Galaxy S20 gets Camera Controller support in new update

Samsung’s Camera Controller app has been updated to support the Galaxy S20 series. If you own one of the latest flagship models, you can now download the app, sync the device with a compatible Samsung smartwatch, and use the wearable as a remote viewfinder and shutter button.

Camera Controller was originally announced along with the Galaxy Watch Active 2 last year, but it also works with the Galaxy Watch and the first-gen Galaxy Watch Active. Up until recently, it was compatible only with the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series, as well as the Galaxy Fold. The Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra have now been added to the mix, but the Galaxy Z Flip has yet to receive support. Hopefully, it won’t be left out by Samsung. The latest foldable would pair with Camera Controller very nicely, thanks to Flex Mode.

Turn your smartwatch into a remote shutter/viewfinder

The idea behind Camera Controller is simple. The app lets you sync your smartphone and smartwatch, and use the wearable’s screen as a viewfinder and remote shutter button. It even allows users to swipe up or down on the smartwatch to switch between the front and rear-facing cameras of their connected smartphone.

The app can be used to capture photos as well as record videos. There are some obvious limitations, and you won’t have remote access to all of the camera features that are available on your phone’s viewfinder. For example, you can’t switch between video modes from your smartwatch, and you can’t watch your recorded videos from your wrist. You’ll still have to rely on your phone’s screen to do that.

The Galaxy S20 series, and the Galaxy S20 Ultra, in particular, boasts an impressive camera setup. Having the ability to turn your smartwatch into a remote shutter button and viewfinder for the new flagship is most welcomed, especially given that you can achieve better night shots if you put your phone down.

The new update pushes the app to version 1.0.79 and should also include some minor bug fixes that have remained unspecified. You can download the latest Camera Controller version for your Galaxy S20 series from the Galaxy Store.

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Samsung Pay update in India lets citizens help against coronavirus

As reported earlier this week, Samsung is fighting the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in India by providing PPE kits, supplying hospitals with equipment, and supporting communities with ready-to-eat meals. Now, the company is giving Indian citizens a more direct way to join the fight against coronavirus through Samsung Pay.

Samsung has updated its online payment platform to allow Galaxy smartphone/tablet users in India to make donations for the PM Cares Fund (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund) using the nationwide UPI payment service. PM Cares Fund was created on March 28 as a way to gather additional resources to support the fight against coronavirus and similar outbreak/pandemic situations that may occur in the future.

People can donate as little as INR 1, and donations are tax-exempt

To support the cause, all you have to do is open Samsung Pay on your Galaxy device, tap the ‘We’re in it together!’ banner at the top of the screen, enter the amount you want to donate, tap Send, and confirm the process by entering your UPI PIN. The minimum accepted donation is INR 1 ($0.013).

Samsung will hopefully be able to collaborate with governmental bodies from other countries who may create similar initiatives, and allow Samsung Pay users in other regions to donate in support of their communities. We’ll keep you posted.

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Samsung’s statement on Exynos 990 vs Snapdragon 865 is unconvincing

We picked up on a report out of Korea yesterday which claimed that Samsung’s chip division had felt “humiliated” over the decision to ship the Snapdragon 865-powered Galaxy S20 in South Korea instead of the Exynos 990. It was a decision that took many by surprise as Samsung wasn’t expected to choose the Snapdragon over its own Exynos chip for the Galaxy S20 models meant for its home country of South Korea.

Samsung reached out to us today and provided a statement that basically reaffirmed its commitment to the status quo. Fans won’t find it convincing, particularly as the Exynos 990 vs Snapdragon 865 debate heats up in light of recent tests conducted by multiple publications.

Samsung doesn’t feel there’s an Exynos 990 vs Snapdragon 865 gap

The Galaxy S20 is a smartphone that’s been reimagined to change the way you experience the world and depending on the region, the Galaxy S20 will either ship with the Exynos 990 or the Snapdragon 865. Both the Exynos and Snapdragon processors go through the same strict and rigorous, real-life testing scenarios in order to deliver a consistent and optimal performance over the entire lifecycle of the smartphone.

