Samsung sold twice as many smartphones as Apple did in Q3 2020

Samsung not only maintained its number one position in the global smartphone market but also managed to improve sales during Q3 2020. According to a new report from market research firm Gartner, Samsung sold 80.8 million smartphones during the third quarter of this year and grabbed a 22% market share globally.

The South Korean smartphone giant’s sales grew by 2.2% compared to Q3 2019. Samsung sold twice as many smartphones as Apple did during the quarter, which is a commendable feat, especially when the global smartphone market saw a 5.7% drop compared to last year. Huawei was the second-largest smartphone brand in terms of sales, but its market share dropped to 14.1%. Since the US sanctions on the company came into effect, its market share has been falling sharply. Compared to Q3 2019, Huawei’s sales dropped a whopping 21.3%.

Xiaomi surprised everyone by selling 44.4 million smartphones in Q3 2020 and taking the third rank. The Chinese firm’s market share was 12.1%, which is 34.9% growth compared to last year. In Q3 2019, Xiaomi’s market share was just 8.5%. Apple’s market share was 11.1%, and the company sold 40.5 million iPhones during the third quarter of this year. OPPO settled for the fifth position in the global smartphone market with sales of 29.8 million units and a market share of 8.2%.

Samsung’s smartphone business performed really well during Q3 2020, thanks to the launch of the Galaxy Note 20 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Robust sales of Galaxy A series also helped the company in growing its numbers. Samsung was the number one brand in the US, India, Russia, and EMEA (Europe, Middle-East, and Africa) in Q3 2020. In Q4 2020, the company’s market share is expected to drop due to the launch of the extremely popular iPhone 12 series.

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Which Galaxy smartwatch should you buy this holiday season?

Samsung’s range of Galaxy smartwatches make for great holiday gifts, especially since the company usually offers attractive discounts this time of the year. 2020 is even better, seeing how there are three Galaxy smartwatch models to choose from now that the Galaxy Watch 3 is available. But should you go for the latest Galaxy Watch model this holiday season or should you pick another?

The fact of the matter is that the original Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Watch 3, and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 have something unique to offer, which is probably why you can still find the original Galaxy Watch on sale today, even though it’s been succeeded by a newer model. In other words, as long as you know what to expect from these smartwatches, you can’t really go wrong with either of them. So let us take a quick look at what makes them unique and the reasons why you might want to pick one smartwatch model over the other this holiday shopping season.

Reasons to buy the Galaxy Watch this holiday season

Even though it was released more than two years ago, the original Galaxy Watch still offers a few advantages over the newer model:

• Best battery life. The original 46mm Galaxy Watch has a 472mAh battery. It’s larger than the unit powering the newer models and the watch will last longer on a single charge compared to both its younger siblings.
• Fit for physical activities out of the box. The original Galaxy Watch ships with a rubber wrist band fit for activities including swimming. The sequel comes with a leather band instead, meaning you may end up spending extra on accessories.
• It’s the most affordable model out of the three, having been released a couple of years ago.
• More RAM than the newer Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2.
• It has a physical bezel, unlike the newer Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Galaxy Watch review

Reasons to buy the Galaxy Watch 3 this holiday season

The Galaxy Watch 3 is the newest Samsung smartwatch on the market. It was unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked 2020 along with the Galaxy Note 20 series and it’s the only other Galaxy smartwatch aside from the OG Watch to feature a physical rotating bezel. Here’s why you may want to buy the Galaxy Watch 3 this holiday season:

• A modernized design with a classy leather band.
• Access to the latest version of Tizen OS.
• Great range of sensors including an ECG monitor after firmware update.
• Largest on-board storage of the three models.
• Lighter than the original Galaxy Watch.
• Samsung is selling a Titanium version that’s lighter and more durable than the Stainless Steel variants.
• Bluetooth 5.0.

