Galaxy A9 specs and quad-camera details revealed in new report

A new report brings us the Galaxy A9 specs and details about its rear-facing four-camera system. We have already reported that Samsung’s four-camera device will likely be called the Galaxy A9. The detailed specifications that have surfaced today give us a good idea of what we can expect from this device.

Galaxy A9 specs and quad-camera details

The Galaxy A9 specs reportedly include a 6.28-inch FHD+ (2220×1080) sAMOLED display with slim bezels. There’s an 8-megapixel front camera above the display with f/1.7 aperture and autofocus. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 660 processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

It has support for microSD cards of up to 512GB. There’s a fingerprint sensor at the back and support for facial recognition. There’s a 3,720mAh battery keeping the lights on. Quick Charge 2.0 will enable rapid charging over USB Type-C. That’s all well and good. It’s a bona fide mid-range device on paper but that’s not what you’re here for.

What you want to know are the quad-camera details. The Galaxy A9 will be Samsung’s first smartphone with a four camera system at the back. The report mentions that the main 24-megapixel sensor features optical image stabilization and f/1.7 aperture. The second is a 5-megapixel depth sensor with live focus and f/2.2 aperture. Next comes an 8-megapixel 120-degree wide-angle lens with f/2.4 aperture. A 10-megapixel f/2.4 sensor with 2x optical zoom caps the quad camera system.

The camera software will be crucial in getting the best out of these cameras. Samsung will likely offer some AI-based features, as a result, to further enhance the imaging experience. It has already brought the Scene Optimizer from the Galaxy Note 9 to the Galaxy A7.

No word as yet on the pricing and availability information for this device. Samsung is going to officially unveil the new Galaxy A9 on October 11 in Malaysia. We’ll be on the ground in Kuala Lumpur to bring you all of the latest updates from the event.

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Galaxy S9 Leaked Pie build shows Samsung Experience 10 Night Theme

An early Galaxy S9 Leaked Pie build surfaced a couple of weeks ago and it gave us our first look at Samsung Experience 10. Samsung’s updated custom skin for Android brings major user interface changes in addition to a Night Theme. The toggle for it was broken in that build but a new build has now been leaked which has a working toggle for the Night Theme.

The screenshots from this latest leaked build show that Samsung continues to make tweaks to the user interface. Some elements that were spotted in the initial build have been tweaked in this iteration.

Samsung Experience 10 Night Theme works in latest Galaxy S9 Leaked Pie build

The latest Galaxy S9 Leaked Pie build has a working Night Theme toggle. Those who were irked by white cards on black backgrounds will be happy to see dark cards on black backgrounds. Once the toggle is enabled this theme would be applied to the entire Settings app and almost all stock Samsung apps.

The screenshots show that the contact card in the messages app will be dark when this theme is enabled and light when it’s not. This is as close to a system-wide dark theme as possible. The effect is also visible in the native Clock app and Display settings. It’s clear that there’s more work to be done on the Night Theme. That’s because some of the options that were present in the previous build can no longer be seen.

The pace at which these builds are coming out goes to show that Samsung is hard at work preparing the Android 9 Pie update for the Galaxy S9. We have already told you that it’s testing Pie in all markets for the flagship.

It’s unclear at this point in time when Samsung plans on releasing Android 9 Pie for compatible devices. The company has previously launched beta programs for major firmware updates. There’s no news as yet about one for Android 9 Pie.

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SamMobile Daily Recap: October 3, 2018: Galaxy S10 processor, foldable phone, 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.

Phones

Samsung rewarding users in Korea for purchasing apps from Galaxy Apps

Leaked Galaxy S9 Android Pie build mentions foldable phone

Galaxy S8 4K 60fps video recording possible without root

Samsung’s affordable phones will soon get wireless charging

Camera

Samsung Galaxy 360 trademark hints at new branding for the camera

Display

Audi’s first electric SUV will use Samsung’s OLED displays

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Samsung rewarding users in Korea for purchasing apps from Galaxy Apps

Samsung has been experimenting with incentives to lure people to some of its apps and services like Samsung Pay and Bixby. The approach is predominantly apparent in Samsung Pay where the company rewards users with points for every transaction through its service. Users can accumulate and redeem these points for gift vouchers, Samsung products, etc. The company used to run a similar rewards program for using Bixby as well but has ended it in August this year.

It appears Samsung has now launched a rewards program for the Galaxy Apps store users in South Korea from October 1. The news comes from an announcement post in the Galaxy Apps store after the recent update. By the looks of it, it seems Samsung has mistakenly made the announcement visible to users even outside of Korea.

