Leaked render hints Verizon Galaxy S10 5G release for May 16

A confirmed Verizon Galaxy S10 5G release date has not yet been provided by the carrier. It was confirmed at the launch event that Verizon would be the first carrier to get it in the US. The Galaxy S10 5G will remain exclusive to Verizon for a while before arriving on other carriers.

An earlier report had claimed that Verizon would release the Galaxy S10 5G on May 16. A render of the Verizon Galaxy S10 5G has now appeared online. It also hints at May 16 as the launch date for the device.

Verizon Galaxy S10 5G release

The United States would be the second country in the world with a commercial mobile 5G network going live this month. South Korea already did it on April 5. That’s also when the Galaxy S10 5G was released in Samsung’s home country.

Verizon is flipping the switch on its mobile 5G network on April 11. However, it’s yet to confirm when the Samsung flagship will be offered. It was previously said that the release would take place in the second quarter of this year. May 16 is in line with that estimate.

A report last week claimed that Verizon will open pre-orders for the Galaxy S10 5G on April 18. It’s said to have completed initial testing of the phone on its network. Once the final testing is completed, the handset is expected to be released on May 16. The date on this render also hints at that same release date.

Neither Samsung nor Verizon have confirmed anything about this officially. However, with Verizon close to launching its mobile 5G network, it’s only a matter of time before its 5G device is made available for purchase. The render itself doesn’t bring any surprises with regard to the design itself. Samsung showed off the device alongside all of the other Galaxy S10 models in February. We already have a detailed Galaxy S10 5G hands-on published on SamMobile.

The post Leaked render hints Verizon Galaxy S10 5G release for May 16 appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2FZonsC
via IFTTT

Samsung confirms the merger of the Galaxy J with the Galaxy A series

Samsung has revealed that it’s scrapping the Galaxy J series of smartphones, and is replacing it with the Galaxy A series. The confirmation comes through Samsung Malaysia’s official YouTube channel in the form of a promotional video for the recently-launched Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50.

Goodbye Galaxy J

Samsung’s Galaxy J series of smartphones hold a large share of the budget segment in markets such as India. However, stiffer competition from the likes of Xiaomi prompted the Korean company to bring something new to the table. And there happened the revamped Galaxy A series to axe the J series. Samsung had been evaluating this step since September last year, and has finally confirmed it.

We already have the Galaxy A10, A20, A30, A50 and A70 in the new A series, with more phones launching on April 10. And unlike the Galaxy J series phones, which were turning out to be overpriced when compared to the competition, Samsung is pricing the Galaxy A series phones aggressively. With features like triple rear cameras, in-display fingerprint sensor, and Infinity AMOLED display in the sub-Rs 20,000 (~$350) price segment, Samsung’s new A series make for an alluring package. The new devices also pack bigger batteries and come with fast charging support.

Not only specs and features, the new A series also offer great designs. We concluded in our review that the Galaxy A50 is the most value-for-money mid-ranger from Samsung yet. The same can be said for every A series phone at its price point.

Samsung now looks all set to launch the Galaxy A90 on April 10. This device is rumored to introduce a whole new form factor for Samsung devices. Various leaks have pointed out that the device will come with a pop-up rotating camera. Come April 10, and we will know what’s next for Samsung’s new Galaxy A series.

The post Samsung confirms the merger of the Galaxy J with the Galaxy A series appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2YXACig
via IFTTT

US Unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 Pie update finally released

US unlocked models of Samsung’s flagships tend to receive major updates after their carrier counterparts. That’s why owners of the unlocked Galaxy S8/S8+ and Galaxy Note 8 have had to wait for a long time. The wait is finally over for them today as Samsung has rolled out the US unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 Pie update.

The update is rolling out over-the-air for the unlocked Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and the Galaxy Note 8 in the country. Samsung released the update for the unlocked Galaxy Note 9 in the United States just last month.

US Unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 Pie update is out

Samsung is rolling out firmware version N950U1UEU5DSC1 for the unlocked Galaxy Note 8 in the United States. It weighs in at just over 1.5GB. The rollout appears to have begun a couple of hours ago so it shouldn’t be long before the OTA notification arrives for most users in the US. Users can either wait for it to arrive to download it from our firmware section.

The same goes for the unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ which are now receiving firmware version G950U1UEU5DSC1 and G955U1UEU5DSC1 respectively. They’re also available for download from our database. The Android Pie update for these devices comes with the security patch for March 2019, not April.

Expect to find all of the features present in Android Pie in this update. It also brings One UI which is Samsung’s new custom skin for Android. It brings a lot of useful cosmetic changes in addition to a system-wide dark mode that I personally have never switched off ever since I updated my Galaxy Note 9 to Pie. Do check out our One UI feature focus series to learn more about all of the new features in this update.

Galaxy S8 (US Unlocked)

• Model: SM-G950U1
• Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7 OIS

More specifications

Galaxy S8+ (US Unlocked)

• Model: SM-G955U1
• Dimensions: 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm
• Display: 6.2” (158.1mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7 OIS

More specifications

The post US Unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 Pie update finally released appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2P01jOv
via IFTTT

Samsung launches a new range of smart TVs in India

Samsung has launched a new range of smart TVs in India. The new TVs, launched under the ‘Unbox Magic Every day’ campaign, come with some unique features such as Personal Computer, Home Cloud, Live Cast, Two Way Sharing and more.

“At Samsung, we believe in creating an ecosystem, to provide users with unique solutions that enhance the consumer’s experience and enrich their lifestyle”, said Mr. Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President, Consumer Electronics, Samsung India.

Unbox Magic Series features

The key features of the new Unbox Magic series of smart TVs from Samsung include ‘Personal Computer’ which the company says allows buyers to use the TV like a PC. “With this feature one can turn their Smart TV into a full-fledged computer than just browsing,” the company notes. Consumers will be able to create documents, work from the cloud, or wirelessly mirror their laptop on the Smart TV screen without an internet connection. Users can also remotely access their laptop or PC from any location over internet. Samsung assures that the new Smart TVs are secured by Knox for unmatched security. The cloud services are powered by Microsoft Office 365.

The new Smart TV also transforms into a virtual music system, and come with the option to add visual elements. Users can choose from a library of skins with different color options to create an immersive musical experience. With the ‘Home Cloud’ feature, the TV works as a virtual cloud and automatically stores your favorite moments. Once you sync your smartphone with your TV, pictures and videos of your smartphone are transferred automatically and wirelessly to a password protected USB drive connected to the TV. These files can then be shared wirelessly to other smartphones via the TV. The whole process does not require an internet connection.

With the ‘Live Cast’ feature, users can stream smartphone video from any location to their TV over the internet. The ‘Two Way Sharing’ feature, meanwhile, allows sharing of content between the TV and the smartphone without internet. User can play music and videos from their phone onto their TV, or watch contents from TV on their smartphone. Samsung’s new Smart TVs also come with the ‘Smart Hub’, offering users a single access point for all of their content. From live TV to apps and more, you can enjoy the best online streaming content on a big screen.

The new Unbox Magic series of smart TVs start at Rs 24,900 (~$350), with panel sizes ranging from 32-inches to 82-inches. They come with High Definition picture quality ranging from Ultra Pix technology to Ultra High Definition (UHD) 4K models. The new TVs are available at all Samsung Smart Plazas and leading consumer electronic stores across the country.

The post Samsung launches a new range of smart TVs in India appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2UJtIxy
via IFTTT

Galaxy Watch Active launched in Vietnam, sales start April 10

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch Active in Vietnam. The smartwatch was announced at the Galaxy Unpacked in San Francisco on February 20. It is more of a fashionable version of the Galaxy Watch, thanks to some subtle but meaningful changes in design.