Galaxy Watch 3 review

Reasons to buy the Galaxy Watch Active 2 this holiday season

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the last but not least smartwatch on this list. It’s part of its own Active series and therefore it stands apart from the other two models. Nevertheless, it offers its own benefits and unique characteristics. Here’s why you may want to pick it over the other two non-Active models:

• The design of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is unmistakably smartwatch. The lack of a physical bezel makes it virtually impossible for anyone to mistake this electronic timepiece with a regular wrist watch. Tech enthusiasts might view this as an advantage.
• It’s the lightest of all three models. The lack of a physical bezel means that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the lightest solution, weighing only 42 grams at most.
• ECG sensor. This feature was not available at launch and early adopters had to wait for it to be activated. But now the Galaxy Watch Active 2 has ECG capabilities after some of the recent firmware updates in certain markets.
• More editions. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 has the most editions by far. Aside from the two sizes and different colors it comes in by default, Samsung is also selling a Golf Edition and an Under Armour Edition.
• Bluetooth 5.0.

Galaxy Watch Active 2 review

Unique features aside, a smartwatch is inevitably a fashion item as much as it is a communication and fitness tracking tool, so if you’re planning on buying a smartwatch based on the design alone then you’ve probably already made up your mind on which one to get.

And if you’re more interested in the fine details of the internal hardware rather than the other features then you might be surprised to learn that all three smartwatch models share many hardware components, even though they were released over the span of two years. Check our device comparison widget below for a quick look at the specs and feel free to let us know in the comment section if you plan on buying a Galaxy smartwatch this holiday season.

Galaxy Watch (46mm)

VS.

Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm)

VS.

Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)

Full comparison

General Information
Model name	Galaxy Watch (46mm)	Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm)	Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)
Model number	SM-R805	SM-R840	SM-R825
Model type	Wearable	Wearable	Wearable
Color	Silver (Silver)	Silver (Silver) Black (Black) Titanium (Titanium)	Sliver (Sliver) Black (Black) Gold (Gold) Silver (Silver) Black (Black) Pink (Pink)
Announced	2018, August	2020, July	2019, August
Released	2018, August	2020, July	2019, August
Physical Specifications
Dimensions	Watch: 46 x 49 x 13 mm	Watch: 46.2 x 45.0 x 11.1 mm	Watch: 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm
Weights	63g	53.8g 43g	30g 42g
Operating System
Operating system	Tizen Based Wearable OS 4.0	Tizen Based Wearable OS 5.5	Tizen Based Wearable OS 5.5
One UI version
Network
Networks	3G 4G	4G	4G
Display
Kind	Main Display	Main Display	Main Display
Name
Technology	Circular Super AMOLED	Circular Super AMOLED	Circular Super AMOLED
Size	1.3 inch / 33.02 mm	1.4 inch / 35.56 mm	1.4 inch / 35.56 mm
Resolution	/ 360x360 pixels	/ 360x360 pixels	/ 360x360 pixels
Pixel density	278 PPI	PPI	364 PPI
Screen to body ratio	%	%	%
Memory
RAM/ROM sizes	768 MB RAM with 4 GB ROM 1.5 GB RAM with 4 GB ROM	1 GB RAM with 8 GB ROM	768 MB RAM with 4 GB ROM 1.5 GB RAM with 4 GB ROM
Battery
Standard battery capacity	472 mAh	340 mAh	340 mAh
View full comparison »

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Fresh Galaxy A32 5G renders reveal sleek design and a mysterious sensor

Last week the unannounced Galaxy A32 5G was spotted in a handful of renders originating from a third-party case manufacturer. The images offered a sneak preview but the device was largely covered by a protective case. However, a new gallery of Galaxy A32 5G renders have emerged from @OnLeaks via Voice today and this time around they show the phone from all angles without a protective case covering the design.

First things first, the Galaxy A32 5G looks very appealing in our eyes as it offers a unique design even for a Samsung phone. It looks like the camera sensors are not enclosed in a so-called camera hump but instead the vertically-stacked lenses protrude – by just 1 mm according to the source – from the phone’s back panel individually. Next to the three rear-facing cameras there’s an LED flash and a mysterious fourth sensor whose purpose is unknown.

Infinity-V, plastic back panel and a metal frame

The back of the device is reportedly made of plastic. The renders show a glossy back which may suggest that the phone may have been treated with a ‘glasstic’ finish instead, but remember that the renders are not official. Therefore, the final product could have a different paint job.