So that’s Samsung’s statement and the company says that both processors undergo the same testing scenarios to ensure that they deliver “consistent” performance. Many who have been vocal about this gap in performance will reject this claim outright as they’re convinced the Exynos is not at par with its counterpart from Qualcomm.

Some of Samsung’s most loyal fans feel that they’re paying the same amount of money for an inferior product just because they live in a market where the Snapdragon variant is not sold. If you’re not aware, the Snapdragon 865-powered Galaxy S20 models are sold in select markets like the United States, China and South Korea. The Exynos variant is sold everywhere else.

My colleague Abhijeet recently wrote an opinion expressing the frustration that Samsung fans have with Exynos processors. They have had it with this gap between the two processors which is why we’re seeing so much discussion around this topic these days. The majority of the comments on that opinion are in agreement as well while a petition launched on Change.org calling on Samsung to stop using Exynos chips in its flagship phones has racked up over 33,000 signatures.

The fact remains that the Snapdragon chip has been more efficient than the Exynos for a few years now. It was the case with the Galaxy S8’s Snapdragon 835 and Exynos 8895 while the Galaxy S10’s Exynos 9820 was almost a generation behind the Snapdragon 855 as it was built on the 8nm manufacturing process compared to the 855’s 7nm process. That disparity doesn’t exist in the current generation but with the prices for its flagships crossing $1,400, more and more customers feel that they’re getting the short end of the stick just because of where they live. Even Samsung’s shareholders made sure to grill company executives about this during the recent general meeting and executives didn’t really have a convincing answer for them.

There is now a need for Samsung to balance this business decision of buying a chip from a company within the conglomerate against the genuine concern of customers who demand truly consistent performance from their flagship device. Samsung obviously does not agree with the testing methodologies used by independent publications to highlight the Exynos 990 vs Snapdragon 865 gap, which is why it maintains that both deliver consistent performance, but it’s evident that this matter can not be brushed under the carpet for much longer.

On the other hand, given the business reasons and the significant amount of money that Samsung has invested in the Exynos program and how it has been built up as a future growth engine, it would be foolish to assume that it would just kill the program one fine day. Perhaps its rumored decision of ditching custom cores for Exynos processors may be an appropriate compromise. As long the Exynos processor performs at par with the Snapdragon counterpart, Samsung fans won’t really have any issue with whichever chip the company chooses for their region. They only care about truly consistent performance and that’s just not what the reality is right now.

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Want the Galaxy Buds+ for cheap? Check out this $119 deal from AT&T

If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to buy the new Galaxy Buds+ at a discount, you’re in luck, assuming that you reside in the USA. AT&T is selling the Galaxy Buds+ in black for just $119, down from the original $149 asking price.

There aren’t any strings attached to this offer and you don’t have to buy a smartphone along with the TWS to benefit from the discount. Once you place the order, the Galaxy Buds+ should be shipped to you over the next 3-5 business days, according to the carrier.

The Galaxy Buds+ just got even more attractive

Unlike the AKG N400 earbuds unveiled by Samsung’s sub-brand earlier this week, the Galaxy Buds+ lack features like ANC and waterproofing. However, you will get double the battery life on a single charge (up to 11-hours of usage), and that’s without taking advantage of the additional 11-hours worth of charge that’s carried by the cradle. This characteristic places Samsung’s TWS in its own category, making it difficult to ignore, especially when it’s selling for $119.

AT&T’s deal applies only to the Galaxy Buds+ in Cosmic Black and doesn’t cover Cloud Blue, white, or red. But that’s probably a good thing. Granted, more options would’ve been nice to have, but you shouldn’t find it difficult to match the Cosmic Black earbuds with any of your outfits if that’s a concern.

Feel free to check our Galaxy Buds+ review if you want to learn more about the product, and visit AT&T’s website to take advantage of this deal while it lasts.

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Quantum Dot Samsung TVs all but confirmed for 2021

Samsung Electronics will begin launching Quantum Dot TVs in 2021, industry watchers believe, arguing a strategy shift recently announced by its sister company all but guarantees that prediction coming true.

