Olixar cases suggest Galaxy Note 10 could have a headphone jack

Retailer Mobile Fun has published photos of official Olixar Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Pro accessories, and these accessories support many of the design elements that leaks have revealed in the last couple of weeks. The floodgates have opened fully it seems, with Galaxy Note 10 information coming out of the woodwork quite frequently, and we can only expect more such leaks in the coming days.

Like the screen protectors that were seen in images earlier this week, the Olixar screen protectors lack a cutout for the earpiece grill, providing further proof that Samsung will be using Sound on Display technology to put the earpiece under the display. This is something the company has already done on the Galaxy A80 and the recently launched Galaxy M40, and we can hope the implementation will be better as we found the Galaxy M40 produces very hollow sound in calls.

Mobile Fun has also released images of various Olixar cases for the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Pro. The cases show a vertically laid out triple-camera setup at the back on both devices, just like leaked Note 10 and Note 10 Pro renders had revealed. The Note 10 Pro gets two extra sensors below the LED flash, one of which should be a ToF (Time-of-Flight) sensor. It’s unclear what the other one is, but it could be a heart rate sensor. The Note 10 doesn’t seem to have one, and that would be unsurprising since the Galaxy S10e doesn’t have one, either. The front has a single camera for selfies on both models.

Is that a headphone jack?

Sadly, there’s no picture of the top and bottom of these cases, so we can’t be sure if there’s a cutout for a headphone jack in there. There does seem to be a headphone jack cutout in some of the cases, but we’d suggest being a bit skeptical until more solid evidence comes out. Samsung has removed the 3.5 mm headphone jack on plenty of devices in the last two years, and at this point most of the rumors and leaks are leaning towards the possibility that the Note 10 and Note 10 Pro won’t have one.

If it helps, it looks like the Bixby key really is going away – the Olixar cases have only volume and power keys. Not everyone will be happy about it, of course, as Samsung now allows the Bixby key to be assigned to other apps. Bixby itself will most likely be present on the Note 10 in all its glory, and the power button should allow users to fire up Bixby Voice with a long press.

What do you think about the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Pro after seeing pictures of cases and screen protectors of the device? Are you ready for the Huawei and iPhone-like vertical camera setup and the wireless future Samsung’s next flagship might force on consumers?

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Galaxy Fold 5G model has picked up necessary pre-launch certifications

The 5G variant of the Galaxy Fold may be ready to hit the market soon. The device, which carries model number SM-F907B, has already received the necessary certifications. The Wi-Fi Alliance certified the handset towards the end of last month, followed by the Bluetooth SIG in early June.

During the Galaxy Unpacked event back in February, Samsung had confirmed that the Galaxy Fold will be available in both LTE and 5G variants. While the company had to delay the launch of the LTE Galaxy Fold due to some unforeseen reasons, the 5G model seems to be progressing on time. Samsung has reportedly sent Galaxy Fold 5G prototypes to South Korea’s three major telecom carriers for testing. The handset carries the model number SM-F907N in Samsung’s home country.

LTE and 5G Galaxy Fold models to launch together?

Earlier this week, a Samsung executive confirmed that the Galaxy Fold’s display issues have mostly been resolved, and that the device is ready to hit the market. Perhaps we’ll see both the LTE and 5G variants launch together in the coming days as an unintended side effect of Samsung having to delay the regular Galaxy Fold, although no release date has surfaced as of now.

While both the LTE and 5G variants will sport the same look from the outside, they’ll pack slightly different internals. The former gets dual SIM support and packs a 4380 mAh battery, whereas the latter only gets a single SIM and a slightly smaller 4235 mAh battery. The rest of the internals, however, remain unchanged.

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Galaxy A8 Star and Galaxy J7 Pro get Android Pie update in India

The Android Pie update is rolling out for the Galaxy A8 Star and the Galaxy J7 Pro in India today. India was one of the first markets where both phones were launched, but that’s not the case for the Pie update, which was already released for these devices in other countries earlier this month. Now, owners of the A8 Star and J7 Pro in India can also make the jump to the latest version of Android (the latest stable version, that is).

The Pie update for the Galaxy A8 Star bundles the June 2019 security patch while the J7 Pro update comes with the May security patch, but as far as new features are concerned both devices should be on the same page. They get version 1.1 of Samsung’s One UI interface, which includes the Digital Wellbeing feature on top of most of the new functionality the initial version of One UI introduced on the Galaxy S9, including a system-wide Night mode, navigation gestures, improved battery life, a Kids Mode quick toggle, and the Lift-to-wake gesture. Bixby Routines hasn’t made the cut, but that feature hasn’t been released for any Galaxy device that didn’t launch with Android Pie out of the box.

