Samsung shuts down PC plant in Suzhou China to focus on R&D

Samsung has decided to shut down its PC assembly and manufacturing plant in Suzhou, China, and will refocus its resources towards research and development, according to a recent report citing a staff notice that was later confirmed by Samsung. The letter revealed that with the exception of employees at the research and development department, all others’ employment contracts will be affected. The decision was made in an effort to enhance efficiency...

Benchmark confirms the Korean Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has Snapdragon SoC

The Exynos 990-powered Galaxy Note 20 Ultra bearing model number SM-N986B got exposed in a benchmark listing earlier today, and hours later, the South Korean version of the same device, carrying model number SM-N986N had turned up on Geekbench as well. The more recent entry confirms a previous report about Samsung treating the South Korean Galaxy Note 20 series same as it did the Galaxy S20 lineup....

I’m sorry, but Samsung’s foldable phone naming strategy is laughably bad

Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Flip 2, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Flip 4. Try saying that sentence quickly, and tell me whether those names flow off your tongue as easily as something like Galaxy S1, Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 4. I’m assuming you’re suddenly wondering how Samsung came up with the surprisingly bad naming scheme for...

Galaxy Note 10/10+ now receiving August 2020 Android security update

Select Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ models are already receiving the new Android security update dated August 1st, 2020. The rollout began on Wednesday with the international variant of the Galaxy Note 10+ (SM-N975F). It still appears to be limited to Germany, but with August being just around the corner, Samsung will likely ramp up its deployment efforts in a matter of days. The August 2020...

Samsung launches UV Sterilizer with wireless charging in India

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung had unveiled its new UV Sterilizer for smartphones and other accessories last month. Initially, it was Thailand, but the company announced that it would bring the device to more markets around the world. Today, the South Korean firm has announced the launch of UV Sterilizer with wireless charging in India. Samsung’s UV Sterilizer with wireless charging is priced at INR 3,599 (around $48) in India. It will be available...

Could Samsung launch the original Galaxy Fold in new colors soon?

Here’s something interesting: Samsung might introduce two cancelled color options of the original Galaxy Fold. When the Galaxy Fold was announced last year, four color options were made official: Space Silver, Cosmos Black, Martian Green and Astro Blue. Then, things went awry and the device had to be delayed for a few months. When the Fold eventually released in September after going...

Galaxy S10 helps in rescuing stranded Australian couple after boat overturns

Most high-end Galaxy smartphones from Samsung come with an IP67/68 rating for dust and water resistance. This feature can be quite handy not only in everyday scenarios but also in emergency cases. Recently, an Australian couple who were stranded off the coast were rescued with the help of the Galaxy S10. The incident took place off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Jessica and Lindsay were...

Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong visits factory amid rising demand for semiconductor chips

Samsung posted strong financial results for the second quarter of 2020, and the company’s flagbearer was its chip business. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for memory and storage chips has been rising as more people stay home to learn and work. Now, the company’s Vice Chairman Lee Jae-Yong inspected the chip packaging facility in Asan to oversee the future plans. It is being reported that Samsung heir Lee, who has been visiting the company’s...

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Exynos 990 benchmark offers no surprises

The Exynos vs Snapdragon debate shows no signs of abating anytime soon. The Exynos 990 that powers the Galaxy S20 series in most markets is inferior to the Snapdragon 865 that Samsung used in markets like the US and China. And, for the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Samsung has decided to keep the same Exynos chip while upgrading the Snapdragon 865 to the Snapdragon 865+. That hasn’t gone...

New images offer a look at Galaxy Watch 3 color variants, features, specs

The Galaxy Watch 3 has been leaked extensively over the past few weeks and was even handled in detailed unboxing videos. One month ago, we had exclusively leaked the watch’s specs. Ahead of the official unveiling on August 5, more images of the upcoming smartwatch have been leaked, offering us a detailed look at what features to expect from it. Its color variants and complete specs sheet have also...

