Galaxy S21 FE: Everything we know so far about the 2021 flagship killer

Samsung hit it out of the park with the launch of the Galaxy S20 FE last year. The Fan Edition device proved to be one of Samsung’s most successful of the year, so it’s only natural for the company to want to release a sequel this year and try to catch lightning in a bottle again.

Predictably, the sequel should be called the Galaxy S21 FE, and much like the predecessor did last year, the upcoming model should draw some inspiration from the premium Galaxy S lineup while maintaining a good value and a sub-flagship price.

There’s almost no doubt that Samsung will be releasing the Galaxy S21 FE this year. The company has at least indirectly-acknowledged that the phone exists when it accidentally mentioned it on the official Samsung Mexico portal this week.

Either way, Samsung will have a steep hill to climb if it wants the Galaxy S21 FE to become a worthy successor to the 2020 model, and the company does appear to have what it takes to achieve this, judging by all the leaks so far. Here’s an overview of everything we know:

Galaxy S21 FE design and color options

Much like the Galaxy S20 FE’s design was inspired by the premium Galaxy S20 trio of flagships, the upcoming Galaxy S21 FE is expected to adopt a new design language akin to the Galaxy S21.

Leaked press renders depicting the Galaxy S21 FE indicate that the phone will follow the same design principles as the Galaxy S21 series, particularly in regards to the camera housing. It wraps around the top and side edges of the device, and as a result, it look less like an afterthought.

SamMobile exclusively reported a couple of months ago that the Galaxy S21 FE will be released in at least four color options including gray/silver, pink, violet, and white. A fifth color — light green — was also discovered just a few weeks ago, along with a few camera details.

Galaxy S21 FE hardware and camera specifications

The Galaxy S21 FE is expected to carry a triple-camera combo on the back panel, though detailed specifications are unknown. As far as the selfie camera goes, it’s been reported that it should clock in at a resolution of 32MP, though only time will tell if it’s the same 32MP sensor that was used for the Galaxy S20 FE or an upgraded shooter.

There aren’t too many details on the hardware but battery details have emerged in mid-April. According to this data, the Galaxy S21 FE should be powered by a 4,500mAh battery, same as the Galaxy S20 FE.

Battery life could end up being better thanks to the adoption of components that have a higher energy-efficiency. The Galaxy S21 FE’s choice of chipsets hasn’t been confirmed yet but the phone could be offered with an Exynos 2100 and / or Snapdragon 888 SoC, and with two storage options: 128GB and 256GB.

The device is expected to have a 6.4 / 6.5-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with a refresh rate of at least 90Hz, though 120Hz is a fairly safe bet given the fact that the Galaxy S20 FE already has this feature. Stereo speakers and an IP rating should also be par for the course.

When will the Galaxy S21 FE become available?

An alleged roadmap detailing Samsung’s launch plans for 2021 got leaked last month, and it suggests that the Galaxy S21 FE will be unveiled at a dedicated Unpacked event scheduled for August 19.

Leaked roadmaps may not always be a good source of accurate release date details, but what’s important to note about this particular roadmap is that it predicted the date of the Galaxy Book Unpacked event with pinpoint accuracy. This lends a bit more credibility to the idea that August 19 is the day when Samsung will reveal the Galaxy S21 FE to the world.

Pricing details remain unknown but the company is expected to stay true to the FE lineup and release the upcoming model within the so-called “flagship-killer” price range.

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Half a decade-old Gear smartwatches are getting new firmware updates

It’s been almost four years since the Gear Sport smartwatch was introduced, and an even longer five years since Samsung took the veil off the Gear S3. But despite their age, Samsung has yet to abandon support for these wearables, and on the contrary, the company is now rolling out a new firmware update for both the Gear Sport and the Gear S3.

The Gear Sport / Gear S3 updates carry firmware versions R600XXU2FUD1 and R760XXU2FUD1, respectively. The official changelog for the Gear Sport is unclear, but Samsung did publish the changelog for the Gear S3 firmware update and it likely reflects changes done to the Gear Sport as well. There aren’t many.

