Verizon’s rolling out a new update for the Galaxy S10

Verizon has begun rolling out a new update for the Samsung Galaxy S10, bundling a number of essential bug fixes, stability improvements and speed optimizations; two of the most notable of which improve the performance of both the Camera and Wireless PowerShare.

The upgrade also bundles all of the patches baked into last month’s Security Maintenance Release (SMR), including eight critical and dozens of high-risk vulnerabilities in the Android OS, and eleven that are exclusive to Samsung’s firmware, known as SVEs.

It’s the same update Samsung started distributing for the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy S10e in Europe last week, before later pulling out without so much as an explanation — leading us to question why exactly Samsung terminated the rollout and when it will resume it.

Verizon, à la Samsung, is distributing the upgrade in stages. To see if it’s available for your handset, head into Settings, navigate to Software Update, then select Download Updates Manually, or you can download the firmware from our database to flash it on to your device using a PC.

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Galaxy S10+ is a better buy than the iPhone XS, says Consumer Reports

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ took pole position in Consumer Reports’ latest smartphone ratings, leapfrogging the Apple iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, as well as the eight-month-old Samsung Galaxy Note 9. The reason for its success? It’s a lot more robust than its competitors, delivers far superior battery life and has an excellent set of cameras — all of which make it a fantastic all-rounder.

“What puts the Galaxy S10+ on top is the exceptional way it performs the basics. It has the longest battery life in our ratings, excellent cameras, and the durability to withstand the physical abuses of daily life,” notes Consumer Reports, adding that it’s the first time Samsung has closed the gap between itself and Apple in the camera department, whose iPhones have long topped the tests.

Galaxy S10+ is a lot more durable than the iPhone XS

Consumer Reports also revealed that the Galaxy S10+ is a lot more durable than its competitors. The handset emerged unscathed after being tossed around a tumbler in a simulation that’s designed to replicate the sort of pressure a device would experience if it were dropped one-hundred times and taking a lengthy dip in a body of fresh water, as part of the evaluator’s water-immersion test.

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New Good Lock 2019 update brings bug fixes and some new functionality

It took considerable time for Samsung to make Good Lock compatible with Android Pie. The first stable Android Pie update for a Galaxy device started going out in late December last year, but Good Lock only received Pie compatibility early last month. However, the development team behind Good Lock seems to now be making up for lost time, as the app has now received an update with a plethora of bug fixes.

The changes in the new update apply to the LockStar, QuickStar, TaskChanger, and NavStar plugins; LockStar is getting the brunt of bug fixes, as you can see in the changelog in the screenshot below. Some new features have been thrown in as well, with an especially long list for TaskChanger because there is separate new functionality for both Android Pie and Android Oreo users. A substantial update, in short, pretty much like all Good Lock updates released by Samsung.

The latest Good Lock update is now available in the Galaxy Store app and also through our APK database for those who would like to sideload the update. Remember that the plugins need to separately updated, and if you already have them installed, you can just open Good Lock and tap the store icon next to each plugin to go to its page on Galaxy Store and hit the update button there. Like the main app, the APKs for the plugins are available in our database as well.

Not sure what Good Lock is and how to set it up? We have a detailed guide that should help you jump on-board.

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Three-year-old Galaxy S7 will now get quarterly security updates

From now on, Samsung will update the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge with a new security patch every three months. Both devices were receiving monthly security updates up to this point, with the March 2019 security patch out for the S7 and S7 edge in some countries, and Samsung has now shifted them to the quarterly schedule.

Galaxy flagships to now get regular security updates for longer?

This is a positive development as far as long-term support for flagship devices is concerned. Samsung probably isn’t going to start pushing three major Android OS updates to flagships, although that would be great to see now that even budget Galaxies get two OS upgrades. However, the company is making an official commitment to push security updates regularly to the S7 and S7 edge even after their third year on the market. Before this, after the third year, flagship devices only received updates when strictly necessary.

In fact, Samsung has already extended this courtesy to a mid-range device: The Galaxy A5 (2016) was also moved to the quarterly schedule earlier this year after completing three years on the market. It remains to be seen how long any of these devices will remain in the quarterly schedule, although we’re guessing Samsung will keep it ongoing for at least the entirety of the fourth year.

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Galaxy S8 and Note 8 receiving Android Pie update on AT&T and T-Mobile

Samsung released the Android 9 Pie update to the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8 in February this year. However, as is the case with Android updates, carrier-branded devices in the US have started receiving the update only recently.

Last week, Sprint variants of the Galaxy S8/S8+ and Note 8 started receiving the update. Now, the same is available for the AT&T and T-Mobile models as well. The update for the S8 series is available on both networks, while the Note 8 update is currently out only for the AT&T variant. However, it shouldn’t take much longer for the T-Mobile Note 8 to join the list.

The OTA update weighs around 1.5 GB and includes the March security patch as well. You can read our posts about Android 9 Pie and One UI to know all the new features and changes the update brings to the table. Samsung’s One UI, in particular, makes some major changes to how customers use their Galaxy devices.

