The Galaxy Note 9’s One UI 2.0 beta program is moving ahead today with the release of a new Android 10 beta update. This is the third beta update for the Galaxy Note 9 (fourth if we count the hotfix update that followed the initial beta release) and comes with a rather short list of bug fixes, suggesting that the stable Android 10 update for the device isn’t far away.
In fact, Samsung’s beta team has even said in the South Korean community forums that the company is focusing on getting the stable update out quickly by fixing existing bugs instead of introducing new features. That suggests that features like Bixby Routines, which are missing from the Android 10 beta for both the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S9, could arrive with minor software updates after the initial stable update has been rolled out.
Issues fixed in the latest beta update — software version N960FXXU4ZSL7 — include an app crash in Samsung Pass, unstable mobile hotspot connection stability, iris recognition not working in Secure Folder, and a couple of others. We can confirm that the third Note 9 beta is available in India at this time, and owners of the phone in the UK and South Korea should be getting it as well. You can check if that’s the case by going into the Software update menu in the device settings and selecting Download and install.
Samsung surprised us with how quickly it released the official Android 10/One UI 2.0 update for the Galaxy S10, and if that weren’t enough, the company even managed to push out the update to two budget smartphones before its other 2019 flagship, the Galaxy Note 10. And, if if Samsung can keep the momentum going, we could see other Galaxy devices making the jump to the newest version of Android in the near future.
While we will be writing a separate article every time One UI 2.0 and Android 10 come to another Galaxy device for the first time, we decided it would also help our readers if we put together a list that tells them which Galaxy devices have already received the update. You can find that list below – you can bookmark this page and keep checking back from time to time to see if Android 10 is available for your Galaxy smartphone or tablet.
Do keep in mind that the presence of a device on this list does not mean it has been updated to Android 10 in every country. Samsung gradually expands availability of software updates, whether they are simple security updates or those that bring a newer version of the OS, although you can keep an eye on our firmware archive to find out if the update has been released in your country.
Galaxy devices that have received Android 10/One UI 2.0 update
The Galaxy Note 10 Lite has been subjected to its biggest leak yet, as WinFuture got a hold of numerous leaked press renders depicting the device from various angles and in different colors. We had exclusively reported about the existence of the Galaxy Note 10 Lite about two months ago.
Samsung’s unusual S Pen-enabled phone is going to have a rectangular camera cutout for the rear-facing modules, a design element that’s completely different from the Galaxy Note 10 series. The camera system comprises three sensors and an LED flash.
Galaxy Note 10 Lite appears to have a relatively flat display
The design looks similar to the 3D Glasstic language, at least as far as the metal frame and rounded back panel corners are concerned, but it remains to be seen if the choice of materials will fall in the Glasstic category. Either way, the display looks flat, or at the very least, it doesn’t seem to have a dual-edge curved panel like the Note 10 series does.
What the Galaxy Note 10 Lite seems to share with the full-fledged Note 10 is the choice of colors, including black, red, as well as Aura Glow. There’s also a similarly-looking S Pen, but the internal hardware could differ as the new stylus might have Bluetooth 5.1 with location tracking capabilities.
The Galaxy Note 10 Lite seems to follow the 2020 design formula closely, not only because of the redesigned camera module but also the button placement. All of the physical buttons are placed on the right side of the frame. This is something we expect to see with the Galaxy S11. The Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 have already made the switch. However, even if it may look like a phone from next year, the device could launch before the end of 2019.
This is the first time in years for the Galaxy Note series to step anywhere below the flagship segment, allowing more budget-conscious buyers to enjoy the S Pen and all of the software features that accompany it. The phone will reportedly launch in Europe for around €650, which would make it considerably more affordable than the standard Galaxy Note 10. But will it be worth it? You’ll have to wait for our review to find out, so stay tuned.
Spain‘s flagship airline Iberia has partnered with Samsung Electronics in order to increase efficiency, streamline processes, and deliver real-time information as part of the Go Up project. As a result, Iberia’s airports in Spain now incorporate more than 800 Samsung Galaxy devices that contribute to pushing its airport assistance service to the next level.
Rugged Galaxy phones and tablets are par for the course
As part of its efforts to provide better assistance service, Iberia has equipped ground personnel with rugged Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets, including the Galaxy XCover 4s and Galaxy Tab Active 2. They are both resistant to shock and have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making them a great fit for enterprise devices.