The version of Tizen OS remains unchanged at 4.0.0.7, however, the changelog mentions improved Wi-Fi stability, which is a welcomed change given the nature of these non-LTE smartwatches and their reliance on Wi-Fi for connectivity.

We can confirm that the new firmware update is available for the Gear S3 in China at the very least, though it might also be available in other regions. As always, Gear S3 and / or Gear Sport owners can check for new firmware updates from the Galaxy Wearable apps on their connected phones.

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Galaxy Tab A7 Lite dimensions and design got confirmed in China

The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has broken the silence a second time this week after the tablet got spotted in the database of Chinese regulatory agency TENAA. The application contains a few live photos of the tablet in black, though a silver variant is also expected to be released.

TENAA seemingly confirms that the tablet will measure 212.5 x 124.7 x 8mm and weight ~300 grams. The photos reconfirm the same design that’s been spotted in leaked renders a couple of times before. The tablet has a single rear-facing camera, and also visible right below the loudspeaker is a single selfie sensor.

The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite might still be on track for a summer release

The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has been eluding an official announcement for a few good months now, but every approval brings it closer to its debut, whenever it may be. Samsung’s been keeping quiet about the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, but leaked material suggests that the slate will be equipped with an 8.4-inch IPS LCD, a Helio P22T chipset supplied by MediaTek, and 3GB of RAM. The tablet will likely be powered by a 5,100mAh battery with 15W fast charging capabilities.

According to previous rumors, Samsung might be planning to introduce the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite in June or July, and the device could be accompanied by another Lite-branded model, namely the Galaxy Tab S7 Lite.

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Samsung’s rolling out a massive firmware update for the Galaxy A72

The Galaxy A72 is bound to follow the quarterly update schedule so it won’t enjoy the same level of security as its smaller sibling — the Galaxy A52. Nevertheless, the Galaxy A72 is now getting a new firmware that brings a newer security patch along with it, and interestingly enough, the package is large enough to contain other significant improvements on the side.

The new update for the Galaxy A72 carries firmware number A725FXXU1AUD2 and, to be precise, it includes the April 2021 security patch. The changelog mentions the usual generic ‘new and / or enhanced features’ and ‘further improvements to performance,’ but this time around, Samsung’s copy-pasted changelog might actually ring true. The new Galaxy A72 firmware update is large enough to contain more than just a security patch, weighing around 1GB.

The Galaxy A72 was launched with Android 11-based One UI 3.1 out of the box, so there’s not a lot of room to go from there. Security patches aren’t normally larger than 200MB, so given the size of the latest update, it might include additional camera and / or performance improvements.

The new firmware update is now rolling out for the Galaxy A72 in dozens of markets across different continents. Galaxy A72 owners should be able to update their phones by tapping the update notification once it arrives, or from the Software update menu inside the Settings app on their phones. And as always, SamMobile readers can download the latest firmware from our archive and install it manually using a Windows PC.

Thanks for the tip, Amin!

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The Galaxy Watch Active 2 LTE is now 40% off with this limited-time deal

Amazon’s daily deals website Woot! is offering a few cool Samsung products at a discount as part of its latest Random Samsung Stuff promotion. It includes deals for the 40mm and 44mm Galaxy Watch Active 2, as well as the 25W Samsung Fast Charger. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the 45mm Galaxy Watch 3 were also part of this promotion but the deals were attractive enough for Woot! to run out of stock. But if you’re in the market for a 25W charger or the LTE-enabled Galaxy Watch Active 2, you still have around 16 hours left to act — at most — before the deal ends.

Woot! is now offering the 40mm Galaxy Watch Active 2 unlocked with LTE connectivity for only $169, down from the original price of $279. That’s a significant 39% discount, though you can get a slightly better deal for the 44mm model. The larger Galaxy Watch Active 2 variant is now available for $179 instead of $299 after a 40% discount.

