Galaxy Note 8 receives update with March 2019 security patch

The Galaxy Note 8 is being updated with the latest Android security patch in a handful of markets around the world. Samsung has released an update in Taiwan, Bulgaria, Romania, Switzerland, and the Nordic region with software version N950FXXS5DSB4. This is the first software update for the Note 8 in these markets after the Android Pie update was released last month.

Second Pie-based update for the Galaxy Note 8

As such, we expect there to be some bug fixes and general improvements in there, although we will need to wait for the changelog to see if there’s anything substantial other than the March 2019 security patch. The March patch brings fixes for eight critical vulnerabilities that were discovered in the Android OS and 11 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items, which affect only Samsung’s software. The Galaxy Note 8 is the first flagship to get the March patch, and we should see other flagships (including the Galaxy S10) to join the party in the coming days.

Those with a Note 8 in the markets mentioned above can open the Settings app on the phone, tap Software update, then tap Download updates manually to get the update over the air. Alternatively, you can flash the firmware for the latest update by grabbing it for your country from our firmware database.

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Samsung Pay is picking up support for two new banks in South Africa

Samsung Pay will soon be compatible with Discovery Bank and Investec in South Africa, it has been revealed. The move will bump the total number of supported financial institutions in the region up to seven, with the most recent addition being FNB, following in the footsteps of Absa, RMB, Standard Bank and Virgin Money.

There’s no word on when Discovery Bank and Investec will be added to Samsung Pay; expansions are usually implemented within a couple of weeks of an announcement being published on Samsung’s Newsroom. If that rings true this time, customers in South Africa should have their hands on the feature by the time March 31 swings around.

“We’re excited to offer this innovative technology to more South Africans and are confident that the nation will continue to embrace the convenience of Samsung Pay with great enthusiasm,” said Samsung South Africa Integrated Mobility Director Justin Hume in a statement issued on the firm’s Newsroom on March 11.

Samsung Pay has come on leaps and bounds

Samsung Pay has consolidated its place as one of the world’s leading mobile payment solutions, with US retailer Target recently announced a new initiative to modernize its brick-and-mortar stores with the introduction of support for the platform in its NFC form — those with a device capable of Samsung Pay’s MST feature have long been able to use it there.

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You can’t store Bitcoin in Blockchain KeyStore on the Galaxy S10

Bad news: You can’t store Bitcoin in the Blockchain KeyStore wallet on the Samsung Galaxy S10, despite the token’s logo appearing in pre-release images of the application. That’s because the client is only compatible with Ethereum and Ethereum-derived tokens, according to CoinDesk Korea.

It’s a little strange that Samsung has decided to omit what’s without a doubt the most popular mass-market token from its new Blockchain KeyStore wallet, but it wasn’t an entirely foolish decision: a large number of tokens are based on Ethereum and so it can on-board them all in one fell swoop.

Cosmee and Enjin made the list, but Bitcoin didn’t

To be clear, that doesn’t mean Bitcoin won’t be added to the Blockchain KeyStore wallet — it’s more a question of when than if; Samsung’s been working on the client for a while, and the introduction of two little-known tokens, Cosmee and Enjin, before Big B is a little absurd to us.

Samsung isn’t bundling Blockchain KeyStore on the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+ or Galaxy S10e. Customers wishing to trial it (to store currency purchased through an exchange), like market leader Coinbase or rival Coinmama, will first need to download it from Galaxy Apps.

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SquareTrade drop tests show no improvement in Galaxy S10’s durability

The Galaxy S10 lineup is now available for purchase, and it costs north of $1,000 for some variants. That’s a lot of money even if they are the best smartphones in the market currently. The new flagships bring many improvements to the table, but it appears enhanced durability is not one of them, at least not according to the drop tests conducted by SquareTrade.

As is common when a new and notable smartphone hits the market, SquareTrade conducted its drop tests to gauge the durability of the Galaxy S10 models and found they are no better than their predecessors or the latest iPhones. None of this should be much of a surprise though, given the newest Galaxy flagships sport the same all-glass construction adopted by many others in the market.

