Former Korean finance minister named Samsung’s new board chairman

After Lee Sang-hoon, Samsung’s former board chairman, was convicted and jailed last year for union-busting activities, the company has named a new board chairman. Former South Korean finance minister Park Jae-wan will now succeed Lee Sang-hoon at Samsung’s board.

Park has already been serving the company since March 2016 as a non-executive director. He reportedly has a deep understanding of the company and its board. The 65-year-old executive’s appointment is effective immediately, and it is being expected that his appointment will enhance the board’s independence and management’s transparency.

While Samsung’s board chairman doesn’t look over the company’s day-to-day activities, they head the board meetings to review and approve major business decisions such as investment planning and more. Park served as South Korea’s minister of labor from 2010 to 2011 and as a minister of finance from 2011 to 2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Seoul National University and a doctoral degree from Harvard University.

The South Korean firm will hold its annual shareholders meeting on March 18, where a decision will be taken to appoint two new board nominees—TV business head Han Jong-hee and CFO Yoon Ho Choi—as executive directors.

 

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip online orders will resume in the US tomorrow

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip was unveiled on February 11 and pre-order customers were able to get their units on February 14. That’s also when the device became available through retail stores across the United States. South Korea was the only other market that got the device on February 14.

As you’d expect, the Galaxy Z Flip quickly sold out online in the United States. Samsung updated its website to inform customers that there would be a new “drop” of inventory in the coming days. The company has now confirmed that it’s going to be tomorrow.

More Galaxy Z Flip units will be available from tomorrow

There has been quite a lot of excitement for the Galaxy Z Flip. Samsung has started taking pre-orders in several countries and the device is selling out quickly. Even the super expensive Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne edition sold out on Samsung’s website last weekend. Now, it’s unclear how many units are in the initial pre-order stock but there does appear to be sufficient demand for the device.

Customers in the United States can’t buy the Galaxy Z Flip online from Samsung’s website right now since it’s sold out. Some of its retailers do have it in stock at their stores but many of them are out of stock as well. The inventory situation will improve down the line once the initial hype around this device dies down.

Samsung has confirmed that it will make additional Galaxy Z Flip devices available for purchase online through its website for customers in the US on Friday, February 21. It’s actually going to be a big day for Samsung as it’s also going to open up pre-orders for the Galaxy S20 lineup tomorrow.

So if you’re in the United States and want to buy a Galaxy Z Flip, you can check and see if your local Best Buy has one in stock. If it doesn’t, you better be quick tomorrow to secure one through Samsung’s website, because chances are it’s going to go out of stock once again.

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Unlocked Galaxy Note 10 and 10+ get temporary $150 discounts in USA

US residents who may have missed the previous Galaxy Note 10+ deal on Amazon can now take advantage of new discounts on both the Note 10 and Note 10+ models, as long as they’re unlocked. For a limited time only, prospective buyers can slash $150 off the full retail price. To sweeten the deal even further, Samsung is giving customers a pair of AKG N700NC M2 over-ear wireless headphones for free along with their S Pen devices.

The limited-time offers apply to all of the storage variants and color options for both the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, but they’re not valid for the 5G version or the Star Wars Special Edition and 10th Anniversary Premium Package. The Galaxy Note 10 can be purchased for $799 after the discount, while the Galaxy Note 10+ with 256GB of storage is available for $949. Meanwhile, the 512GB Galaxy Note 10+ carries a price tag of $1,049 as opposed to $1,199.

The Galaxy Note 10 is now $100 cheaper than its predecessor

With this deal, the 256GB Galaxy Note 10 effectively costs $100 less than the Galaxy Note 9 with half the storage capacity, while the 256GB Galaxy Note 10+ would set you back only $50 extra compared to the 128GB Galaxy Note 9. Even more value is added by the inclusion of the free AKG headphones which would normally cost $300 when purchased separately.

You can hit the following links for the official Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ pages on Samsung USA’s website and take advantage of these offers while they last. Make sure that the $150 price drop is applied instead of the trade-in discount, as they cancel each other out.

Would you be interested in buying the Galaxy Note 10 right now, or do you feel less inclined to do so now that the Galaxy S20 series is official? Feel free to leave a comment below.

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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Daily Deal: 17% off the Samsung Galaxy Watch

While the Samsung Galaxy Watch is not the latest smartwatch released by Samsung, it’s still a proper device that will meet your smartwatch needs. Its design is still considered great as is the software, tracking features and display. It also comes with a watch only functionality which can be useful if you need to get through some time in which you’ll not be able to charge. You can read more about the Galaxy Watch in our extensive review. You can now get this Galaxy Watch at 17% off. Don’t wait any longer and get one while it’s still discounted!

Hit the Buy Now button below to order your Samsung Galaxy Watch.

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Blackpink’s Jennie gets own color for the Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy Buds+

Kpop bands have taken over the world and have perhaps the most dedicated fan bases. Naturally, this makes the artists a very valuable marketing resource. They routinely collaborate with major companies, Korean in particular, to promote a wide variety of products.

