Samsung Galaxy A8 to go on sale in South Korea on July 24

A week after getting unveiled in China, the Galaxy A8 has now been confirmed to be launching in Samsung’s home market on July 24th. Samsung’s thinnest smartphone ever with a waistline of 5.9 mm, the A8 will be available from carrier STK in white and gold for a price of 649,000 won – that comes up to around $560, a price that may or may not sit well with consumers looking to pick up a new smartphone.

The Galaxy A8 certainly has enough grunt to justify a high price tag. It features a 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display on top of a metallic body with very little bezel and a design that takes after the Galaxy S6. There’s an octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor under the hood, along with 2GB of RAM, a 16-megapixel rear camera with f1.9 aperture, a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, 16GB of expandable internal storage, LTE connectivity, and a 3,050 mAh battery. The phone has a fingerprint sensor as well, and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box with the latest, nicest and fastest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz overlay.

Samsung hasn’t announced launch plans for other markets yet, but the Galaxy A8 should be making its way to other regions in the near future. It’s possible availability will not be widespread, as the company wouldn’t want sales of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+, which will go on sale in late August, to be affected.

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How does the Galaxy Tab S2 stack up to the Galaxy Tab S?

Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S2 has been given an official unveil, and the tablet brings the company’s stunning Super AMOLED displays to its tablet lineup for the third round (second, if you don’t want to count the Galaxy Tab 7.7 from 2011.) The original Galaxy Tab S was a nice device overall, but how does its successor stack up in terms of the upgrades and changes it brings?

There are a couple of notable changes this time around. First, the Tab S2 switches to a 4:3 aspect ratio for the Super AMOLED display, a move that makes it very suitable for reading and web browsing but will be taking away some of the fun of watching videos and movies. Second, the chipset running the show is more powerful than the one that drove the Galaxy Tab S – it’s an octa-core Exynos 5433 chip clocked at 1.9GHz for the high-power cores and 1.3GHz for the low-power cores.

The screen resolution has gone down from 2560×1600 pixels to 2048×1536 pixels, so the chipset has lesser pixels to push while have more horsepower. That plus the new toned-down and optimized software means the Galaxy Tab S2 should offer flagship-like performance. The 3 GB of RAM is intact, but users will now be able to choose from 32 GB and 64 GB storage variants. There’s a microSD slot included as well, so this is another aspect where the Tab S2 offers an upgrade over its predecessor.

The rest of the hardware is pretty much similar between both generations, though the Tab S2 has smaller batteries inside. That’s not surprising, since the Tab S2 also has a very thin body with a thickness of just 5.6 mm, and is also more premium thanks to the metal frame around the sides. As we said in our hands-on, the Tab S2 feels very nice in the hand, and the thinness is noticeable as soon as you pick it up.

Here’s a comparison chart of the major specs of the Galaxy Tab S and Galaxy Tab S2.

Specs	Galaxy Tab S2	Galaxy Tab S
Dimensions	134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6 mm/169 x 237.3 x 5.6 mm, 265/389 g	212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6 mm/247.3 x 177.3 x 6.6 mm, 294/465 g
Display	8.0/9.7-inch Super AMOLED, 2048×1536 pixels	8.4/10.5-inch Super AMOLED, 2560×1600 pixels
Chipset	Exynos 5433, Quad 1.9GHz + Quad 1.3GHz, Mali-T760 MP6 GPU	Exynos 5420, Quad 1.9GHz + Quad 1.3GHz, Mali-T628 MP6 GPU
RAM	3 GB	3 GB
Cameras	8-megapixel rear, 2.1-megapixel front-facing	8-megapixel rear, 2.1-megapixel front-facing
Storage	32/64 GB, microSD slot (up to 128 GB)	16/32 GB, microSD slot (up to 128 GB)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, LTE	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, LTE
Battery	4,000/5,870 mAh (8.0/9.7)	4,900/7,900 mAh (8.4/10.5)
OS	Android 5.0 Lollipop	Android 4.4 KitKat (upgradeable to 5.0)
Misc	Fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers	Fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers

Other than the iPads, there really isn’t any competing Android tablet in the market with the specs of the Galaxy Tab S2, and certainly none with the same beautiful displays. Of course, specs only tell half the story, and we will putting the Galaxy Tab S2 through the paces and publishing a full review very soon. What do you think about the Galaxy Tab S2? A solid upgrade, or one that doesn’t exactly give you reason to do away with your original Galaxy Tab S?

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 hands-on

Samsung just announced its thinnest tablet yet in the form of the Galaxy Tab S2, and we were able to go hands-on with the device thanks to Samsung Netherlands. The Tab S2 doesn’t exactly have tough shoes to fill – the original Galaxy Tab S had an amazing Super AMOLED display, but a weak processor ruined the most important part of the experience, which is the software.

