Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ receive Android Oreo in Canada

Samsung launched the Android 8.0 Oreo beta program last year. Since then, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ users around the world have been eagerly waiting for the rollout of the Android Oreo update.

In February, Samsung finally started rolling out the update in Turkey, Norway, the UAE, India, Belgium, Germany, France, Poland, etc., but then halted it only to resume a week later after sorting out user-reported update issues. In the last week or so, the update has been pushed out aggressively in more markets and by most top carriers in North America.

Canada gets a taste of Oreo

After Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint in the US, now telecom carriers in Canada are rolling out the Android Oreo update for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Currently, Rogers, Videotron, Bell, Telus, Virgin Mobile, Fido, and Freedom Mobile customers in Canada are receiving the update on their devices.

Since the update is already rolling out in many other markets and no major issues have been reported so far, it shouldn’t be a risky proposition to update your Galaxy S8 and S8+ immediately as and when the update is available. If you would like to know the new features and improvements the Oreo update brings to your Galaxy S8, do read our exhaustive What’s New with Android 8.0 Oreo series.

Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ owners in Canada can try manually pulling the update by going to the Software update menu in the Settings app if they have yet to receive the over-the-air update notification which should arrive sooner rather than later now.

Do let us know in the comments section about your experience with the new update so far.

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Galaxy S9 drop test shows improvement despite shattering on first drop

Even though Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ mostly retain the design language of their predecessors, the company has made many improvements inside and outside the devices. Improved durability is one such area where the new series is better than its predecessor according to Samsung.

To achieve this, Samsung has put a 20% thicker Gorilla Glass 5 on the front of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ at 0.6T, compared to Galaxy S8’s 0.5T. Samsung has also used the AL 7003 high-strength aluminum on the S9 which doesn’t deform as much as the AL 6013 used on the Galaxy S8. With these and many other minor improvements, the S9 and S9+ are supposed to be more durable than the previous Samsung flagship phones.

Galaxy S9 also beats iPhone X in durability

SquareTrade has put Samsung’s claims about Galaxy S9’s durability to test, and they come out as mostly true. SquareTrade used drop machines to drop the Galaxy S9 and S9+ from 6 feet high on the front, back, and sides of the devices to test their durability. Though the Samsung’s latest flagship phones fared better than their predecessors, they still cracked and shattered at first drop. SquareTrade also conducted a tumble test and bend test, a test which has become rather common after Apple’s infamous bendgate, and the results are largely on expected lines. While the Galaxy S9 and S9+ do better than the previous flagship models, they are far from indestructible.

Based on these and many more tests, SquareTrade has awarded Breakability Scores of 71 for the Galaxy S9 and 76 for the Galaxy S9+, placing them in Medium Risk and Medium-High Risk categories respectively. The new flagships not only did better than their predecessors but also fared better than the iPhone X, which should give Samsung fans some internet bragging rights.

While the new flagship phones are more durable than last year’s models, they still shatter when dropped, and so it is advisable to use a case or a cover if you’re clumsy with your phone. You might even want to consider the best Galaxy S9 screen protectors available now. Hopefully, durability becomes the next big trend now that the war on bezels is finally nearing completion.

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What’s New With Android 8.0 Oreo Part 16: Recent apps screen now supports list view

The current iteration of Android’s standard recent apps screen – officially called the Recents or Overview screen – that lets you switch between recently used apps looks quite neat, but it’s also rather limited when it comes to how many recently used apps it can display at a time. On Samsung devices, you can only see a thumbnail of the most recent app in the Recents screen and the names of the second and third-most recent apps.

For the rest, you have to flip through the list of apps until you find the app you’re looking for, and while you can double tap the Recents key (the one other than the home and back buttons on a Samsung/Android device) to quickly jump between the last two apps, it can be a chore when you want to go to an app that is higher up in the recent apps list. Samsung, however, has found a solution to the problem with Android 8.0 Oreo.

Recent apps screen now supports list view

On the company’s iteration of the latest version of Android, you can switch between the standard thumbnail view and a list view that removes all thumbnails and simply shows the names of all recent apps, along with the Multi Window button and the ‘X’ that lets you clear an app from memory. We’re not sure if stock Android allows this, but in any case, it’s a very nice feature for those who tend to look through the Recents screen when switching to an app they may have used a while ago.

