Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ to go on sale in India starting today

The Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S20+ were unveiled last month during Samsung’s Unpacked 2020 event. The phones will go on sale in India starting today. The Galaxy S20 Ultra, on the other hand, is on pre-order right now, and it will be available for purchase beginning March 24. Those who pre-ordered the phones from Samsung’s stores will start getting the deliveries today.

The 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variants of the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S20+ are priced at Rs 66,999 and Rs 73,999, respectively. Only the LTE variants of these phones have been launched in India since there are no 5G networks in the region. Both these phones are available in Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cosmic Black, and Cosmic Gray colors.

Both these phones would also be available through Amazon.in, Flipkart, and leading retailers across the country. Samsung’s website is offering no-cost EMI and an additional bonus of Rs 5,000 on the exchange of your old smartphone if you buy the Galaxy S20 or the Galaxy S20+. The company is also offering the accidental damage and liquid damage protection plan for just Rs 1,999.

Those who buy the Galaxy S20 or the Galaxy S20+ would also be eligible to purchase the Galaxy Buds+ at a discounted price of just Rs 1,999. The Galaxy Buds+ are otherwise priced at Rs 11,999 in India, and they are available in black, blue, and white colors. Which of these smartphones are you planning to buy?

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Samsung grabbed 74% share of the US 5G smartphone market last year

While Apple failed to launch even a single 5G smartphone last year, Samsung launched various models with 5G connectivity across mid-range and high-end segments. The Galaxy Note 10+ 5G turned out to be the best-selling 5G smartphone in the US last year. As per the latest data, Samsung managed to grab a 74 percent share of the 5G smartphone market in the region.

According to market analysis firm Counterpoint Research, less than two million 5G smartphones were sold in the US in 2019. That’s less than 1 percent of the overall smartphone sales in the country. LG sold 15 percent of all 5G phones in the US last year, while OnePlus’ market share stood at 11 percent. Samsung was the only brand to launch more than one 5G smartphone in the US in 2019.

Counterpoint Research’s director Jeff Fieldhack rightly points out the reasons for lower-than-expected 5G smartphone sales. He notes that high prices of 5G phones along with spotty 5G coverage, a limited number of compatible devices, and compatibility issues led to the below-par sales performance of 5G-equipped smartphones in the US.

The market analysis firm expects the 5G smartphone market share to grow from 1 percent to 25 percent of all smartphones sold in the US this year. Most of the growth is expected to come from Apple and Samsung.

The South Korean smartphone giant has already launched three 5G phones—Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra—in the US this year. We expect the company to launch at least three more 5G phones by the end of this year: Galaxy Fold 2, Galaxy Note 20, and Galaxy Note 20+.

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Samsung launches 30 variants of 4K and 8K (2020) QLED TVs in the USA

Samsung’s 2020 4K and 8K QLED TVs unveiled at CES have now launched in the USA. Customers can now either purchase or pre-order the latest TVs online via Samsung’s website or select retailers nationwide. The product portfolio offers numerous choices, including a total of nine 8K QLED TVs and twenty-one 4K models.

More specifically, Samsung is launching the 8K Q950TS, Q900TS, and Q800T in three sizes (each), ranging from 65 to 85 inches. Meanwhile, the 4K QLED lineup includes the Q90T, Q80T, Q70T, and Q60T smart TVs, all of which also come in different sizes, bringing the total number of variants between the 4K and 8K models up to thirty.

Evidently, prices will greatly differ depending on which model and diagonal you’re going to pick. And they do range from $529.99 for the 43-inch Q60T 4K TV to $6,999 for the 82-inch Q800T 8K model. The Q900TS and top-of-the-line Q950TS will sell for an even higher price, but they’re not yet listed on the company’s e-shop.

Thinner bezels, improved AI and sound quality are par for the course

Along with a more refined, bezel-less design, Samsung’s 2020 QLED TV lineups also introduce better AI image and audio processing, particularly for the 8K models which boast a redesigned AI Quantum Processor featuring its own neural network and better 8K AI upscaling.

Samsung Symphony is another feature unique to the 2020 TV series, whereby users can pair their TV speakers with Samsung’s Q series soundbars and use both audio channels at the same time for a more dynamic sound.

Other features include Ambient Mode+, Active Voice Amplifier, Object Tracking Sound (OTS) and OTS+, Real Game Enhancer+, and more. A couple of Samsung’s 8K QLED models even feature Wi-Fi 6, and they’ve become the world’s first TVs to do so. But do keep in mind that, unlike the Samsung TV Plus platform which now has over 100 free channels, not all of these features are available on all of the 2020 QLED TV models. Make sure you consult the product page for your desired model before you make a purchase and see what features it may or may not have. You can hit these links to browse Samsung’s 4K QLED and 8K QLED TV series in the USA.

