August security update for Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8+ available in more countries

In a surprising move, Samsung released the latest security patch for its flagship phones at the start of the month. The company usually updates its mid-range and budget phones with a new security patch before it makes its way to the flagships, but in August, we have seen the security patch update arrive on the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9, and the Galaxy Note 8. And now, the update is available in more countries for at least the Galaxy S8+ and the Galaxy Note 8.

Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8+ August update available more widely

The Galaxy Note 8 has been updated in the most number of markets. That’s well and good since the Galaxy Note 9 is likely to grab all of Samsung’s attention in the coming weeks. In any case, the new build (version N950FXXU4CRGA) can be downloaded in various European countries. In addition to the security patch, it brings some updated functionality for Samsung’s Game Launcher app, though it’s unclear exactly what those are.

The same changelog can be found on the Galaxy S8+, with the update carrying build number G955FXXU3CRGH. As for the security patch, Samsung is yet to tell us what kind of vulnerabilities it fixes, but that should change soon now that Google has made the August patch (and Android 9.0 Pie) official. And, of course, the August patch should also be making its way to more Galaxy devices in the coming days.

To download the update, open the Settings app on your phone, tap Software update, then hit the Download updates manually option. You can also take the alternative route and grab the firmware from our database if the update refuses to show up on your device.

Have you received the August security patch update on your Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, or Galaxy S9?

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As Galaxy Note 9 launch gets closer, what are you most looking forward to?

It’s almost time for Samsung’s next flagship smartphone to make its official appearance. Samsung will take the stage in New York City in a little over two days to confirm everything that the leaks and rumors have already told us about the Galaxy Note 9. And there’s so much the phone will offer over not just existing Note flagships, but also the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+.

Galaxy Note 9: What’s got you most excited?

The Galaxy Note 9 will have a big battery, 128GB of internal storage on the base variant, an S Pen with Bluetooth control, stereo speakers, dual rear camera with Dual Aperture and 960 fps Super Slow-mo video recording, a DeX mode for a desktop-like experience without a DeX Pad, and a newer version of Samsung’s Experience UX. The Note 9 will even come with exclusive dibs on the Android version of the mobile game Fortnite. According to a leak from earlier today, Samsung will also be selling the S Pen separately so people can pick up the color they want. The camera, meanwhile, will have some AI shenanigans to help users take better pictures.

And if some rumors are to be believed, the Galaxy Note 9 may offer all of the above at pretty much the same price as the Galaxy Note 8. We have already asked our readers if they are going to buy the Galaxy Note 9 when it hits retail shelves (on August 24), and the question today is: What features are you most looking forward to on the device? We haven’t made this a poll as, frankly, there’s a lot the Note 9 will bring to the table. So go ahead and tell us in the comments what it is that has you excited for Samsung’s upcoming flagship.

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[Poll] Android 9.0 Pie is official: Any bets on when Samsung will first release the update?

Android 9.0 is Pie, as Google has now made official. Android Pie is set to roll out to Pixel devices today, just around two days before Samsung will take the stage in New York to unveil the Galaxy Note 9. It’s as we feared: The Galaxy Note 9 will be launched after Android 9.0 has been released, though it’s not like this isn’t something we expect every year when a new Note flagship arrives. And Android Pie isn’t a huge upgrade like Oreo was, so it’s not as exciting, either.

Android 9.0 Pie: When is Samsung bringing it to Galaxy devices?

But that doesn’t mean Samsung can rest easy. The Galaxy S9 is likely to be the first phone to get updated to Pie, with possibly a beta program for various countries before the official update is released. Whether Samsung will take as long as it usually does or bring this year’s major Android upgrade sooner remains to be seen (we’re hoping for the former thanks to Project Treble). But, just for kicks, we here at SamMobile thought we should ask our readers to place their bets on when they think Samsung will release the Pie update for any of its devices.

Of course, we can’t actually start betting here, but that’s where this poll comes in. So go ahead and vote, then tell us your thoughts in the comments. And do check out if your current Galaxy devices is eligible for the Android 9.0 Pie update (this list isn’t final, but we have taken a guess based on Samsung’s history with major updates).

Place your bets: When will Samsung release the Android 9.0 Pie update?