Own a Galaxy A8 Star or Galaxy J7 Pro in India? Open the phone’s Settings app, navigate to Software update, and select the Download update manually option to grab the Pie update over the air. If you’re told you’re already running the latest software, simply try again after some time as major updates can take time to reach all users. We also have the Android Pie firmware (A8 Star | J7 Pro) for these phones in our firmware database if you’d like to upgrade to Android Pie right away.

Galaxy A8 Star

• Model: SM-G885F
• Dimensions: 162.4 x 77.0 x 7.6mm
• Display: 6.3" (160mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
• Camera: 16 MP, CMOS F1.7 & 24MP, CMOS F1.7

More specifications

Galaxy J7 Pro

• Model: SM-J730GM
• Dimensions: 152.4 x 74.7 x 7.9mm
• Display: 5.5 "(139.5 mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos Exynos 7870
• Camera: 13 MP, CMOS F1.7

More specifications

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Galaxy A7 (2018) and Galaxy J3 (2017) getting June 2019 security update

Samsung has released the June 2019 security update for more Galaxy devices today. The Galaxy A7 (2018) and the Galaxy J3 (2017) are now receiving updates with the latest security patch in different markets. The Galaxy A7 (2018) is getting the update in Peru and Chile, while the Galaxy J3 (2017) is being updated in various European countries, including Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, and Portugal.

The software version accompanying these updates is A750GUBS3BSF2 and J330FXXS3BSF1 for the A7 (2018) and J3 (2017) respectively. There’s probably nothing included in the updates other than the June security patch. The June patch brings fixes for eight critical vulnerabilities that were discovered in Android OS. More than a dozen high-risk vulnerabilities have been addressed as well. Samsung also patched 11 vulnerabilities and exposures in its own software.

If you own a Galaxy A7 (2018) or a Galaxy J3 (2017), you can check if the update’s available for you over the air by opening the phone’s Settings app, selecting Software update, and then hitting the Download updates manually option (called Download and install on the A7). If you’d rather upgrade without waiting for the over-the-air release, you can grab the latest firmware from our database and flash it on your phone using a Windows PC.

Galaxy J3 2017

• Model: SM-J330F
• Dimensions: 152.4 x 74.7 x 7.9mm
• Display: 5.0" (126.3mm) TFT
• CPU: Exynos Exynos 7570
• Camera: 13 MP, CMOS F1.7

More specifications

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Daily Deal: 11% off the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e

As we concluded in our review, the Galaxy Tab S5e is an excellent tablet and a value-for-money proposition. It’s got a sleek design and a beautiful AMOLED display for the price of a mid-range tablet, and now, its value proposition has gotten even better thanks to a 11% discount on Amazon. If you were considering buying the Galaxy Tab S5e but haven’t gone through with the purchase yet, this is a good time to finally take the plunge!

Hit the Buy Now button below to grab the Galaxy Tab S5e for the discounted price. Don’t wait too long, however, as stock can run out at any time.

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Samsung working on new wireless chargers for the Galaxy Watch 2 and Note 10

Samsung is preparing the launch of two new wireless chargers. The first confirms the arrival, hopefully soon, of the Galaxy Watch 2. The other is Samsung’s next wireless fast charging stand that is likely to go on sale following the launch of the Galaxy Note 10.

FCC reveals Galaxy Watch 2 charging cradle

Over at the FCC, a new listing was spotted by Galaxy Club for a charger with product code EP-OR825. Not only does that code fit Samsung’s upcoming watches carrying, among others, model code SM-R825, but the documentation explicitly mentions the charger as belonging to ‘Renaissance’. We can confirm that this is, indeed, Samsung’s code name for the next-generation Galaxy Watch.

Though not many details about the upcoming watch models are known, Samsung recently filed trademark applications for Digital Bezel, Touch Bezel, and Touch Wheel. Particularly the latter suggests we could be looking at a first hint that the Galaxy Watch 2 may no longer have a physically rotating ring. This, however, remains unclear until more substantial information surfaces.

New wireless fast charging stand EP-N5200

Furthermore, Galaxy Club has learned that Samsung is preparing the release of the EP-N5200. This will be the successor of the EP-N5100, launched in 2018 with the Galaxy S9. Early information suggests the new charger could provide 20 watt wireless fast charging. There is, however, no way to confirm this, so take it with a good pinch of salt.

Nevertheless, it is likely the new charger will be launched more or less simultaneously with the Galaxy Note 10. Samsung does tend to launch new high-end chargers together with their new high-end smartphones, after all. As for pricing, your guess is as good as any at this point in time.

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Exclusive: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 2 codename revealed

It’s about time that we started hearing about the successor to the Galaxy Watch. Samsung switched to the Galaxy branding for its smartwatches with the Galaxy Watch last year. It was expected to arrive as the Gear S4 but the company decided to bring its wearable devices under the Galaxy umbrella.

