Samsung is now denying the Galaxy Fold will come out next month

As if trying to push out a device that clearly needed more work wasn’t enough, Samsung’s information management with regards to the Galaxy Fold has left a lot to be desired. It never said when we can expect the device to relaunch after the initial April 26 launch was delayed. Samsung’s mobile boss did say last month that the Galaxy Fold release date will be announced very soon. He hasn’t said much about it since then.

Recent reports had suggested that Samsung would conduct a media briefing for the improved Galaxy Fold later this month with the device being released in July. The company itself said four days ago that the launch date will be confirmed soon. It’s now saying that there’s no confirmation that the Galaxy Fold will be released in July.

Galaxy Fold release in July isn’t a done deal yet

A new report out of South Korea says that Samsung doesn’t have a schedule for the media briefing as yet and that an official date hasn’t been set as yet. A Samsung official quoted in the report says “If we are running such a media event this month, we should be doing something by now,” adding that “Nothing has progressed since the April delay.” The official is likely referring to the launch preparations and not the shortcomings of the Galaxy Fold that have reportedly been addressed already.

The comment does make sense, though. A media briefing for a company like Samsung, and for a device that’s being relaunched, isn’t just put together in a day. There has to be a lot of preparation, the talking points have to be discussed and approved, etc. If nothing of the sort has been done so far it would suggest that there’s not going to be a briefing in the very near future.

All of this reflects badly on the company, though. Fans have been waiting for its first foldable smartphone with bated breath. The least it could do is not get their hopes up and then leave them hanging again.

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Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+’s new color for China may not be “new”

Samsung is introducing a new color option for the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ in China called “Smoke blue.” This has been confirmed by the company’s local division today through a post on Weibo. Despite the name, it doesn’t look like this is an entirely new color option for the flagship.

It’s certainly not like the Cardinal Red color that has recently been introduced for the Galaxy S10 series. Samsung introduced it a few months after the series was launched in a bid to reignite the sales momentum for the flagship.

Smoke blue looks a lot like Prism Blue

Samsung also introduced a new Prism Silver color for the Galaxy S10+ in Hong Kong. It keeps the same gradient effect as the Prism White Galaxy S10 with white and red hues at the top and bottom respectively.

What Samsung China is referring to as “Smoke blue” might just be Prism Blue, a color option that has been available for the Galaxy S10 elsewhere since launch. It certainly looks quite similar. We should also note there that this color option wasn’t available when the Galaxy S10 was launched in China. A quick check of the local Samsung website also reveals that the handset isn’t currently available in any shade of blue.

So it could just be that Samsung is finally bringing one of its core color options for the Galaxy S10 and S10+ to China. It may be looking to increase sales in the lucrative Chinese market. The Galaxy S10 has reportedly done well in China so far with sales crossing 500,000 units in the first few weeks alone.

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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Latest leak teases the Galaxy Note 10’s slim bezels

The leaked Galaxy Note 10 renders that we have seen so far suggest that Samsung has trimmed the bezels considerably. This possibility is being reiterated by the latest leak out of China. What we see here is apparently a protective film sample for the Galaxy Note 10.

The bezels are clearly thinner compared to the Galaxy Note 9 even though there’s still a bit of a chin at the bottom. You may notice that this film doesn’t have a cutout for the front-facing camera. There’s actually a reasonable explanation for this.

Galaxy Note 10’s bezels seemingly in for a good trim

@UniverseIce mentions on Twitter that this sample doesn’t have the cutout due to a lack of dimensional data for the display hole. This was apparently the case as well when film samples were first being made for the Galaxy S10 earlier this year.

If this is indeed an accurate representation of the bezel situation then would be the same on both Galaxy Note 10 models. As we already know, there will be two Galaxy Note 10 models, with 6.3-inch and 6.75-inch displays respectively. Slimming down the bezels will be one way to bump up the display size without increasing the overall dimensions significantly.

It’s still early days, though, and there’s nothing else to suggest that what we’re looking at here is really what it’s claimed to be. What you can count on is the Galaxy Note 10 having a larger display compared to its predecessor and having a display hole for the front camera. The previous leaks have hinted at a centered camera cutout on the smaller model. It may still be in the corner for the Galaxy Note 10 Pro as it’s likely going to have a dual front camera like the Galaxy S10+.

There are quite a few variables here that will be filtered out as the Galaxy Note 10 launch draws near and more leaks surface. Samsung isn’t expected to unveil its next flagship smartphone before August at the very least.

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Galaxy A9 Star starts receiving Android Pie update in China

Samsung has finally started rolling out the Android Pie update to the Galaxy A9 Star in China. If that device name sounds alien, it’s because Samsung used that moniker only in China, while launching the same device as the Galaxy A8 Star in other markets. What this also means is that the Android Pie for the Galaxy A8 Star is just around the corner.