Regular Galaxy S10 did better than its siblings

None of the Galaxy S10 models survived the six-feet drop on concrete, with all of them cracking on the very first instance, albeit to varying degrees. Among the S10 lineup, the drop tests found the Galaxy S10e to be the worst with a single drop rendering it unusable. The regular Galaxy S10 did better than its siblings and the iPhone Xs Max as it remained functional even after the cracks on the front and the back.

“The new Samsung Galaxy S10 phones are incredible, beautiful machines, but our tests found their new AMOLED screens are still prone to damage when dropped. One thing holds true—all-glass designs, no matter the cost of the phone or how sleek its profile, are highly susceptible to damage,” said Jason Siciliano, VP, Global Creative Director at SquareTrade. He also said the company is looking forward to test the Galaxy Fold releasing next month.

Galaxy S10e

• Model: SM-G970F
• Dimensions: 69.9 x 142.2 x 7.9mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS F1.5/F2.4 (77°) & 16MP, CMOS F2.2 (123°)Ultra Wide

More specifications

Galaxy S10

• Model: SM-G973F
• Dimensions: 70.4 x 149.9 x 7.8mm
• Display: 6.1"(157.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
• Camera: 12 MP.CMOS F2.4 45° Telephoto & 12MP F1.5 77° & 16MP F2.2 123° Ultra-wide

More specifications

Galaxy S10 Plus

• Model: SM-G975F
• Dimensions: 74.1 x 157.6 x 7.8mm
• Display: 6.4"(162.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
• Camera: 12 MP.CMOS F2.4 45° Telephoto & 12MP F1.5/F2.4 77° & 16MP F2.2 123° Ultra-wide

More specifications

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Samsung Malaysia launches a bunch of Galaxy S10s into space

Sky is the limit for the Galaxy S10! Well, Samsung Malaysia seems to have taken it way too literally. Following the launch of the Galaxy S10 series in the country, Samsung Malaysia launched 10 units of the device literally into the sky. And obviously, the devices took some stunning images of the Earth from up there.

This is the first time Samsung Malaysia has launched its smartphones into the space. This is also the first time a smartphone manufacturer has done something like this in Malaysia.

Samsung Malaysia launches Galaxy S10s into space

In a celebration of firsts, Samsung Malaysia launched a bunch of Galaxy S10s 80,000 feet into the Malaysian sky. The 10 Galaxy S10 smartphones could see the Earth from the best possible view, at least better than any other smartphones yet. The devices captured the Earth from a bird’s-eye-view, and the results are quite impressive.

 

Yoonsoo Kim, President of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, exclaimed that the launch was “a reflection of our vision in Samsung”. He was referring to the company’s efforts in pioneering new smartphone technology and reaching greater heights, which they’ve done both literally and figuratively this time around.

It was, however, not all. Samsung also had some fun things in store for the members attending the launch event. They were asked to predict where each of the ten phones would land on their re-entry into Earth. The participants had to pin a location on a map, with the ten closest answers winning a brand new Galaxy S10 each.

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What is Wireless PowerShare and how to use it on the Galaxy S10

It was rumored well before the Galaxy S10 was announced that the new flagship could have a reverse wireless charging feature. Samsung confirmed on February 20 that the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy S10+ come with Wireless PowerShare. This feature lets you wirelessly charge another compatible device using your handset’s battery.

If you have been wondering what Wireless PowerShare is and how you can use it on the Galaxy S10, look no further. This guide will explain everything that you need to know about the feature and how to get the most out of it.

What is Wireless PowerShare

Wireless PowerShare is what Samsung is calling the reverse wireless charging feature on the Galaxy S10. It lets you share your Galaxy S10’s power with another device by simply putting it back-to-back with the device you want to charge. Most Qi-compatible devices will work with this feature so it’s not just limited to Samsung devices. You can wirelessly charge iPhones with this if you so desire.

The best use case for this feature is to charge your Galaxy Buds or Galaxy/Gear smartwatch because charging another smartphone with Wireless PowerShare will just take too long. Not to mention the fact that you’ll have to keep the two devices flat against each other as the connection would break otherwise. This feature would come in handy when you’re in a pinch and just need enough charge to fire up a dead smartphone, though.

