Samsung is trying to become a 5G chipset supplier for Chinese OEMs

Samsung has reportedly supplied two of China’s biggest smartphone OEMs with 5G chipsets for testing purposes. Both OPPO and Vivo are said to have received sample units from Samsung, anticipating that Qualcomm and MediaTek alone won’t be able to meet their 5G demands in 2020.

Interestingly, Huawei wasn’t mentioned alongside Qualcomm and MediaTek. This could mean that even Chinese OEMs might be starting to shy away from using the company’s 5G solutions, out of fear of not being able to sell their smartphones overseas. Huawei has been banned by the United States and its reputation took a hit as a result. Meanwhile, Samsung has pounced on the opportunity and continues to win more ground in the 5G race.

In light of this recent report, it’s possible that the Exynos Modem 5100, Exynos RF 5500, and Exynos SM 5800 chips will become more prevalent next year. These solutions could be employed by an increasing number of smartphone manufacturers from China, where Samsung doesn’t have a lot of market influence. Of course, it all depends on what Samsung’s potential clients will determine after testing the company’s 5G solution for themselves.

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Galaxy A50 camera gets Night mode and Super Slow-mo with June update

The Galaxy A50 got the June security update in India earlier this week, promising the usual stability improvements along with a variety of security patches. But as we’ve been tipped by one of our readers via Twitter, the update appears to include a couple of extra features that go by unmentioned in the changelog. Specifically, firmware version A505FDDU2ASF2 seems to bring along Night mode and Super Slow-mo video recording. In addition to that, the phone can now scan QR codes from the camera app without requiring Bixby Vision, a feature that recently came to the Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9 and the Galaxy S10 as well.

Galaxy A50 owners in India who have updated to the June security patch but don’t have access to these two new camera features should try resetting their camera settings. This was also the case for the Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A40, which received a regular slow-motion camera mode through a software update and required a reset of the camera settings before the mode was actually usable. You can reset camera settings by opening the camera app, tapping the gear icon to open camera settings, then hitting the Reset settings option found by scrolling all the way to the bottom.

The update also includes fixes to a variety of vulnerabilities; some found in the Android operating system while others are affecting Samsung’s own software experience. You can read all about them in the detailed June 2019 security patch report.

Readers who have not yet received the update on the Galaxy A50 in India should try navigating to the Settings » Software update menu and tap the Download and install option. Otherwise, users can also download the update manually from our firmware database and update the smartphone using Samsung Smart Switch on a computer.

Have you gotten the Night mode and Super Slow-mo mode with this latest update? Let us know below.

Galaxy A50

• Model: SM-A505F
• Dimensions: 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.7mm
• Display: 6.4"(162.1mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9610
• Camera: 25 MP, CMOS F1.7 & 5MP, CMOS F2.2 Depth & 8MP, CMOS F2.2 Ultrawide

More specifications

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Breaking: This is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2!

We recently revealed that Samsung is working on the Galaxy Watch Active 2, just four months after the first one was made official, and now we have pictures of the new smartwatch in the flesh. When we first found out that Samsung is developing a new smartwatch, we thought it would be the successor to the Galaxy Watch, but it’s actually the Watch Active 2 the company is working on as we discuss in our SamMobile TV show in the video embedded below.

Don’t let the Active moniker fool you into thinking this will be another fitness-focused watch in the vein of the first Galaxy Watch Active and the Gear Sport. First off, the Watch Active 2 will come in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. Sadly, the rotating bezel ring is not going to make the cut. It remains to be seen if this means the bezel ring is out for good and won’t be seen on any future smartwatch from Samsung, but that could certainly be the case.

So as far as the design is concerned, the Watch Active 2 will look similar to its predecessor. That said, there are a few changes that we see in the pictures. The home/power button, for example, is round while the back button has a rectangular shape, and there’s also a red circle around the home/power button. We haven’t been told what it’s for – it may just be a design element that has nothing to do with functionality, but we’ll need to wait for more information to be sure. The back of the watch also has a fresh new look, with a circular rim around the heart rate sensor.

The Watch Active 2 will also have an LTE variant in addition to a Wi-Fi variant, and you can see a microphone hole between the home and back keys and what look like speaker grills on the other side. The LTE version will have a 340 mAh battery inside and the Wi-Fi model will have a 237 mAh battery. On the software front, the watch will come with version 1.5 of One UI. The One UI update Samsung released for existing smartwatches is version 1.0, so we should see some new stuff on the Watch Active 2.

Check out a few pictures of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 below. Don’t forget to check out the video above to hear our thoughts on the new smartwatch and to see a couple of more pictures of the thing.

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Behind closed doors: Our Galaxy Note 10 wishlist

As we get closer to the Galaxy Note 10 launch, there’s been a lot of discussion in the SamMobile team about what we’d like to see on on the next Note flagship. Quite a few of us are ardent Note fans, so a new Note device gets us more excited than a Galaxy S flagship, and the Note 10 has been especially interesting because of how there have been so many conflicting leaks and rumors that make it hard to be sure exactly what Samsung has in store for us.