The update carries the firmware version G8850ZCU3BSEC and includes the May security patch. As of now, the update appears to be available only in China, so it may take anywhere from days to weeks before the update is available in other regions and to other variants of the same device.

The Android Pie update brings some significant changes, including Samsung’s One UI, to the Galaxy devices. Some of the key features include a brand-new UI, Night Mode, navigation gestures, battery improvements, camera tweaks, etc. You can read our One UI (Android Pie) Feature Focus series to learn about all the new features and changes included in the release.

Since Samsung adopts a staged rollout of updates, not all eligible devices may receive the OTA at once. To check if the update is available to your device, click on Settings, go to 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.

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Daily Deal: 26% off WizGear Magnetic Mount

Car-related deals are usually among the more popular ones that we post here. For example, this deal on a car fast charger has been viewed thousands of times, and today we have a deal for a car mount for your smartphone. Car mounts come in handy if you want to navigate or take calls on your phone while driving, freeing your hands so you can hang on to the steering wheel and keep your attention on the road.

And while most car mounts require you to tinker with a complex mechanism to hold your phone into place, the WizGear Universal Stick On mount has a metal plate that can be attached to the back of your phone; you can then simply drop the phone on the magnetic mount to quickly go hands-free. Also, unlike other magnetic mounts, this one can be placed on the dashboard so your air vents aren’t obstructed.

At 26% off the regular price, this is a good chance to buy a car mount and become a safer driver. So go ahead and grab the WizGear Universal Stick On mount from Amazon by using the Buy Now button below.

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Exclusive: Samsung has a new Galaxy M30 in development

It has been about four months since Samsung launched the Galaxy M30 in India. Like the other handsets in this series, it was made available for sale exclusively online. The Galaxy M strategy is working well for Samsung and it now aims to make $1 billion from online sales in the country.

We hear that Samsung may add another handset to this lineup. The company seems to be working on a new Galaxy M30. It may just be a slightly different variant of the existing handset instead of a full-fledged successor.

A new Galaxy M30 is being developed

We’re told that Samsung has the SM-M307F under development. The Galaxy M30 has SM-M305F as its model number so this can only represent a different variant of that device. Samsung also appears to be working on such variants for some of its recent Galaxy A handsets as well. We have already reported exclusively that new variants of the Galaxy A50 and Galaxy A70 with model numbers SM-A507F and SM-A707F are in development.

It’s unclear how this Galaxy M30 variant will be different compared to the one that’s already out there. As we mentioned in our Galaxy M30 review, this handset is basically a Galaxy M20 with some upgraded specs.

What could Samsung add to the Galaxy M30 which could slot the new variant just below the recently announced Galaxy M40? Perhaps it could get an improved camera and ship with Android 9.0 Pie with One UI 1.1. That’s just speculation right now, though. The only other information available about this new device is that it will be available with 64GB and 128GB storage, the same as the Galaxy M30.

We’ll be keeping an ear to the ground and will report any new developments regarding this device. It’s far too soon to predict right now when this device may be launched.

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Samsung launches The Wall Luxury, a 292-inch 8K TV

Samsung has announced the global launch of The Wall Luxury. The luxury version of the company’s massive, modular MicroLED display will be available globally starting July 2019. The Wall Luxury, that measures up to 292 inches, was unveiled at the InfoComm 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

Samsung introduces The Wall Luxury

Samsung unveiled The Wall MicroLED TV at the CES 2018. The 146-inch modular TV was a commercial-centric display. Samsung followed it up by launching a more consumer friendly 75-inch model, and an even bigger 219-inch model of The Wall at the CES 2019. The South Korean electronics giant is taking things even further now, with the launch of The Wall Luxury.

The Wall Luxury will be available in a variety of sizes, ratios and customizable configurations, starting from 73-inch in 2K resolution to 292-inch in 8K resolution next month. And despite the enormous size, it has a depth of only 30mm and sports a bezel-less design. The self-emitting MicroLEDs have a 100,000-hour lifetime, Samsung claims. Users can leave the massive TV turned on when not watching it, as its ambient mode can display a variety of art pieces with digital frames.

The display comes equipped with an AI picture quality engine, called Quantum Processor Flex, to bring optimized image quality scene-by-scene. The engine uses AI upscaling and machine learning to enhance the picture quality, regardless of the original source format. In addition, Quantum HDR technology promises a searing peak brightness of 2,000 nits, and a 120Hz refresh rate, offering best-in-class viewing experience.

The Wall Luxury comes with luxury sound systems by either Harman Luxury Audio or Steinway Lyngdorf. Samsung is also teaming up with Control4, Crestron and Savant for home automation solutions, and Domotz, Ihiji and OrvC for remote monitoring capabilities. The company is yet to announce pricing for its next generation modular MicroLED display. You can imagine that it will be anything but cheap.