And finally, Woot! is offering a massive 43% discount on the Samsung 25W super fast charger. And although a discount on a wall charger might not sound like that big of a deal under normal circumstances, let’s not forget that the Galaxy S21 series was shipped without a charger, so a lot more people than usual might be looking to complete their experience. In any case, the 25W charger is now available for just $19.99 as opposed to $34.99.

You can refer to the links below for more details, though you might want to hurry, seeing how it didn’t take long for Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy Watch 3 stocks to run out.

• Buy the 40mm Galaxy Watch Active 2 LTE at Woot!
• Buy the 44mm Galaxy Watch Active 2 LTE at Woot!
• Buy the Samsung 25W super fast wall charger at Woot!

Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)

• Model: SM-R825
• Dimensions: Watch: 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm
  
• Display: 1.4 inch / 35.56 mm Circular Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9110
• Camera:

More specifications

Galaxy Watch Active 2 (40mm)

• Model: SM-R835
• Dimensions: Watch: 40 x 40 x 10.9 mm
  
• Display: 1.2 inch / 30.48 mm Circular Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9110
• Camera:

More specifications

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Samsung starts preparations for Galaxy S21 FE launch

The Galaxy S20 FE became pretty popular last year, thanks to its affordable price tag and well-rounded specs. After receiving such a good response to the phone, Samsung has decided to launch a follow-up to the smartphone, and the device is expected to be launched over the next few months. Earlier today, the phone was mentioned on Samsung’s website.

GalaxyClub discovered that Samsung Mexico’s website accidentally mentioned the Galaxy S21 FE, confirming its existence. While we could think of it as a typo, it is a weirdly uncommon one. Currently, the link points to the Galaxy S21 series, but it could be a part of Samsung’s preparations for the launch of the Galaxy S21 FE. The phone is actually expected to be unveiled sometime in August 2021.

The design and some specifications of the Galaxy S21 FE have been leaked already. Going by the leaked 3D CAD renders of the phone, the phone has the same camera assembly design as that of the Galaxy S21, but it is made using plastic instead of metal. We had exclusively revealed in February that the Galaxy S21 FE has model number SM-G990B.

The upcoming affordable high-end smartphone could feature a 120Hz Super AMOLED Infinity-O display, a Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 processor, 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB internal storage, and a 4,500mAh battery. At the rear, it features a triple-camera setup (probably with 4K 60fps video recording). The phone will be available in at least five colors: gray/silver, light green, pink, violet, and white.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Book Pro series has the best work from home features

Samsung has unveiled its new Galaxy Book Pro series laptops this week. It has revamped its entire laptop lineup and for good reason. With the pandemic changing the way we work, the devices that we need now have to be in line with that reality.

Samsung has approached the development of these laptops with a simple aim. It wants to provide mobile-first users with the same convenience and seamless experience that smartphones do. The company has been able to do that without compromising on performance and features. The Galaxy Book Pro lineup actually has some of the best features to support your work from home lifestyle.

Screen Recorder and Samsung Studio Plus

Video content production has increased as in-person meetings are no longer encouraged by most organizations. To support that change, the Galaxy Book Pro laptops come with a screen recording feature built-in.

The screen recorder provides a webcam feature that can show the speaker’s face or gestures, perfect for those virtual presentations. The S Pen can also be used to add a footnote at the end of the video.

Samsung Studio Plus is a powerful editing tool that can be used right after the screen recording stops. It can be used to trim the video, add text, music and narration. Text and subtitles can be added as well. Samsung developed this software with ease of use in mind. So that users can easily take advantage of the features.

Intelligent Noise Cancelling

Background noise can be a pain on video calls and Samsung is addressing that with the new Intelligent Noise Cancelling feature. Sophisticated AI technology distinguishes between the voice and the ambient noise captured by the mic.

It then deletes the ambient noise for a distract-free video calling experience. The AI was trained with over 400,000 sound samples of typical background noises to improve its performance.

