Report: Samsung to acquire Japan’s photoresist through a Belgian firm

We start the final week of August with more news regarding Samsung’s situation amid Japan’s trade restrictions. It seems like new information related to the matter surfaces every few days or so, and a recent report from South Korean media outlets now indicates that Samsung might begin importing photoresist for chipset manufacturing from Belgium.

More specifically, a recent ETNews report citing industry sources suggests that Samsung might decide to rely on a Belgian company to acquire photoresist needed for manufacturing chipsets using EUV processes. The material in question won’t be produced in Belgium; instead, the said Belgian company would only act as a middleman between Japanese suppliers and Samsung. Said company would buy photoresist from Japan and then it would sell it to Samsung for a profit.

Sounds like another temporary solution

If this report comes to pass then the situation will not be ideal for Samsung. First of all, the Japanese government will certainly be aware of this loophole and even though the trade restrictions don’t apply to Belgium, Japan could still take issue with this strategy and might try to prevent Samsung from doing it. Secondly, even if Japan would be fine with a Belgian company acting as the middleman between it and Samsung, this would also result in higher production costs for the Korean company. Then again, having a steady supply of photoresist in exchange for a higher price is better than not having any manufacturing materials at all.

Last week we’ve learned that Samsung managed to secure enough photoresist from Japan to last for roughly six months, on top of the remaining two months’ worth of stock. But there’s no assurance that Samsung and Japan will agree on another batch of photoresist in the future, so the fact that the Korean tech giant is looking for alternative solutions is not all that surprising. However the story will continue to develop, we’re hoping that Samsung won’t be faced with material shortages and/or manufacturing delays anytime soon.

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Samsung releases August security patch for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

Samsung has released the August 2019 security patch for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge in more than a dozen markets today. Both these devices were removed from the list of models eligible for the quarterly security updates in June this year, but they are now back on the same list again. Though there is no official explanation for the back and forth, it is possible Samsung removed these devices from the list by mistake.

The August security patch for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge is currently available in France, Poland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands, Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and a few other regions. In most of these markets, it is the Vodafone variant which is currently receiving the update.

Given how old these devices are, it is doubtful the release packs anything more than security fixes. According to Samsung’s security bulletin, the August Security Maintenance Release (SMR) includes patches from Google for seven critical and many high-risk Android vulnerabilities and 17 fixes from Samsung for threats that are specific to Galaxy devices.

Since Samsung rolls out software updates in stages, not all eligible devices may receive the OTA update notification at once. You can, however, manually check for the update by tapping the Download updates manually option under Software Update in settings. If that doesn’t trigger the update, you have to wait for Samsung to seed the update to your device. Alternatively, you can also download the latest firmware for your device (Galaxy S7, S7 Edge) from our database and manually flash it.

Galaxy S7

• Model: SM-G930F
• Dimensions: 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm
• Display: 5.1" (129.2mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8890
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7

More specifications

Galaxy S7 edge

• Model: SM-G935F
• Dimensions: 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm
• Display: 5.5" (139.3mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 8890
• Camera: 12 MP, Dual Pixel F1.7

More specifications

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Daily Deal: 60% off a shock absorbing Galaxy Note 10+ case

You’ve got your shiny new Galaxy Note 10+ and now you just want to make sure that it remains in the same pristine condition as it was when you took it out of the box. That why like many customers you’ll be using a case with your device. Amazon has a great deal on a shock absorbing case for the Galaxy Note 10+. It offers you more bang for the buck because the case also comes with a screen protector.

The case is made from a single piece of rugged TPU with enhanced shock absorption which will help protect the device when it’s dropped. The case is compatible with wireless chargers so you don’t have to worry about losing that important feature. The included screen protector will come in handy as well. Use the Buy Now button below to purchase on from Amazon. It’s 60 percent off at the moment so hurry as prices could go up again.

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Zens wireless charger is a must-have accessory for your Samsung devices

There’s no shortage of wireless chargers on the market. Samsung makes a couple of them as well, including the very versatile Wireless Charger Duo. The one limitation that these chargers have is that if the device isn’t placed in the correct position on the mat, they won’t start charging.

This is where Zens comes in. The company says that it has launched the world’s first wireless charger with 16 overlapping charging coils called Zens Liberty. This means that it can charge the device without requiring it to be placed on a specific spot on the mat. It can also charge two devices simultaneously.

Zens Liberty wireless charger will be perfect for your Samsung devices

The concept here isn’t that different from what Apple tried to achieve with the ill-fated AirPower wireless charging mat. It was supposed to let users charge up to three Apple devices at the same time regardless of where they were placed on the mat. Apple canceled that product reportedly due to overheating issues.

So if you happen to pick one up, the Zens Liberty wireless charger will be able to charge two of your Samsung devices at the same time, like the Galaxy Note 10+ and the Galaxy Buds, for example. It’s Qi-compatible so it will work with a wide range of non-Samsung devices as well. The wireless charging speed is 15W. It’s compatible with Samsung Fast Charge and also has a 2.4A integrated USB port which can be used to charge an additional device.