Either way, the Galaxy A32 5G has a metal frame and contrary to what the previous renders have shown, it has an Infinity-V, not an Infinity-U display. The physical buttons and fingerprint sensor reside on the right edge of the phone while the lower edge accommodates a speaker grille, a USB-C port, and a standard 3.5mm audio port. According to the source, the Galaxy A32 5G measures 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1mm.

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Samsung beats Huawei to regain top spot in Russia’s smartphone market

Samsung is now leading the smartphone market in Russia after dethroning Huawei in the third quarter of the year. Huawei held the top spot in the previous quarters but due to numerous factors including a supply shortage for the Chinese tech giant, the tables have turned and Samsung is now leading the charge.

Huawei had the bigger influence across online retail channels in Russia throughout Q3 2020. It boosted its online market share from 25.5% in Q3 2019 up to 27.8% a year later. Meanwhile, Samsung’s online retail influence had dropped and the company recorded an online market share of 26.3% in Q3 2020, down from 37.6% a year before.

Even so, Samsung is now leading the smartphone market in Russia

Samsung lost to Huawei as well as Xiaomi in terms of online shipment market share in Russia, however, the company managed to offset its online losses with strong sales through offline retail channels.

All things considered, Samsung had the highest combined revenue from online and offline retail channels. According to Counterpoint Research, two of its most popular smartphone models in Russia were the Galaxy A51 and the Galaxy A31, which isn’t all that surprising given that the Galaxy A51 has so far been one of the most successful Galaxy phones of the year in many other markets.

According to industry watchers, the smartphone market in Russia is recovering and flagship models are gaining more attention in part thanks to attractive trade-in offers. At the same time, Samsung’s rivals from China continue to aggressively attack the low and mid-range segments, so only time will tell how Q4 pans out. We’ll keep you posted.

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Next-gen Galaxy Z Fold 3 is rumored to cost about the same as the Fold 2

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is nearly one year away from its debut – assuming that Samsung will follow a 12-month launch strategy – and yet we’ve already come across various rumors pertaining to this upcoming device and how it might refresh the foldable formula in the second half of 2021. The latest rumor, however, signals that although hardware specifications will change and improve, Samsung’s asking price for its flagship foldable won’t.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be priced about the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 2, at least according to a recent tweet by @MauriQHD citing a source with a decent track record. In case you need a reminder, the Galaxy Z Fold 2  was released for around $2,000 in most markets.

At least it wouldn’t be more expensive

The idea that the flagship Galaxy Z Fold series won’t get any cheaper anytime soon is not at all surprising to some of us. There are good reasons to believe that Samsung’s focus right now isn’t on making future Galaxy Z Fold models easier to obtain from a cost perspective. We’ve explored this topic before, but in short, Samsung’s flagships have historically gotten more expensive with the passage of time rather than going the other way around. In addition, Samsung still doesn’t have a real competitor in the flagship segment so it has one less reason to push for a lower price.

The good news, assuming that the latest rumor is correct, is that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 at least won’t be more expensive than the model it will succeed. Samsung will probably maintain the same ~$2,000 price and it could attempt to bring foldable display technology to more customers with cheaper models such as the Galaxy Z Flip and possibly the Galaxy Z Flip Lite.

Do keep in mind that the source isn’t betting on the accuracy of this rumor and has adviced the proverbial pinch of salt in a follow-up tweet. After all, a lot can change until the third quarter of 2021.

Do you have any plans for the foldable market in 2021? Are you considering joining this emerging segment next year or are you continuing playing the waiting game for cost-related reasons or others? Would a ~$2,000 price for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 surprise you? Let us know in the comment section.

Fold 3

same price atm pic.twitter.com/7z0tgfDdqr

— Mauri QHD (@MauriQHD) November 26, 2020

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Samsung Galaxy F41 hands-on: To be, or not to be, that is the question

Ah, the Galaxy F41. This is a phone that we had initially assumed to be an ‘affordable’ foldable, only to later find out that Samsung was looking at rebranding the excellent Galaxy M31. The Galaxy M series was launched as an Amazon exclusive, though it eventually started selling on other major online retailers in India. But it seems that wasn’t enough and Samsung wanted to make an exclusive lineup for Flipkart, the other big Indian retail player, and the Galaxy F series seems to be the result.

