Samsung’s new Galaxy Book gets certified in Russia

As an OEM, Samsung makes a diverse set of devices with every possible operating system available out there. This includes Microsoft’s ubiquitous Windows OS as well. Apart from launching a few laptops in select markets, Samsung also started dabbling again with the Windows 2-in-1 devices after Microsoft made the category mainstream with its Surface Pro lineup.

Last year, Samsung launched the Galaxy Book – a Windows 2-in-1 detachable similar to the Microsoft Surface Pro series. It came with a removable keyboard and marketed as a device that could be used both as a laptop and a tablet. The Galaxy Book was available in two different screen sizes and multiple configurations. Although it was not a bad device per se, it didn’t bring anything unique to the table and went mostly unnoticed in the crowded and commoditized Windows ecosystem.

Multiple variants certified

It appears Samsung is working on a successor to the current Galaxy Book. A couple of Galaxy Book branded Windows devices with model numbers SM-W737 and SM-W738 along with related variants SM-W737A, SM-W737N, SM-W737V, and SM-W738N were certified by the Russian agency EEC recently. The many model numbers in the listing probably refer to WIFI, LTE, and other variants of the new Galaxy Book.

The certification doesn’t reveal any specifications, but since this is commoditized Windows device ecosystem we are talking about, the new device will probably come with 8^th generation Intel processors with multiple RAM and storage options. Last year’s Galaxy Book was launched alongside the Galaxy Tab S3 at the MWC 2017. We already know that Samsung is gearing up to unveil the Galaxy Tab S4 soon. It remains to be seen if Samsung launches the new Galaxy Book along with it.

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Facebook integration in Gallery and other apps ending June 30 for old Samsung devices

Starting June 30, users of Samsung’s Android smartphones launched between 2012 and 2014 will no longer be able to access their Facebook pictures and information in apps such as Gallery, Calendar, and the Briefing widget for the home screen. We’re told the affected devices are mostly those that ran Android KitKat, Lollipop, or Marshmallow. Devices such as the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4, and Galaxy Tab S are included in the list.

Facebook pictures to be available only via the official Facebook app

Facebook integration in stock apps has long been a feature on many Android devices, not just from Samsung. A change in Facebook’s service policy means it will stop working on any device using the original version of the API that made Facebook integration possible starting June 30. For Samsung devices, this would mean users won’t be able to access their Facebook pictures in the Gallery app. Facebook events and schedules in the Calendar app and the Briefing widget will be inaccessible as well. Data already loaded into these apps will remain available on the device, but newer data will not be accessible past June 30th.

Those who own a newer Samsung phone or tablet running Nougat or Oreo aren’t going to be affected, as Samsung has removed Facebook integration in its proprietary apps in the last couple of years. Samsung is likely going to show a termination notice for Facebook integration on affected devices in the coming days

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Samsung smart speaker reference platform showcased at MWC Shanghai

Samsung Electronics’ System LSI Business is showcasing its innovative new technologies at the 2018 Mobile World Congress Shanghai. It’s Asia’s leading tech industry event with more than 100 countries represented and more than 550 companies attending. Samsung has been participating in Mobile World Congress Shanghai since last year.

Its S.LSI division is showcasing technologies such as its ISOCELL and Exynos ranges as well as its smart speaker reference platform. The company’s new ISOCELL Plus camera technology is on display as well.

Samsung smart speaker reference platform

Samsung has been working on its own Bixby-powered smart speaker but the company is yet to reveal any details about the product. There’s obviously a lot of interest among fans who want to see how Samsung will approach the highly competitive smart speaker market and take on established rivals like the Amazon Echo and Google Home. We exclusively reported earlier this month that the Bixby Speaker will be feature-packed at launch so it does look promising right now.

Even though it hasn’t launched its smart speaker as yet, Samsung will supply components to others who already have or are planning to do so. The Samsung smart speaker reference platform that the company has showcased at Mobile World Congress Shanghai has a touchscreen display and allows users to control their music and smart home devices.

The smart speaker platform is based on several Samsung components including its Exynos processor, image sensor, RF, PMIC and secure element. Samsung says that these components will help manufacturers who are developing smart speakers to reduce their development time and bring their products faster to market.

Samsung Electronics obviously sources the bulk of its components from its subsidiaries so the Bixby Speaker will most certainly come with some of these Samsung ICs as well. The reference platform doesn’t offer hints about the design of its actual Bixby Speaker so we may have to wait for a while to find out what it looks like. Samsung is yet to confirm when it’s going to launch its Bixby Speaker. Chances are that the company may unveil it at IFA 2018 this September.