The Zens Liberty Kvadrat edition will be available starting November 2019 for $139.99. It’s charging mat has a unique textile surface made of high-quality woolen upholstery Atlas by Kvadrat. There’s also a limited Glass edition of the charger which will be available from November as well for $179.99. It has glass instead of the textile surface so you can actually see the wireless charging coils inside the Liberty.

Would you be interested in buying a Zens Liberty? If it works as advertised by this Netherlands-based company, it would surely be a very useful accessory to charge two of your Samsung devices at the same time.

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Galaxy Note 10 pre-order figures in Canada exceed expectations

The Galaxy Note 10 launched in 70 countries last Friday, and we’re hearing reports that the phone has enjoyed “overwhelming demand” throughout the pre-order period in some regions. After learning last week that pre-order records in South Korea have been shattered by the Galaxy Note 10 series, we’ve now learned that demand in Canada has also exceeded expectations.

According to Mobile Syrup citing the company, Samsung registered an “unprecedented number of pre-orders” for the Galaxy Note 10 series in Canada. Exact figures haven’t been revealed, but of course, the term “unprecedented” suggests that the latest flagship has broken some records. Whether this means that more than 1 million pre-orders have been registered – as it’s been the case in South Korea – is unknown, but Samsung’s strategy to launch more than one Galaxy Note model may have paid off given the high pre-order figures in several markets so far.

The Galaxy S10 series was also quite successful partly due to the inclusion of the more compact Galaxy S10e model which was sold at a lower price point. It looks like the majority of fans gravitate towards the larger Note 10+ model, but there are reasons to consider buying the smaller Note 10 as well. In Canada, both variants are powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset instead of Samsung’s in-house Exynos 9825.

Galaxy Note 10

• Model: SM-N970F
• Dimensions: 151.0 x71.8x7.9mm
• Display: 6.3"(160.02mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9825
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS F2.2 Telephoto & 12MP F1.5/F2.4 77° & 16MP F2.2 123° Ultra-wide

More specifications

Galaxy Note 10+

• Model: SM-N975F
• Dimensions: 162.3 x 77,2 x 7.9mm
• Display: 6.8"(172.7mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9825
• Camera: 12 Ultra Wide: 16MP F2.2 (123°) & Wide-angle: 12MP 2PD AF F1.5/F2.4 OIS (77°) & Telephoto: 12MP F2.1 OIS (45°) & DepthVision Camera: VGA

More specifications

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Galaxy Fold pre-registration page goes live in China

The long-overdue Galaxy Fold should be Samsung’s final major release of the year, and with the Galaxy Note 10 launch out of the way, all eyes are now fixed on the Galaxy Fold in hopes of a successful re-release. Samsung has yet to unveil the exact release date for the foldable phone, but the big day is drawing very near, as evidenced by the recent launch of the Fold’s pre-registration page in China.

The redesigned Galaxy Fold is set to be unveiled in September and chances are very high that the flagship will be showcased at IFA in Berlin starting next week. Until then, prospective buyers in China can express their interest in the device through the new pre-registration page. It doesn’t allow people to pre-order the device and there are no strings attached to pre-registering, but the process gives Samsung a rough estimate of how many people are interested in its first foldable phone; at least in China. There’s a high probability that pre-registration pages for the Galaxy Fold will continue to pop-up for other regions in the coming weeks.

The Galaxy Fold still has no proper competition

The story of the Galaxy Fold has been a tumultuous one. Initially planned for launch in the first half of 2019, the foldable flagship had to be delayed due to design shortcomings. Fortunately for Samsung, its biggest rival in the foldable segment – Huawei – also had to push back its own foldable Mate X for later this year, so customer interest shouldn’t have shifted away too much from the Fold throughout the past few months.

There just aren’t many foldable options out there, and Samsung seems to have the superior product. Will it succeed in opening up a new chapter for the mobile industry? Only time will tell, but feel free to show your interest via the official pre-registration page or in the comment section below.

Galaxy Fold

• Model: SM-F900F
• Dimensions: Unfolded: 160.9 x 117.9 x 6.9 mm Folded: 160.9 x 62.9 x 15.5 mm
• Display: 7,3" (185.4mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
• Camera: 16 MP, CMOS F2.2 & 12MP, CMOS F1.5/F2.4Wide & 12MP, CMOS F2.4 Telephoto

More specifications

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Samsung’s new app aims to end poverty, tackle climate change, and more

At the Galaxy Note 10 Unpacked event, Samsung announced a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. These are a collection of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to create a better world by 2030.

As part of the partnership, the Korean company unveiled a new Samsung Global Goals app and special edition accessories to raise awareness about SDGs. The app, which comes preinstalled on the Galaxy Note 10/10+, is now available for download on Google Play and Galaxy Store to other Galaxy devices as well.

