Purported Galaxy S9 back panel hints at a single rear camera

We’re pretty certain no one wants the rumors of the Galaxy S9 sporting a single rear camera to turn out to be true, but that’s what the plot seems to be building up to. There have been reports that Samsung will keep a dual rear camera exclusive to the Galaxy S9+, and today, a new leak purportedly showing the back panels for the S9 suggest the smaller device will indeed have only one primary camera, in addition to a fingerprint sensor placed below the camera module.

Why a single rear camera for the Galaxy S9? No one knows

The reasons for Samsung limiting the smaller of the Galaxy S9 variants to a single rear camera are unknown. It could be a cost-saving measure to tackle the ever-increasing prices of flagship smartphones, or maybe the company has simply run out of space to fit everything in the compact packages brought about by the “bezel-less” smartphone design. Or, well, Samsung is just trying to imitate Apple in the wrong way; we have no way to tell. There is hope for both S9 models featuring larger batteries than their predecessors, though, so the 5.8-inch Galaxy S9 shouldn’t be completely void of any improvements other than the usual bump in specs that we expect on every new flagship.

There’s also the thing about the rear-facing fingerprint sensor being located where it should have been from the start. It’s not going to make those happy who bought the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8 this year and have no plans to upgrade to the S9, but for everyone else, it should take care of a major consumer pain point. Even the iris scanner is expected to be made faster and more accurate, so while an in-display fingerprint sensor isn’t making its way to Samsung’s upcoming flagship, the company looks set to perfect existing security features.

The post Purported Galaxy S9 back panel hints at a single rear camera appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2Bbd1lH
via IFTTT

Specs comparison: Galaxy A7 (2016) vs Galaxy A8+ (2018)

The Galaxy A8+ (2018) has been officially unveiled today. On the face of it, the handset is a significant improvement over its predecessor. Its key selling points include the Infinity display and the dual front camera with Live Focus.

The Galaxy A series has come a long way since the Galaxy A7 (2016) came out almost two years ago. Last year’s handsets told a story of refinement. Samsung has kicked things up a notch with the new Galaxy A handsets.

Specs comparison: Galaxy A7 (2016) vs Galaxy A8+ (2018)

When we reviewed the Galaxy A7 (2016) two years ago, we crowned it the best mid-range phone in Samsung’s lineup. It was just that good. Samsung fans have come to expect a lot from the Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A8+ (2018) certainly lives up to expectations.

The table below details the key specs differences between these two handsets. Those who are still holding on to a Galaxy A7 (2016) will find it worth their while to upgrade to the latest handset.

We’ll be reviewing the Galaxy A8+ (2018) in the near future so do return to check it out. The full spec sheet of this handset is now available on our devices page.

	Galaxy A7 (2016)	Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Display	5.5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED	6-inch FHD+ (2220×1080) Super AMOLED Infinity
Processor	Exynos 7580 Octa, 1.6GHz octa-core, Mali-T720MP2 GPU	Exynos 7885 Octa, 2.2GHz dual-core + 1.6GHz hexa-core, Mali-G71 GPU
RAM	3GB	4/6GB
Rear Camera	13-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus
Front camera	5-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera, f/1.9 aperture, Live Focus portrait mode
Storage	16GB internal, microSD card slot (up to 128GB)	32GB/64GB internal, microSD slot (up to 256GB)
Software	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, upgradable to Android 7.0	Android 7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
Connectivity	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, USB Type-C	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C
Battery	3,300 mAh, fast wired charging	3,500 mAh, fast wired charging
Other features	Samsung Pay (NFC model only), fingerprint sensor	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display, Gear VR support

The post Specs comparison: Galaxy A7 (2016) vs Galaxy A8+ (2018) appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2khRWMe
via IFTTT

Specs comparison: Galaxy A5 (2016) vs Galaxy A8 (2018)

Samsung’s new Galaxy A series phones are finally out, and they bring substantial upgrades to the company’s mid-range lineup. There’s the Infinity display for a virtually all-screen experience, dual front cameras, and even support for the Gear VR. When you compare the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ to the Galaxy A series devices from 2016, when the lineup first encroached on flagship territory with a premium design and high-end specs, the A8 and A8+ become even more impressive.