The post is in Korean, and the translated version is of not much help to understand the finer details of the program, but the broad concept seems to be that Samsung users in Korea will be able to earn and use rewards points on app downloads from the Galaxy Apps store. Essentially, it’s a rewards program to incentivize Samsung users to buy apps from the Galaxy Apps store over Google Play.

An incentive to use Galaxy Apps store

Users can earn rewards points only on paid apps, and the ratio of earnings will apparently depend on the mode of payment. Paying through Samsung Pay will fetch users 1% of the purchase price as rewards points, while direct credit card payments brings the benefit down to 0.5%. App purchases can be made partly through points, but in such transactions, the rewards points will be earned only on the cash component.

The program requires registration, which can be done either by going to the More section under Samsung Rewards in the Samsung Pay app or by going to the Samsung Rewards menu under My Apps section of the Galaxy Apps store. The latest update of the Galaxy Apps store is also must for any of this to work. We currently don’t know when and if Samsung is planning to launch this program in other markets.

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Leaked Galaxy S9 Android Pie build mentions foldable phone

A leaked Galaxy S9 Android Pie build has dropped hints about a couple of the company’s upcoming devices. References to Samsung’s first foldable smartphone and Qualcomm’s next flagship chip have been discovered in the firmware. It’s not like we haven’t heard about this before but the mentions within Samsung’s firmware is noteworthy.

A decompilation of the framework-res file of this leaked build has yielded files that mention the foldable’s smartphones expected codename. Similar files also suggest the marketing name for Qualcomm’s next high-end processor.

Leaked Galaxy S9 Android Pie build has hidden references

An earlier report from a reputable source claimed that the company’s foldable smartphone has been codenamed “Winner.” A file named “winnerlte” has been discovered in the leaked firmware. This device may be powered by an Exynos chip. Samsung differentiates Snapdragon versions with a “q” at the end of the codename.

Since configuration files for this device have only been discovered in the leaked Android Pie build it’s possible that this device may come with Android 9 out of the box. It is as yet unknown when it will arrive and in what markets. Samsung is expected to provide some details about the foldable device at SDC 2018 next month.

A policy file for an unreleased Qualcomm chipset has been discovered in this leaked Galaxy S9 Android Pie build as well. It mentions Snapdragon 8150 as the marketing name for Qualcomm’s next flagship ship. It will be the successor to the Snapdragon 845.

Some would have expected it to be called the Snapdragon 855 but it seems like Qualcomm might change the moniker. This policy file will most likely be there for the Galaxy S10 which will be the first Samsung device with this chip.

These mentions within the firmware don’t confirm any details about the device or the chip. At most, they can be seen as an indication that these products are being worked on. The Snapdragon 8150 will not arrive before next year and that may also be the case for the foldable smartphone.

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Audi’s first electric SUV will use Samsung’s OLED displays

Samsung that Like many car manufacturers, Audi is making all-electric cars as well. The company has revealed the e-tron, its first electric SUV. The vehicle will be out by mid-2019 and interested customers can reserve one right away for $1,000. Samsung Display, the conglomerate’s display affiliate, has confirmed that it’s going to supply the OLED displays for Audi’s first electric SUV.

Samsung Display has confirmed that it’s supplying the 7-inch OLED displays that will be present in all units of the Audi SUV. Audi’s innovative virtual side-mirror system will rely on these displays as the vehicle won’t have conventional side mirrors.

Samsung’s OLED displays in Audi SUVs

These 7-inch OLED displays that the virtual side-mirror system relies on are mounted just above the handle on both front doors. The rearview cameras are connected to these displays. Drivers can cycle through different views and angles for turning street corners, highway driving and parking.

This system replaces conventional side mirrors because drivers can adjust the view using their fingers on the touch-enabled displays. It’s actually not the first time that Samsung is supplying displays to this German auto giant. Samsung Display similarly supplied the 5.7-inch OLED panels for last year’s flagship Audi A8 sedan.

OLED displays aren’t the only component Samsung and Audi have teamed up for. The former has already confirmed that its Exynos processors will be used in Audi’s infotainment systems. The Audi Progressive SemiConductor Program confirmed Samsung as a partner two years ago.

The virtual system will not be available to customers who purchase this vehicle in the United States. US regulations require cars to have real side mirrors. Audi customers elsewhere will be able to take full advantage of this new technology in which Samsung plays a crucial role.

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Galaxy S8 4K 60fps video recording possible without root

Samsung’s flagship smartphones come in both Exynos and Snapdragon variants to cater to different regions around the world. One of the disadvantages of using two different chipsets for the same model is that the company has to sometimes intentionally restrict supported features on one of the variants to maintain feature parity with the other.