Combining Samsung hardware with apps including CORA, Kepler, Push to Talk, and Teams, information can be centralized in a single general registry, and Iberia’s agents can obtain information and receive updated tasks in real time. This streamlines the process and improves the management and distribution of resources. Likewise, agents are able to communicate with each other more effectively.
David Alonso, enterprise business director at Samsung Spain, announced ‘It is our pleasure to work with Iberia to improve its management processes at airports and, in short, to facilitate the travel logistics of thousands of passengers on a daily basis.’
Samsung is reportedly preparing to jettison up to 900 workers at its plant in Galanta, Slovakia, as the company is reorganizing its resources and global manufacturing strategy, reveals an SME report citing Denník N. The publication claims that anywhere between 300 and 400 manual workers will lose their jobs next year, adding that Samsung will also let go of around 200 employees from departments like purchases, engineering, and quality assurance.
This bit of news is rather unexpected given that Samsung Slovakia reportedly hired 1,500 workers in spring. Trade union KOVO head, Emil Machyna, was cited saying that ‘we will definitely be negotiating on some good terms, if people have to leave their jobs in this region, to secure at least a certain social status for these people.’
Samsung putting a stronger focus on its plant in Hungary
Samsung moved the production of various consumer electronics and components, from TVs to large displays, to its plants in Hungary and Galanta, Slovakia, after it shut down its factory in Voderady last year.
However, it now seems that the company will slow things down at its Galanta plant as well, leaving the factory in Hungary as one of its main facilities in Europe.
Hopefully, this won’t necessarily mean that Samsung will shut down its Galanta plant entirely and leave a big mark on the city’s economy. We’ve recently learned of the massive negative impact Samsung’s departure from Huizhou has had on the city in China, where the local economy was deeply interconnected with Samsung’s operations.
This isn’t necessarily the case in every city where Samsung operates but thousands of employees still rely on the company and, in turn, these people inevitably sustain smaller local businesses, from restaurants to real estate. Samsung’s presence – and departure – is always felt to a lower or higher degree.
So it’s not surprising that Samsung isn’t making a big deal about the Galaxy A01’s launch. The Galaxy A01 is going to be the cheapest handset in the new Galaxy A series. The specs are respectable enough for a device that will cater to the entry-level segment of the market.
Galaxy A01 is Samsung’s latest entry-level smartphone
The Galaxy A01 features a 5.7-inch HD+ resolution Infinity-V display. There’s an octa-core Quad 1.95 GHz + Quad 1.45GHz processor under the hood with 6/8GB RAM variants and 128GB internal storage. 6/8GB RAM seems a bit out of place for a device of this caliber. It was previously spotted with 2GB of RAM, so perhaps Samsung may update the published spec sheet at some point in the future. The handset supports microSD expansion up to 512GB. You’ll find a 13-megapixel f/2.2 primary camera on the back with a 2-megapixel f/2.4 depth sensor. There’s also a 5-megapixel f/2.0 selfie camera.
Additional features include FM Radio and the usual slew of light and proximity sensors aside from the accelerometer. There’s a 3,000mAh battery keeping the lights on. The handset measures 146.3 x 70.86 x 8.34mm and will be available in black, blue and red colors. It will most likely be running Android 10 out of the box.
There’s still a lot of space in the market for a robust entry-level device. Such handsets tend to do very well in markets where a lot of people are still getting their first smartphones. Just how well the Galaxy A01 performs remains to be seen. Samsung also hasn’t confirmed any pricing or availability details about the Galaxy A01. It shouldn’t be long now, though, before it follows through with that information.
Samsung is going to start mass-producing memory chips at its upgraded Xi’an plant in China beginning 2020, according to XinhuaNet citing Samsung China Semiconductor. Reportedly, the first round of investment for the second phase of expansion should conclude next March, after which mass production can begin.
Samsung is expected to then complete the second round of investment for the second phase of expansion in the second half of 2021, but by then, its memory chip production capacity should have already increased.
Samsung’s Xi’an memory chip plant first began operations in 2014. The company decided to expand the facility to phase two back in 2017 when it signed an agreement with the Shaanxi provincial government.
2017 was the year in which Samsung Electronics dethroned Intel and take the top spot in the semiconductor business for itself. The company didn’t rest on its laurels and decided to push things further by increasing its memory chip production capacity to maintain its lead.
The gap between Intel and Samsung seems to have narrowed down in the past couple of years, but Samsung hasn’t skipped a beat and keeps making investments and improving its production lines. While it’s still threatened by Intel, the company already cooked up a decade-long plan for memory chip investment and development.