Specs comparison: Galaxy A5 (2016) vs Galaxy A8 (2018)

We’ll have a detailed review for both devices in the future, but for now, take a look at the table to see how the smaller of the new A series phones compares to the Galaxy A5 (2016) on the specifications front. To see how it compares to the A5 (2017), go here, and also see the full spec sheet on our devices page.

	Galaxy A5 (2016)	Galaxy A8 (2018)
Display	5.2-inch FHD Super AMOLED	5.6-inch FHD+ (2220×1080 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity
Processor	Exynos 7580 Octa, 1.6GHz octa-core, Mali-T720MP2 GPU	Exynos 7885 Octa, 2.2GHz dual-core + 1.6GHz hexa-core, Mali-G71 GPU
RAM	2GB	4GB
Rear Camera	13-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus
Front camera	5-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera, f/1.9 aperture, Live Focus portrait mode
Storage	16GB internal, microSD card slot (up to 128GB)	32GB/64GB internal, microSD slot (up to 256GB)
Software	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, upgradable to Android 7.0	Android 7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
Connectivity	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, microUSB v2.0	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C
Battery	2,900 mAh, fast wired charging	3,000 mAh, fast wired charging
Other features	Fingerprint sensor, Samsung Pay (NFC model only)	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display, Gear VR support

The post Specs comparison: Galaxy A5 (2016) vs Galaxy A8 (2018) appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2oF8H8p
via IFTTT

Specs comparison: Galaxy A7 (2017) vs Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Samsung has finally unveiled its new Galaxy A series handsets today. The Galaxy A8+ (2018) carries the baton from the Galaxy A7 (2017). This handset was initially supposed to be launched as the Galaxy A7 (2018) but Samsung has decided to switch up the names this year.

The new handset is quite impressive on paper. It carries over the premium metal and glass build that was one of the best things about its predecessor. It also has an Infinity display and is the first Galaxy A handset with support for the Gear VR.

Specs comparison: Galaxy A7 (2017) vs Galaxy A8 (2018)

Check out the table below to find out the differences in specifications between last year’s flagship Galaxy A handset and the Galaxy A8+ (2018). The biggest changes include the Infinity display and the dual front camera with Live Focus.

We’ll soon be reviewing the devices so do stay tuned for that. You can find the full spec sheet for the Galaxy A8+ (2018) on our devices page.

	Galaxy A7 (2017)	Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Display	5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED	6-inch FHD+ (2220×1080) Super AMOLED Infinity
Processor	Exynos 7880 Octa, 1.9GHz octa-core, Mali-T830MP3 GPU	Exynos 7885 Octa, 2.2GHz dual-core + 1.6GHz hexa-core, Mali-G71 GPU
RAM	3GB	4/6GB
Rear Camera	16-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus
Front camera	16-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera, f/1.9 aperture, Live Focus portrait mode
Storage	32GB internal, microSD card slot (up to 256GB)	32GB/64GB internal, microSD slot (up to 256GB)
Software	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, upgradable to Android 7.0	Android 7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
Connectivity	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C
Battery	3,600 mAh, fast wired charging	3,500 mAh, fast wired charging
Other features	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display, Gear VR support

The post Specs comparison: Galaxy A7 (2017) vs Galaxy A8+ (2018) appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2oHpYOj
via IFTTT

Specs comparison: Galaxy A5 (2017) vs Galaxy A8 (2018)

Samsung’s new Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) have gone official, bringing several flagship-grade features to the company’s mid-range segment. The Galaxy A8 (2018), the smaller of the two handsets, will target consumers of both the Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5 from previous years, offering a good mix of portability and immersive viewing thanks to the virtually bezel-less Infinity display.