How to switch to list view in Recents screen?

Step 1. First, tap the Recents key (on the left of the home button) to bring up the list of recently used apps.

Step 2: Then, tap the three-dot button on the top-right corner.

Step 3: From the options that show up, select List view.

That’s it. You will now see up to 12 recently used apps at a time, as you saw in the screenshot above. If the list view doesn’t work out for you, you can simply follow the steps above and select Thumbnail view to go back to the standard layout. It goes without saying that even in list view, all the other Recents screen functions work the same way. You can use two apps together by tapping the Multi Window button (the one next to the X button), swipe an app to clear it from the list and from memory (although this isn’t recommended as Android does a good job of managing memory on its own), and use the Close All button to clear all recent apps from memory.

For more on what’s new in Android 8.0 Oreo for Samsung devices, check out this post. Also, see Samsung’s official infographic that highlights the major changes and features in Oreo.

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Introducing our weekly Facebook Live session!

We are incredibly proud of the community that we have built here at SamMobile. Our readers are passionate and vocal about all things Samsung and they really help us drive the conversation forward. The team here at SamMobile strives to put out the best content day in and day out to ensure that our readership doesn’t need to look elsewhere for the only voice of authority on Samsung.

We constantly pursue new and innovative ways of bringing you the content that you love while ensuring that we increase engagement with you and provide you with a platform to amplify your opinions.

Therefore, we are very proud to announce that starting this Wednesday, March 21, we will host a weekly Facebook Live session on our Facebook page. The live session will be conducted every Wednesday by our co-founder Martin Reinders and YouTube Producer Rutger Verstegen.

They’ll discuss the latest Samsung news in the live session and provide their own thoughts on the matter. You’ll be able to ask questions during the live stream which they will be more than happy to answer.

So don’t forget to check out our Facebook Live session every Wednesday at 19:30 PM CET (10:30 AM PST, 13:30 PM EST). Our community on Facebook is over 500,000 people strong, hit the Like button below and join our ranks if you haven’t already!

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SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine: March 19, 2018

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.

SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine

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.

Click on the image below to grab the latest firmware magazine!

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Samsung Movie Maker app will be axed after the Android P update

Samsung Movie Maker app comes pre-installed on many of the new Galaxy devices to take care of your basic video editing needs. The app doesn’t have an icon but can be accessed from the Gallery app when trying to edit a video.

The app is currently receiving an update to version number 2.3.03.10 and brings some bad news along with it. Once you fire up the updated app, you will be greeted with a message informing you about Samsung’s decision to discontinue the app after the Android P update. We currently don’t know if Samsung will just abandon the Movie Maker app or replace it with a new solution.

Android P update is at least a year away

There are hints of a video editor coming to the Google Photos app. It is possible that Samsung might be trying to remove the Movie Maker app in favor of replacing it with the default option to avoid duplicate functionality. Samsung already does something similar by using the Google Play Music app as the default music player instead of a native music player app.

Samsung has started pushing out the Android 8.0 Oreo update to its devices very recently. So it will take at least a year, if not more, for the Android P update to roll out to eligible Samsung devices widely. Hopefully, users of Samsung Movie Maker will find a suitable replacement by then as there are plenty of good video editor options already available on Google Play. Who knows, perhaps the native solution will be good enough to eliminate the need for a third-party altogether.

Image Credit: Android Police

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Galaxy Tab S3 goes through the Wi-Fi Alliance running Android 8.0 Oreo

A lot of Samsung devices are eligible for the Android 8.0 Oreo update, and now that the company has pushed out the update to its 2017 flagships (not everywhere, though), it can turn its attention to other devices in its ever-expanding lineup. You know, such as the Galaxy Tab S3, which is still the best Samsung tablet one can buy. We had heard a month earlier that Samsung has started developing the Oreo update for the Galaxy Tab S3, and naturally, things have progressed in the days since. The tablet now seems closer to leaving the Android 7.0 Nougat ship behind, as the Wi-Fi Alliance has given the Tab S3 fresh certification for Android 8.0 Oreo.