That’s what exactly seems to have happened with the last year’s Exynos 8895 and Snapdragon 835 SoCs. The Exynos chipset is capable of recording 4K@60fps, but the Snapdragon 835 SoC is limited to 4K@30fps. As a result of this, Samsung disabled 4K@60fps option on Exynos variants of the Galaxy S8/S8+ and the Galaxy Note 8 to maintain feature parity with their Snapdragon counterparts.

4K@60fps on Galaxy S8/S8+ and Note 8

However, thanks to the XDA member KunkerLV, there is a simple script to enable 4K@60fps video recording on Exynos variants of the Galaxy S8 and Note 8. There is no mention of the Galaxy S8+ in the original XDA thread, but since it uses the same Exynos 8895 chipset and is almost identical to the Galaxy S8, the hack should work for the plus variant as well. Many online comments have also confirmed the hack works for the Galaxy S8+.

The best part about this hack is that it doesn’t require the device to be rooted, which means neither the device warranty nor the OTA system updates will be affected by it. Here are the simple steps you need to follow for this unofficial workaround:

1. Download and install the rubberbigpepper.lgCamera APK
2. Open the app, go to Settings, click on the last tab, tap on Edit Camera Script option
3. Paste the below code and click Apply

preview-size=%pref_width%x%pref_height%
video-size=%video_width%x%video_height%
camera-mode=1
cam_mode=1
cam-mode=1
video-hfr=60
preview-fps-range=60000,60000

1. Select 4K and 60FPS from the options

That’s all you have to do to get 4K@60fps recording option on the devices mentioned above. Remember, you have to use the app installed in the first step to record 4K@60fps. Bear in mind that you will be installing a third-party app for this. You will do so at your own risk and consequence.

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Samsung’s affordable phones will soon get wireless charging

Samsung has revamped its strategy for mid-range models and will now be packing them with more tech. This means that we will finally see wireless charging being offered on its more affordable devices. Samsung is reportedly working on a new wireless charging for these devices as well.

According to a new report out of South Korea, Samsung is going to launch a new low-cost wireless charger later this month. It would be cheaper so that customers who purchase its affordable devices can pick one up as well. Its existing Wireless Charger Duo and Stand cost $150 and $70 respectively. That’s not the kind of money a customer picking up a smartphone worth a couple of hundred dollars would spend on a wireless charger.

Wireless charging coming soon to affordable Samsung devices

A Samsung official cited in the report says that wireless charging is the next feature to trickle down from flagship devices to affordable models. This suggests that some upcoming Galaxy A and Galaxy J models might have this functionality.

Samsung’s new wireless charger is expected to cost 20,000 won. That’s around $20. Despite its lower price, the charger will reportedly have the same capacity as Samsung’s existing chargers and even support for fast wireless charging.

It may even have the same transmitter module with 10W output like the expensive models. The charger would thus be compatible with its flagship handsets as well. So a cheaper model will surely be good for all customers.

The company has begun executing its new strategy for mid-range devices. The new Galaxy A7 is its first smartphone with a triple camera system. Samsung is due to launch its first four camera device later this month. The company is taking steps to better compete against Chinese rivals in this lucrative segment.

Another new device is due later this year. It would be Samsung’s first device with an in-display fingerprint sensor. Whether or not this device will have wireless charging remains to be seen.

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Samsung Galaxy 360 trademark hints at new branding for the camera

Samsung has filed a trademark for the Galaxy 360. It hasn’t used this moniker for a product before. There’s a solid chance that the company is going to use it for its 360-degree camera. That product has previously been called the Gear 360.

Samsung has recently been shifting some of its Gear branded products to the Galaxy umbrella. Case in point: the Gear smartwatches. Samsung’s latest smartwatch is actually called the Galaxy Watch.

Samsung Galaxy 360 trademark

Samsung has already changed the branding for its smartwatch and it may do that for other devices as well. We have already reported exclusively that it’s planning to change the Gear VR’s branding to Galaxy VR. So it can be reasonably assumed that it will do this for the Gear 360 as well.

Samsung has launched two generations of its 360-degree camera already and is due to launch another. Both were called Gear 360. If this trademark application filed with the USPTO in the United States is anything to go by, the next one will be called the Galaxy 360.

This trademark application confirms little beyond that Samsung is working on a new 360-degree camera. No further information is available about this product right now. It can’t be said how it will differ from its predecessor. It’s also not known when we can expect it to arrive. Its predecessor was released in early 2017.

The trademark filing for the Galaxy Watch appeared three months before the smartwatch was announced. Perhaps we might see a similar gap for the Galaxy 360 as well.

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