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Rumored Galaxy Note 9 specs ‘confirmed’ in early hands-on review

A day after Samsung confirmed that it will unveil the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9, mobile industry veteran Eldar Murtazin is out with a detailed report about the rumored Galaxy Note 9 specs. He claims to have spent some time with the Galaxy Note 9 recently in which he got to evaluate the hardware and check out some of the software features of Samsung’s new flagship.

You may or may not choose to believe him but it’s pertinent to mention here that Murtazin does have a commendable track record with leaks. He has been in the game long enough to capture readers’ attention when he makes a claim.

Rumored Galaxy Note 9 specs

Murtazin confirms earlier reports that there won’t be a lot of differences in the design of the Galaxy Note 9 compared to the Galaxy Note 8, adding that it will be difficult to tell the difference between the two from afar. One significant design change is that the fingerprint sensor is no longer alongside the horizontally positioned dual camera system, it’s below the sensors now, as we recently saw in a major render leak.

It has also been suggested in reports that the Galaxy Note 9 will feature a 4,000mAh battery and Murtazin seconds that. He says that the device actually feels a bit heavier than its predecessor because of the larger battery. Many won’t mind that as the battery is said to last up to two days, being able to offer up to 25 hours of non-stop video playback at maximum brightness.

The Galaxy Note 8’s base model offered 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Samsung is expected to bump that up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage for the Galaxy Note 9. The company will reportedly offer 8GB/256GB and 8GB/512GB variants as well. There have been rumors about 512GB storage for the Galaxy Note 9 but not much evidence has surfaced to support the claim.

The Galaxy Note 9 will have the same curved Infinity Display as the Galaxy Note 8 with display brightness being slightly increased. Murtazin says that Samsung is working on an updated version of the Always On Display but it probably won’t be ready until next year so we may see it on the Galaxy S10 first. He mentions that the UI animations have been improved and that they look good.

There have been many reports about Samsung revamping the Galaxy Note 9’s camera without any details about how it’s actually going to do that. Murtazin says that the camera performance has been enhanced due to improved algorithms and that optical stabilization is improved as well. Samsung has also updated AR Emoji but no details have been provided about that.

Samsung does improve the S Pen with every iteration of its Note flagship and the Galaxy Note 9’s S Pen reportedly features support for Bluetooth with new software features that will appeal to business users.

Murtazin also makes an interesting claim that Samsung will stop selling the Galaxy Note 8 after the Galaxy Note 9 is launched. He actually says that Samsung already stopped shipping the Galaxy Note 8 to its partners a couple of months ago and they’re only selling the stock that they have left. This isn’t what Samsung normally does, you can still buy the Galaxy S8 directly from the company and its partners, so it may be straying from tradition.

If the Galaxy Note 9 is really not all that different compared to the Galaxy Note 8 then the company won’t like risking cannibalization of the newer flagship’s sales by selling the Galaxy Note 8 at a lower price. It will stop selling the Galaxy Note 8 altogether so that customers who want a new phablet have no option but to purchase the Galaxy Note 9. Even if it does that, we feel that the company might continue to sell both handsets in price sensitive markets such as India where customers often opt for a year-old flagship just because it’s cheaper.

All of what Murtazin claims is within the realm of possibility and will only be officially confirmed when Samsung launches the handset on August 9. Do check out our exhaustive post on the Galaxy Note 9 specs, design, features and price to get a better idea of what you can expect from the new flagship.

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Galaxy Note 9 specs, design, features and price: All available information

Much has been rumored about the Galaxy Note 9 specs so far, and we will continue to hear more reports about the new flagship in the coming weeks. Samsung has now confirmed that it’s going to officially make the Galaxy Note 9 announcement on August 9 at a special event in New York City.

The Galaxy Note 9 takes the baton from the Galaxy Note 8, which was a very important handset for Samsung. It was the company’s saving grace after the failure that was the Galaxy Note 7. It showed that despite that one setback, the Galaxy Note lineup is here to stay. Samsung redeemed itself with the Galaxy Note 8, so it’s time now to look to the future and see what we can expect from the Galaxy Note 9.

Galaxy Note 9 specs, design, features and price

Galaxy Note 9 Display

The Galaxy Note 8 features a 6.3-inch curved Infinity Display with 2960×1440 pixel resolution and most reports suggest that the same will be retained for the Galaxy Note 9. The panel quality will likely be improved to enhance color reproduction, but there’s little hope for a bump in the resolution.

One report has claimed that the Galaxy Note 9 may feature a nominally larger 6.4-inch display. It remains within the realm of possibility as the gains could be derived from slimming down the bezels. Just like its predecessor, it won’t have physical home and navigation buttons.