This time around, Samsung is fixing that by putting in the Exynos 5433 from the Galaxy Note 4 in the Galaxy Tab S2. It’s not the latest chipset but is still powerful enough to drive the 2048×1536 display. In our hands-on time, the Tab S2 felt extremely fast and smooth despite being a non-final unit. Android 5.0.2 with the Galaxy S6 version of TouchWiz (this is 5.0.2, but it includes features like multi user support and alphabetical sorting in the app drawer) no doubt helped the tablet perform well, and we can only imagine how good the experience will be on the retail units. As had been officially confirmed by Samsung, a lot of Microsoft apps are installed out of the box, and users will get 100 GB of free OneDrive storage for two years.

In terms of design, the Tab S2 feels quite premium and solid in the hands thanks to the metal frame around the sides, which is similar to the metal seen on the Galaxy A lineup. The back isn’t metal but is made of soft plastic like the original Tab S, so you won’t ever feel like you aren’t getting your money’s worth when it comes to the feel of the entire construction. The thinness is noticeable as well, and also adding to the charm is the Super AMOLED display. Vivid, punchy colors and deep blacks are all present here, with a couple of display modes built-in to allow users to tune the display to their liking (very useful for those who like muted, more lifelike colors.)

Most, if not all, users shouldn’t feel the need to change the display mode, as the Super AMOLED screen is still the best thing out there for devices with such large displays. But those that prefer using their tablets for video viewing will be disappointed by the 4:3 aspect ratio of the display, but think of any other use case and the aspect ratio won’t present any problem.

The Galaxy Tab S2 isn’t exactly a big upgrade over the Galaxy Tab S when you look at overall specs, but it’s still going to command a good position in a market dominated by cheap tablets in Apple’s iPads. Again, the high quality of the Super AMOLED display overcomes everything else, and it is what is going to help sell the Tab S2 to consumers. But the tablet market isn’t exactly very interesting at this point, and we will surely be waiting for those oft-rumored Samsung tablets with flexible and foldable designs to freshen things up.

We will be doing a full review of the Galaxy Tab S2 (both 8.0 and 9.7-inch variants) in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. In the meantime, let us know what you think of Samsung’s latest and greatest high-end tablet!

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Samsung announces the 5.6 mm thin Galaxy Tab S2

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy Tab S2, following an immense amount of leaks and rumors in the past couple of months. At 5.6 mm at the waist, the Galaxy Tab S2 is Samsung’s thinnest tablet yet and carries over the Super AMOLED display of its predecessor. The Tab S2 has a more premium design though, with a metal frame similar to the one seen on devices like the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Alpha.

The Tab S2 will be offered in two screen sizes: 8.0-inch and 9.7-inch. Samsung is switching to a 4:3 aspect ratio for the displays this time around (with a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels), and if you think watching videos will be a lesser experience as a result, you would be right. Samsung is touting the Tab S2 as a productivity and reading tablet and has refrained from using the word video anywhere in the press release; that’s all well and good for the most part, since the iPad has continued to attract quite a few people with a similarly shaped display.

Like the Tab S, the Tab S2 features a fingerprint sensor built into the home button (the sensor works on touch instead of a swipe.) A big highlight of the new tablet is that it runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop with Samsung’s newest version of TouchWiz on top. Couple that with the octa-core Exynos 533 processor – an upgrade over the Exynos 7420/Snapdragon 800 of the original Tab S – under the hood and you can expect the Tab S2 to be considerably smoother and faster than any of Samsung’s existing tablets. It also means you get support for themes; you will also see a couple of Microsoft apps pre-loaded out of the box, along with 100 GB of free OneDrive cloud storage for two years.

That OneDrive storage shouldn’t be needed though, as the tablet comes with 32 and 64GB storage options, in addition to a microSD slot that supports 128GB cards. Other specs include 3GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera, and LTE (there should also be a Wi-Fi-only variant) connectivity. Basic connectivity options are all on-board as well, including Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, GPS (with GLONASS), and Bluetooth 4.1. The 9.7-inch variant comes with a 5,870 mAh battery, while the 8.0-inch variant sips the juice from a 4,000 mAh battery.

Both screen variants of the Galaxy Tab S2 will go on sale around the world next month, at prices that are currently unknown. Of course, given the high-end hardware you can expect the price tags to be somewhere above the $500 mark. We’ll be reviewing the Galaxy Tab S2 in the coming weeks, and you can look forward to a short hands-on shortly after this post.

Anyone saving money to get the Galaxy Tab S2?