Studio Mode

With in-person meetings being replaced by video conferencing, it’s normal now for many professionals to spend the better part of the day in front of their webcam. Not everyone can have a studio-like setup at home but Samsung has come up with a solution for that.

Enter Studio mode on the Galaxy Book Pro series. Studio mode is basically like a filter app that lets you control some aspects of your video. This software makes you feel more camera ready with a makeup effect. It’s quite simple to use and there are even presets for the user with options for adjustment.

The screen freeze feature is another cool addition. It can be useful when you need to step away from the screen during a video call. The other participants would continue to see a frozen screen with your face on it while you run down to the kitchen to grab a drink.

What do you think about the new Galaxy Book Pro series and its great features? Share your thoughts with us by dropping a comment below.

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Samsung has released May 2021 security patch to Galaxy A51

After releasing the April 2021 security patch to the Galaxy M10 earlier today, Samsung has started rolling out the May 2021 security patch to the Galaxy A51. The new update for Samsung’s best-selling smartphone is currently available in Russia and is expected to hit more countries over the next few days.

The new software update for the Galaxy A51 with the May 2021 security patch has firmware version A515FXXU4EUD7. While an official changelog isn’t available yet, it is likely that the new update won’t include any new features and will be restricted to security and bug fixes. Samsung hasn’t yet revealed exactly which security vulnerabilities are fixed by the May security patch.

If you are a Galaxy A51 user in Russia, and if you haven’t received a notification for this update yet, you can check for it manually by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. If you don’t want to wait for the OTA update, you can download the latest firmware for the Galaxy A51 from our firmware section and flash it manually.

The Galaxy A51 was launched in December 2019 with Android 10-based One UI 2. It started receiving the Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update earlier this year, bringing various new features and a refreshed UI design. Last month, Samsung started rolling out the One UI 3.1 update to the Galaxy A51 last month.

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Samsung Internet Beta improves cross-device functionality and more

A new update for the Samsung Internet Beta just dropped, introducing two key features to its Chromium-powered web-browsing experience. Numbers one, there’s a new bookmarks bar on offer. It’s an optional addition that you can enable by going to Settings > Appearance. A tap of the accompanying toggle and you’re done.

Two, cross-device functionality has been improved in a big way. Go to Settings > Useful features (duh) > Open links in other apps to start doing just that. If you own another Galaxy device, you can now not only share links, but browsing positions on individual pages between them.

Is Samsung Internet the best mobile browser ever?

With this addition, Samsung Internet makes yet another claim for the title of the ultimate mobile browser. If you haven’t been using it regularly so far, you really ought to give it a chance. No matter what other app you’re coming from.

Feature updates and refinements are a weekly occurrence, and the One UI 3.1 redesign is really beautiful to look at

Samsung Internet Beta version 14.2.1 debuted on the Google Play Store Thursday afternoon, CET. By now, the newest build of the Android app should be available for download worldwide. On the off chance you aren’t reading these lines on mobile already and the download isn’t showing up on your desktop, see if you can get it to install directly from your smartphone or tablet anyway. As there’s always a bit of a delay with the browser version of the Play Store due to caching and a few other things.

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Galaxy M10 is getting a new software update with April 2021 security patch

Samsung has been consistently releasing Android 11 updates and the latest security patches to its smartphones and tablets. It was the first brand to roll out the April 2021 security patch. Now, the company has released a new security patch to the Galaxy M10.

The Galaxy M10 (SM-M105G) has started receiving a new software update in Malaysia and Vietnam. This new update brings the April 2021 security patch to the smartphone. The new software rolling out in Malaysia has firmware version M105GDXS6CUD6, while Vietnam is getting the update with firmware version M105GDXS6CUD4. As per Samsung’s documentation, the April 2021 security patch fixes various critical vulnerabilities, and includes 21 fixes from Samsung and 30 fixes from Google.

We don’t have an official changelog for the update yet, but it is safe to assume that it doesn’t bring new features to the Galaxy M10, and includes just security-related fixes and stability improvements. If you are a Galaxy M10 user in any of the countries mentioned above, you can manually check for the update by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install.