• January-March 2019
• After March 2019
• December 2018
• September
• I don't really care
• November
• October
• Can't really say

Results

• January-March 2019 42%, 14 votes
  14 votes 42%

  14 votes - 42% of all votes
• After March 2019 39%, 13 votes
  13 votes 39%

  13 votes - 39% of all votes
• December 2018 9%, 3 votes
  3 votes 9%

  3 votes - 9% of all votes
• September 6%, 2 votes
  2 votes 6%

  2 votes - 6% of all votes
• I don't really care 3%, 1 vote
  1 vote 3%

  1 vote - 3% of all votes
• November 0%, 0 votes
  0 votes

  0 votes - 0% of all votes
• October 0%, 0 votes
  0 votes

  0 votes - 0% of all votes
• Can't really say 0%, 0 votes
  0 votes

  0 votes - 0% of all votes

Total Votes: 33

6 August 2018

×

You or your IP had already vote.

• January-March 2019
• After March 2019
• December 2018
• September
• I don't really care
• November
• October
• Can't really say

×

You or your IP had already vote.

Results

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Fortnite for Galaxy Tab S4 might be an exclusive release as well

While it hasn’t been officially confirmed as yet, multiple reports have suggested that Fortnite for Android is actually going to be a timed-exclusive for the Galaxy Note 9. The most popular game on the planet will soon be released for Android and it’s believed that Samsung and developer Epic Games has inked a partnership to launch the title with the Galaxy Note 9.

However, it appears that this exclusivity may not be limited to the Galaxy Note 9. Some evidence has surfaced to suggest that Fortnite for Android may also be exclusive to the recently launched Galaxy Tab S4 as well. The new tablet will be released on August 24 which is also when the Galaxy Note 9 is supposed to be out.

Fortnite for the Galaxy Tab S4

Previous reports have suggested that Fortnite for Android will be a 30-day exclusive for the Galaxy Note 9. The game is even expected to be a Samsung exclusive for up to three months.

This means that once those 30 days are up for the Galaxy Note 9, the title will be exclusively available for other Samsung devices like the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy Note 8 for up to 90 days. That’s obviously bad news for other Android device owners who may not be able to play the game on their devices until December 2018.

The Fortnite Mobile on Android installer APK is now floating around online. That’s because Epic Games has decided to not release the game through the Google Play Store. That’s why it’s possible that Fortnite for Galaxy Note 9 might actually be pre-installed on the handset. The APK suggests that the initial 30-day window for the Galaxy Note 9 might apply to the Galaxy Tab S4 as well.

It’s pertinent to mention here that while the Galaxy Tab S4 was announced last week, Samsung didn’t mention anything about Fortnite exclusivity. If this is indeed going to happen then it might be confirmed for the tablet alongside the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9.

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Galaxy S10 concept envisages the future

The rumor mill is already churning for the Galaxy S10 even though Samsung hasn’t launched the Galaxy Note 9 officially yet. That’s going to happen in a few days and the rumor mill will then be fully focused on next year’s flagship smartphone.

There haven’t been any reports so far to suggest that the Galaxy S10 will look drastically different compared to its predecessor. That’s the future that this Galaxy S10 concept video envisages.

Galaxy S10 concept

It goes without saying that this concept video doesn’t confirm or deny anything about Samsung’s 2019 flagship smartphone. It’s merely a visual representation of everything we have heard so far about the device. Emphasis added because it’s still early days for the Galaxy S10 and things may change down the line.

The Galaxy S10 is expected to be Samsung’s first smartphone with a triple camera system and this concept suggests what that might look like in a horizontal housing at the back of the device. It also envisages an exceptional screen-to-body ratio. Samsung is expected to push the envelope on the screen real estate without increasing the dimensions too much for the Galaxy S10.

A smaller Galaxy S10 model is believed to be in the lineup as well and it may only have a dual camera. Other features such as the in-display fingerprint sensor may be present on this model as well.

Do check out the concept video and let us know what you think about it in the comments below.

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Galaxy Note 9 camera gets AI, Samsung to sell S Pen separately

A lot has already been revealed about the Galaxy Note 9. Countless renders and live images of the upcoming flagship have been leaked online as well. Samsung won’t really surprise us with much on August 9 when it officially unveils the Galaxy Note 9.

However, some new information has surfaced today from a Reddit user who claims to be “Very close with a Samsung national trainer.” It’s not uncommon for retail professionals to know and share information about an upcoming device before its launch. So there may be truth to these claims.