 

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Tab S2, the Essential Tablet for Experiencing Digital Content

Latest Galaxy tablet combines advanced personal visual device with unmatched mobility

SEOUL, South Korea – July 20, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today announced the global launch of the Galaxy Tab S2, the most immersive Samsung tablet to-date. Samsung’s newest Galaxy tablet continuously delivers a stunning Super AMOLED display perfectly optimized for reading and viewing any type of digital content. The Galaxy Tab S2 is stylishly designed with the thinnest and lightest metal frame of its size on the market and packs powerful performance features to offer enhanced usability, empowering users with new and improved choices in productivity and multitasking.

“The Galaxy Tab S2 is not only our thinnest and lightest tablet of its size ever, it also gives users quick, easy access to a wealth of superior viewing and productivity features,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “We believe the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is the most complete personal visual device designed for consumers to carry and use anywhere.”

Newly Optimized Super AMOLED Display for the Best Content Viewing

At just 5.6mm thin and only 389g (9.7 -inch) and 265g (8.0 -inch) weight*, the Galaxy Tab S2 is perfectly designed for reading and consuming content due to its stunning Super AMOLED Display. By recreating the same viewing experience of browsing through traditional print media, the Galaxy Tab S2 also makes it comfortable to read digital content, including e-books, magazines, webpages and newsfeeds. This reading-optimized ratio allows the user to enjoy a seamless reading experience without unnecessary scrolling.

The tablet also presents deeper contrast and more precise detail to provide a best-in-class reading experience with the Super AMOLED display delivering 94% of natural tones to show true-to-life colors (Adobe RGB color standard). Users can now enjoy galleries of vividly detailed photos and effortlessly shop online while viewing the most accurate images on the Galaxy Tab S2.

In addition, the Galaxy Tab S2 continually offers its advanced screen technology to display bright and natural content for a more comfortable visual experience. Adaptive Display intelligently adjusts gamma, saturation, and sharpness based on the application, the color temperature of the viewing environment and ambient lighting. Also, Reading Mode modifies the screen’s brightness level to help users to read content for longer periods of time without straining their eyes.

Packaged within the world thinnest and lightest metal tablet frame of its size, the Galaxy Tab S2 is portable enough to easily carry around all day. Also, the fashionable and stylish design is suitable for any purpose or setting, so user can enjoy the best viewing experience anywhere, anytime.

Ultimate Productivity and Connectivity Features for Users On-The-Go

The Galaxy Tab S2 delivers unmatched mobility to cater to high-efficiency users seeking maximized productivity. The tablet comes fully equipped and preloaded with Microsoft Office Solutions** for ultimate productivity on the road, such as creating and editing documents, while conveniently storing up to 100GB of files on the cloud via OneDrive for two years for free. Also, it’s compatible with the advanced Book Cover Keyboard that delivers the same convenience of a standard PC keyboard with a built-in trackpad for executing tasks on-the-go.***

For enhanced manageability, the Galaxy Tab S2 is built with a touch-enabled Fingerprint Scanner for hassle-free authentication. A built-in advanced security sensor now offers easy access to the personal device with a simple press against the home key. For the most streamlined device management options, the Galaxy Tab S2 features Smart Manager which displays the device’s settings automatically, including battery power levels, storage and RAM availability for users to efficiently manage their devices. It is also pre-installed with anti-malware for an extra layer of protection.

In addition, the Galaxy Tab S2 offers Multitasking, allowing users to view and run two apps simultaneously. Also with Pop-Up Window, users can easily navigate between multiple apps at once. The Galaxy Tab S2 also provides an improved storage structure that makes locating files simpler than ever.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 will come in a variety of connectivity, storage and size options: 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch versions with Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi and LTE, available in 32 or 64GB with MicroSD up to 128GB. It will be available in global markets, starting from August, 2015.

Full details and product images are available at http://ift.tt/GHkDdM.

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Does your Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 edge have any visible cracks?

We asked our readers late last week whether they use a case for their Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 edge or whether they prefer to use the device as it is. Surprisingly, many responded that they fall in the latter camp, and while most of us here at SamMobile are using a case for the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, we totally understand why people aren’t putting a case on their phone.

You see, that glass and metal design of the S6 lineup is absolutely stunning in look and feel. Putting a case on is a necessity if you don’t want to risk breaking the device because of a fall or two, and also if someone wants to be able to use the S6 or S6 edge comfortably without it slipping out of their fingers due to the smooth glass on the back. But there’s also a huge reason for using either device naked – there is something about the premium construction that even gets some of us case users to use the device without any protection every few days.

For those who have been using the S6 or S6 edge without a case regularly, it’s not just an actual fall or drop that can mar that beautiful light-reflecting glass. Everyday wear and tear can also cause a few scratches and even cracks, especially on the end that you put face down on a desk or tablet. Cracks are the most problematic as they can be easily seen, and we want to ask our readers (those who don’t use a case) today: Does your Galaxy S6 or S6 edge have any visible cracks?

If yes, do these blemishes bother you and have resulted in you getting a case, or are you continuing to walk the dangerous road? Let us know in the comments below!

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