Galaxy A70s starts receiving Android 10 update in India

Samsung had launched the Galaxy A70s six months ago with Android 9-based One UI 1.1 software. Now, the company has started rolling out the Android 10 update for the smartphone in India. The update also brings along the February 2020 Android security patch for the Galaxy A70s.

The Android 10 update for the Galaxy A70s features firmware version A707FDDU2BTC2 and has a file size of 2025.96MB, so make sure that you’re on a fast Wi-Fi network before you hit the download button. If you haven’t seen the pop-up notification on your phone yet, open the Settings app on the device, select Software update, and tap Download and install.

As usual, the Android 10 update with One UI 2.0 brings new UI navigation gestures, newer emojis, improved dark mode (with darkened wallpapers), slightly tweaked icons and UI design, updated camera UI, an alternative look for the Face Unlock feature, and numerous other improvements.

The Galaxy A70s had the built-in screen recording feature out of the box even though it was running the One UI 1.1 software. On the other hand, other Samsung smartphones received the feature as a part of the One UI 2.0 update. Other features such as Link To Windows and power key customization were rolled out to the Galaxy A70s via a software update four months ago.

We expect the Android 10 update to be rolled out to the Galaxy A70s in other markets in the coming weeks. The Galaxy A50s received the Android 10 update last month, while the Galaxy A70 received the latest Android update yesterday.

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Kernel sources for the Galaxy S20 series are now available for download

Samsung has released the kernel sources for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra. Developers who may want to start optimizing their apps for Samsung’s latest flagship can now download the kernel sources for both the Exynos and Snapdragon-powered variants from Samsung’s open source repository.

As usual, the kernel sources are of no use for the average user, and that includes early Galaxy S20 adopters. But they are vital components for developers who want to release new apps or optimize existing ones for the new flagship series. Kernel sources are also the key to developing custom recovery tools, stable custom ROMs and more.

Samsung continues a tradition of timely releases

Samsung has been releasing kernel sources for its devices for years now, and the company seems to have formed the habit of making them public in a timely manner. This greatly benefits developers who may want to start creating or optimizing apps early on, and in turn, it benefits customers. These timely releases indicate that Samsung values third-party app developers and the custom scene.

The kernel sources can now be downloaded for the model numbers SM-G981U, SM-G981B, SM-G986U, SM-G986B, SM-G988U, and SM-G988B. The model numbers correspond to the 5G models, and the letters ‘U’ and ‘B’ correspond to the Snapdragon and Exynos variants, respectively.

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Samsung Netherlands reveals 2020 QLED TVs and soundbars prices

Samsung’s 2020 QLED TV and soundbar lineups are being readied for market release in the Netherlands ‘in the coming weeks.’ The company has disclosed the prices for all of its latest products, ranging from the truly bezel-less Q950TS 8K TV and MX-T70 soundbar, to the more affordable T5300 32-inch TV and HW-T400 audio system.

Samsung is releasing its 2020 Q and TU/T TV models in the Netherlands, along with The Serif 2020, The Frame, and The Sero. Sizes vary depending on the model, and you can refer to the chart below for each model’s size options and corresponding price tags. Likewise, the company’s latest soundbar models have prices ranging from 149 EUR to 599 EUR.

Samsung’s 2020 QLED 8K TVs benefit from a variety of new technologies, including Object Tracking Sound, Quantum Dot AI, and Q-Symphony, the latter of which combines the built-in speakers of the TV with an external soundbar to provide a more immersive audio experience. 8K rendering has been improved through the next-gen Quantum Processor.

Samsung’s plans to dominate the 2020 TV market are underway

Samsung began 2020 in full force as far as its TV business is concerned. After announcing a wide variety of models at CES, the company continued amassing various certificates and entered a collaboration with the 8K Association to make its 8K TVs easier to distinguish on store shelves.

The company’s performance last year was stellar, but Samsung wants to push the limits even further and aims to sell around 8 million QLED TVs globally throughout the year. Its plans are already underway. The 2020 4K and 8K TV lineups were introduced in the USA earlier this week, and today, the company announced a new series of TVs as part of the Made for India initiative.

 

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Another Samsung Galaxy A device, the A21, spotted with MediaTek chipset

After the Galaxy A31, another one of Samsung’s budget Galaxy A smartphones will seemingly abandon the Exynos brand of chipsets (and Qualcomm, for that matter) in favor of a MediaTek solution. This time it’s the Galaxy A21, which was recently spotted in the Geekbench database running a MediaTek Helio P35 silicon paired with 3GB of RAM.

The Helio P35 chipset was built by TSMC on a 12nm FinFET process and comprises a total of eight ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores in a single cluster, operating at a maximum frequency of 2.3GHz. The CPU is paired with an IMG PowerVR GE8320 graphics chip clocked at 680MHz. The chipset supports a maximum of 6GB of RAM, and while there is no guarantee that the Galaxy A21 will have more than 3GB, Samsung could offer at least a 4GB variant to match last year’s Galaxy A20s configuration.

Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy A21 runs Android 10 out of the box, presumably with One UI Core 2 on top. It’s not going to deliver the full-fledged One UI 2.0/2.1 experience found on flagship phones, but the UI looks the same overall, except for a few missing features.

Judging by previously-leaked renders which may or may not be accurate, the Galaxy A21 could also transition from an Infinity-V display to an Infinity-O design with a circular corner cutout. It could sport a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and four main cameras. The original Galaxy A20 was introduced in March 2019, so there is a chance that the launch of its MediaTek-powered direct sequel – the Galaxy A21 – is just around the corner.

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Daily Deal: 50% off Belkin USB-C charging cable

You’re charging cable won’t last forever. It’s, therefore, best to have at least a couple of them lying around as a backup for when it breaks. When you have a backup charging cable, you won’t end up with an empty smartphone and being unable to charge it. Next to that, you’ll be able to use a cable to charge your smartphone at other places you spend a lot of time like your car or office. This high-end USB-C cable by Belkin is fast, offering 3A charging output. As we’re used to from Belkin, the cable is sturdy and will last a long time.

Hit the Buy Now button below to get one heavily discounted at 50% off!

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Samsung’s Galaxy Sanitizing Service disinfects phones to fight coronavirus

With COVID-19 (coronavirus) officially being declared as a global pandemic, people are doing everything they possibly can to avoid being infected. Samsung has also felt the pinch since the company has had to shut down a phone factory multiple times in South Korea due to confirmed coronavirus cases.

It’s now important more than ever before to be mindful of hygiene, particularly related to our personal devices that spend the better part of the day in our hands. Samsung’s Galaxy Sanitizing Service aims to help out by trying to rid your phone of bacteria, germs, and viruses.

The Galaxy Sanitizing Service is currently available in 19 countries

The Galaxy Sanitizing Service is being offered for free through official Samsung Service Center and Samsung Experience Stores in select countries currently and the service is being expanded continuously. It simply sanitizes the phone with UV-C light, no harsh cleaning chemicals required. These devices can be used to sanitize Galaxy phones, the Galaxy Watch and the Galaxy Buds.

The company advises against using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals to clean your phone as that may scratch the screen or damage the oleophobic coating that prevents fingerprints from smudging the display. Using liquid chemicals on devices that don’t have an IP rating will also lead to water ingress that could potentially kill the device.

Samsung says that it has tested the sanitization devices carefully to make sure that the UV-C light doesn’t affect the phone’s performance. The UV-C devices it’s using are made by third-parties so it cautions that the effectiveness of this entire process will depend on the market and model. It also cautions that results may vary and not all bacteria, germs and viruses might be eliminated. The company adds that while the devices it’s using won’t affect the phone performance, Samsung cannot guarantee the same if you were to try and disinfect your phone with an unapproved UV sanitization device at home or elsewhere.

The Galaxy Sanitizing Service is currently available for free in Samsung Service Centers and Samsung Experience Stores in 19 markets across the globe. They include Argentina, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United States, Ukraine and Vietnam.

Samsung will soon expand the service to Australia, Austria, Canada, Czechia, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Philippines, Romania, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

This is a great service that Samsung is offering for its customers. We are rarely mindful of where we’re setting our phone down, be that on the table at a restaurant or on an open seat beside us on the subway. That’s a cause for concern in this environment given how this virus transmits. It wouldn’t hurt to get the phones disinfected, after all, they’re devices that we place against our faces multiple times a day.

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Samsung India intros new #funbelievable TV series starting at $174

Samsung is launching a new TV series in India under the #funbelievable brand, as part of the Make in India initiative. The new TV series includes both smart and non-smart models, and come in different sizes. The smart TV models will be available with a 32-inch or 43-inch display, and there will be only one non-smart variant measuring 32 inches.

The #funbelievable smart TV models offer a variety of interesting features such as a Content Guide that curates content from popular streaming apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, SonyLIV, VOOT and more. There’s also a Music System mode which is described as a ‘virtual music system.’ Essentially, is a music library/player that can be customized to great extents with skins and other visual elements.

The new smart TV models also boast a so-called Personal Computer Mode. It not only allows users to browse the web but lets them create documents and presentations, and access them in the cloud. And much like other Samsung smart TVs, the new series benefits from Remote Access to allow users to access their laptops or PCs from any location.

Samsung India plans to sell the new #funbelievable TV series at all of its Smart Plazas and other partner retail stores, as well as online via its official e-shop. The new TV series has a starting price of INR 12,990 ($174), but presumably, that price tag corresponds to the 32-inch non-smart TV variant. Prices for each model individually are presently unknown.