As we wait for some conclusive information on what the Galaxy Note 10 will bring–or not bring–to the table, we decided to make a wishlist about what it is we’re looking forward to on Samsung’s upcoming flagship and share it with you, our readers. And we’d love to know what you are hoping to see on the Galaxy Note 10, so don’t forget to share your thoughts down in the comments section!

Adnan Farooqui

Since I didn’t switch to the Galaxy S10 from my Galaxy Note 9, even the evolutionary changes in the Galaxy Note 10 will be welcomed with open arms by customers like me. Samsung introduced some great tech with the Galaxy S10, such as the Time-of-Flight sensor (on the 5G model), the ultra-wide angle camera, reverse wireless charging and more. I want all of that on the Galaxy Note 10 and there’s little reason to believe that it won’t get all those features.

Other than that, my wishlist for the Galaxy Note 10 is quite straightforward. I’d like to see bigger batteries on both models in addition to faster charging speeds. There has been talk of both 25W and 45W charging, and one can hope that Samsung would opt for the latter. And it may not get Samsung’s 64-megapixel camera sensor, I would definitely like to see the three-stage variable aperture being introduced with the Galaxy Note 10.

Samsung has introduced significant camera improvements with previous Galaxy Note handsets. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t blaze a new trail in the variable aperture department for smartphones with the Galaxy Note 10. There’s a possibility that the Galaxy Note 10 may ditch the conventional earpiece for Sound on Display technology. One can only wish that it doesn’t sound as bad and hollow as it does on some of Samsung’s other devices.

Abhijeet Mishra

A big battery was the one feature I had wanted on the Galaxy Note 9, and Samsung delivered. With the Galaxy S10, I looked forward to an ultra-wide camera along with a big battery, and Samsung obliged once again, putting a 4,100 mAh battery on the S10+ and adding an ultra-wide sensor on the back of all three Galaxy S10 models. And now, frankly, there’s nothing important missing on Samsung’s flagship phones as far as my needs are concerned.

But when it comes to the features I wish to see on the Galaxy Note 10, I’d say it’s faster charging. 25W fast charging would be fine in my opinion, even though having 45W charging would be even better. Samsung should have made 25W charging the default on all Galaxy S10 models instead of just the 5G variant, but hey, the company needed to hold back some features for the next flagship, didn’t it?

Naresh Nekkanti

With the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S10, Samsung pushed its flagships so close to perfection that it is unrealistic to expect anything path breaking from the Note 10. The new Note models will most probably be incremental updates and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I say “models” because Samsung is rumoured to launch regular and Pro versions of the Note 10. As someone who never really liked curved displays, I hope the former comes with a flat screen without missing too much in other departments.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to get excited about new Note smartphones as the Plus variants of the Galaxy S flagships have taken away some of their appeal with big displays and large batteries. I am hoping the Galaxy Fold lineup will eventually (in the next couple of years?) replace the Galaxy Note series and bring back some lost excitement. Afterall, a foldable smartphone with stylus functionality is a match made in heaven and just makes a lot of sense.

Henk Loosbroek

I’m quite happy with what my Galaxy Note 9 offers, and I hope the Note 10 will keep all of that, especially stereo speakers. I’m wondering if stereo sound is possible with Sound On Display technology, which puts the earpiece under the display. A headphone jack would be nice as well, although it’s not a must have for me thanks to the excellent Bose QC35-II wireless headphones that I own. And like the Note 9, I want the Galaxy Note 10 to have remote functionality on the S Pen and a 512GB storage option, preferably with microSD expansion. Finally, I’m hoping for an improved Night mode for the camera compared to the Galaxy S10 lineup.

The post Behind closed doors: Our Galaxy Note 10 wishlist appeared first on SamMobile.

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June security patch now available for the Galaxy A8+ and Tab S4

Just a couple of days before July, Samsung has released the June 2019 security patch for the Galaxy A8+ and Tab S4. The update doesn’t seem to include anything more than security fixes, but that shouldn’t be a problem as these devices received the Android Pie update with One UI not very long ago.

As of now, the update for the Galaxy Tab S4 appears to be available only in Canada and the US. The Galaxy A8+, on the other hand, is receiving the update in Columbia, Brazil, Panama, and a couple of other regions. At this pace, Samsung may very well be rolling out the July security update for other devices before the June release reaches the Galaxy A8+ and Tab S4 in all the markets.

Like every Security Maintenance Release (SMR), the June patch also includes fixes for both Android and Samsung-specific vulnerabilities. According to the company’s June security bulletin, the update patches eight critical and more than a dozen high-risk Android vulnerabilities and 11 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items of different intensities.

Since Samsung adopts a staged rollout for updates, not all devices may receive the OTA update at once. To check if the update is available to your device, go to Settings, select Software Update, and tap on the Download updates manually option. If that doesn’t trigger the update, you have to either wait or download the latest compatible firmware from our database and manually flash it. You can find the Galaxy A8+ firmware here and the Tab S4 firmware here.

