Should you’re confused about athletes taking selfies on the medal podium on the Olympic Video games, all with the identical odd-looking smartphone, you’re not alone.
It’s one thing that has bought many viewers questioning what’s occurring. An official palms a mysterious machine to one of many medal winners, typically to their shock, to allow them to take a ‘Victory Selfie’ of the gold, silver and bronze putting athletes.
It’s the primary time this has occurred in Olympic historical past… however why? And what’s that tiny sq. telephone they’re utilizing?
Effectively, to reply the second query, it’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
It doesn’t seem like a traditional smartphone because it’s one of many agency’s newest foldable smartphones. The athletes have been utilizing it within the closed place and for good cause.
Though there’s a display inside, a further ‘cowl display’ on one half of the outer casing can present you a stay preview of your picture (see above). As this sits subsequent to the principle cameras, you get a greater high quality image than utilizing the interior digicam – it’s 50Mp in comparison with 10Mp.
It’s a nifty characteristic and one in every of many causes to get a foldable smartphone over the common sweet bar design we’ve grow to be accustomed to.
The reply to why is straightforward – it’s basically product placement.
Partly, it’s as a result of athletes aren’t sometimes allowed private belongings on the sector (or equal) to take any pictures.
In the event that they have been, then you definately’d think about lots of iPhones can be whipped out of pockets to seize these moments. Nonetheless, this yr (as regular) Samsung is a serious sponsor of the video games and is utilizing it as a chance to advertise its newest machine.
“The Victory Selfies are provided throughout medal ceremonies for particular person medallists and groups of not more than two athletes, with every of the medallists briefed on how and when to seize their photographs on the telephones supplied by Samsung.” mentioned the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
The Victory Selfies are mapped and sorted by sport earlier than importing them to a cloud service known as Athlete365 the place athletes can save and share them on social media.
Added to the equation is that, like some earlier Olympics, all athletes have been given a particular Olympic Version of the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
It’s gold, in fact, and has logos on the again together with the enduring Olympic rings and you’ll have seen many utilizing them throughout the opening ceremony the place groups have been launched whereas on boats crusing down the river Seine.
Samsung has additionally loaded it with an eSIM together with 100GB 5G knowledge, a limiteless complimentary public transport entry card, and a number of other official Olympic apps.
In fact, you possibly can’t purchase this version (except you maybe discover some ending up on eBay quickly) however the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is accessible now from £1,049/$1,099.