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Sprint starts selling the Galaxy A50 from tomorrow

After weeks of rumors, it was finally confirmed earlier this week that the Galaxy A50 is indeed headed to the United States. Verizon was the first carrier to launch the device in the country. It starts selling the Galaxy A50 today.

The news release mentioned that the Galaxy A50 will also be available from other carriers and retailers soon. Those who didn’t want to buy it on Verizon don’t have to wait long for an alternative. Sprint has confirmed that it will also be selling the Galaxy A50 starting tomorrow.

Sprint Galaxy A50 sales begin June 14

Sprint customers can purchase the Galaxy A50 from the carrier for $10 per month with $0 down and Sprint Flex Lease. There will be 18 monthly lease payments for customers with approved credit. If they cancel early, the remaining balance will be due. The Galaxy A50 costs $349.99 outright.

Samsung’s new Galaxy A series has done incredibly well in other markets. The Galaxy A50 is one the handsets in this new lineup that has been very well received. It’s a good thing that Samsung is bringing this feature-packed, competitively-priced device to the US market. The Galaxy A50 will enable it to effectively compete in this segment against rivals.

Customers do get a lot for their $349.99 with the Galaxy A50. Salient features of this device include a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-U display with an Exynos 9610 processor and up to 6GB of RAM. A triple camera system is at the back with 25MP primary, 8MP ultrawide and 5MP depth sensors. There’s even an in-display fingerprint sensor and a 4,000mAh battery.

Samsung had also announced the launch of the Galaxy A20 and the Galaxy A10e in the United States. It doesn’t seem like Sprint is offering those handsets just yet. Samsung did say that they will also be available from multiple carriers and retailers in the country. Perhaps they might be suited more to the carriers’ prepaid brands.

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AT&T Galaxy Fold pre-order customers are getting a $100 promotion card

AT&T Galaxy Fold pre-order customers in the United States have been promised a $100 promotion card by the carrier as it has now canceled all pre-orders. The move comes three weeks after Best Buy canceled all pre-orders of the Galaxy Fold placed by its customers.

Samsung’s retail and carrier partners have been unable to keep holding on to pre-orders in the absence of a confirmed new release date. They haven’t charged customers the $1,980 for the device and any funds that were held on their card for the pre-order have been released.

AT&T Galaxy Fold pre-order customers informed of cancelation

AT&T is sending out emails to Galaxy Fold pre-order customers that their orders now stand canceled. The email says that “Unfortunately, Samsung delayed the release of the Fold, which means we can’t ship your phone and have to cancel your pre-order.” If any customer was charged, AT&T promises they will receive a prompt refund.

The carrier is thanking these customers for their patience by sending them a $100 AT&T Promotion Card. They can expect to receive it within the next 60 days. The card will be sent to the address customers gave when placing their order for the Galaxy Fold. AT&T also says that once Samsung announces a new release date, customers can place their pre-orders for the Galaxy Fold again.

When Samsung is planning to do that remains a mystery for now. The company recently reiterated that it will confirm the new Galaxy Fold launch date soon. Reports suggest that it may confirm the date in a media briefing later this month. The actual launch isn’t expected to take place before July.

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AT&T launches the Galaxy S10 5G but you can’t buy it yet

AT&T has officially launched the Galaxy S10 5G on its network but there’s a major caveat. The company is only offering the device to business customers and developers. What that means is that you, the retail customer, isn’t going to be able to buy it just yet.

The Galaxy S10 5G was launched in the United States on Verizon exclusively. Only Big Red’s customers can buy it in markets where Verizon’s 5G service has gone live. AT&T isn’t extending that same courtesy to customers on its network though that might have something to do with Verizon’s exclusivity.

AT&T’s Galaxy S10 5G launch isn’t for retail customers yet

AT&T will only sell the Galaxy S10 5G to members of its developer program and those who are an AT&T Business customer for $999 starting June 17. Developers will be able to get it for free at AT&T’s Shape Conference in Los Angeles on June 22. They will only be tasked with one-point agenda: to “push the limits of 5G” and present their ideas for innovation during AT&T’s first 5G hackathon in Los Angeles later this year.

AT&T doesn’t say in its announcement today when retail customers will be able to purchase the device or how much it will cost when they finally can. It also points out in the press release that developers and business customers will only be able to experience the 5G network in “limited parts” of its launch markets.

This entire exercise might just be to test out the carrier’s 5G network before it’s opened up to retail customers with the Galaxy S10 5G. The data that AT&T gets from this test will help it in doing just that. Samsung did say that the Galaxy S10 5G will eventually be available from other carriers in the country. So it may be a few months before we see carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint start selling it as well.

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