While we’re on the subject of the display, it’s pertinent to mention here that despite a plethora of rumors claiming that Samsung will introduce its in-display fingerprint sensor with the Galaxy Note 9, it’s highly likely that this won’t happen. All signs point to the Galaxy S10 being the first Samsung flagship with a display-based fingerprint sensor.

Galaxy Note 9 Specs

The Galaxy Note handsets historically have specs similar to the Galaxy S flagship that Samsung releases earlier in the same year. This will be the case for the Galaxy Note 9 as well, but a few reports have suggested that the new phablet will have some differences.

The Exynos 9810, Samsung’s flagship mobile processor for 2018, will power the Galaxy Note 9. In select markets where Samsung uses Qualcomm chips, the Snapdragon 845 will be utilized much like how it is on the Galaxy S9/S9+. The Snapdragon 845-powered Galaxy Note 9 variant was the first to surface on Geekbench before the Exynos variant eventually arrived as well.

The Galaxy Note 8 was the first Samsung smartphone to have 6GB RAM on all variants. The company previously used to release variants of its flagship devices with 6GB RAM only in select markets. For the Galaxy Note 9, it might have a variant with 8GB of RAM.

Like its predecessor, the base model of the Galaxy Note 9 will most likely be available with 64GB of storage. Customers who don’t mind paying a bit more will have the option to choose 128GB and 256GB of internal storage. Samsung may also release a 512GB model of the Galaxy Note 9 in select markets, and it’s this model that may possibly have 8GB of RAM. All models will feature support for external expansion through microSD cards.

Galaxy Note 9 Camera

The Galaxy Note 8 was Samsung’s first smartphone with a dual camera system at the back, and reports suggest that Samsung is revamping the Galaxy Note 9 camera. Even though it opted for a vertical placement of the dual camera on the Galaxy S9+, Samsung may keep the horizontal placement of the Galaxy Note 8’s dual camera due to battery considerations.

The Galaxy Note 9 camera is said to be one of the main features of the new device. The reports are slim on details about what improvements Samsung is making, but the company has announced its new ISOCELL Plus camera sensor which promises significant improvements in image quality and color fidelity. The Galaxy Note 9 is likely going to be Samsung’s first smartphone to feature its new ISOCELL Plus technology.

Galaxy Note 9 Battery

If you weren’t impressed by the Galaxy Note 8’s 3,300mAh battery, you will like the Galaxy Note 9. All reports have so far suggested that Samsung is going to increase the battery capacity. The exact battery size is expected to be between 3,850mAh and 4,000mAh.

There have actually been multiple reports about the Galaxy Note 9 featuring a 4,000mAh battery. The handset is also expected to support faster wireless charging as the FCC has recently certified a new Samsung wireless charger. The new charger has an input rating of 12 volts and 2.1 amperes, higher than the 9 volts and 1.67 amperes input rating of the convertible wireless charger it launched with the Galaxy S9 earlier this year.

Galaxy Note 9 Design

The Galaxy Note 9 design is mostly going to be similar to its predecessor with some refinements. A recent major leak suggests a slightly refined design for the dual camera setup, with the fingerprint sensor placed below the camera sensors instead of alongside it as it is on the Galaxy Note 8. If the leak is accurate, the fingerprint sensor will be higher up on the body compared to the Galaxy S9+. It will still be more accessible than the fingerprint sensor on the Note 8, though.

The handset itself is said to be 0.2mm thicker than its predecessor. This is despite reports that Samsung is making the Galaxy Note 9’s display glass thinner by 0.5mm to improve the feeling users get when they hold it in their hand. With a height and width of 161.9 mm and 76.3 mm respectively, it may also be slightly wider.

Expect similar button placements, with the Bixby button included as well. There’s nothing to suggest that Samsung will be removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, either.

Galaxy Note 9 S Pen

Samsung makes improvements to the S Pen with every new iteration of the Galaxy Note series. For the Note 9, Samsung could make improvements to the S Pen’s precision and add a couple of new features. It merits mentioning here that Samsung has specifically said in the past that it will improve the S Pen for the Galaxy Note 9.

Rumor has it that a significant upgrade has been planned for the S Pen, that it may feature a microphone and Bluetooth support which will enable users to utilize the S Pen for making calls. Even Samsung’s official teaser focuses on the S Pen, though no concrete evidence exists to support any of the rumors.