Plenty of new laptops these days come with just a few USB-C ports that are supposed to do everything from charging the laptop to connecting basic peripherals such as an external mouse or flash drive. Many laptops lack an HDMI ports as well, and that makes it a problem when you want to hook them up to your TV or the monitor on your desk. USB-C to HDMI adapters solve that problem, and right now, you can grab an adapter from MOKiN for 25% off its standard price. The MOKiN USB-C to HDMI adapter supports up to 4K resolution, and it also works with smartphones, so you can view your phone’s display on a larger screen using this adapter.
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Samsung has gradually expanded the availability of Samsung Pay to more countries across the globe ever since the service was first launched in August 2015. However, the company has recently been quite slow at bringing its mobile payments service to new markets.
We pointed out last week that Samsung Pay was launched in just one new market in 2019. We reached out to Samsung for a comment on the matter. The statement we received from it suggests that Samsung Pay might be expanded to more markets in 2020.
Samsung Pay to launch in more markets come 2020
As we mentioned in our report, Indonesia is the only market where Samsung Pay was launched in 2019. Instead of expanding the service, Samsung did more to bring additional functionality to Samsung Pay in 2019.
That’s reiterated by the company in the statement that it provided us. “Samsung is committed to delivering the best mobile payment experience possible, making it more convenient for consumers to pay for goods and services with a mobile device,” it said, adding that “This year we focused on improving the consumer experience with new, Advanced features by collaborating with local partners.”
Not closing the door on new markets for Samsung Pay, the company adds that “We look forward to sharing more details on the improved experience and additional market availability in the coming year.”
Some of the new features that Samsung Pay received in 2019 include the ability to make international transfers, enhanced third-party wallet integration, virtual prepaid card, and more. A Samsung POS was also launched to enable small business owners to transform their Samsung Pay-compatible phones into payment terminals.
All of these feature additions have significantly improved the experience for users. However, there are still a lot of people who wish for Samsung to bring its mobile payments service to their market. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing Samsung Pay being expanded to more countries in the coming year.
We already know a few details about Samsung’s upcoming budget smartphones for 2020 from various leaks and certifications. Slash Leaks has now posted renders by a case maker for two of these devices: Galaxy A01 and A21. As the model name suggests, the former is a new entry-level Galaxy smartphone, while the latter is supposed to be a successor to the A20.
The renders don’t reveal anything surprising and show devices with a design language reminiscent of the current Galaxy budget smartphones. The rear side of the A01 in the renders is missing a fingerprint reader and sports a dual-camera setup, while the A21 has a triple-camera module and a fingerprint scanner. On the front, we see Infinity displays with a v-shaped notch for both the devices. Even though all of this is on expected lines, it is still worth noting that these are not official renders and can be misleading.
The Galaxy A01 secured FCC approval last month, suggesting its imminent launch and revealing some of the specs and design elements in the process. It is expected to come with a 5.7-inch screen, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, Android 10, and a 3,000mAh battery. We also revealed exclusively that it would be available in blue, black, and red color options at launch.
The details about the Galaxy A21, meanwhile, are still hazy, with very few credible leaks so for. We know it is supposed to be a successor to the Galaxy A20 and should, therefore, theoretically offer better specs than its predecessor. Hopefully, we will see more details about this device emerge online as we inch closer to its launch.
The Galaxy A51 could soon launch in India, as support pages for the phone have gone live on the local Samsung website. India was the first market to get the Galaxy A50 earlier this year, but Samsung chose to unveil its successor in Vietnam. It has already been rumored that the Galaxy A51 will make its way to India sometime in December – the device will go on sale in Vietnam on December 27th, and it’s possible the Indian launch will take place at around the same time.
It will be interesting to see if Samsung will continue to sell the Galaxy A50 and Galaxy A50s in the two countries once the A51 hits retail shelves. The Galaxy A50s and A50 are priced similarly right now despite the former having higher-resolution rear and selfie cameras, and Samsung will probably decide to take the A50 off the market once the A51 goes on sale. Or, well, the company will keep all three phones on sale and simply introduce a price drop for the A50 and A50s – we will have to wait and see.
However, from what we could tell from using the Galaxy A51 at its Vietnam launch (read our hands-on impressions here), there won’t be much of a reason for anyone to opt for a Galaxy A50 or A50s instead. The A51 is priced at roughly $350 and offers the latest version of Android out of the box, a quad rear camera setup that includes a macro camera, and an Infinity-O display that’s slightly larger than the Galaxy A50’s Infinity-U display and has smaller bezels around it.