Haze Crush Silver Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 hit the shelves in Brazil

Samsung had enriched the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 color palette with the addition of Haze Crush Silver a few weeks ago and the new flavor is now available for purchase in Brazil. Following Samsung’s official announcement earlier today, both the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 in Haze Crush Silver should be momentarily landing in the company’s online and offline stores. As you would expect, the Galaxy...

The Galaxy Watch 3 has been a long time coming, here’s why I’ll buy one

Galaxy Unpacked 2020 seems to have something for everyone. Samsung will launch two Galaxy Tab S7 tablets and two Galaxy Note 20 models at the event, along with a brand new premium foldable phone-cum-tablet, a fresh pair of earbuds, and a new smartwatch. But even though I am excited for the release of all these products, sans the base Galaxy Note 20 model, the one device I’m truly looking forward to...

Galaxy Note 10 was great, but the Note 20 is looking mighty disappointing

I’m not buying the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. I’ve already talked about how, compared to the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Note 20 Ultra looks unexciting. Yes, I know switching from a Galaxy S20 Ultra to a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra isn’t something most regular consumers will do. My main pet peeve is that Samsung will be breaking the tradition of each Note flagship being better than the Galaxy S flagship launched in the same year. However, while I am not excited...

[Poll] What new Galaxy devices are you looking forward to at Unpacked?

Galaxy Unpacked 2020 is nearly upon us and we have a variety of new devices to look forward to, from new wearables and the Galaxy Note 20 series to tablets equipped with 120Hz displays and the fresh Galaxy Z Fold 2. Needless to say, Samsung fans are in for a treat, and even if we assume that most of the upcoming products don’t pique your interest, the likelihood is high that at least one of these devices will make you want to watch Samsung’s first...

Samsung’s automotive goals lead to new MLCC factory opening in China

Samsung Group reported strong Q2 2020 results at an earnings call earlier today, in part thanks to improved profits recorded by the component solution division, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, particularly in the camera and 5G chip sectors. Interestingly enough, the recent earnings call also highlighted the tech giant’s ambitions to have a deeper involvement with the automotive industry. As you may recall, Samsung’s various subsidiaries including SDI,...

Galaxy Z Fold 2 may release on September 18 but don’t expect a price cut

A major leak yesterday gave us our first detailed look at the Galaxy Z Fold 2. There’s a lot of excitement for Samsung’s next foldable smartphone. It’s clearly going to bring a lot of improvements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Fold. What many had hoped was that Samsung would price it a bit lower than the $1,980 that it asked for the Galaxy Fold. A new report out of South Korea claims that we shouldn’t expect a price cut for the device. It also...

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pre-orders to include free Galaxy Buds Live

Samsung will be incentivizing Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pre-orders with a complimentary pair of the Galaxy Buds Live or Galaxy Buds+, at least in some countries. One such promotion is currently being planned by Samsung Indonesia, according to a newly leaked image of a flier which recently appeared on Twitter, as can be seen below. Much like it’s usually the case with such initiatives, the company will...

Galaxy M31s makes the Galaxy A51 a horrible deal for Indian customers

The Galaxy A51 held the crown of the best-selling Samsung smartphone worldwide in the first three months of 2020. When we reviewed the A51, we found it to be perfect in its own reality, but that notion has now been challenged by Samsung itself, at least in the Indian market. Samsung launched the Galaxy M31s in the country today, and it has made the Galaxy A51 a horrible deal for customers in India...

Huawei shocks Samsung, tops global smartphone market against all odds

Add “a miraculous Huawei resurrection at Samsung’s expense” to the list of things industry watchers weren’t expecting to see in 2020. New market data suggests Huawei at the very least pulled level with Samsung in terms of global smartphone shipments in the second quarter of the year. It likely even surpassed it, seizing the title of the world’s largest handset manufacturer for the first time ever....

Galaxy S10 series already getting August security update

Once again, Samsung is rolling out a new security patch ahead of time for one of its devices. The Galaxy S10 lineup (not including the 5G model) is getting a new update in Germany that brings the August security patch to the 2019 flagship. The update is accompanied by firmware version G97xFXXU8CTG4 and is available both over the air and through our firmware archive. The firmware version suggests...