Specs comparison: Galaxy A5 (2017) vs Galaxy A8 (2018)

How does it compare to the Galaxy A5 (2017) when it comes to the hardware specifications? Find out in the comparison table below! To see how the phone compares to the Galaxy A5 (2016), check out this post, and also see the full spec sheet on our devices page.

	Galaxy A5 (2017)	Galaxy A8 (2018)
Display	5.2-inch FHD Super AMOLED	5.6-inch FHD+ (2220×1080) Super AMOLED Infinity
Processor	Exynos 7880 Octa, 1.9GHz octa-core, Mali-T830MP3 GPU	Exynos 7885 Octa, 2.2GHz dual-core + 1.6GHz hexa-core, Mali-G71 GPU
RAM	3GB	4GB
Rear Camera	16-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus
Front camera	16-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture	16-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera, f/1.9 aperture, Live Focus portrait mode
Storage	32GB internal, microSD card slot (up to 256GB)	32GB/64GB internal, microSD slot (up to 256GB)
Software	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, upgradable to Android 7.0	Android 7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
Connectivity	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, USB Type-C	Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C
Battery	3,000 mAh, fast wired charging	3,000 mAh, fast wired charging
Other features	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display	Samsung Pay (NFC and MST), fingerprint sensor, IP68 dust and water resistance, Always On Display, Gear VR support

The post Specs comparison: Galaxy A5 (2017) vs Galaxy A8 (2018) appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2oGT7t6
via IFTTT

Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) price tags confirmed

With great power comes great responsibility. With great features on a smartphone (especially a mid-range one), well, we get a high price tag. The Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) went official today, following a slew of leaks and rumors in recent months that unofficially told us we had plenty to be excited about for where Samsung’s mid-range lineup was headed. It’s not just the tall and immersive Infinity display that’s a highlight on the A8 and A8+. These phones also come with dual front cameras with the Live Focus feature that debuted on the Galaxy Note 8, support for the Gear VR headset, and existing A series features like IP68 certification for water resistance, full Samsung Pay support, and a premium glass-and-metal design.

There’s even a performance-oriented chipset under the hood this time around. The Exynos 7885 comes with two high-performance Cortex-A73 cores in addition to six low-power cores, unlike previous chips that packed only low-power cores and weren’t great at keeping things running smoothly. The Exynos 7885 even has Bluetooth 5.0 support (meaning support for dual audio support), and at least one variant of the Galaxy A8+ will have 6GB of RAM (likely in China and a few neighboring countries). The A8 and A8+ blur the lines between mid-range and flagship phones, so it’s not surprising that these phones will also be priced higher than their predecessors.

So, what are the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ prices?

The Galaxy A8 will be priced at €499, while the A8+ (2018) will cost €599. These prices are for Europe, but you can expect them to carry comparable price tags in other markets. Samsung hasn’t yet told us where these phones will launch, but we expect that information to be made available as and when the company starts selling them in early January.

The post Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) price tags confirmed appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2CXYBCK
via IFTTT

Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) official with Infinity Display, dual front camera

Samsung has finally unveiled its new Galaxy A series. The handsets that were previously referred to as the Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 (2018) have been officially launched as the Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018). As expected, the new premium mid-range smartphones from Samsung feature a large Infinity Display and dual front camera.

Samsung’s Infinity Display finally trickles down to a mid-range handset after being exclusive to Samsung’s flagship smartphones this year. These handsets also feature Samsung’s first dual front camera with Live Focus.

Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ offer many flagship-like features

Since the handsets have a large Infinity Display, they don’t have a physical home button. The fingerprint sensor has been re-positioned at the back, below the camera module for easier access compared to the company’s 2017 flagship phones. The display is supported with ergonomic curved glass on the back and front. The Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ retain the metal and glass build for that premium look and feel.

Measuring in at 149.2 x 70.6 x 8.4mm and weighing 172g, the Galaxy A8 features a 5.6-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display. Measuring 159.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm at 191g, the Galaxy A8+ has a 6-inch Full HD+ display. The Infinity Display on both handsets has an immersive 18.5:9 aspect ratio and a 1080×2220 pixel resolution.

The Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ are the first devices in the A series to support the Gear VR headset. Both handsets also feature a 16-megapixel primary front camera with f/1.9 aperture paired with an 8-megapixel secondary f/1.9 camera. There’s a 16-megapixel f/1.7 camera on the back, with video digital image stabilization (vDis) and a Hyperlapse mode for time-lapse videos.

The dual front camera is going to be one of the biggest selling points of these devices, just like the 16 MP selfie camera was on the 2017 iterations. It’s made up of two separate cameras, so users can switch between taking regular photos or close-ups with background blur, aka bokeh. The Live Focus feature will let them adjust the blur effect before and after they take a picture.

The Galaxy A8 will be available with 4GB RAM and 32/64GB of storage with a 3,000mAh battery. The Galaxy A8+ offers 4/6GB RAM and 32/64GB storage options with a 3,500mAh battery (the 6GB RAM variant is likely to be exclusive to China and a few other Asian markets). There’s a microSD card slot for external memory expansion. The handsets offer IP68 dust and water resistance, just like last year’s A series phones.

Both devices have a USB Type-C port and feature fast charging. They’re powered by Android 7.1.1 Nougat and will eventually receive the Oreo update (and probably Android P as well). There’s LTE Cat.11, NFC and MST for Samsung Pay support, and other connectivity options like Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 5.0.

The Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ will be offered in four colors: black, orchid grey, gold and blue. They will be available in early January 2018, with pricing and availability to vary by market.

The post Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) official with Infinity Display, dual front camera appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2oIMYg4
via IFTTT

On Oreo, Samsung’s naming screenshots based on what you capture

There’s a fair amount of new features and changes to how things work on Samsung’s implementation of Android 8.0 Oreo, many of which we have covered in our What’s New With Android 8.0 Oreo series. Not everything’s going to affect the user experience, though, and one change that fits in that category is how screenshots are named on the latest version of Android for Samsung devices.

Screenshot names tell you what you have captured

Every time you take a screenshot on Oreo, the screenshot’s filename mentions the name of the app inside which it was captured. For example, taking a screenshot of the home screen or app drawer will name the file Screenshot_Samsung Experience Home, while taking a screenshot in the YouTube app will give you a file named Screenshot_YouTube. That’s in addition to the current date and time, which continues to be a part of the screenshot’s filename.

Again, this is something that most users will never see or care for, but it’s still an interesting change that seems to be Samsung’s doing rather than a default part of stock Android 8.0. It will, however, come in handy for us here at SamMobile. We regularly capture and upload screenshots for the articles we write on the site, and it will be easier to see what we’re putting inside our posts as long as we’re taking the screenshots off a device running Oreo.

What do you think of this minor, yet interesting change introduced by Samsung on Android 8.0 Oreo?

P.S.: You can access screenshot files in the DCIM » Screenshots folder on your phone’s internal storage via the My Files app (or a third-party file manager app). For older devices, these can be found in the Pictures folder instead. Of course, all screenshots can be found in the Gallery app as well. 

The post On Oreo, Samsung’s naming screenshots based on what you capture appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2oDHy5M
via IFTTT

Gear S3 update in Canada address battery life issue

The long-awaited Tizen 3.0 update was delivered about a month ago, and with much excitement Gear S3 users could not wait to download it and check out the new features, the new look, etc. At first glance, everything seemed to be peachy until users took at a look at their battery percentage and noticed quite a bit of change. Some Gear S3 owners complained about the battery life draining at an unusual pace, causing them to question whether the update was worth the significant battery issue that succeeded it.

Gear S3 update in Canada

Good news, Canadians! You need not worry because an update is coming your way that will address this issue and hopefully, resolve it, and return the 2-3 day battery life you were accustomed to. No word yet as to when other markets will be receiving the update, but it seems Canada is first in line.