The update could roll out in more countries over the next few days. The Galaxy M10 was launched in February 2019 with Android 8.1 Oreo. Since then, Samsung has released two major Android updates to the phone, and it is currently running Android 10 (with One UI 2).

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Samsung should be worried about these numbers

Just last year, Samsung was leading the global 5G smartphone market. The company had a whopping 94% market share in the US 5G smartphone market. However, things seem to have taken a drastic turn for the company, and Samsung should be quite worried about its latest 5G smartphone shipment numbers.

A recently published report from market research firm Strategy Analytics claims that Samsung has dropped from the first position to fifth position in the global 5G smartphone market. Although the company doubled its shipments from 8.3 million to 17 million in Q1 2021, Samsung’s 5G smartphone market share dropped from 34.6% to 12.7%. That’s because Apple, OPPO, and Vivo have made remarkable improvements. Apple, which had not shipped even a single 5G smartphone in Q1 2020, managed to ship a whopping 40.4 million 5G iPhones in Q1 2021. Its market share reached chart-topping 30.2%.

OPPO shipped 21.5 million 5G smartphones globally in Q1 2021, which is an 1165% (or 11.65x) year-over-year growth. The Chinese firm now has a 16.1% share of the 5G market and is ranked second on the list. Vivo shipped 19.4 million 5G smartphones during the quarter, which is a 646% year-over-year growth compared to Q1 2020 numbers. Xiaomi narrowly missed beating Samsung. The Chinese smartphone giant shipped 16.6 million 5G smartphones in the first quarter of this year and saw a 564% growth compared to last year.

The global 5G smartphone market grew 458% in Q1 2021 compared to last year and over 133.9 million 5G phones were shipped during the period. Although Samsung launched a lot of 5G smartphones over the past year, most of them were priced higher than competing phones from the likes of OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Apple, on the other hand, launched four high-end 5G smartphones—iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max—in Q4 2020.

So, what can Samsung do to improve its 5G smartphone market share? Well, it needs to bring down the prices and launch more 5G smartphones so that they become accessible to more users worldwide. Recently, Samsung launched its cheapest 5G smartphone ever, the Galaxy M42 5G, in India.

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Galaxy M32 is indeed based on the Galaxy A32

Samsung is working on multiple Galaxy M series smartphones, including the Galaxy M32, Galaxy M42, and the Galaxy M62 5G. The company recently launched the Galaxy M42 5G in India, and it is expected to unveil the Galaxy M32 soon. Ahead of the launch, some specifications of the Galaxy M32 have been leaked.

The Galaxy M32 bears model number SM-M325F, and it appeared in Geekbench’s database earlier today. The phone appears to be running Android 11 (probably One UI 3.1) and using the MediaTek G80 processor (MT6769V) in combination with 6GB of RAM. Going by these specifications, it appears that the Galaxy M32 is indeed based on the Galaxy A32 4G that was launched a few months ago. The only difference between the two phones could be the battery capacity. The Galaxy A32 4G is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy M32 was revealed to feature a 6,000mAh battery.

Galaxy M32 expected specs

The upcoming smartphone could feature a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-U display with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone could also have 6GB/8GB RAM, 64GB/128GB internal storage, and a microSD card slot. At the front, it could have a 20MP selfie camera with Full HD video recording. At the rear, the Galaxy M32 could sport a 64MP+8MP+5MP+5MP quad-camera setup with the ability to record 1080p 30fps videos.

The Galaxy M32 is expected to feature GPS, LTE, dual-SIM card slot, Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung could launch it in India and other emerging markets sometime this quarter.

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Samsung achieved a whopping 496% growth in the Chromebook market

The Chromebook market saw explosive growth over the past year, riding on the remote learning and work-from-home wave. Compared to just 2.8 million Chromebook shipments in Q1 2020, the market grew 3.57x in Q1 2021 to reach shipments of 13 million units. Samsung achieved a whopping 496% year-over-year growth in Chromebook shipments during the quarter.

