

It was a nice surprise, but wireless charging can still be finicky if your phone isn’t lined up just right. I ended up using a USB-C cable anyway.

Also, if you ever find yourself in London, get a Cadbury Twirl chocolate bar. Delish.

That’s going to do it for this week.

If you have a tech question, don't forget my radio show is live every Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM Pacific on KFI AM 640. Give me a call at 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101).

Can’t listen live? You can catch the replay Sunday evenings on 710 WOR in New York, subscribe to the podcast and listen anytime on demand.

Rich