Korea Telecom, South Korea’s largest mobile carrier, has announced that it’s going to offer the Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy Buds+ in a color inspired by Blackpink member Jennie. Both devices will be available in an exclusive Jennie Red color.

Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy Buds+ offered in Jennie Red

It did emerge last week that Samsung will offer a red color for the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S20+. It may be launched as “Aura Red” in markets other than South Korea. In Samsung’s home country, Korea Telecom has an exclusive on the red Galaxy S20+ and it has branded the color as Jennie Red. The handset will be available with matching Galaxy Buds+.

Since the carrier is behind this marketing campaign and not Samsung, this Jennie Red color won’t be making its way outside South Korea. So only customers based there will be able to pay homage to their favorite singer by purchasing the device on KT. Samsung may release the red color in other markets eventually, though it’s unclear which markets will end up getting it.

Samsung has worked with Blackpink, a hugely popular Kpop group, in the past to promote its own devices. It had a lengthy marketing campaign involving Blackpink for the Galaxy A80 which even included a Galaxy A80 Blackpink Edition. Samsung is now working with BTS, the biggest Kpop group, as part of a marketing campaign for the Galaxy S20 lineup and the Galaxy Z Flip.

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Galaxy S8 Active and Galaxy Tab S6 get February 2020 security patches on T-Mobile

Samsung has been quite active in releasing timely updates and security patches to its smartphones and tablets over the past year. It has already released the Android 10 update to most of its flagship smartphones. Now, it is being reported that the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S8 Active, and the Galaxy Tab S6 on T-Mobile’s network have started receiving minor software updates. Two of these devices are receiving the February 2020 security patch.

The software update rolled out to the Galaxy Tab S6 (SM-T867U) on T-Mobile’s network in the US is 205.17MB in size. The firmware version T867USQS2ATA1 brings the February 2020 Android security patch to the LTE variant of the tablet. T-Mobile is also rolling out the latest security patch to the Galaxy S8 Active (SM-G892U) via a 137.43MB update with firmware version G892USQS6CTA4.

The carrier is also rolling out minor software updates to the Galaxy S8 (SM-G950U) and the Galaxy S8+ (SM-G955U). The firmware versions for these phones are G950USQU7DSL3 and G955USQU7DSL3, respectively. Unfortunately, these phones haven’t received the February 2020 security patch. Instead, they’re getting camera improvements with the new update.

The South Korean smartphone giant released the February 2020 security patch to the international variant of the Galaxy S8 three days ago, so it shouldn’t be long before a similar update is offered to the T-Mobile versions of the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+. The February 2020 patch fixes two vulnerabilities in the Android OS and 30 vulnerabilities that only affect the Galaxy devices.

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Galaxy Z Flip pre-bookings in India open tomorrow, Mirror Gold is available

Samsung is bringing the Galaxy Z Flip to India, with pre-bookings having been officially confirmed to open tomorrow, February 21. The device will be available not only in Mirror Purple and Mirror Black but also in the more exclusive Mirror Gold finish. Prospective buyers will be able to pre-book the device in select retail stores and online. Those who choose to order online will receive the Galaxy Z Flip via Samsung’s White Glove Delivery service, at least in the 10 cities where it is available.

The Galaxy Z Flip costs INR 1,09,999 or the equivalent of $1,535. The offer includes 1-year of Samsung Care+, 4 months of YouTube Premium for free, as well as a 1-time discount for a screen replacement, should you need one in the future. The Galaxy Z Flip has a stronger flexible display compared to the Galaxy Fold, thanks to Samsung’s Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) technology, but the foldable panel still has a soft surface and the risk of damaging it is higher compared to the usual ‘candy bar’ smartphones boasting Gorilla Glass.

Samsung’s latest foldable device costs quite a pretty penny precisely because of the new screen technology and the unusual form factor. However, it’s no secret that the Galaxy Z Flip isn’t as powerful as the Galaxy S20 models. But it is a stylish phone with a streamlined design and a few cool tricks up its sleeve. The intricate hinge led to what Samsung calls ‘Flex Mode,’ i.e., the ability to unfold and stay open at different angles. With Flex Mode, you technically don’t need a tripod anymore.

Check out our dedicated Galaxy Z Flip page for an in-depth spec rundown, and feel free to let us know in the comment section if you’re planning to buy this new foldable in India or elsewhere.

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Random Find My Mobile notification was the result of an ‘internal test’

Millions of Samsung Galaxy owners were caught by surprise this morning when they saw a random notification from Samsung’s Find My Mobile service. It made no sense and really weirded some people out, given the fact that Find My Mobile can be used to remotely lock and even wipe phones.

It was immediately evident that this notification was caused by a fluke instead of the service itself being compromised, which would have been a catastrophic event considering how many Samsung phones are being used worldwide. Samsung has now explained exactly what caused this notification to be sent out.

Just an internal test, nothing to worry about

The strange notification from Find My Mobile only displayed the number “1” a couple of times. It did nothing when the notification was tapped, further adding to the mystery. It surely spooked a lot of people.