The Tizen 3.0 value pack update brings updated, more intuitive widgets that now provide more information, improved bezel ring function, in addition to an improvement with fitness tracking for all of you health and fitness fanatics.

The latest firmware update for the Gear S3 is rolling out now. It weighs in at 20MB. Don’t expect much in the way of new features as it only fixes the battery bug.

The post Gear S3 update in Canada address battery life issue appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kKlaCu
via IFTTT

SamMobile Daily Recap: December 18, 2017 — Android 8.0 Oreo, Galaxy S9 and more!

We publish a lot of stories on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the majority of news breaks during our European hours of operation, which makes it difficult for our readers in the US (and other regions) to keep up. However, we think we’ve come up with a fantastic solution — a daily recap.

Here’s what we covered today.

Firmware News

Android 8.0 Oreo beta for Galaxy S8 released in Germany and Poland

Firmware Update Magazine: December 18, 2017

Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo beta program phase two kicks off in India

Phones

Galaxy S9 announcement reportedly due in February

Galaxy S9 to pack a 3,200mAh battery

Latest Galaxy S9 renders show more of the same

Some Samsung handsets will now be slightly more expensive in India

TV

Samsung might unveil 150-inch Micro-LED TV at CES 2018

The post SamMobile Daily Recap: December 18, 2017 — Android 8.0 Oreo, Galaxy S9 and more! appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2B9CpbJ
via IFTTT

SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine: December 18, 2017

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly Firmware Magazine. You can think of it as your go-to resource to find out which of your Samsung devices has received a new update or if it’s going to receive a new firmware update in the near future.

To keep things interesting, we present the Firmware Magazine in new designs every week. It will always include the important details about firmware updates such as the firmware versions, device model numbers, Android OS versions and the country where said update is out already.

Keep in mind, however, that these firmware details are based on the firmware that are available in our database, and in some cases, the latest updates might not show in the same week as the full firmware files take additional time to make it to our database.

The purpose of this magazine is to bring all of that important information about firmware updates to you, the reader, in a manner that’s easy to comprehend—so even if you’re new to the world of firmware, you’ll have no trouble making sense of it all.

The post SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine: December 18, 2017 appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2BGYnlQ
via IFTTT

Rumor: Galaxy S9 to pack a 3,200 mAh battery

In an ideal world, we’d see smartphone manufacturers increasing the battery size on their flagships each year. That doesn’t happen, and while batteries do sometimes get bigger on newer flagships compared to their predecessors, it’s not something that happens as often as we’d like. Samsung’s been guilty of it a few times: The Galaxy S8+ has a smaller battery than the Galaxy S7 edge, and the difference in battery capacity is even higher between the Galaxy Note 8 and the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7. The Galaxy S6, of course, took the cake back in 2015 with its abysmal 2,550 mAh battery, a substantial 350 mAh less than the Galaxy S5.

A 3,200 mAh battery for the Galaxy S9?

There’s no telling how the Galaxy S9 will compare to the Galaxy S8, although recently revealed dimensions of the device suggest the phone will be thicker and, therefore, technically have more space for a larger battery. We’ve already speculated as much, and today, a new leak says the Galaxy S9 indeed has higher battery capacity than the S8. The information reportedly comes from someone in possession of a test unit, but we’re not entirely sure, as the source is in Chinese and Google doesn’t do a great job of translating things to a form of English that would be easy to make sense of. The same source also suggests the S9 will support Quick Charge 3.0, which, frankly, would not impress us considering how it should have arrived on Samsung devices a long time ago.

Should the Galaxy S9 have a 3,200 mAh battery, one would hope the courtesy of a larger battery (compared to the S8+) would be extended to the Plus-sized model as well. It’s possible it might not happen, however, and Samsung could just be making sure the smaller of its flagships stop being as limited as they are right now in terms of battery endurance. Nothing’s certain, of course, so we’ll just have to wait and see how much of this particular rumor is based on fact.

What do you think?