Galaxy Note 9 AI features

It’s said that the pre-order incentives for the Galaxy Note 9 will include wireless noise-canceling headphones from AKG worth $299 or the $150 Fortnite package. Customers would be given the option to get both if they pay $100.

Samsung is apparently going to sell the S Pen separately as well. This doesn’t mean that the Galaxy Note 9 won’t come with one. It will only be selling them separately so users can pick them up in different colors if they want. The stylus will also have Bluetooth support and will apparently provide 30 minutes of use with just 40 seconds of charging. A double tap of the shutter button on the S Pen will flip camera modes.

A recent leak revealed that the Galaxy Note 9 will have the same dual camera system as the Galaxy S9+. However, the camera app will get some AI features which will be able to automatically switch camera modes based on the subject detected, such as landscape, portrait, food etc. This is similar to LG’s AI Camera features on its recent flagship smartphones.

Speech bubbles may also appear in the camera app if the software detects that the pictures has any imperfections such as eyes blinking or handshaking too much. The Galaxy Note 9 might not rely on the DeX Pad to power the PC-like experience. It may be able to do that with just an HDMI cable much like the recently launched Galaxy Tab S4.

We’re a few days away from the official launch of the Galaxy Note 9 in New York City. All that’s really left for Samsung to confirm now is the pricing and release information for its new flagshio.

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Galaxy Note 9 Fortnite promotion spotted on Epic’s website

Samsung offers many freebies with its flagship Galaxy smartphones to entice customers. The freebies range from smartphone accessories to in-app items and subscriptions in the Galaxy Apps store. Sadly, most of the previous digital freebies were lackluster, but that may not be the case with the upcoming Galaxy Note 9 promotion.

It appears Samsung and Epic Games (the studio behind Fortnite) have cooked up a promotion that offers free 15,000 V-Bucks (~$150 in value) in Fortnite for pre-ordering the Galaxy Note 9. This information comes from an XDA member who found references to this promotion in Epic Games’ own website by querying an API. The promotion also supports all the earlier reports that Fortnite will launch on Android as a Galaxy Note 9 timed exclusive.

A good deal for Fortnite fans

So far, there hasn’t been any official confirmation from either Samsung or Epic Games about the collaboration, but the CEO of Epic Games did confirm that the Fortnite for Android is coming soon and that it will be distributed via the Epic Games website to evade Google’s 30% cut on Play Store purchases. It is possible that Fortnite will come pre-installed on the Galaxy Note 9 to take advantage of the situation.

Though Fortnite is a free-to-play game, it has many in-app purchases like Battle Pass, costumes, dance moves, etc. that can be bought through V-Bucks. Considering how big a gaming sensation Fortnite is, for users who regularly play or want to play Fortnite Mobile, these 15,000 V-Bucks translate into a real discount on the Galaxy Note 9.

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SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine: August 6, 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. 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. 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’s IFA press conference will be on August 30

Samsung is days away from launching the much-awaited Galaxy Note 9 at the Unpacked event on August 9 in New York, but that’s not the only high-profile event from the company this month. It is also gearing up for the IFA 2018 trade show in Berlin from August 31 to September 5. The company will kickstart its IFA tour with a major press conference on August 30, and it has started sending out press invites for the same.

Typically, home appliances tend to dominate the floor and mind space at IFA, and that may be the case this year as well. Samsung’s invite shows a TV, refrigerator, washing machine, and a Galaxy Note smartphone. Since the Galaxy Note 9 will be already on sale before the IFA 2018 kickstarts, the new smartphone may be just a customary exhibit at the trade show, and Samsung’s focus will be mostly on home appliances.

More IoT-enabled devices

The Korean company has repeatedly expressed its interest in the IoT space. You can thus expect many of Samsung’s new launches at Europe’s biggest tech show to focus on connected home appliances. Samsung might also announce its Bixby speaker at the show if it decides to keep its August 9 event focused just on the flagship smartphone.

Initially, there were rumors that Samsung will launch the Galaxy Tab S4 and Galaxy Watch at the IFA 2018. However, the company has already announced the Galaxy Tab S4 and Galaxy Tab A 10.5 last week. If it doesn’t unveil the Galaxy Watch at the Galaxy Note 9 event on August 9, then you can expect the announcement at the IFA 2018. The Gear Sport was launched at the IFA last year, so a successor at the same event sounds plausible.

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