Samsung Galaxy F foldable phone concept envisions a clean, elegant design

Samsung pulled off quite the stunt at its developer conference last week when it chose to give us a peek at its foldable smartphone but left us hanging by not revealing the device completely. Granted, it wasn’t a hardware event (nor is the device completely ready yet) so it was not surprising Samsung held back the full reveal, but it was still quite the tease. We won’t get to see the device officially for a few more months, so maybe this new Galaxy F concept design will satisfy your palate in the meantime.

This particular concept takes after the actual design since Samsung has now offered a partial look, unlike some of the concepts we have seen before. And it’s a clean, elegant design that would look right at home on a device that might be priced above $2,000. The exterior display is your usual Infinity display as seen on the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy Note 9, but the concept envisions the 7.3-inch display on the inside with minimal bezels. The speaker grills make it look a little like the iPhone and there’s no Bixby button, either, but hey, this isn’t supposed to be the real deal anyway.

And even Samsung is reportedly still undecided on what kind of foldable action the Galaxy F (or whatever it gets called) will offer. One variation apparently allows the device to be opened at various angles, similar to convertible laptops, although that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for a foldable smartphone-cum-tablet. In any case, do check out the concept below and let us know what you think.

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One UI Beta program support added to Samsung Members app

A new update is now available for the Samsung Members app. It adds support for the One UI Beta program. Samsung recently confirmed that it will launch the beta later this month. Don’t let the name confuse you. This is the Android 9.0 Pie beta that many of you have been waiting for. One UI is what Samsung is now calling its custom skin for Android.

The company hasn’t provided a confirmed date for the beta’s release right now. It did say during SDC 2018 last week that the beta program will be launched for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ later this month.

Samsung Members app updated with One UI Beta program support

It was reported a couple of days back that the beta might go live on November 15, at least in Germany. That’s one of the markets where the program will go live in the first phase. Others include the United States and South Korea. Samsung will then expand the beta to India, China, Poland, France, Spain and the United Kingdom in the second phase.

It’s a good sign that the Samsung Members app has been updated with support for the One UI beta program. The program will accept registrations through the app. This update shows that the wheels are indeed in motion and that it may not be long before the beta goes live. Version 2.4.70.11 of the Samsung Members app is now available for download from our APK page.

Samsung will hopefully confirm the official launch date for its Android 9 Pie beta program in the near future. The beta program will only be for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Galaxy Note 9 owners will not be able to take part in it. Samsung has already confirmed that Android 9 Pie will be released for the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S9/S9+ in January 2019.

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Samsung to choose from five hinge options for the foldable smartphone

Samsung unveiled its foldable display at SDC 2018 last week but didn’t show off the device. The actual design was camouflaged in a boxy shell. Probably because the company is still in the process of finalizing some design elements.

A new report out of South Korea claims that Samsung is yet to decide on a hinge for the device. The supplier has reportedly sent five options to Samsung out of which the company will choose one.

Five hinge options for the foldable smartphone

South Korean component manufacturing company KH Vatec will reportedly be supplying the hinge for this device. It’s said to have delivered five hinge samples to Samsung for the foldable smartphone. The hinge will be a core component of this smartphone as the device won’t be able to fold without it.

One of the samples is said to leave a tiny space between the panels so that even though they touch when the device is closed, the panels don’t shatter easily when there’s an impact. This hinge is also said to have a gear which would allow the panels to be positioned at various angles similar to how you can position a laptop’s display.

The five samples that it has reportedly sent to Samsung are variations of this hinge. Each version either adds or removes a feature. For example, Samsung could go for a hinge without the gears, depending on the user interface finalized for the foldable device. The gears would be excessive for just folding and unfolding the device. That’s if the UI doesn’t account for varying positions of the panels to provide multiple use cases.

An industry official cited in the report says that Samsung is yet to decide on a hinge for the foldable smartphone. That’s why the supplier hasn’t started mass producing them. Samsung will reportedly be unveiling the foldable device in February next year. It will then likely be released across the globe in March 2019.