Even after an update starts rolling, not all eligible devices may receive the update at once. To check if the update is available to your device, go to Settings, click on Software Update, and tap the Download updates manually option. If the update is not available for your device yet, you can download the latest firmware from our database and manually flash it.

Have you received the Android Pie update on your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8 yet?

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 S8+

• Model: SM-G955F
• Dimensions: 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm
• Display: 6.2” (158.1mm) 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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New Galaxy A50 update fixes an issue with Smart View

Samsung released an update for the Galaxy A50 last week, supposedly to improve the performance of its in-display fingerprint sensor. However, the update also brought about an issue with the Smart View feature. Following the update, Smart View stopped working properly on the device.

The device would take too long to connect, and when it does, it would disconnect automatically. Several users took to the Samsung Members app to complain about the issue. Samsung has quickly reacted to the reports, and is now rolling out a new update for the Galaxy A50 to fix this issue.

Smart View now works fine

The Galaxy A50 is getting a new software update which fixes the connectivity issue with Smart View. The feature works fine following the update, though some users are now complaining of heating issues. It now remains to be seen if the issue is persistent enough for Samsung to release another update.

The new update comes with software version A505FDDU1ASC7 and weighs 105.11 MB over the air. It is an update specifically to fix the bug in Smart View and includes the March security patch like the previous update. Hopefully, it doesn’t have any more bugs, either. To update your Galaxy A50, go to the Software update section of the Settings app and tap on Download updates manually.

Is Smart View working properly on your Galaxy A50? Are you facing any heating issues? Tell us in the comments below.

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Can I charge my Galaxy S6 wirelessly? Absolutely!

The Galaxy S6 fundamentally changed Samsung’s smartphones for the better. Plastic went out of the window as Samsung opted for a more premium glass and metal build. It also introduced a dual-edge curved display which really set the Galaxy S6 edge apart from the competition.

It’s no surprise that there are still quite a few people out there who are holding on to the device, myself included. Many wonder if they can charge the Galaxy S6 wirelessly. The simple answer is that yes, it’s absolutely possible to do that.

Can I charge my Galaxy S6 wirelessly?

Yes, you can absolutely charge your Galaxy S6 wirelessly. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge were actually the first smartphones from Samsung with wireless charging as a basic option. The devices are Qi-enabled as Samsung didn’t use a proprietary wireless charging standard. This means you can charge them with just about any Qi-enabled wireless charger. The company took it a step further with the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 edge+ with the introduction of fast wireless charging.

The new wireless charging pad that was introduced in 2015 with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge had glass-like materials. This was done to match the aesthetics of the new flagship. It was circular in shape which allowed users to easily locate the center of the device. I bought one back then and it still works very well.

Granted, the first generation of Samsung’s wireless charging technology was quite slow. You’d have to leave the device on the wireless charger for a few hours to get a full charge. It really only made sense to do that when going to bed at night. That ensured your phone was fully charged by the time you woke up in the morning.

Wireless charging speeds have improved over the years but they still can’t hold a candle to wired charging. If speed is what you’re after, just hook up the phone to a wired charger. One has to appreciate, though, the presence of this functionality. It can come in handy in situations you may not have imagined when purchasing the device. Like reviving a Galaxy Note 5 with a faulty charging port to access the data.

Looking to buy a wireless charger? Samsung’s fast charge wireless charger is available at a discount for $27 from Amazon.

Galaxy S6

• Model: SM-G920F
• Dimensions: 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8mm
• Display: 5.1" (129.2mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 7420
• Camera: 16 MP, CMOS OIS (F1.9)

More specifications

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Galaxy S10 5G price and release date officially confirmed

Samsung is on its way to clinch the title of having the first 5G smartphone on the market. The company has officially confirmed the Galaxy S10 5G price and release date today. As expected, this variant of the new flagship will be released in South Korea first.

The Galaxy S10 5G was initially expected to be released in Samsung’s home country by the end of last month. However, differences between the government and carriers on pricing plans threatened to delay the launch by a month. The South Korean government hastened the 5G launch following Verizon’s announcement that it will launch its mobile 5G network on April 11.

Galaxy S10 5G price and release date

South Korea has worked hard to become the first country in the world with a commercial mobile 5G network. It had to pick up the pace after Verizon announced its date. It was to ensure that the title wouldn’t go to the largest mobile carrier in the U.S. The differences with carriers were sorted. It was confirmed that 5G networks will go live in South Korea on April 5.

Samsung is well positioned to take advantage of this with the Galaxy S10 5G. The company today confirmed that this variant of the flagship will be available for purchase in South Korea starting April 5. Its carrier partners in the country have started taking pre-orders. The 256GB model costs 1.39 million won ($1,231) and will be available in Crown Silver, Majestic Black and Royal Gold colors. The 512GB model is priced at 1.55 million won ($1,366) and it’s available in Crown Silver and Majestic Black colors. General sales will begin on April 15.

The Galaxy S10 5G will be released in the United States next. Samsung has previously confirmed that this handset will be released in a handful of European markets as well over the summer. Check out our hands-on with the Galaxy S10 5G if you’re curious about the differences between this device and the Galaxy S10+.

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