Sales start on April 10

The Galaxy Watch Active inherits most of the features from its predecessor Galaxy Watch, but offers some significant changes in design. The new watch is thinner and lighter, bringing comfort to users. And while it does retain the same circular display, Samsung has ditched the rotating bezel in it. It may not be a welcome change for everyone, but it’s what gives the Galaxy Watch Active all the new look and feel.

The watch features a 1.1-inch Super AMOLED display, and is powered by the Exynos 9110 dual core 1.15GHz processor. It has 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage space. The 230mAh battery is capable of running the watch for a full day on normal usage. The military grade device comes with IP68 and 5ATM rating for dust and water resistance.

In terms of health features, the Galaxy Watch Active is capable of tracking 39 different activities, including running, cycling, and swimming. It can also keep a tab on your sleep cycle and blood pressure, and can send users a Heart Rate Alert if it detects an abnormally high resting heart rate. Read our Galaxy Watch Active hands-on for more about the watch.

Samsung has priced the Galaxy Watch Active at VND 5,490,000 (~$237) in Vietnam. The watch will be available in Pink, Black and Silver starting April 10, 2019.

The post Galaxy Watch Active launched in Vietnam, sales start April 10 appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2G7UMyE
via IFTTT

Samsung now expected to launch four Galaxy Note 10 models

It has been normal for Samsung to launch two models of its flagship Galaxy S handsets for a few years. The company doubled that this year with four models of the Galaxy S10. They include the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+ and the Galaxy S10 5G. A new report out of South Korea claims that Samsung will do the same for the Galaxy Note 10 this year.

Multiple models of the Galaxy Note 10 have already been expected. That’s because you’d think Samsung would offer a 5G version of its second flagship smartphone of the year. A recent report had claimed that Samsung was actually working on a smaller Galaxy Note 10.

As many as four Galaxy Note 10 models may be launched

It was reported that the smaller Galaxy Note 10 will try to replicate the success that Samsung has had with the Galaxy S10e. The cheapest Galaxy S10 model is a solid device, one that ticks all the boxes and holds its own in the lineup. The smaller Galaxy Note 10 model reportedly retains the Note 9’s 6.4-inch display while the other model gets bumped up to a 6.7-inch display.

Today’s report from South Korea says that Samsung has modeled its strategy for the Galaxy Note 10 after the Galaxy S10. This means that it may release up to four models of the device. It’s claimed that the two LTE models will have 6.28-inch and 6.75-inch displays with triple and quad camera systems respectively. These specs will remains the same for the other two models as their main differentiating factor would be support for 5G.

So it appears that the upcoming Note lineup might not differ as much in specs as the Galaxy S10 does. This report doesn’t mention if the battery capacity will be different on each model but that can be expected for the 5G variants.

None of this is set in stone at this point in time. This is also the first we’re hearing about a Galaxy Note 10 with a 6.28-inch display. So expect to hear more conflicting reports about Samsung’s phablet in the coming weeks before a more clear picture of what to expect emerges.

The post Samsung now expected to launch four Galaxy Note 10 models appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2Umnlkt
via IFTTT

Galaxy customers can now check key spare part prices on Samsung India website

Though smartphones have become faster, thinner, prettier, and more capable in the last decade, they haven’t necessarily become more durable. In fact, it can be argued that recent smartphones have become more fragile as manufacturers started opting for glass and unibody designs to make them feel premium. This has made out-of-warranty repairs difficult and more expensive.

Samsung’s Galaxy devices are no different and repairing them can be a costly affair. The company hasn’t undertaken any major steps to change any of this. However, it is now trying to make out-of-warranty repairs more transparent for its Galaxy smartphone customers in India by listing key spare part prices on its website.

The website categorizes all the current Galaxy smartphones under their respective series and shows their spare part costs. The list doesn’t cover all the components and shows part prices for only display, motherboard, battery kit, and back glass. It is also worth noting that the actual cost of repair may be higher than the cost of the spare parts due to labor charges, taxes, and other cost components.