Galaxy Note 9 Software

Don’t keep your fingers crossed for Android P at launch. Since the Galaxy Note 8 came with Android 7.1 out of the box, it’s quite likely the Galaxy Note 9 will ship with Android 8.1 Oreo. The benchmark listing mentioned earlier also had the device running Android 8.1 Oreo.

The handset will have support for two major Android platform updates like all of Samsung’s flagships. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are likely to be the first Samsung devices to get Android P, and unless the company can put Project Treble to good use, the Galaxy Note 9 might not get the Android P update before 2019.

Bixby 2.0

Samsung officially confirmed earlier this year that Bixby 2.0 will be launched with the Galaxy Note 9. It has said that Bixby 2.0 will be a “bold reinvention” of its AI assistant platform, and the company wants to transform this basic assistant into an intelligence tool. It has been designed to address many of the pain points that users have experienced with Bixby 1.0 and will also feature enhanced natural language capabilities.

Samsung also revealed recently that Bixby 2.0 will feature enhanced noise resistance capability and quicker response times. Samsung was largely focused on rolling out its assistant swiftly with Bixby 1.0, so it will be interesting to see the kind of improvements Bixby 2.0 will bring with the Galaxy Note 9.

Galaxy Note 9 Price and Release Date

There haven’t been any reports so far to suggest that Samsung will increase the price of the Galaxy Note 9. The Galaxy Note 8 price was $950 at launch, so we can expect a similar price tag for the Galaxy Note 9.

Despite Samsung confirming that it will unveil the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9, its release date is unknown. If history is any guide, South Korea and the United States will the Note 9 before other markets.

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This is all that’s known about the Galaxy Note 9 specs, design, features and price at this point in time. We’ll continue to update you as more information surfaces. Expect to see more leaks in the coming weeks as Samsung’s official event for the new phablet approaches.

Are you excited for the Galaxy Note 9? Let us know what you expect from the new flagship in the comments below.

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Samsung Galaxy J8 goes on sale in India

Samsung has kicked things off a bit early in India for the Galaxy J8. The Galaxy J8 was slated to go on sale in the first week of July, as Samsung had announced late last month, but the phone is now available for purchase in India. The Galaxy J8 price is ₹18,990 and it’s available only in black at the moment, though the blue and gold variants should also be released in the coming weeks.

Galaxy J8 sales kick off in India

The Galaxy J8 is more or less a slightly downgraded version of the Galaxy A6+. It has a 6-inch HD+ (1480×720 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity display, octa-core Snapdragon 450 clocked at 1.6GHz, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, a 3,500 mAh battery, and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. The back of the phone also gets a dual camera setup (16-megapixel and 5-megapixel sensors) with support for taking bokeh shots with the Live Focus feature.

The front camera is a 16-megapixel unit with f/1.9 aperture. The Galaxy J8 has two 4G-enabled SIM slots and runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. Like the Galaxy J6 (read our review here), the J8 comes with features such as Samsung Mall and Chat Over Video (which lets users reply to messages without pausing the video they might be viewing at the time).

The Galaxy J8 can be purchased online from the official Samsung store, Amazon, Flipkart, and Paytm Mall; it’s likely to be available with all major offline retailers as well. There are a few discounts for those who buy it online, though. There’s a ₹2,000 cashback for ICICI debit and credit card users and also for purchases made from Paytm Mall. Samsung is also offering a one-time screen replacement for a low price of ₹990 for orders placed till July 31st.

The Galaxy J8 is also expected to go on sale in markets like the UAE and Nepal in the near future.

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Galaxy C9 Pro and Galaxy S7 Oreo update rolling out in China

Samsung has released the Oreo update for two devices in China this week. The Galaxy C9 Pro and the Galaxy S7 are now being updated to Oreo in the country, with the Galaxy C9 Pro being yet another entry to the list of mid-range devices that Samsung has treated to Android 8.0 Oreo. Of course, there are still plenty of Galaxy devices that have to be updated to Oreo, so the Korean giant still has some work left to do.

Galaxy C9 Pro Oreo update makes its debut

The changelog for the Oreo update in China is similar to the update released in other countries. There are a few China-specific changes as well, such as the addition of fingerprint authentication for payments made in the WeChat Store. That’s for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, though. Samsung doesn’t seem to have released info on the C9 Pro update just yet. The update includes the April 2018 security patch for the S7 and S7 edge, and we’re guessing it’s the same for the Galaxy C9 Pro as well. The new build numbers for the S7 and S7 edge are G9300ZCU2CRF5 and G9350ZCU2CRF5 respectively and C9000ZCU1ZRFA for the C9 Pro.

Don’t forget to check out our detailed coverage of what’s new with Android 8.0 Oreo.

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