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Samsung’s 2nd Galaxy S20 firmware update improves camera, gestures

Samsung is rolling out a new firmware update for the Galaxy S20 series. The package weighs 253MB and is said to add further improvements to the camera and user experience. The company is reportedly rolling out the new update for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and S20 Ultra in South Korea, where it carries firmware version G98xNKSU1ATC2.

This is, in fact, the second firmware update released by Samsung for the Galaxy S20 series before the device has even reached the shelves in most markets. The company has decided to improve certain aspects of its latest flagships’ cameras, particularly the Galaxy S20 Ultra, through software updates following underwhelming responses from early reviewers who got to experience the device ahead of time.

Despite the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s impressive on-paper camera specifications, the execution leaves something to be desired. The biggest concern so far has been related to slower-than-usual autofocus, and we’ve experienced this shortcoming for ourselves during testing. The latest update should address some of these issues, and should also bring some improvements to touch gestures as an added bonus.

Samsung will likely want to distribute this latest update for the Galaxy S20 series in more regions outside of South Korea as quickly as possible. In the best-case scenario, new Galaxy S20/S20+/S20 Ultra buyers around the world should have this update waiting for them at the moment they unbox their devices. Likewise, we’re hopeful that Samsung won’t stop here and it will deliver more updates designed to improve the Galaxy S20 user experience even further, at least in areas where this is possible. Stay tuned and we’ll keep you posted.

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Galaxy S20 Ultra bill of materials costs $528, cameras cost 1/5 of that

The Galaxy S20 Ultra has already been disassembled by a few third-parties. iFixit recently gave us a closer look at the phone’s internal components, but have you wondered how much it costs Samsung to acquire the hardware for the Galaxy S20 Ultra?

The answer is $528.50, according to Tech Insights‘ preliminary cost analysis of all the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s components and bill of materials. Mind you, this cost covers only the components themselves without accounting for labor, assembly costs, shipping, marketing, etc. Nevertheless, the analysis offers a bit of insight as to which components have contributed the most to the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s $1,400 price tag.

The Galaxy S20 Ultra’s insane camera setup costs $107.50

The main camera of the Galaxy S20 Ultra is the centerpiece of the device. It separates it from the base model and the Galaxy S20+, and it pushes the limits of mobile photography to new heights, at least in some areas. It also turns out that the camera hardware is the most expensive pice of the S20 Ultra puzzle. All of the components related to the phone’s cameras cost a total of $107.50. That’s $22.50 shy of the full price of an unlocked Galaxy A10e in the United States.

The second-most-expensive component is the chipset with a cost of $81, and the third-most-expensive piece is the display, clocking in at $67.

In contrast, Tech Insights estimated the Galaxy S10+ bill of materials last year to top $420. That’s $108.50 less than the cost to produce the Galaxy S20 Ultra, but then again, the Galaxy S10+ doesn’t have an insane camera setup that costs over $100. The S10+ camera assembly was valued at $56.50, and it was the third-most-expensive component following the AP/modems and display.

Once again, it’s important to keep in mind that the bill of materials is just that. It doesn’t cover any additional manufacturing, labor, marketing costs, etc. and it doesn’t explain how much net profit Samsung is making for each Galaxy S20 Ultra it’s selling.

Nevertheless, there’s no denying that the gap between the bill of materials and the launch price is considerably larger for the Galaxy S20 Ultra than it was for the Galaxy S10+. Only Samsung knows if this is the result of higher overall development costs or if it’s an ambition to secure higher revenues per each unit sold.

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Check out the latest infographics detailing Samsung’s Q4 performance

The fourth quarter of 2019 was an interesting one, with Apple once again becoming a real threat to Samsung in terms of global smartphone shipments, and with Samsung maintaining leadership in a few regions.

Counterpoint Research has now published a couple of infographics summarizing the key market activities that took place over the last quarter. They cover not only the smartphone market but the feature phone segment as well.

Samsung maintains leadership in 3/5 regional markets

Samsung and Apple were the most influential smartphone vendors in Q4 in terms of global shipments. They were on equal ground, with each company covering 18% of global smartphone shipments throughout Q4.

However, Samsung managed to cover a whole lot more of the LATAM and MEA markets, while Apple was dominant only in North America. In Europe where the Korean tech giant recently extended its influence, both Samsung and Apple had the same 27% market share (each), and in Asia, Samsung failed to make it into the Top 5 list.