IDC’s (International Data Corporation) latest report suggests that Samsung shipped over a million Chromebooks in Q1 2021. While the company still maintained its fifth position in the global Chromebook market, its market share improved from 6.1% in Q1 2020 to 8% in Q1 2021. The South Korean firm was the second-fastest-growing Chromebook brand. HP, which saw the highest growth (633.9%) in the Chrome OS market, was ranked first with 4.4 million shipments and a 33.5% market share.

Lenovo shipped 3.3 million Chromebooks in Q1 2021 and grabbed a 25.6% share of the global market. The Chinese tech giant saw a 356.2% year-over-year growth in this space. Acer didn’t grow as much as other brands did, and fell down from the first position to the third position. It shipped 1.9 million Chromebooks and had a 14.5% market share. Dell is ranked fourth in this list with 1.5 million shipments (327% year-over-year growth) and an 11.3% market share.

Samsung launched just one new Chrome OS-based laptop over the past year: Galaxy Chromebook 2. It features a QLED screen and a 2-in-1 convertible design. It has a backlit keyboard, a large trackpad, 10th Gen. Intel Core processor, 8GB RAM, 64GB/128GB internal storage, a microSD card slot, impressively loud 10W stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 45Wh battery. The company may launch more Chromebooks later this year.

Despite such massive growth, the Chromebook market is still isn’t as big as the tablet market. As you can see in the graph below, over 40 million tablets were sold in Q1 2021. It means that the tablet market is still 3x bigger than the Chromebook market. Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Tab S7+, and the Galaxy Tab A7 over the past year and was ranked second in the global tablet market. The company saw a 60% year-over-year growth in the tablet segment.

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Samsung was the world’s second-biggest tablet brand in Q1 2021

Samsung makes the world’s best Android tablets, ranging from the affordable Galaxy Tab A 8.0 to the ultra-high-end Galaxy Tab S7+. Since the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the company saw impressive growth in tablet sales worldwide, riding the remote learning wave. The South Korean tech giant maintained its second spot in the global tablet market during Q1 2021.

Market research firm IDC’s (International Data Corporation) latest report claims that Samsung managed to ship 8 million tablets in Q1 2021. This is an impressive 60.8% year-over-year growth compared to Q1 2020, when it shipped 5 million tablets. Samsung’s Q1 2021 tablet market share was 20%, and it maintained its second rank. Apple was the world’s biggest tablet maker with shipments of around 12.7 million units, which translates to a 31.7% market share. The iPad maker saw a 64.3% year-over-year growth compared to 7.7 million shipments in Q1 2020.

Lenovo ranked third with a 9.4% share of the market and shipments hanging around the 3.8-million mark. However, compared to its Q1 2020 numbers, it achieved a whopping 138.1% year-over-year growth. Similar is the case with Amazon, which shipped 3.5 million Fire tablets and ranked fourth, achieving a staggering 143% year-over-year growth. On the other hand, Huawei slipped from third to the fifth position as its market share dwindled to just 6.8%.

Samsung’s performance was quite impressive considering that it didn’t launch any new tablets in Q1 2021. Its latest tablets—Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab A7—were launched in Q3 2020. The company is expected to unveil the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite and the Galaxy Tab S7 Lite sometime in June 2021. The successor to the Galaxy Tab S7 lineup could launch in Q3 2021 to compete with the recently launched iPad Pro (2021) from Apple.

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Galaxy Watch (Active) 4: Everything we know so far about the new wearables

2021 might be the year of great — as in massive — changes to Samsung’s smartwatch series. The company’s upcoming wearables are said to challenge the established formula in several ways, and although the so-called Galaxy Watch 4 hasn’t been officially launched yet, nearly every leak and rumor so far has suggested that the upcoming wearable(s) won’t be just an iterative upgrade.

From a different OS to new health features and different hardware internals, the Galaxy Watch 4 — and presumably the Galaxy Watch Active 4 — is said to revitalize Samsung’s smartwatch formula later this year. So without further ado, here’s everything we know so far about the Galaxy Watch 4.