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Red Galaxy Buds+ are now available for purchase in the United States

Samsung announced two new colors for the Galaxy Buds+ a couple of days ago. It launched these new wireless earbuds alongside the Galaxy S20 lineup in February. The red and pink colors for the Galaxy Buds+ were launched for customers in Samsung’s home country of South Korea.

The company has also quietly made the Red Galaxy Buds+ available for customers in the United States. Those who are interested in purchasing them can head over to Samsung’s website and order a pair right away.

Red Galaxy Buds+ go on sale in the United States

There’s obviously nothing different about the red Galaxy Buds+ other than the paint job. They’re still the same wireless earbuds that promise an impressive 22 hours of battery life with the charging case. Samsung has improved the audio experience considerably with three microphones being added on each side for a better call experience. Check out our detailed Galaxy Buds+ review for more insight on these new earbuds.

It’s not known right now if Samsung will introduce the pink color in the United States as well. For now, it’s selling the red Galaxy Buds+ through its own website as well as through Amazon and Best Buy.

The Galaxy Buds+ cost $149.99 and they’re also available in black, blue and white colors in the United States. The red color is expected to ship by March 20 if purchased through Samsung’s website.

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Samsung Galaxy S20+ goes through iFixit’s teardown process

After Samsung launched its new high-end smartphones, the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Flip, people have been busy tearing them up to see what’s inside. We recently saw the Galaxy S20 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Flip go through iFixit’s teardown process, and now it is time for the Galaxy S20+ to go through the same.

The Galaxy S20+’s teardown is pretty similar to that of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. One would need a heat gun to open the phone, starting with the Gorilla Glass 6 back panel. First, you would see the Qi wireless charging element, and removing it would reveal the 4500mAh battery that is attached to the phone’s metal frame using lots of adhesive.

Removing the display is quite tedious as the 120Hz Super AMOLED panel is attached directly to the frame of the device without proper support. Hence, removing the Gorilla Glass 6 panel at the front will almost certainly damage the screen. The double-decker motherboard, featuring all the chips, is similar to the one inside the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Then there’s the camera assembly, featuring a 12MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, a 64MP telephoto camera, and a 3D ToF camera.

The Galaxy S20+ has received a repairability score of 3/10 from iFixit. This means that it is not easy to repair the phone, thanks to all that glue and densely-packed internal components.

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Galaxy A31 bags FCC certification ahead of launch

It looks like Samsung could launch the Galaxy A31 in the next few weeks as the phone has received most of the required certifications. After going through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi certification processes, the upcoming mid-range smartphone has bagged the FCC certification. The support page for the phone went live a few days ago on the company’s website.

The Galaxy A31 (SM-A315F) is expected to come featuring a MediaTek Helio P65 processor, 4GB/6GB RAM, and 64GB/128GB internal storage. It will also come with a dedicated microSD card slot for storage expansion. It will run Android 10 (with One UI 2.0) out of the box. The phone measures 158.5mm x 72mm, which is quite similar to the dimensions of the Galaxy A30s.

At the rear, the Galaxy A31 will have a triple-camera setup, featuring a 48MP primary camera, an ultrawide camera, and a 5MP macro camera. It is being expected that it will have a 25MP selfie camera at the front. The phone will be powered by a 5000mAh battery (EB-BA315ABY), with support for 15W charging via its USB Type-C port.

The smartphone will be available in three colors: black, red, and white. We expect the phone to feature the same ‘glasstic’ back design that we’ve seen donning the Galaxy A51 and the Galaxy A71. The FCC certification documents of the phone also reveal that it will feature LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi ac, and Bluetooth 5.0.

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Galaxy A70 Android 10 and One UI 2.0 update released!

Samsung has released the Android 10 and One UI 2.0 update for another one of its mid-range smartphones. The Galaxy A70 is on the receiving end this time around, with the Android 10 update for the phone rolling out in Ukraine at this time. Sporting firmware version A705FNXXU5BTC2, the update comes bundled with the February 2020 security patch.

At this point in time, the update is only available in Ukraine, and it could be a couple of weeks before it reaches other markets. We say that because the same was the case for the Galaxy A50s Android 10 update, which was initially released only in Vietnam and then came to other markets a few weeks later. That means the rollout could extend into April, the month Samsung already mentions as the time frame for the A70’s Android 10 update in most countries.

It will be interesting to see if One UI 2.0 for the Galaxy A70 includes features like a built-in screen recorder. We haven’t seen that particular feature make its way to any non-flagship Galaxy device through the Android 10 update yet, but with the Galaxy A70 falling in the upper mid-range segment, it will probably get most of the new functionality. We can’t confirm this at the moment, though if you have received the update on your Galaxy A70, feel free to check and let us know down in the comments.

To grab the Android 10 update over the air on your Galaxy A70, open its Settings app, select Software update, and tap Download and install. Alternatively, download Android 10 firmware from our firmware archive and install it on your phone using a Windows computer.

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