Galaxy Tab S3 gets Wi-Fi certification with Oreo on-board

The certification is for the Wi-Fi-only variant of the Tab S3, so there’s still some time before the update actually arrives as Samsung waits on the necessary certifications for the LTE variant. Not to mention that with Samsung running behind schedule on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update, we might have to wait longer than normal to see Oreo make its way to other devices, even if they may be as costly and premium as the Galaxy Tab S3. It’s just how Samsung functions, although now that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are up for sale in markets around the world, one can hope that the Korean giant won’t see cause for deliberately delaying the release of Oreo for its other Galaxies any further.

If you haven’t been keeping up, the Oreo update first hit the Galaxy S8 back in February for participants of the Oreo beta program before it was pulled because of an issue that was making some S8 and S8+ units restart of their own accord. Samsung resumed the rollout soon after, and the update has slowly been making its way to more and more countries in the last few weeks. Last week, Oreo arrived on the Galaxy Note 8, coinciding with the release of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in nearly 70 countries. The list of changes and new features remains the same across both the S8 and Note 8, though the Note 8 update does come the most recent version of the Android security patch.

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First Galaxy Note 8 Oreo firmware download available now

Samsung started rolling out the Galaxy Note 8 Oreo firmware over-the-air on March 16, the very same day that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ were released in more than 70 markets across the globe, continuing a trend that’s frustrating a lot of the company’s fans. Those who have been waiting for the over-the-air update to go live in their region can now rejoice as we have the first Galaxy Note 8 Oreo firmware available for download via our database.

First Galaxy Note 8 Oreo firmware download

The Galaxy Note 8 Oreo release started with France last week and we quickly confirmed that the build being rolled out wasn’t a test build for the handset’s U.S. variant that has been making the rounds online for a few weeks now.

There isn’t a lot different in this update compared to the Oreo update that’s already widely available for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. All features that are part and parcel of Oreo are included in this release. You can check out this official infographic to find out all about the new Samsung Experience 9.0 features. Don’t forget to go through our detailed What’s New With Android 8.0 Oreo series for an in-depth look at all of the new features and improvements.

Firmware version N950FXXU3CRC1 is the first public Oreo build that Samsung is rolling out for its flagship phablet. Those who are unable to get it over-the-air will can now download the first Galaxy Note 8 Oreo firmware from our firmware section. This release also includes the latest security maintenance update for the month of March 2018.

Now that the Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update is rolling out, it’s only a matter of time before the update makes its way to all users across the globe. However, those who own carrier-locked variants of the Galaxy Note 8 might have to wait a bit longer as the carriers tend to hold up the roll out as they go through their own processes prior to release.

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Samsung’s future as a display supplier for Apple may be in jeopardy

Samsung is the global market leader for OLED displays and that position helped it win Apple’s business for the iPhone X’s display. The iPhone X is the first smartphone from Apple to feature an OLED display and Samsung is the only manufacturer that could supply the displays in the volume that the company requires while adhering to its quality standards.

Many earlier reports have suggested that Apple wants to reduce its reliance on Samsung and third-party suppliers in general. We have seen the company move the production of many of the iPhone’s components in-house and it’s now said to be doing the same for displays as well. Apple has reportedly started developing its own screens for the first time at a secret facility for test purposes.

Apple could shift to Micro-LED displays

Apple’s iPhone X contract is a very lucrative one. Samsung is expected to make billions of dollars supplying OLED panels for Apple’s new flagship and while reports have suggested that the company is having to cut production as Apple has reduced orders, it’s going to make a pretty penny nonetheless.

As reports about Apple cutting iPhone X display orders surfaced, Samsung Display downplayed the potential impact on its business by saying that its business “will not be affected much by a certain customer.” That was in respose to a potential demand drop, though, as the bottom line would surely take a hit if orders from Apple were to completely dry up.

That might very well happen in the future. Apple is reportedly designing and producing its own device displays for the very first time in a secret facility near its headquarters in California. It has made small numbers of screens for testing purposes, sources tell Bloomberg.