Do bear in mind that it’s not fast wireless charging by any stretch of the imagination. It’s at 4.5W which, when you put into context, is half of what Qi wireless chargers are normally rated to, which is 9-10W. Samsung’s Fast Charge wireless charging is rated at 7.5W on the Wireless Charger Duo, so you’ll most likely gain about 10 percent charge on a Qi-enabled smartphone in 30 minutes with Wireless PowerShare. Thus, this feature is best utilized for devices with smaller batteries like the Galaxy Buds.

It does have a neat trick up its sleeve. Dual charging is possible with this feature. You can hook up your Galaxy S10 to an outlet with a wire and place another device on the phone’s back. The Galaxy S10 will charge its battery and wirelessly charge the other device simultaneously. This will be very useful as you can make sure that when you wake up in the morning, your Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Buds or Watch are both fully charged and ready for the day.

How to use Wireless PowerShare on the Galaxy S10

It’s pretty easy to use Wireless PowerShare on Samsung’s 2019 flagship smartphones. As we’ve reported previously, your Galaxy S10 must have at least 30 percent charge for this feature to work. If it does not, a message will pop up prompting you to charge your device if you try to enable Wireless PowerShare.

When you’re ready to use this feature, open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top of the screen two times. Tap the Wireless PowerShare icon to activate the feature, then place the S10 face down on a surface. Then place the device you want to charge back-to-back with the center of the Galaxy S10.

As charging begins, you will get a notification and also hear a chime. To stop charging, simply separate the two devices, as the feature automatically turns off if another device is not detected within 30 seconds.

Wireless PowerShare is a good feature to have on the Galaxy S10. Even if you think you won’t ever use it, you’ll always have peace of mind that it’s there if you ever need it. What will you be using Wireless PowerShare to charge on a regular basis? Let us know in the comments below.

Galaxy S10e

• Model: SM-G970F
• Dimensions: 69.9 x 142.2 x 7.9mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS F1.5/F2.4 (77°) & 16MP, CMOS F2.2 (123°)Ultra Wide

More specifications

Galaxy S10

• Model: SM-G973F
• Dimensions: 70.4 x 149.9 x 7.8mm
• Display: 6.1"(157.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9820 Octa
• Camera: 12 MP.CMOS F2.4 45° Telephoto & 12MP F1.5 77° & 16MP F2.2 123° Ultra-wide

More specifications

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Samsung strengthens production of application processors

Sluggish demand for memory chips has forced Samsung to focus more on non-memory chips and the foundry business. The company has reportedly begun investing resources to expand the production of application processors and other non-memory chips. According to industry researcher IC Insights, memory chip business could suffer about 20% decrease in sales.

5G may help Samsung reinforce its non-memory business

Introduction of 5G networks will bring about a variety of new services for things like self-driving cars and internet of things (IoT) systems. These next-gen services will find a greater use of application processors (AP). And sensing this opportunity, Samsung has begun boosting its capability in manufacturing APs.

As of 1H 2018, Qualcomm leads the global AP market with a 45% market share, according to Strategy Analytics. The US chipmaker is followed by Apple and Samsung with 17% and 14% market share, respectively. Samsung wants a stronger hold in the market, and may even seek to acquire Eindhoven-based NXP Semiconductors, a global supplier of automotive semiconductors. Interestingly, Qualcomm had tried to take over NXP in 2016, but to no avail. Samsung, however, is said to have enough capital to finance merger and acquisition deals, which is estimated to be about $44 billion.

Another strategy that Samsung may take if it fails to acquire NXP is opening up the market in APs for cars. Qualcomm currently focuses more on APs for smartphones. Samsung has already launched Exynos and ISOCELL Auto chips for vehicles. That acquisition may not pan out, though, as Samsung denied rumors about making a move for NXP.

Samsung will also focus on other non-memory chips, as Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong made it clear during his visit to the company’s Hwaseong semiconductor plant in Gyeonggi Province. “We will nurture the non-memory sector, including the system semiconductor and foundry business, as future growth engines,” he said.