First Samsung smartwatch with a diabetes-monitoring sensor?

The Galaxy Watch 4 — and possibly the Watch Active 4 — might be Samsung’s first wearable device to be capable of reading the user’s blood glucose level. More importantly, preliminary rumors suggested that Samsung will utilize a non-intrusive method of reading blood glucose based on Raman spectroscopy.

Not much has been said about this feature since so it remains fairly uncertain. Besides, if this new sensor will be included, there’s no guarantee that it will be fully functional at launch. The functionality may be enabled later after release, similar to blood pressure monitoring and ECG.

Saying goodbye to Tizen OS in favor of Wear OS?

Another massive change might come in the form of a completely different OS. The Tizen platform has evolved over the years and it is loved by many, but Samsung might switch gears this year and abandon Tizen OS in favor of Google’s Wear OS platform.

Although it might sound far-fetched for Samsung to abandon its own platform, Wear OS would provide better third-party app support. Not to mention that Google might end up paying Samsung a massive amount of money to make this change.

We’ll have to wait and see if Tizen OS is indeed on its last legs as far as wearables go, but this is one of the Galaxy Watch 4 rumors that kept re-emerging over the past few months, so there could be some truth to it.

Galaxy Watch 4 / Active 4 design and color choices

The Galaxy Watch 4 is expected to retain the physical rotating bezel that’s iconic to the series, while the rumored Galaxy Watch Active 4 should have a bezelless design. Overall, they’ll look more or less like the ongoing models, featuring circular displays and a couple of physical buttons to the side.

An unconfirmed leak suggests that the Galaxy Watch 4 and / or Watch Active 4 will be offered in the same color options as the upcoming Galaxy Z models. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is expected to go on sale in at least two color options, black and green, whereas the Galaxy Z Flip 2 / Flip 3 should launch in black, beige, green, and light violet.

Galaxy Watch 4 specifications and battery capacity

Galaxy Watch 4 specifications are unknown for the most part but, surprise, surprise, new details pertaining to the upcoming wearable’s battery have emerged a couple of weeks ago.

They’re not very exciting though, as they suggest that the 41mm and 45mm Galaxy Watch 4 models will be equipped with 240mAh and 350mAh batteries, respectively. Capacities are similar to the ongoing model, however, rumors indicate that the 41mm model will be equipped with a battery supplied by ATL, whereas the 45mm variant will feature a battery supplied by Samsung SDI.

ATL doesn’t have a great reputation among Samsung customers because the company was responsible for supplying the Galaxy Note 7’s batteries, and we all know how that went. Nevertheless, ATL has rejoined Samsung’s supply chain this year when it provided batteries for the Galaxy S21 series, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the same supplier will also be involved with the Galaxy Watch 4.

As for other hardware components, only time will tell if Samsung is finally ready to upgrade the 10nm-based Exynos 9110 chipset that’s been powering the Galaxy Watch / Watch Active series for years.

The Galaxy Watch (Active) 4 could debut earlier than expected

Specifications aside, the final bit of information regarding the Galaxy Watch 4 has to do with Samsung’s alleged launch plans.

The company’s Galaxy Watch 3 was unveiled in August and it’s natural to assume that the Galaxy Watch 4 will be released in August this year. However, this might not be the case at all, as Samsung may have decided to bring the wearable’s launch closer to us, much like it did with the Galaxy S21 lineup.

Recent rumors passed along by leakster IceUniverse claim that the Galaxy Watch 4 will be officially introduced before the end of Q2. Interestingly enough, the same rumor suggests that the Galaxy Watch Active 4 should follow the same launch schedule.

Do you think Samsung is pushing its wearable series in the right direction judging by these leaks and rumors? What are your expectations from the Galaxy Watch 4 and / or Galaxy Watch Active 4? Is a new chipset important to you, and will you be interested in Wear OS? Join us in the comment section below.