Apple is reportedly developing Micro-LED displays which use different light-emitting compounds compared to OLED panels and have the potential to make future devices even slimmer. It’s said that the Apple Watch is likely going to be the first product to feature Apple’s own Micro-LED technology but it’s too soon to say when that iteration of its smartwatch might arrive.

Samsung is working on Micro-LED technology as well and has demonstrated what it can do with it by making a 150-inch TV called The Wall. However, if Apple is able to get the ball rolling on its Micro-LED ambitions, there might come a time when it shifts iPhone displays to this technology to eliminate the need of sourcing panels from third-parties such as Samsung.

Small wonder that shares of screen makers like Samsung, Japan Display and Sharp also declined once this report was published.

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Galaxy S9 SideSync support out in favor of Samsung Flow

You’re not the only one wondering what’s up with SideSync on the Galaxy S9. The service isn’t working on Samsung’s new flagship smartphone because the company has decided to push out Galaxy S9 SideSync support in favor of Samsung Flow. The official SideSync website has been updated to reflect that this service is not supported by the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+.

SideSync won’t work on the Galaxy S9

SideSync is a Samsung service that lets users share their smartphone’s screen and data on a PC. They can even receive the phone’s alarms on the PC and access some of its features such as making and receiving phone calls and sending text messages.

Prior to the Galaxy S9, the only requirement was that the Samsung smartphone should be running Android 4.4 KitKat or higher to use this service. Tablets with Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher were supported as well.

While the Galaxy S9 meets the first requirement since it runs the latest iteration of Android which is several steps above KitKat, the official SideSync website clearly mentions that “SideSync is not available for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+.”

So you were banking on Galaxy S9 SideSync support and now you find out that it doesn’t exist, what to do now? Many Galaxy S9 owners who got in touch with Samsung Support over this issue have been told that this service is not compatible with the new flagship and that a future update for Samsung Flow will bring screen mirroring functionality.

Samsung Flow is what the company calls its Apple Continuity and Handoff competitor. It enables seamless content handoff between Samsung devices including smartwatches, tablets, TVs and smartphones. The Windows 10 version of this app was opened up to any and all PCs running this OS iteration last year. It even lets them unlock their Windows 10 PCs using the fingerprint sensor on their Samsung smartphone.

The company has said that Samsung Flow will be updated to support screen mirroring but it’s yet to confirm when this update is going to arrive.

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South Koreans reportedly not that enthusiastic about the Galaxy S9

Samsung may expect the Galaxy S9 to outperform the Galaxy S8 in terms of sales but it really comes down to the customers who will decide the new flagship’s fate. Are customers ready to open their wallets for a new flagship that’s merely an evolutionary upgrade compared to its predecessor? It seems that the Galaxy S9 is finding it difficult to win over new customers in Samsung’s home country of South Korea. They’re said to be not that enthusiastic about the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+.

Galaxy S9 is proving to be a tough sell

A local news outlet quotes mobile retailers in its report who have witnessed that consumers aren’t that interested in the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ since they’re not that different from last year’s models.

Another retailer pointed out that it’s actually the Galaxy A8 (2018) that’s Samsung’s best-selling smartphone in South Korea currently. The handset’s dual front-facing camera is said to be one of the reasons why it’s immensely popular with the late-teens and 20s demographic which likes to take a lot of selfies.

Granted that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are faster and feature better cameras but the design is largely the same and so is the display size. The new flagship looks and feels quite similar to its predecessor and that’s why it might be a difficult sell to those who already own the Galaxy S8.

It’s also possible that the South Korean government’s recent penalty of $45.5 million on the country’s three main mobile carriers for providing illegal subsidies for smartphones might be affecting Galaxy S9 sales as well. Mobile carriers have since reduced their subsidies to bring them in line with the government’s directives.

Customers who are sold on the new features like Super Slow-motion video, variable aperture camera, AR Emoji, etc will certainly go ahead and purchase the Galaxy S9. However, those who view them as mere novelties or can’t justify purchasing an expensive smartphone for only these features will likely wait for Samsung’s 10th anniversary Galaxy smartphone due next year.

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