Product News Roundup

It’s been a blockbuster week for product innovation across tech and timepieces, with major launches from Samsung and Sony, and a rare military endorsement for an independent Australian watch brand.

Samsung Unveils Foldable’s and Wearables

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its most advanced foldables yet — the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 — alongside the Galaxy Watch8 series and Galaxy Ring.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 features a massive 8-inch main display, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, and a 200MP camera for professional-grade content creation. Meanwhile, the compact Galaxy Z Flip7 debuts the largest-ever FlexWindow on a Flip, with 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600 nits peak brightness.
“The Galaxy Z Fold7 combines Galaxy AI with powerful hardware to deliver our most advanced smartphone experience yet,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics.
The Galaxy Watch8 lineup introduces its thinnest design yet and a wave of AI-powered wellness tools — including Running Coach, Energy Score, Antioxidant Index, and Bedtime Guidance — all underpinned by Wear OS 6 and Gemini voice assistant.
“By combining purposeful design with advanced sensor technology and an intuitive AI-powered experience, the Galaxy Watch8 series serves as a starting point for a healthier, more connected life…” added Roh.

Sony Expands Pro Gear Range

Sony has launched the ECM-778 shotgun microphone, a high-resolution audio solution for professional video production, along with new CFexpress Type A memory cards and a MRW-G3 card reader. The ECM-778 delivers sharp directivity in a compact 176mm build and supports a wide range of recording scenarios.
The new CFexpress cards — available in 960GB and 1920GB capacities — offer read speeds exceeding 1,800 MB/s and are built to TOUGH specifications. All products will be available in Australia from August 2025.
“This is the single best choice available… The ‘ECM-778’ is that new axis,” said Kenichi Fujimoto, Japan Academy Film Prize-winning sound engineer.
Sony has also launched The Full Frame – A Sony Podcast, hosted by Clyde Vaughan, to connect with creators across Australia and New Zealand.
“This kind of project is something special… super stoked to be not only a small part of this project but a way to tell these stories,” said Vaughan.

PANZERA Lands USAF Contract

Independent Australian watchmaker PANZERA has been selected by the elite Aggressor Squadron of the United States Air Force to create a custom timepiece — a rare honour that signals international recognition for the Sydney-based brand.
Built on PANZERA’s Flieger 45G platform, the bespoke watch was designed to honour the legacy of the squadron’s pilots and instructors.

“Most brands would spend millions trying to be associated with a unit like this,” said co-founder Roger Cooper.
“The fact that we were selected organically — by the pilots themselves… is a huge testament to the credibility we’ve built.”
Founded in 2009, PANZERA has grown into a global player with nearly 100 million AUD in sales, 85 per cent of which come from overseas markets — and over 50 per cent from the US alone. The Flieger 45G, minus the custom detailing, is available to the public via panzerawatches.com from 1,238 AUD.
“This wasn’t about marketing… It was about making something meaningful,” Cooper added.