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Galaxy S9 update with November security patch rolling out

A new Galaxy S9 update has been released in some European countries, bringing the November 2018 security patch with it. The Galaxy Note 8 was the first flagship to receive the November update, and at least the Galaxy S9+ is now getting a similar update in the same countries. The update is currently available over Samsung Smart Switch and our firmware section, but the over-the-air release shouldn’t be far behind.

Galaxy S9+ November update available in Germany, Spain, and more

The software version accompanying the update is G965FXXS2BRJ6. Since the OTA is yet to arrive, we’re unaware of the complete changelog. The Galaxy Note 8 update had only the new security patch inside, but we cannot assume the same for the Galaxy S9+ since it is a more recent device. As for the November 2018 patch, it’s as boring as security updates tend to be. There are fixes for various critical Android OS vulnerabilities and some that affect only Samsung’s software, and you can find all the details here.

Own a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+? You can see if the update is available for your device by going into the Settings » Software update menu and tapping Download updates manually. Do let us know if the OTA has arrived on your phone and whether the changelog mentions anything interesting other than just the new security patch.

Galaxy S9

• Model: SM-G960F
• Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS OIS (F1.5/F2.4)

More specifications

Galaxy S9+

• Model: SM-G965F
• Dimensions: 157.7 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm
• Display: 6.2” (158.1mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS Dual OIS (F1.5/F2.4) & Telephoto: 12MP AF F2.4)

More specifications

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Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 One UI update was never in doubt

When Samsung announced One UI, the new user interface that will accompany Android Pie for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S8, S8+ and Galaxy Note 8 owners were left to wonder if they would be getting the new UI as well. A report that came out on day one of SDC 2018 put things into question, as a Samsung spokesperson apparently said the S8 and Note 8 would miss out on One UI. Well, Samsung has since confirmed that is not the case. The Galaxy S8 and Note 8 will get the same Android Pie update as their successors, and it’s something we never doubted in the first place.

Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 One UI update was always guaranteed

We’re not trying to come off as high-headed here. But we thought we should write about it since many of our readers have reached out for clarification on this. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 are amazing flagship phones that can handle anything you throw at them today, but consistency is a more important reason Samsung would never leave them behind on an old user interface. Samsung, in recent months, has been pushing a number of Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 features to existing flagships and even mid-range and budget devices.

You have AR Emoji running on a Galaxy J series phone, even if it’s not the full-fledged version. The Galaxy S8 and Note 8, meanwhile, received the ability to record slower slow-motion videos with a recent update. Even if these individual features weren’t being released for older Galaxy smartphones, it would be a highly controversial move if Samsung decided to leave the 2017 flagships on the existing Samsung Experience UX. Or any non-flagship 2018 device that’s eligible for Pie, for that matter. Not to mention that maintaining two different user interfaces would also be extra work for Samsung’s software team.

So, if you’re still concerned about not getting One UI with Android Pie on your Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8, don’t be. Pie won’t come as quickly as Oreo for you, but when it does arrive at some point next year, it will have the new and improved user interface that Samsung showed off last week.

Do check out our hands-on experience with One UI and let us know what you think about it in this poll.

Galaxy S8

• Model: SM-G950F
• Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8895
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7 OIS

More specifications

Galaxy Note 8

• Model: SM-N950F
• Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm
• Display: 6.3" (160.02mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8895
• Camera: 12 MP, 2x, 1 telephoto F2.4 and 1 wide angle F1.7 OIS

More specifications

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The best wired headphones to go with your Samsung Galaxy

Nowadays, headphones can be one of the few cherished items that we keep with us at all times. Owning the right pair of headphones can make a huge difference in your daily experience. So here is a roundup list of the best ear wired headphones that you can get for your Samsung Galaxy device. Looking for wireless headphones instead? Check out this post.