Earlier this week, Samsung Display confirmed it’s ending all LCD panel production by the end of this year. More importantly, the manufacturer said it will be repurposing existing production lines as part of a shift toward QD displays.

Samsung may start selling Quantum Dot TVs by next year

As Samsung Electronics sources the vast majority of its product components from affiliated suppliers, many analysts see its sister firm’s latest announcement as confirmation that the first generation of QD TVs is on the horizon. With mass production of QD OLED panels set to commence in the first half of 2021, that’s also the window wherein the chaebol is likely to begin offering television sets utilizing the said display technology to consumers.

Samsung has been pursuing QD-based solutions for several years now, both via internal and external investments. However, the company was in no rush to phase out LCD products from its portfolio. It instead opted to capitalize on the maturing technology with a stop-gap line in the form of QLED TVs. Those are still a major part of its global strategy, with Samsung expecting to move no fewer than eight million QLED TVs in 2020, up 2.7 million compared to its 2019 numbers.

The upcoming first generation of QD products from Samsung will almost certainly be presented as a superior alternative to QLED solutions, which are a variation of LED panels. It remains to be seen how easily will Samsung be able to scale its nascent QD operations seeing how the newer panel type is arguably much more expensive to manufacture in large quantities.

Compared to LCDs, Quantum Dot displays require no backlight as they incorporate organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) which, as their name suggests, emit light with no outside assistance. As such, they boast better energy efficiency and more natural blacks, among other advantages.

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Galaxy Watch and Watch Active 2 Golf Edition now available in the UK

The Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active 2 Golf Edition are now available for purchase in the UK. Samsung is launching these new models in partnership with the Golfwith Smart Caddie app, which comes pre-installed along with a lifetime premium subscription worth £76.

The new Golf Edition smartwatches boast dedicated golfing features including Vivid Course Map, Accurate Course Information, Distances to the Green, Shot Tracking, Automatic Course and Hole Recognition, as well as a convenient scorecard.

The Galaxy Watch Golf Edition doesn’t get a unique design

While both the 40mm and 44mm Galaxy Watch Active 2 Golf Edition models have gone through a reskin, the Galaxy Watch Golf Edition did not. The newer, bezel-less models feature custom wrist straps with unique color combinations, including pink and white for the 40mm model, and black and green for the 44mm variant. On the other hand (no pun intended), the Galaxy Watch Golf Edition is available only with a 46mm dial in the standard Silver flavor.

All of these Golf Edition smartwatches have Bluetooth connectivity but lack built-in 4G. Aside from getting a reskin and pre-installed golf-related software features, they retain the original specifications, but the same can’t be said for their prices.

The Galaxy Watch Golf Edition is now available in the UK for £359, while the standard model would set you back £299. The 44mm Galaxy Watch Active 2 Golf Edition costs £339, up from £259, and the 40mm model is not yet in stock but should arrive soon.

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PanzerGlass has the best Galaxy S20 screen protectors, buy now and get a free gift!

So you’ve spent hours gawking at the beautiful 120Hz display panel of your Galaxy S20 and now you’re dreading ruining its pristine finish. It’s difficult to avoid doing that even though these modern displays are able to handle the rigors of daily use well enough. That’s why you may want to slap on a screen protector for an added layer of protection.

PanzerGlass makes one of the best Galaxy S20 screen protectors that also work with the in-display fingerprint sensor. They cover the entire surface of the screen and are also coated with an oleophobic layer that’s anti-bacterial and anti-fingerprint.

We have the original PanzerGlass screen protectors for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and the Galaxy S20 Ultra in stock on SamMobile Shop. You can buy them now for €29,95 ($32). For a limited time, get 10% off your order by using the code STAYATHOME at checkout. That’s an unbeatable price for one of the best Galaxy S20 screen protectors. Do note that we only ship the screen protector to Europe and North America.

All customers who buy the PanzerGlass Galaxy S20 screen protector will receive a free gift with their order from SamMobile. It can be either a 128GB or 256GB microSD card or up to a year’s worth of extra SamMobile Premium subscription that provides its own set of benefits – including participation in our device giveaways!