So the Galaxy F41 is a rebranded Galaxy M31, but are they both exactly the same? Well, there are a couple of changes. There’s the name, of course, with Samsung using the ‘Full On’ branding to make the F series sound cooler than the M series. The F41 has only three rear cameras while the M31 has four (the former lacks a macro camera). Finally, the F41 comes in an exclusive green color, and Samsung is also using different names for the color options. Where the M31 comes in Ocean Blue, Iceberg Blue, and Space Black, the F41 is available in Fusion Blue, Fusion Green, and Fusion Black.

Unfortunately, none of those changes really make a compelling case — or any case at all — for the F41’s existence. While it remains to be seen how different future F series phones will be from Galaxy M handsets, the F41 is simply not a great choice, and that’s because both the F41 and M31 are priced the same. You get the 6GB+64GB configuration for Rs 15,499, and the 6GB+128GB configuration for Rs 16,499.

But the M31 gives you four rear cameras for that price instead of three. Granted, the low-resolution macro cameras on Samsung’s budget phones aren’t all that special, nor is everyone interested in macro photography. Still, why would you want to pay the same price to get lesser specs, even if the only thing you’re missing out on is a macro camera you may or may not use?

The Galaxy F41 seems to be designed for a certain retailer instead of the consumer, and that would be okay if it had something unique to offer. But it doesn’t (except for a new color?), and since you will be paying the same for both the M31 and F41, the former just makes more sense, no matter how important or unimportant a macro camera may be for you.

• Buy the Galaxy F41 from Flipkart
• Buy the Galaxy M31 from Amazon India

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Rumor: Galaxy S21 S Pen support is a go, but so is at least one new Note

It has long been rumored that Samsung will bring S Pen compatibility to the next Galaxy S series smartphone and then possibly kill the Galaxy Note series for good. However, there might still be some good news for Galaxy Note series fans, at least going by a recent rumor.

According to a new report from Korea IT News, Samsung has placed orders for Galaxy S21 digitizers. Digitizers are an important component for S Pen compatibility, and a firm has started the mass production of digitizers for the next-generation Galaxy S series phone. Mass production of digitizers almost confirms that the Galaxy S21 Ultra will support the S Pen.

The report also mentions that the Galaxy S series and the Galaxy Note series will be merged in the future. However, Samsung will reportedly release one Galaxy Note series smartphone in the second half of 2021 before discontinuing the series. The South Korean tech giant is expected to shift its focus from the Galaxy Note series to foldable smartphones.

Samsung has reportedly planned multiple foldable smartphones for next year, and there is a possibility of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 featuring an S Pen. The company is working on improving the strength of the Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) so that the S Pen can be used with it.

As usual, these are just rumors, and there has been a lot of conflicting information about the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Note series’ future. Nothing can be said for certain so early, and things will get clearer only when Samsung actually launches the device.

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Galaxy Buds Pro get one step closer to launch

Last week, we had exclusively revealed that Samsung is working on new Galaxy Buds earphones that feature active noise cancellation (ANC). Later, it was revealed that they would be launched as Galaxy Buds Pro. Now, the upcoming earphones have received the necessary certification before its launch.

A new Samsung device with model number SM-R190 has received certification from the FCC. The model number SM-R190 is associated with the Galaxy Buds Pro. A diagram of these new earbuds is also included in the certification documents. The diagram reveals that the upcoming earbuds’ case will have a rounded square shape, similar to the Galaxy Buds Live. It will also feature a 500mAh battery, a USB Type-C port, and 2.5W charging.

The FCC certification of the Galaxy Buds Pro means that the wireless earbuds are almost ready for the launch. They are expected to be unveiled alongside the Galaxy S21 series in January 2021. The Galaxy Buds Pro would not replace the Galaxy Buds or the Galaxy Buds+. Rather, they would be an addition to Samsung’s current lineup of truly wireless earphones.

Our exclusive report revealed that Samsung’s upcoming wireless earbuds have an in-ear canal design, improved audio quality, and improved Ambient Mode. We can also expect them to feature Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC, sweat resistance, touch controls, and Qi wireless charging.

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