The high-end option: Sennheiser HD 800

Sennheiser is a brand that has fans all over the world. While it offers products covering a vast range of price points, the SD series are known to be among Sennheiser’s very best. The SD 800 series continues that tradition and has some innovative technologies to showcase. Its headband has been designed using both metal and plastics to reduce vibrations. The ear cups are also luxuriously padded and every part of it is designed to resist resonance and rattling. The Sennheiser HD 800 is ruthlessly revealing but somehow still seems to remain in the top lists of high budget headphones.

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The value-for-money option: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

When you see the name Beyerdynamic, you know this is serious business. As long as it has existed as a company, Beyerdynamic has produced audio systems that are of the highest quality both in build and audio. They’re not as classy as the Oppo PM-3, but it’s all about making sure that the sound is as enjoyable, accurate, and clean as possible. Its aluminum cover clasps the drivers in place ensuring minimal movement. This headphone is a great choice for the exceptional sound profile, extensive accessory kit, and solid overall design.

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The mid-range: Oppo PM-3

Oppo is a brand that is also high up there in the echelon of sound quality. Oppo’s speaker systems are legendary for the rich quality they deliver and that has trickled into the headphone range as well. The PM-3 manages to deliver incredible definition across the entire soundscape. Their combination of closed back design means that they can isolate you from ambient noise while effortlessly delivering pristine sound. They have everything that you’d expect from headphones at this price point, and it makes some of the PM-3 rivals look overpriced.

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The cheaper option: Philips X2/27 Fidelio

The Philips Fidelio X2 is a truly stunning pair of headphones. They are made of premium materials, and 50-millimetre neodymium drivers ensure that they are satisfyingly weighty without being heavy. The bass is extremely tight and precise while being restrained, but also powerful and incredibly detailed. While on sheer sound quality, they’re a notch below the likes of the top Oppo or Sennheiser offerings. If you have a very tight budget, Fidelio X2 is great bang for your buck.

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The top rated: Focal Listen Headphones

A headphone that costs roughly around $300 must not only have great sound but also needs good looks. The Focal Listen is made mostly of plastic, but it still manages to feel like a premium product. On the left ear cup, you’ll find a port to connect the replaceable headphone cable. Its ear pads are made of leather and are very comfortable. Its band is made from rubber which is also adequately comfy. The Focal Listen offers wonderfully balanced sound and great noise isolation. If you can bear the price, go for it.

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Samsung foldable smartphone release date may be in March 2019

According to a new report out of South Korea, the Samsung foldable smartphone release date might be scheduled for March 2019. Samsung showed off its Infinity Flex foldable display last week at its annual developers’ conference in San Francisco.

Samsung mobile CEO DJ Koh has said that the company will produce one million units of the foldable smartphone initially. It will decide based on the market’s response if production is to be ramped up thereafter.

Samsung foldable smartphone release date

Samsung didn’t unveil its much-awaited foldable smartphone at SDC 2018. It only offered a look at the foldable display as the actual device was obscured in a black box. The company will begin mass producing the foldable display in a matter of months. This obviously means that the handset won’t arrive before 2019.

The report claims that the Samsung foldable smartphone release date will be set for March 2019. The Galaxy S10 is due to arrive in February while its 5G variant may be launched alongside the foldable device in March. Industry sources claim that Samsung hasn’t decided on a price for the device. 2 million won or over $1,700 will reportedly be the price tag.

Samsung is not likely to find a lot of takers for the smartphone at that price with enthusiasts and fans being the exception. The steep price tag would be understandable since this is a first generation product. Furthermore, manufacturing the foldable AMOLED panel isn’t exactly going to be cheap. Samsung will be able to bring the price down in subsequent iterations of the device so it may be a couple of years before the foldable smartphone becomes more of a mass market device.

Will you be interested in picking up the device even if it costs almost $2,000? Or would you rather wait until the price comes down in a couple of years? Let us know in the comments below.

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