Samsung Z Flip5 Retro honors SGH-E700
Samsung is taking a delightful trip down memory lane with the limited edition release of the Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro. This smartphone is a loving tribute to the iconic SGH-E700, a mobile phone that first graced our lives 20 years ago in 2003. While this limited edition phone won't be available in the US, it's causing a stir in Korea and several European countries.
The SGH-E700, also known as the SGH-E715 in the US on T-Mobile, holds a special place in the history of mobile phones. It was Samsung's first mobile phone to feature an integrated antenna, and it quickly became a certified hit, selling more than 10 million units. This massive success significantly contributed to Samsung's rise in the mobile phone industry, ultimately paving the way for its current status as a smartphone behemoth.
In fact, the SGH-E700 was so beloved that in 2007, Samsung reissued the phone with new radios to capitalize on the nostalgia wave, even though it was only four years old at the time.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro is designed to mimic the SGH-E700's indigo blue and silver color scheme, along with similar pixel graphics for the clock widget on the cover screen. The Flex Window showcases an exclusive cityscape-style animation, creating a unique blend of past and present in one elegant package.
For those who love collecting Samsung memorabilia, this special edition phone comes with three Flipsuit cards featuring logos from different eras of Samsung's history, a Flipsuit case, and a collector card engraved with a unique serial number. It will be available for purchase starting November 1 in Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia through Samsung's website.
While you're considering Samsung's latest offering, don't miss out on an exciting deal for the Galaxy Watch 6, which we've named the best choice for Android users in our smartwatch buying guide. Currently available for just $235 on Amazon, it's a fantastic offer. This price is the lowest we've seen for this wearable outside of trade-in deals.
The discounted rate applies to the 40mm Graphite model without LTE support, making it $65 cheaper than purchasing directly from Samsung and $25 below the previous low we observed earlier this month. If you prefer a larger display or have larger wrists, the 44mm version of the wearable is now available for $280, which is $50 off its MSRP. The 40mm Gold model is also on sale for $250, providing a range of options for potential buyers.
Our review of the Galaxy Watch 6, with a score of 84 back in September, revealed that it maintains the clean and durable design of its predecessors. The interface remains user-friendly, and it offers various health-tracking sensors. This model features a slightly brighter and larger OLED display with thinner bezels, and a larger battery, providing a day of use on average for the 40mm model (the 44mm variant will last even longer).
The Galaxy Watch 6 offers comprehensive activity and sleep tracking insights, measures skin temperature overnight, monitors blood oxygen levels, and can detect irregular heart rhythms. Running on Google's Wear OS 4, Samsung guarantees software updates for this device through 2027.
One notable absence from the Galaxy Watch 6 is the rotating bezel for navigation, which is available in the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, currently on sale for $350. This version also boasts a sturdier stainless steel case. While both devices are excellent for Android users, they work best when paired with a Samsung phone. Many of the Galaxy Watch 6's software features will eventually be available on older models, so there's no rush to upgrade if you already own a Watch 5. However, if you're an Android user in search of your first smartwatch, this is an excellent entry point.