Overall, the total global smartphone shipments in Q4 2019 grew 2% year-on-year, and all of the vendors combined have shipped around 401 million devices in the last quarter of the year.

Samsung is the fourth-largest feature phone vendor

As you’re probably aware, Samsung’s mobile product portfolio is not limited to smartphones, and the company also continues to sell feature phones in key regions. Samsung was the fourth-largest global feature phone vendor in Q4 2019, after iTel, HMD, and Tecno.

Samsung secured 17% of the feature phone segment in India but it missed the Top 5 list in all the other regions including the rest of Asia, North America, Europe, LATAM, and MEA. Nevertheless, it still is an impressive performance from Samsung’s part given that it’s been less than six months since the company partnered with Dixon to enter the Indian feature phone market.

It’s worth noting that global feature phone shipments have declined 12% YoY, even though the segment grew 10% YoY in MEA. This is an inevitability of the aging technology, and eventually, we can expect feature phones to be phased out entirely, whether it will be in two, three, or in ten years from now. As mobile technology advances, budget smartphones should become increasingly cheaper to the point where they might become more compelling than feature phones even in emerging markets.

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Daily Deal: 75% off Sucnakp Case for Samsung Galaxy A70

When you buy a good smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy A70, you want it to stay in mint condition. When handled right, these smartphones will last multiple years. One way to achieve this is by putting your smartphone in a Heavy Duty case, that is built to offer great protection. This case by Sucnakp made with shockproof TPU is a great option. After the easy installation, it will protect your smartphone from denting and will keep damage to a minimum with small drops.

Hit the Buy Now button below to order this case at 75% off!

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Samsung TV Plus now offers over 100 channels for free

Samsung has announced that its free TV service now offers even more content for users in Canada and the US. Samsung TV Plus offers over 100 channels across various genres such as business, entertainment, sports, and more. The free linear TV service is available on Samsung’s smart TVs in select regions. The service also lets users pick up where they left off, similar to Netflix.

Samsung TV Plus is also getting more movies through Samsung’s own The Movie Hub channel. In the US, the company is offering content from beIN SPORTS EXTRA, Bon Appétit, CBS News, Crime 360, fubo Sports Network, Fuse, Kitchen Nightmares, Lively Place, Outside TV+, Reelz, Tastemade, The Design Network, VEVO, Yahoo Finance, and many more.

Samsung’s TV service is completely free, so users don’t need to install any app or pay for anything on their brand new smart TV. They just need a working internet connection that’s fast enough to stream videos without buffering. Samsung TV Plus is available on all 2019 smart TVs from the company. TVs released in 2017 and later would also get the video streaming service in the US later this year.

All smart TVs from Samsung released in 2020 in Canada and the US come with remote controllers that have a dedicated button to access Samsung TV Plus.

 

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Samsung’s latest 8K QLED TVs are the world’s first TVs to feature Wi-Fi 6

Samsung had unveiled new 8K QLED TVs during CES 2020 earlier this year, featuring a truly bezel-less design and a 5.1-channel surround sound system. It has now been revealed that these are also the world’s first TVs to feature Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

The Q900 and Q950 QLED TV series from Samsung uses MediaTek’s custom Wi-Fi 6 connectivity chipsets, making it easier to stream 8K content. If you don’t know already, Wi-Fi 6 (also known as Wi-Fi 802.11ax) is the latest wireless standard featuring maximum data transfer rates of up to 12Gbps. It also consumes less power while performing the same tasks.

MediaTek said, “The flagship TV is the only 8K TV worldwide supporting Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and will offer consumers a more seamless entertainment experience with smoother streaming and gaming, as well as unconstrained internet access.” Samsung also uses Wi-Fi 6 connectivity in its flagship smartphones such as the Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Fold, and Galaxy S20 series.

They are also the first TVs to obtain the 8KA certification from 8K Association. Since there’s almost no 8K content out there, Samsung’s next-generation Quantum Processor 8K to upscale 4K content into 8K resolution using AI (Artificial Intelligence) techniques. The South Korean brand is also in talks with Google to enable native 8K video streaming on YouTube.

Samsung’s latest 8K QLED TVs feature a completely bezel-less design (99 percent screen-to-body ratio), 15mm thick frame, and a completely flat back panel. Some of the models also feature speakers on all four sides and a sub-woofer behind the screen to offer 5.1-channel audio and AI-based Object Tracking Sound+ software.

Apart from Bixby, these TVs also feature Alexa and Google Assistant. Users can ask Bixby on the TVs to create a calm atmosphere so that the AI-powered digital voice assistant a relaxing backdrop and a calm sound sequence. Digital Butler on the TVs lets users control non-smart devices in the room using an IR emitter.

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