We hear that Samsung has assigned the codename “Renaissance” to the Galaxy Watch 2. The word means revival or renewed interest. Is that a harbinger of good things to come for Samsung’s marquee smartwatch?

Galaxy Watch 2 has been codenamed Renaissance

It’s not surprising that we’re just starting to hear things about the Galaxy Watch 2. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch alongside the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9 last year. The company would be expected to launch a new smartwatch with the Galaxy Note 10 this year. Samsung is yet to confirm the Galaxy Note 10 launch date. However, a recent report suggests that it might take place on August 7 in New York City.

Not much is known about the Galaxy Watch 2 at this point in time. You can obviously expect improved internals and some new software features. The Galaxy Watch was launched in 46mm and 42mm sizes. That may also be the case for its successor. It will be interesting to see what design changes Samsung makes to the smartwatch.

The company decided to ditch the rotating bezel on the Galaxy Watch Active. That allowed the smartwatch to be less bulky and more lightweight. Could Samsung do the same for the Galaxy Watch 2? Perhaps it may replace the rotating bezel with a digital one? We reported yesterday that Samsung has filed a trademark application for Touch Wheel. So instead of rotating the bezel itself, users may just have to slide their finger on it to navigate through the UI. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?

We’ll keep our ear to the ground and let you know as soon as we hear more about the Galaxy Watch 2.

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Galaxy Note 10 camera said to feature three-stage variable aperture

There’s an interesting bit of information out today about the Galaxy Note 10 camera. Samsung China engineers have apparently let it slip that the Galaxy Note 10 camera will feature a three-stage, f/1.5 – f/1.8 – f/2.4 variable aperture.

Samsung made a pretty big deal out of the Galaxy S9’s dual aperture camera system last year. It was the first time since a decade that a mobile device featured a camera with variable aperture. It seems that Samsung is looking to kick things up a notch with the Galaxy Note 10.

Galaxy Note 10 could be the first with three-stage variable aperture

The Galaxy S9 could switch between two apertures, largest/widest aperture – f/1.5 – seen on a phone at that time and a narrower f/2.4 aperture. You could actually see the aperture blades move as the Galaxy S9’s camera switched between the two fixed stages.

The Galaxy Note 9 got the same camera system. A larger aperture refers to a wider opening through which light enters the camera. The f1/.5 aperture enabled the Galaxy S9 to capture brighter photos in low-light environments. The narrower f/2.4 aperture would improve image sharpness in brightly lit conditions. It was certainly a set up from the Galaxy S8. We took a detailed look at the dual aperture camera’s performance in our Galaxy S9 review.

Samsung retained the two fixed apertures for the Galaxy S10 series as well. Many would have thought that it won’t be changed for the Galaxy Note 10. If anything, a shift to a three-stage variable aperture would have been expected with the Galaxy S11. However, @UniverseIce claims to hear from Samsung China engineers that the Galaxy Note 10 camera will have f/1.5 – f/1.8 – f/2.4 variable apertures.

This would actually be a big deal if it turns out to be true. A three-stage variable aperture would allow for more flexibility and thus improved performance. The f/1.5 – f/2.4 aperture works well for low-light and brightly lit conditions. The f/1.8 aperture would be very effective for intermediate cases. This should reduce overexposure in shots which has long been a trait of Samsung’s smartphone cameras.

It’s unclear if both Galaxy Note 10 models will feature this or if Samsung plans on limiting it to the Galaxy Note 10 Pro. Nevertheless, this is an exciting possibility, one that would make the Galaxy Note 10 quite a unique device.

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Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ receive latest security update

Samsung has gradually been rolling out the latest security patch for the month of June 2019 to compatible devices. It’s now the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy S10+’s turn. Samsung’s 2019 flagship series is receiving the latest security patch starting today.

The company has already released this patch for a handful of its devices. They include the likes of the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, the Galaxy Tab S5e and more. It was only a matter of time before the Galaxy S10 series got it as well.

Galaxy S10 series gets the June 2019 security patch

Samsung is currently rolling out the June 2019 security patch for these handsets in Hong Kong. It has released firmware version G9700ZHU1ASF1, G9730ZHU1ASF1 and G9750ZHU1ASF1 for the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy S10+. The firmware is rolling out over-the-air and is also available for download from our firmware section. Just click on the relevant device name to access them.

The June 2019 security patch includes fixes for more than a dozen high-risk and eight critical vulnerabilities that were discovered in the Android OS. It also patches 11 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items. Hong Kong is the first market where Samsung has released this patch for its latest flagship smartphones.

It goes without saying that the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy S10+ will receive the June 2019 update in other markets across the globe soon. Expect it to start rolling out elsewhere in a matter of days. We’ll be sure to let you know when that happens.

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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