Android 10 and One UI 2.0 are relatively minor updates, but they still bring a few neat features to Galaxy smartphones and tablets. While all the new functionality in stock Android 10 is not specific to any vendor, One UI 2.0 features are exclusive to Galaxy devices, and here’s our pick of the top features that you get with the latest version of Samsung’s One UI.
Navigation gestures
Taking inspiration from iOS, Google started tinkering with navigation gestures in Android Pie. The end result, however, was far from an elegant solution. In Android 10, Google revamped the navigation gestures to mimic Apple’s implementation, but fell short due to Android’s use of the back button and hamburger menus. Moreover, the new gestures don’t work with third-party launchers on most devices as of now.
The situation is a tad better on Galaxy devices. Not impressed with Google’s implementation, Samsung came up with its own take on gestures in Android Pie. Thankfully, the Korean company is not ditching its solution in One UI 2.0 and is instead offering it as an option along with the new Android 10 gestures. While Samsung’s navigation gestures may not look or work all that different from traditional on-screen buttons, they are efficient (once you get used to them) and compatible with third-party launchers as well. To know more about these gestures, you can read our previous post on this topic.
Built-in screen recorder
There are already myriad ways to record what’s happening on your screen, but Android 10 is making it easier by adding native screen recording functionality in the OS. Samsung’s implementation of this feature is even better, with granular controls for video quality and audio capture. Galaxy users can also doodle on the screen, shoot a selfie video, and record audio from the microphone and media playing on the device while capturing the action on the screen.
Interestingly, this feature made its debut on the Galaxy Note 10 before the release of Android 10. With One UI 2.0, the company is now bringing this functionality to other devices as well (although some budget devices may not get it). You can read our earlier coverage to know more about this nifty feature.
Improved face recognition
Unlike Apple, most Android vendors, including Samsung, don’t use dedicated hardware for face recognition. They rely on a combination of the selfie camera and software tricks to get the job done, which makes the feature both unreliable and less secure. Samsung is addressing these issues to some extent on Galaxy devices with the latest version of One UI.
Face recognition on One UI 2.0 comes with new features such as ‘Add alternative look’ and ‘Require open eyes’ to make the biometric unlock solution more reliable and relatively secure. Of course, none of these changes can replace dedicated hardware, but they do improve the current implementation considerably.
While on the topic of biometric authentication, the iris scanner on select Galaxy devices now uses Google’s new Biometric API, enabling greater compatibility with third-party apps on Android 10.
Slow motion selfie videos
Not to be outdone by the iPhone 11’s ability to let users take slow motion videos with the front camera, Samsung added a slow motion mode to the front camera with One UI 2.0. It works much in the same way as the slow motion mode for the rear camera, in that there are no customization options for the video. However, the feature works as advertised.
Just tap the record button and take as many slow motion selfie videos as you wish. What you can do is edit the recorded videos to reduce their playback speed if you’d like the video to be even slower.
Stricter Wireless PowerShare limits
Samsung introduced Wireless PowerShare with the Galaxy S10 this year. This reverse wireless charging feature lets you power your Samsung smartwatch or earbuds using the phone’s battery. This feature is also present on the Galaxy Note 10. Wireless PowerShare would previously stop charging the device when the phone’s battery level hit 30 percent.
In One UI 2.0, Samsung lets you set stricter cutoff limits. You can set it to 50 percent, for example, so reverse wireless charging would be cut off when your phone’s battery hits 50 percent. This is a very useful feature particularly for devices with smaller batteries like the Galaxy S10e.
UI changes
Apart from all these headline-grabbing features, there are many minor UI changes that make the latest version of One UI look more polished and consistent. We have already covered some of these improvements in our One UI 2.0 feature focus series.
The most noticeable among the new UI changes is the dynamic text color on the lock screen that changes based on the wallpaper. One UI 2.0 also automatically darkens wallpapers when dark mode is enabled. In the previous version, parts of the UI, such as the app uninstallation prompt, app permissions screen, etc. were not impacted by the dark mode setting. That is no longer the case with Android 10 and One UI 2.0. UI animations are also silky smooth with the latest update, but the improvements may not be uniform across devices.
What are your favorite One UI 2.0 features? Are there some features that you wish Samsung would add in later versions? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