Samsung is not the first company to do this. The world’s second largest smartphone manufacturer, Huawei, also has a similar system to check spare part prices online. Also, it appears Samsung doesn’t offer this information in all the regions around the world. Hopefully, that will change soon and the company brings it to all the markets. Ensuring transparency in pricing will be a welcome step and can help customers make informed choices.

The post Galaxy customers can now check key spare part prices on Samsung India website appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2UncIhb
via IFTTT

Samsung Galaxy J8 Android Pie update rolling out now

Samsung has gradually been rolling out the Android 9 Pie to more devices and it’s the Galaxy J8’s turn today. The company has released the Galaxy J8 Android Pie update today. It brings all of the features that are part and parcel of the current Android OS iteration.

The update also comes with the latest security patch for the month of April 2019. The update is currently being rolled out in Russia. It’s only a matter of time now before users in other markets get it as well. The firmware is already available for download from our database.

Galaxy J8 Android Pie update out now

Samsung is rolling out firmware version J810FPUU3BSD1 for the Galaxy J8 in Russia. The company is sending out the update over-the-air. Users can check for the update manually by going to the Software update section of the Settings app and by tapping on Download updates manually. You can also download it right away from our firmware section.

The Galaxy J8 is also one of the phones in Samsung’s budget lineup that received AR Emoji last year. That particular update also brought support for dual VoLTE to the handset. The highlight of the latest update is obviously One UI, Samsung’s latest custom skin for Android.

You can find out more about all of the cosmetic changes included in this update by watching our One UI video demo. All Android 9.0 Pie features are also present as well.

The post Samsung Galaxy J8 Android Pie update rolling out now appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2IkK35t
via IFTTT

April 2019 security patch brings earphones sound improvement in Galaxy A30

After the Galaxy Note 8, Samsung has now released the April 2019 security patch for the Galaxy A30. This month’s security maintenance release contains fixes for five critical Android OS vulnerabilities, as well as dozens of high-risk vulnerabilities.

It also patches 15 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items, including one in the Emergency Mode, which allowed unauthorized users to disable some protected features without any prior authentication. These vulnerabilities only effect Samsung’s software.

Brings improvements in earphones sound

The Galaxy A30 is receiving a new update with the latest security patch and improvements in earphones sound. Samsung, however, isn’t going into details as to what exactly has been improved. The update is currently available in India, with a wider rollout expected soon.

The new update bumps the software version of the device to A305FDDU1ASC6. The update weighs 424.16 MB over the air. To update your Galaxy A30, open the Settings app, go to Software Update, and tap on Download and install. Do note that updates are released in phases, and may take some time before they reach every unit. You should get a notification when the update is available for you.

Have you received the April 2019 security update for your Galaxy A30? Let us know by dropping a comment below.

The post April 2019 security patch brings earphones sound improvement in Galaxy A30 appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2KhhV5S
via IFTTT

Galaxy S10 5G is just as difficult to repair as the Galaxy S10+

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G isn’t all that different to the Galaxy S10+, so it shouldn’t be a whole lot harder to disassemble. That’s an assumption that was corroborated by a video that surfaced over the weekend, in which a mystery man tore down the handset, which launched in South Korea on April 5.

Last month, teardown expert iFixit delivered its verdict on the Galaxy S10+, naming it one of the most difficult phones to repair due to excessive use of strong adhesive and an internal structure that requires the device to be stripped to its shell to complete an otherwise basic screen replacement.

The Galaxy S10 5G is in the exact same boat, according to the teardown video; although, some carrier-branded models could prove to be a little trickier to dismantle since PBK Reviews unearthed a mysterious unused connector on the motherboard, and there’s no telling what it’s for.

iFixit awarded both the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ a repairability score of three out of ten, with ten being the easiest to repair and one the most difficult, and we’re fairly confident that will be the same rating it assigns to the Galaxy S10 5G when it touches down in the United States on May 16.

The post Galaxy S10 5G is just as difficult to repair as the Galaxy S10+ appeared first on SamMobile.

from SamMobile http://bit.ly/2G6UAzC
via IFTTT