Galaxy A8+

• Model: SM-A730F
• Dimensions: 159.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm
• Display: 6.0"(142.2mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 7885
• Camera: 16 MP, CMOS PDAF (F1.7)

More specifications

Galaxy Tab S4 (10.5", Wi-Fi)

• Model: SM-T830
• Dimensions: 249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1mm
• Display: 10.5” (266.7mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• Camera: 13 MP, CMOS

More specifications

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Galaxy Note 10+, not Pro, will be the larger model, images leaked

We exclusively confirmed three months ago that Samsung will be launching two models of the Galaxy Note 10. It was later rumored that the larger model will be called the Galaxy Note 10 Pro. The very first live images of the larger model have now leaked online. They show that Samsung will stick with its conventional naming scheme and call it Galaxy Note 10+ instead.

The images also confirm some design changes that we had only seen in the leaked renders so far. The display hole is in the center, not the right corner like it is on the Galaxy S10. While the Galaxy S10+ features a dual front camera, it appears that the Galaxy Note 10+ will only get one.

Leaked images show the Galaxy Note 10+ in the flesh

The first Galaxy Note 10+ live images have been leaked through a video from YouTuber TechTalkTV, who apparently received them from a subscriber on Instagram. The device we see here is not that different in terms of design compared to the renders that have surfaced online so far.

Earlier reports have suggested that the larger Galaxy Note 10 model will have a 6.75-inch display. These images show that Samsung has trimmed the bezels as expect. Also, notice the absence of an earpiece which means that recent reports about the Galaxy Note 10 having Sound on Display technology are likely accurate.

We’ve already opined that it’s fine if the larger Galaxy Note 10 doesn’t have a dual front camera. The pill-shaped cutout on the Galaxy S10+ doesn’t look that good and the addition of a second camera up front doesn’t make much of a difference for Live Focus (bokeh) selfies. The rather blurry image of the back shows that the device has an iPhone-like vertical camera system. The LED flash and ToF sensor are placed alongside it.

So it’s all as per expectations. The biggest takeaway here is the boot screen which shows that this device will be called the Galaxy Note 10+. It makes sense for Samsung to keep the branding within the confines of what its customers are already familiar with. Do you like what you see or do you wish that some of these design changes hadn’t been made? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

The post Galaxy Note 10+, not Pro, will be the larger model, images leaked appeared first on SamMobile.

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Galaxy A10s release approaches as it picks up Wi-Fi certification

Samsung still has a few Galaxy A handsets in the pipeline and it seems that the Galaxy A10s release may not be that far off now. The device has picked up its Wi-Fi certification, which is usually a good indication that the launch is just around the corner.

The Galaxy A10s made its way through the FCC just last week. The filing revealed the overall dimensions of this device and some additional details. As you’d expect, the Galaxy A10s is going to be a slightly upgraded variant of the Galaxy A10.

Galaxy A10s release could take place soon

The Galaxy A10 doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor so customers who want one will have to purchase the Galaxy A10s instead. The FCC filing had revealed that the Galaxy A10s is going to have a fingerprint sensor at the back in addition to a dual camera system. The Galaxy A10 only has a single rear camera.

The differences may also extend to battery capacity. The Galaxy A10s is said to feature a 3,900mAh battery compared to the 3,400mAh on the existing device. It will retain the base 32GB internal storage, though. We have previously revealed that the device will be available in red, blue, green and black color options. It may be powered by a MediaTek Helio P22 chipset with 2GB of RAM and run Android 9 Pie out of the box.

The Galaxy A10s bearing model number SM-A107F has now been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. That’s another hurdle crossed in the run up to the device’s release. Samsung hasn’t confirmed as yet when it’s going to come out. It shouldn’t be too long now.

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Samsung has $40,000 to give for new accessory designs for Galaxy devices

Samsung is hosting the Samsung Mobile Design Competition in partnership with Deezen, a leading design magazine. It wants contestants to submit designs for new accessories for Galaxy smartphones and tablets. The winners in each category will win cash prizes from a pool of $40,000.

The company launched a similar competition with Deezen two years ago. Samsung invited designers to submit designs for new QLED TV stands. This latest competition has two categories – Next Mobile + and Next Mobile Wallpaper.

Prizes worth $40,000 are up for grabs

The Next Mobile + category is for those who want to submit accessory designs for Galaxy smartphones, tablets and wearables. The accessories can include smartphone cases, tablet covers, watch straps or cases for earbuds. The designs should enhance the device and also provide value for the user. Contestants are free to design any kind of accessory that they want for Galaxy devices. Samsung will be particularly interested in those that interact digitally with its devices to provide enhanced functionality.

Samsung also wants designs for wallpapers hence the Next Mobile Wallpaper Paradigm category. It’s not looking for simple designs, mind you. Samsung says that these wallpapers should be interactive and contextually aware so that they can provide useful information as well. Professional designers and design students can both take part in this competition.

The top five finalists in each category will then be flown to London to present their ideas in front of a jury which will include Samsung executives and Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs. The jury is then going to choose the top three winners in each category who will be hosted by the company at the Samsung Developer Conference in San Jose later this year. That’s where they will get their prizes.

The winner in each category will receive the top prize of $10,000 while the runner up and third place gets $5,000 and $3,000 respectively. The fourth and fifth-placed entrants in each category will get $1,000 each.

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