“An app created to help end poverty & hunger, reduce inequalities, tackle climate change and help make the world a better place,” says the Samsung Global Goals listing on the Galaxy Store, making it one of the rare instances where an app’s over-the-top description is not misleading. The app follows One UI design principles and features a clean and attractive look.

Upon launching the app for the first time, you are presented with an option to turn on lock screen wallpapers, which are either goal graphics or interesting quotes about a goal. The app has four tabs: Updates, Goals, Donate, and Settings. The Updates tab, as the name suggests, displays updates about the Global Goals. It also shows ads for other apps that you can interact with to earn money to donate to any of the causes. The Goals tab lists all the 17 SDGs in detail with key facts and figures. The Donate tab displays all your earnings, the goals you support, and the donations you made. It also offers direct links to donate to any of the goals.

The Settings section includes, among other things, options to toggle lock screen wallpapers and charge screen ads. Enabling the latter displays ads on the screen when the device is charging and helps you to earn more to donate your favorite causes. In my brief testing, however, I didn’t see any ads while charging to comment on the experience. It is also not immediately clear how much you can earn by interacting with the ads.

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Samsung confirms Galaxy A91 with 45W super fast charging support

Samsung has just confirmed the existence of two upcoming Galaxy A phones, the Galaxy A91, and the Galaxy A90 5G. The listing on Samsung Hungary’s website also reveals one of their key hardware details. The Galaxy A91 will support 45W charging speeds, while the A90 5G will come with support for 25W fast charging.

45W Super Fast Charging coming to more phones

The Galaxy Note 10+ (and its 5G variant) is the first smartphone to support Samsung’s new 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 tech, but it certainly won’t be the last. The official list of compatible models for the 45W charger reads “Galaxy Note 10+, Note 10+ 5G, A91 and higher”, suggesting that the technology will be making its way into more phones soon. Samsung is yet to ship the 45W charger globally, though.

The Galaxy A91 will be Samsung’s top-of-the-table offering in the 2020 Galaxy A lineup. It is said to feature a quad-camera setup consisting of a 108MP main camera, 16MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a ToF sensor. No other info about the handset is available yet.

The Galaxy A90 5G, on the other hand, is rumored to feature a triple rear camera setup with “Tilt OIS” tech. The handset is Samsung’s attempt at a cheaper 5G smartphone. The Galaxy A90 5G has already picked up the necessary certifications from various agencies, hinting at an imminent launch.

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Galaxy M40 update brings QR scanner, Night mode, August security patch

A new Galaxy M40 software update is rolling out in India today, bringing the latest security patch to the device along with the QR scanner feature and a dedicated Night mode for the camera. The update comes with software version M405FDDU1ASH1 and is available over the air as a 366 MB download.

The Galaxy M40 is one of many Galaxy devices that have received a dedicated QR scanner through a software update. It will now scan QR codes whenever the camera is pointed at them, removing the need for installing third-party QR scanning apps. M40 owners will find the feature even more useful since the M40 doesn’t support Bixby Vision, which is what provided QR scanning capability out of the box on other Galaxy phones that have received the QR scanner feature.

The new Galaxy M40 update can be downloaded by tapping the Download and install option inside the Software update menu of the phone’s Settings app. Owners of the device can also upgrade by downloading the latest firmware from our database if the update isn’t available for them over the air.

Do let us know if the update makes any other notable changes once you’ve upgraded your Galaxy M40.

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Samsung’s smartphone market share in Japan hits a six-year high

Samsung’s smartphone market share in Japan hit a six-year high in Q2 2019, a new Strategy Analytics data shows. According to the data compiled by the firm, Samsung shipped around 600,000 smartphone units in the Japanese market in the April-July period. The numbers account for about 9.8% of the country’s smartphone market. Apple dominated the market with 50.8% share. Japanese firms Sharp and Sony came third and fourth with 7.2% and 7% market share, respectively.

This is Samsung’s highest market share in Japan in six years. Samsung’s market had last hovered above 10% back in 2013. Since then, it declined to 3.4% in 2016, before steadily rebounding to 5.2% in 2017 and 6.4% in 2018. The latest surge is attributed to strong sales of the Galaxy S10 series in Japan.

Tougher times ahead for Samsung in Japan

Samsung has been exploring ways to expand its foothold in the Japanese market. Japanese mobile carriers are preparing to roll out 5G networks ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Samsung is eyeing a big chunk there. Samsung is a Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category. The South Korean company also opened its largest Galaxy showcase store in Tokyo in March this year to mark 500 days to go until the 2020 Olympics.

However, the escalating trade war between Japan and South Korea may not help Samsung’s cause. Japan has dropped South Korea from a list of favored economic partners, which may adversely affect Samsung’s smartphone business in the country. The new order goes into effect this Wednesday, August 28. It places restrictions on the export of more than 800 “strategic materials” to South Korea.

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