Samsung teases Galaxy Note 10 One UI 2.0 beta program in Korea

Samsung Korea has revealed that the Android 10 One UI 2.0 beta program for the Galaxy Note 10 5G and Galaxy Note 10+ 5G is coming soon. The Galaxy Note 10 beta program was originally scheduled for October 21, but as we reported yesterday, Samsung’s customer care representatives are now saying that it has been delayed until October 24. And that may well be the actual date now that the company is teasing the beta, at least if there are no further delays.

This is, in fact, the first time Samsung has officially said that the Galaxy Note 10 duo will be getting an Android 10 beta. It was something we already knew thanks to our sources and because the Galaxy Note 9 was included in the One UI beta based on Android Pie last year, but it’s always good to see confirmation from the horse’s mouth. Along with South Korea, the beta should also be available in Germany, Poland, Spain, France, India, China, the UK, and the US, just like the Galaxy S10 One UI 2.0 beta program.

It’s also worth mentioning that the 5G variants may or may not be involved in the beta program outside South Korea. The Galaxy S10 5G is only getting the beta in Samsung’s home country, although the much wider availability of the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G mean it could be included in the program elsewhere as well. We’ll know for sure once Samsung starts teasing the beta in other countries.

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

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Galaxy Note 10 5G

• Model: SM-N971N
• 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 Note10+ 5G

• Model: SM-N976B
• Dimensions: 162.3 x 77,2 x 7.9mm
• Display: 6.8" (172.7mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
• 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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Samsung rethinks 2020 Tokyo Olympics marketing strategy amid trade dispute

Samsung Electronics has decided to rework its marketing strategy for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, whereby the company’s name will be removed from advertisements in favor of the Galaxy brand name.

The decision was made amid ongoing trade disputes between Japan and South Korea. Samsung has been an Olympics sponsor for a couple of decades but the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have created some discomfort for the company, especially since it’s the only Korean firm in the group of 13 Olympic Partners.

A calculated decision

According to a recent report from The Korea Bizwire, Samsung has employed the services of a global marketing firm to determine how big of a negative impact the Tokyo Olympic Games sponsorship will have on its brand image in Japan, especially since Samsung continues aiming to achieve a two-digit market share in the country. The company concluded that it would be more profitable in the long run if the Olympics marketing campaign would omit the Samsung name entirely and focus solely on the Galaxy brand instead.

Samsung admitted a month ago that it is “somewhat uncomfortable” with the idea of supporting the 2020 Tokyo Olympics amid the trade disputes between the two countries. However, the contract with the International Olympic Committee was signed back in 2014, years before the ongoing trade dispute was even a thing, and there’s no way around these obligations.

Although Samsung will continue to sponsor the event, the company will attempt to mitigate the damage that could be done to its brand image by disassociating itself from the Tokyo Olympics as much as possible. Samsung is an iconic Korean tech giant and the name carries much more weight and history than the Galaxy brand.

All in all, don’t be surprised if the Samsung brand will be missing from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic adverts and billboards. The company is still a worldwide Olympic Games sponsor and will continue to be for at least until 2028.

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Galaxy S10 Android 10 beta UK release has been halted

Samsung released the Galaxy S10 Android 10 beta in the UK today, as expected. The beta was also supposed to be released in India today as October 21 had previously been confirmed as the starting date. That didn’t happen and many of our Indian readers have been confused as to what happened.

The beta did become available for users in the United Kingdom but only briefly. Samsung has halted the release and posted a notice in the Members app explaining what happened. This may also be the reason why the beta wasn’t released in India today.

Samsung halts the Galaxy S10 Android 10 beta UK release

Samsung’s notice mentions that even though the option to join the beta was available today, the firmware itself was not meant to be released yet. The file that some users managed to download “is not the official beta,” it says, adding that the firmware still needs some tests and confirmation. The company apologizes for the inconvenience caused and says that the proper beta firmware will be released “as soon as it is possible.”

The teaser for the beta’s release has already been removed from the Members app in India. It had mentioned October 21 as the starting date. The banner has also been removed in Poland as it was also expected to receive the beta today. It’s clear that the rollout that was scheduled for today didn’t go according to plan. Samsung has had to delay the release despite the confusion it has caused among users.

That being said, it may not be too long before the Galaxy S10 Android 10 beta becomes available in these markets. The beta program was supposed to open up to the Galaxy Note 10 starting today as well. We hear that it has been delayed until October 24. Perhaps that’s when these markets will also get the Galaxy S10 beta? We’ll be sure to keep you updated every step of the way.

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 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

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Samsung Forward program expands to cover all of Russia

The Samsung Forward program has been expanded to cover the entire territory of Russia. Similar to the Upgrade Program, Samsung Forward allows eligible customers to acquire new Galaxy phones in exchange for a monthly fee. After the first 12 payments, customers can choose to upgrade to a newer Galaxy model free of charge, or return the device and put its value towards discounting other purchases.

Samsung Forward is available through third-party retailers

Unlike the Upgrade Program which works exclusively through Samsung’s own retail channels, customers can take advantage of Samsung Forward through partner third-party retailers in the country. Prospective buyers can visit the official website and consult a map for the exact locations of all the participating retailers in Russia.

Samsung Forward first launched in Russia roughly a year ago before the service became available nation-wide. The company claims that since then, one out of every four Forward participants upgraded to a new Galaxy phone using the program. Samsung Russia also reveals that 11 percent of Galaxy Note 10 pre-orders have been covered by Forward members who have secured the new flagship from a partner retailer.

As of this writing, the Galaxy Note 10 can be acquired via Samsung Forward in exchange of 4,690 rubles ($73) a month, while the Galaxy Note 10+ is available for 5,490 ($86). The service is not limited to flagships and you can review the entire product catalog here.