So click the Buy Now button below to head over to the SamMobile Shop and buy much-needed protection for your new Galaxy S20.

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Samsung Galaxy A21 (2020) leaks from all angles

The 2020 edition of the Galaxy A21 leaked online once again as Samsung’s budget-conscious smartphone draws closer to release.

As was already suspected, it appears the upcoming handset will feature twice as many rear cameras as its predecessor, in addition to adopting a largely bezel-free design with an Infinity-O display.

Samsung Galaxy A21 (2020) to offer quad cameras on a budget

Shared by known industry insider Evan Blass, the 360-degree render that can be seen below reveals the same black variant of the Galaxy A21 (2020) that already surfaced a month ago. A rear-mounted fingerprint scanner is part of the package as well, serving as a reminder that this is still an entry-level offering.

Looking at the back of the new Galaxy A21, a 3.5mm audio jack can be glimpsed. The device also features three physical buttons on its right-hand side – volume controls and what’s likely a Power/Bixby key hybrid.

The Galaxy A21 (2020) is expected to utilize the MediaTek Helio P35 system-on-chip, 3GB of RAM, and 64GB of flash memory, according to a benchmark sighting from March. Samsung has been embracing MediaTek’s solutions on a wider scale in recent times, so its latest value-oriented Android smartphone appears to be a mere continuation of that trend.

The quad-camera setup found on the back of the Galaxy A21 (2020) is rumored to include a wide-angle and macro lens, whereas a standard LED flash unit can also be seen in the newest leak.

Assuming Samsung isn’t in the mood for surprises, the upcoming phablet will debut in the same sub-$200 price range as its predecessor. There’s still no word on when exactly might the Galaxy A21 (2020) be treated to an official launch, though the wait shouldn’t be too long given how its apparent marketing materials are now appearing online.

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New camera improving Galaxy S20 update rolling out internationally

The April 2020 security update for the Galaxy S20 series, which also includes multiple camera improvements, is now rolling out internationally for the LTE variants of the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. The update was first released in Hong Kong and Taiwan and then arrived in Korea earlier this week, and it is now available in many more countries, including the UAE, Russia, South Africa, Israel, and Nepal.

Featuring build number G98xFXXU1ATCT, this update will most likely be released for the 5G variants of the Galaxy S20 lineup before the week is over and should also go live worldwide in the next few days. It brings a slew of enhancements to the camera experience, including improvements to low-light super slow motion videos and faster autofocus when switching between the 108MP main camera and the 48MP periscope zoom camera.

The update might also include other improvements, and we will be digging in deep on our Galaxy S20s to see if that is the case. If you own a Galaxy S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra, you can download the update over the air from the phone’s Settings » Software update menu or grab the latest firmware from our archive and install it using a Windows PC. Our firmware section is also a great way to check if the update is available in your country.

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Galaxy Tab S6 owners, Android 10 is finally out for your tablet

Galaxy Tab S6 owners can finally start using Android 10, as Samsung has released the much-anticipated update for its flagship tablet. The update is rolling out to the LTE variant of the Tab S6 in Germany at this time and should soon be out for the Wi-Fi variant as well. As usual, it will probably take some time to come to more countries, though we can hope it won’t be too long before that happens.

Given the limited availability of the update at this time, we’re not aware of its changelog and are also not sure if it has received One UI 2.0 or One UI 2.1, though you can check your tablet after updating and let us know down in the comments. One UI 2.1 seems unlikely – the Galaxy Fold was directly updated to One UI 2.1 with the Android 10 update, but we’re assuming that was a one-off instance that won’t be repeated for other Galaxy devices.

The Android 10 update comes with build number T865XXU2BTC7 and includes the March 2020 security patch. If you own a Galaxy Tab S6, you will be automatically notified about the update once it’s available in your region. You can also manually check for it by tapping Download and install in the tablet’s Settings » Software update menu. If that doesn’t work, you can download Android 10 firmware from our archive and install it on your Tab S6 using a Windows PC.

To see what new features you can expect with Android 10 and One UI 2.0, check out our coverage here.

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