Samsung’s explanation first appeared on its Korean forums and the same is now being given by all of its online support channels. According to the company, the notification was sent out “unintentionally during an internal test and there is no effect on your device.” The company also says that the notification was only sent to a “limited number of Galaxy devices.”

It wasn’t really as limited as it says, though. Our entire team spread across different countries received this notification and judging by what we have been seeing on our socials, so did a lot of other people across dozens of countries. Nevertheless, Samsung says that “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers.”

At least Samsung didn’t make us wait for long before explaining what exactly happened. The company says that it will do its best to prevent something like this from happening again. It should, this isn’t something that befits a company of Samsung’s stature.

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Got strange Find My Mobile notification on your Galaxy phone? You’re not alone

Samsung put Galaxy phone owners around the world into a frenzy a couple of hours back by sending out a strange notification to users via its Find My Mobile service. Find My Mobile comes preloaded on all Samsung smartphones and allows users to locate, unlock, or wipe their phone remotely, and earlier today, owners of various Galaxy smartphones — everyone here at SamMobile included — were greeted with a notification that simply says “1” a couple of times and does nothing when tapped.

Getting a random notification from the service that allows you remote access to your phone can be scary, but it seems it was a fluke rather than a malicious attempt by a third party. According to a Samsung Care ambassador, the notification was a test from Samsung to check if the Find My Mobile service is working properly and that the company will soon be making an official statement on the matter. Why Samsung couldn’t make the notification itself say that it is a test is anyone’s guess, though it’s possible it was done in a hurry by an overeager employee from the Find My Mobile team.

How to temporary disable Find My Mobile if you’re worried

If you are concerned that the notification wasn’t sent by Samsung, you can temporarily disable the Find My Mobile feature on your Galaxy phone. To do that, open the Settings app, navigate to Biometrics and security, and turn off the feature by tapping the toggle next to it. You can enable the feature again once Samsung confirms that there is nothing to be worried about. We’ve reached out to the company for a comment and will update this article as soon as it gets back to us and/or once it makes an official statement.

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Samsung starts mass production of 6nm and 7nm EUV chips

Samsung has announced that its foundry business has started mass producing 6nm and 7nm chips using the EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography process. The company’s new V1 facility, which is also its first dedicated production line for manufacturing chips using the EUV process, broke ground in February of 2018 and started testing wafers production in the second half of 2019.

The South Korean chipset giant has mentioned that its 6nm and 7nm products will be delivered to customers in the first quarter of 2020. Samsung’s state-of-the-art V1 production facility, which is located in Hwaseong, Korea, is equipped to go as low as producing 3nm EUV chips in the coming years. The company has completed the product design for 5nm chips and started the process development for 4nm chips.

By the end of this year, Samsung’s cumulative investment on the production line will reach $6 billion, and the production capacity will triple when compared to last year. The company’s S1, S3, and V1 facilities are capable of producing sub-10nm wafers, which are in high demand these days. The company says that the EUV lithography process is essential for creating complex patterns on wafers, and chips from these wafers will be used in 5G, AI, and automotive chips.

In total, Samsung Foundry has six production lines, one in Austin, USA, two in Giheung, Korea, and three in Hwaseong, Korea. The company makes chips for a lot of big-name brands, including Baidu, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. It recently bagged orders to mass-produce Qualcomm’s X60 5G modem using 5nm technology.

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Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 Ultra are the first unlocked all-carrier 5G smartphones in the US

All the Galaxy S20 models in the US are compatible with 5G networks, but the Galaxy S20+ (SM-G986U) and the Galaxy S20 Ultra (SM-G988U) are superior to the Galaxy S20 in terms of 5G connectivity. They support both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G networks, and are the first truly all-carrier unlocked 5G smartphones in the US.

The Galaxy S20+ and the Galaxy S20 Ultra will work across all major carriers in the US. Even if you don’t buy unlocked versions of the phone in the US, there would only be a single hardware version of the phones in the country. Although, they would come with the firmware of the respective carriers. If you buy an unlocked version of either of those phones, you can insert a SIM card from any carrier and enjoy the fastest possible 5G speeds on the network.

Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra support all forms of 5G networks in the US

If you buy a Galaxy S20+ or the Galaxy S20 Ultra from any of the carriers in the US and decide to unlock it at a later stage, you would be able to use the 5G network of the carrier that you’re switching to. The phones support all the 5G bands that are used (or are going to be used) by US carriers. The 5G bands supported by the phones in the US include n2, n5, n41, n66, n71, n260, and n261, and there’s support for DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) as well.

The two phones also support 2G, 3G, and 4G cellular technologies across GSM and CDMA networks. It is also being reported that the Galaxy S20+ and the Galaxy S20+ also support features like CA (carrier aggregation), SA (standalone) 5G networks, VoLTE (Voice over LTE), and VoWi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi).

The Galaxy S20+ and the Galaxy S20 Ultra might not work properly on 5G networks if you travel to other countries, though. However, you would still be able to latch onto almost all 4G networks worldwide. If you buy the unlocked version of the Galaxy S20 in the US, it won’t be able to connect to Verizon’s 5G network since there’s no support for mmWave on the phone.

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