The post Rumor: Galaxy S9 to pack a 3,200 mAh battery appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2CWEtkw
via IFTTT

Android 8.0 Oreo beta for Galaxy S8 released in Germany and Poland

It has been a few weeks since the Android 8.0 Oreo beta was released for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in markets like the United States and the United Kingdom. We had heard that there would be a phase two as well which would see the beta being expanded to markets like India, China, Spain, France, Germany and Poland.

Samsung hasn’t announced phase two of the beta program officially but the firmware has been rolled out in India earlier today. We’ve already received it on our devices in India. We can now also report that the Android 8.0 Oreo beta for the Galaxy S8 is being rolled out in Germany and Poland as well.

Android 8.0 Oreo beta for Galaxy S8

With the Android 8.0 Oreo beta now being rolled out in Germany and Poland, it may only be a matter of time before it’s released in other markets that are supposed to receive it in phase two. Samsung is yet to officially confirm the second phase of the beta, though.

Samsung hasn’t confirmed when the Android 8.0 Oreo update will be publicly released. Reports suggest that it may either be out in late January or early February.

The company hands out spots on the beta program on a first-come-first-served basis. Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ owners in Germany and Poland can register for the beta from the Samsung Members app. They will find the Register for Galaxy Beta Program option in the Notices section accessible via the Home tab.

Once the registration process is complete, they can download the beta firmware by tapping on Download updates manually in the Settings » Software update menu. The Android 8.0 Oreo beta for Galaxy S8 is a 1.4GB download.

Whether or not you get into the beta, do check out our What’s New With Android 8.0 Oreo series to find out more about the features and improvements this update brings.

The post Android 8.0 Oreo beta for Galaxy S8 released in Germany and Poland appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kdAW9M
via IFTTT

Latest Galaxy S9 renders show more of the same

Countless renders of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have been leaked online so far. They have given us a good idea of what to expect from Samsung’s upcoming flagship as far as the design is concerned. The new handset is going to look quite similar to its predecessor, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

A couple of fresh Galaxy S9 renders have been leaked online today. It’s more of the same. They don’t reveal anything particularly interesting about the upcoming flagship.

Galaxy S9 renders

The renders have been leaked online by @OnLeaks. This source has a good track record with leaks which is why these fresh Galaxy S9 renders are worthy of our attention.

The Galaxy S9 will look almost identical to the Galaxy S8 from the front. It will retain the gorgeous Infinity Display. Reports suggest that the aspect ratio is going to be same as well.

The only major design change can be spotted at the back. The fingerprint sensor has been positioned underneath the camera lens. This will be appreciated by fans who made a fuss about the fingerprint sensor’s placement on the Galaxy S8. The heart rate sensor has been repositioned as well.

Multiple reports suggest that Samsung is going to unveil the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in February. The announcement will likely be made at the Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona. The handset might be released by mid-March.

The post Latest Galaxy S9 renders show more of the same appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2BGbIe7
via IFTTT

Samsung might unveil 150-inch Micro-LED TV at CES 2018

It was reported a couple of months ago that Samsung was working hard to develop alternative technologies for next-generation premium TVs. It had reportedly accelerated its efforts to create a Micro-LED TV. It even acquired a Taiwan-based company earlier this year to use its Micro-LED technology in next-generation TVs.

According to a new report out of South Korea, Samsung is going to unveil a new 150-inch Micro-LED TV at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 next month. Since it’s no longer making OLED TVs, Samsung is expected to increase its reliance on Micro-LED for future TV products.

Samsung at CES 2018

It’s a tradition for Samsung to launch flagship TVs at the Consumer Electronics Show every year. CES 2018 will be the perfect venue to unveil the company’s 150-inch Micro-LED TV.

Micro-LED shares some traits with OLED. Both are constructed using light emitting diodes and they’re self-emitting. That means each sub-pixel products its own light and doesn’t require a dedicated backlight like LCD.

This enables Micro-LED panels to offer deep blacks and high contrast ratios like OLED while being easier to manufacture. The panels are also thinner than their OLED counterparts.