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Bixby DevJam contest offers $125K in cash prizes to Capsule developers

Samsung is launching a contest for Bixby Capsule developers, called Bixby DevJam, allowing participants to win cash prizes and giving them a chance to be mentored by Adam Cheyer, co-founder of Siri, Change.org, and Bixby.

To take place in the contest, Bixby Capsule developers have to sign up for Bixby DevJam and submit their creations to the Bixby Marketplace by December 9.

Bixby DevJam puts $125,000 in cash prizes on the table

The prizes prepared for Bixby DevJam are split into several categories. To begin with, Samsung will award $300 in US Samsung Store credit to the creators of the first 250 Capsules approved for the Marketplace.

In addition, every eligible submission to the Bixby Marketplace will automatically join a weekly $500 raffle. Raffles are scheduled for the 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th of November, with the final one taking place on December 1st.

The grand prize of $10,000 will be given to the best overall Capsule. Two second-place winners will receive $5,000 each, and five developers will be picked for the third place and a $1,000 cash prize. Likewise, 20 Store section winners will win $1,000 each.

Aside from these cash prizes, contestants also get an opportunity to have the co-founder of Bixby, Adam Cheyer, as an advisor to their company, but the winning criteria are unclear as of this writing.

Are you a Bixby developer? You can visit Bixby DevJam for additional details and instructions on how to register for the contest, and check the video below for a quick overview.

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Customers in South Korea can now buy the Galaxy Fold without a pre-order

Samsung has carefully controlled the release of the Galaxy Fold. South Korea was the first country to get it. The first pre-order batch quickly sold out there and it was a similar story for subsequent batches.

Ahead of the iPhone 11’s expected release in South Korea this week, Samsung has now made its foldable smartphone readily available in the country. Customers no longer have to place a pre-order for the Galaxy Fold.

South Koreans can buy the Galaxy Fold without a pre-order now

Starting today, the Galaxy Fold is readily available for purchase in South Korea. It’s being sold through the retail network of Samsung and its local carrier partners. Customers can also place an order directly on Samsung’s website.

Ever since the Galaxy Fold was released in South Korea last month, it could only be purchased through a pre-order. It’s much easier for customers to purchase the Galaxy Fold on a whim now. They can walk into a Samsung store and walk out with a Galaxy Fold within minutes.

The Galaxy Fold has been released in many countries over the past month. Samsung has employed the same strategy everywhere. It’s only available to pre-order customers and quantities are limited. It remains to be seen if Samsung will be opening up general sales of the device in other markets soon.

An earlier report today suggested that Samsung has sold 500,000 Galaxy Fold units so far. The company also has an ambitious goal of selling 6 million foldable devices next year. It’s going to release a new foldable device in the coming year that may have a lower price point. That might help move more units but it will be interesting to see if that 6 million unit target can be met.

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Daily Deal: 9% off the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019)

The Galaxy Tab A (2019) is a mid-range tablet from Samsung that gets you a big 10.1-inch canvas for your Netflix binge and browsing sessions, and right now, it’s going for a 9% discount for the 128GB model, making it an excellent time to pick one up. The Tab A 10.1 (2019) has an octa-core Exynos 7904 chip under the hood, 3GB of RAM, a microSD slot for up to 512GB of extra storage, a 6,150 mAh battery, and Samsung’s One UI software based on Android Pie. It also has an 5MP front camera for video calls and selfies, and an 8MP camera on the back for the times you want to take a picture but don’t have your phone around.

Hit the Buy Now button below and get the Galaxy Tab A (2019) before they run out.

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Samsung reportedly aiming to sell 6 million foldable phones in 2020

According to a new report from ETNews, Samsung is aiming to sell up to six million foldable phones next year. Samsung has reportedly sold 500,000 Galaxy Folds and has asked its display division if it has the capacity to produce as many foldable displays as would be required to meet the lofty goal. Samsung had reportedly thought about increasing its sales target for foldable phones in 2020 to 10 million but decided to settle at the six million figure.

That is already quite ambitious even when we consider the excellent demand in the Galaxy Fold. It’s possible Samsung is just thinking ahead and wants to make sure it has the capacity to create that many foldable devices when more and more consumers start warming up to the foldable phone idea. It has even increased its foldable display output to a million panels this month to meet Galaxy Fold demand, although none of the numbers have come officially from Samsung.

Six million is a small figure considering how many devices Samsung makes overall, and with the company making a big deal out of how the Fold has been selling out in every market, we may actually see six million foldable phones with the Samsung branding make it into the hands of consumers next year. Nothing is certain, however, as the foldable form factor is new and unproven over the long-term, and whether demand will go up as much as Samsung is expecting it to is something we will have to wait and see.

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Galaxy S7 updated with October 2019 security patch

The Galaxy S7 keeps on getting security updates, at least in some markets. Samsung has now released the October 2019 security patch for the Galaxy S7, with an update rolling out in Colombia, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil with software version G930FXXS6ESJA. The October update comes less than a month after the September security update was released in a few countries.

The Galaxy S7 was one of three Samsung devices named in the report that revealed a critical Android OS vulnerability is being fixed in the October security patch, but it doesn’t look like the Korean giant has included that fix in its version of the October patch that has been released for Galaxy devices. Google fixed the vulnerability in a separate version of the October patch, and that means Galaxy devices will only get the fix next month once the November security patch starts rolling out.

The October update is only available for the Galaxy S7 at this point, but Galaxy S7 edge owners should also get the update in the next couple of days. The update can be downloaded over the air from the Settings » Software update menu on the phone or from our firmware section.

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