Samsung is trying to position itself as a dominant player in the 5G network equipment business. And ahead of the impending 5G rollout, the company is rightly focusing on non-memory chip products. Huawei’s troubles in the US and other western markets may also present Samsung with market opportunities.

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Galaxy S10e is a surprisingly good phone

I am in love with the Galaxy S10e. No, really, I am in love with this phone. Samsung has finally made a worthwhile compact flagship again. My colleagues Danny and Daniel had talked about how they liked the Galaxy S10e the most when they went hands-on with the three Galaxy S10 models before Samsung’s Unpacked event, and I can see why.

First off, that flat display makes the phone feel rather different. The main reason for that is basically the fact that we haven’t seen a Galaxy flagship with a flat display after the Galaxy S7, so the S10e feels quite fresh. The phone’s quite compact, more so than the Galaxy S8 or S9, thanks to the new Infinity-O display and smaller bezels. That and the lack of any curves make you feel much less worried when using the phone without a case. And what’s also surprised me is the battery life on the S10e.

A winner of a compact flagship?

With a 3,100 mAh battery under the hood, the Galaxy S10e isn’t expected to be an endurance champ. But it manages to last considerably long for its battery capacity. While the Galaxy S10+’ endurance isn’t that great for its battery size, the Galaxy S10e was the exact opposite. I’m assuming the lower-resolution display is helping things here. And perhaps Samsung should have done this earlier, as the Galaxy S10e’s lower display resolution doesn’t make its presence felt because of the small screen size. It may affect the virtual reality experience on Samsung’s Gear VR, but I’d say the trade-off is worth it because, after all, not many people use the Gear VR that often.

The only thing I’m truly missing on the S10e is a telephoto lens in the rear camera setup. The ultra-wide sensor is great to have, but the camera experience is still an area where Samsung’s smallest flagship misses out compared to the larger model(s). It also misses out on an in-display fingerprint sensor. I wouldn’t say that’s much of an issue, though, since the traditional capacitive fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy S10e is quicker and more consistently accurate being a tried and tested technology compared to the ultrasonic reader on the Galaxy S10 and S10+.

Overall, the Galaxy S10e is in a league of its own in Samsung’s tenth-anniversary Galaxy S lineup, and it’s a surprisingly excellent phone despite some of the shortcomings. We’ll talk more about those shortcomings in our Galaxy S10e review, so hang on just a little longer if you still haven’t been able to make up your mind about whether the S10e is a phone worth purchasing or not.

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Samsung Galaxy A20(e) battery capacity hints at a compact design

Samsung’s yet-to-be-revealed Galaxy A20(e) will have a rather modest 3000 mAh battery capacity. This is far less than that of the recently launched A10, A30, and A50, hinting at a more compact form factor.

Galaxy A20 battery capacity

From the guys over at Galaxy Club, we get a glimpse of the Galaxy A20’s power source. The battery, sporting model code EB-BA202ABU, is shown in a picture obtained from the Korean RRA. We can just make out the 3000 mAh typical capacity, which seems to translate to a 2920 rated capacity.

In comparison to the recently launched Galaxy A10 (3400 mAh), A30 and A50 (both 4000 mAh), the Galaxy A20 packs a rather modest battery. In fact, it is rather comparable to the 3100 mAh battery of the Galaxy S10e, which happens to be the only sub-6-inch device here. Though it remains to be confirmed, the Galaxy A20 just might turn out to be the smallest device in Samsung’s new A series.

Of course, we should point out that it remains to be seen how exactly the Galaxy A20 and A20e compare to each other. Its European release confirmed last week, the Galaxy A20e is assumed to be carrying model code SM-A202F. The A20 comes under model code SM-A205FN. We do not know yet how these variants are comparable in terms of hardware and size, although benchmarks suggest the differences are likely to be minor.

Galaxy A20 release, pricing

So far, Samsung has launched the Galaxy A10, A30 and A50 in a number of markets. The Galaxy A20 is set to be part of the second wave of A series devices, accompanying the Galaxy A40, A60, A70, and A90, later this spring. We expect the Galaxy A20’s pricing to be as modest as its battery capacity. After all, even the much better spec’d Galaxy A50 is still quite affordable.

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