The reason why Micro-LED TVs haven’t been widely commercialized is that the manufacturing costs are high. Samsung is expected to push the technology in the premium segment next year from where it will eventually trickle down to more affordable models.

The post Samsung might unveil 150-inch Micro-LED TV at CES 2018 appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kevhA6
via IFTTT

Some Samsung handsets will now be slightly more expensive in India

Customers in India who are looking to purchase a high-end Samsung smartphone will now find them to be slightly more expensive than before. The country has increased the import tax on smartphones and select electronic items in a bid to increase domestic manufacturing. The move impacts other manufacturers who sell premium devices in the country as well such as Apple.

Taxing times for customers

The customs duty on mobile phones has been increased to 15% from 10% in India. This 5% increase will likely be passed on to the customers who will end up having to pay slightly more for the same devices.

Many companies, including Samsung, have set up their manufacturing facilities in India. However, these facilities are primarily manufacturing low-end and mid-range devices. Flagship handsets are normally imported which is why the increased duty will impact the price that the customer pays.

Market analysts predict that the import duty may further rise by another 5% as domestic manufacturers have been calling on the government to increase the tax on foreign companies selling in India.

According to estimates, the price of flagship handsets in the country could go up by 2,000 rupees or $31 as a result of this increased tax, if the impact is passed on to the customers.

The post Some Samsung handsets will now be slightly more expensive in India appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2CTUwiW
via IFTTT

Galaxy S9 announcement reportedly due in February

It has been reported multiple times that the Galaxy S9 might be launched a bit earlier than its predecessor. It’s common for us to hear such reports prior to a new flagship’s launch. A recent report out of South Korea suggested that the Galaxy S9 announcement will be made at MWC 2018. Another report claims something similar.

Galaxy S9 announcement

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ were unveiled at an event in New York City in March. Samsung released the handset across the globe by mid-April. These reports claim that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will be out one month earlier than the existing flagships.

Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the matter, that Samsung is going to launch the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ as early as late February. It will then release then devices in March. This would mean that the new flagships will be out almost a month ahead of their predecessors.

The report also mentions that the new handsets look similar to the Galaxy S8 models and that they will feature camera upgrades. This is in line with what we’ve heard so far about the Galaxy S9.

The report doesn’t mention the MWC but that’s the only major industry event taking place at the end of February. Therefore, it can reasonably be expected that Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S9 at the Mobile World Congress 2018 on February 26.

The post Galaxy S9 announcement reportedly due in February appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2kEZ0BX
via IFTTT

Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo beta program phase two kicks off in India

Well, Samsung hasn’t called it phase two just yet, but the Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 beta program is now available for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ owners in India, suggesting the rumored second phase of the beta has gone live. We say rumored because Samsung never officially talked about a second phase of the program, although the company did say Oreo would be available for testing in additional markets at some point. Germany, Spain, France, Poland, China and India are expected to be part of the second phase, but we don’t know if Samsung has launched the beta program in markets other than India.

How do I register for the Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo beta program?

To register for the beta, open the Samsung Members app on your Galaxy S8 or S8+, tap the Register for Galaxy Beta Program option under the Notices section in the app’s Home tab, then tap the banner/image that says Galaxy beta programme. You’ll be asked to agree to a few terms and conditions, after which you can tap the register button to get in on the program.

If you manage to register, you can download the beta by tapping the Download updates manually option in the Settings » Software update menu on your device (just like you’d download regular updates). The update is a 1396 MB download; it may not be available for you right away, but that’s normal as the company itself says the “software update will be expanded gradually.”

Slots for the beta are limited, so not everyone will get int. Samsung should, however, make more slots available in the future, as it has done in countries like the UK that were part of the first round. If you’ve already registered and also received the beta update, do let us know in the comments! Wondering what all is new on Android 8.0 Oreo? Check out our What’s New With Android 8.0 Oreo series.

The post Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo beta program phase two kicks off in India appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://ift.tt/2BDFwIc
via IFTTT