The post Galaxy Watch (Active) 4: Everything we know so far about the new wearables appeared first on SamMobile.

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The Galaxy S21 Ultra is about 7% cheaper to produce than its predecessor

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is costing Samsung about the same as the Galaxy S20 Ultra to produce, at least according to an estimated bill of materials published by Counterpoint Research, detailing the costs of the entire series. The data suggests that the base Galaxy S21 variant equipped with the Exynos 2100 SoC is the cheapest to produce, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset is the most expensive model.

The research firm estimates that the bill of materials (BoM) for the Qualcomm-powered Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes in at $532.9. The source also claims that this makes the Galaxy S21 Ultra 7% cheaper to produce than the Galaxy S20 Ultra. But interestingly enough, estimates from other market watchers suggest that it could be the other way around. The Galaxy S20 Ultra bill of materials was estimated at $528 last year.

Moving on to the rest of the series, the estimated bill of materials for the base Galaxy S21 model and the Galaxy S21+ is even lower compared to last year — by 12%-13%. This decrease in costs was attributed to the Galaxy S21 and S21+ having lower-resolution displays.

In addition, the research firm estimates that the newer Exynos 2100 and Snapdragon 888 chipsets are more cost-effective than their predecessors because they incorporate single-chip 5G solutions. Furthermore, the newer Galaxy S21 Ultra has dropped one of the mmWave antenna modules and has lowered charging speeds to 25W.

And yet, the Galaxy S21 Ultra was released for a lower price

Regardless of whether Samsung is paying more or less to produce the Galaxy S21 Ultra compared to last year’s flagship phone, what’s important to keep in mind is that the latest flagship was released for a lower price. If Samsung has saved any money on manufacturing the Galaxy S21 Ultra, it’s obvious that at least some of those savings were passed on to customers.

As a reminder, the Galaxy S20 Ultra was released for an unprecedented launch price of $1,399, whereas the Galaxy S21 Ultra was $200 cheaper at launch.

According to an estimated breakdown of costs per parts, Samsung was able to save money when manufacturing the Galaxy S21 Ultra in various areas including memory, RF components, battery / charging components, display subsystems, sensors, PCB and connectors, and assembly / test. And of course, the company also saved about $8 in production costs by trimming down the contents of the retail box.

Galaxy S21

• Model: SM-G991B
• Dimensions: Bar: 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm
  
• Display: 6.2 inch / 157.48 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 2100
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S21+

• Model: SM-G996B
• Dimensions: Bar: 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm
  
• Display: 6.7 inch / 170.18 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 2100
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S21 Ultra

• Model: SM-G998B
• Dimensions: Bar: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
  
• Display: 6.8 inch / 172.72 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 2100
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

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Faulty Galaxy S20 camera glass leads to class-action lawsuit

Samsung is now on the receiving end of a class-action lawsuit due to a possible manufacturing defect surrounding the Galaxy S20 series. As some of you might recall, right around the time the Galaxy S20 series was being released a year ago, dozens of customers complaints were cropping up on the web to describe a potential Galaxy S20 design flaw that was seemingly leading to the rear camera glass breaking.

What made this issue that much more intriguing was the fact that all the complaints were describing a similarly unusual phenomenon, wherein the glass covering the main camera setup would crack without any force being applied to it. The affected phones haven’t been accidentally dropped, but rather, the glass was reportedly breaking on its own.

Initially, Samsung hasn’t made any comments on the issue, but as more complaints came in, the company has reportedly acknowledged the problem as stemming from internal pressure, claims law firm Hagens Berman. The problem is seemingly caused by foreign particles building up underneath the glass, leading to lower tolerances and a higher chance for the glass to crack under pressure.

The firm has now filed a class-action lawsuit against Samsung on account of the company ignoring the issue and refusing to cover it under warranty. Galaxy S20 owners who have experienced this problem have had to pay for the glass replacement out of their own pockets. The law firm believes that customers shouldn’t have to pay for Samsung’s faulty design and Galaxy S20 owners deserve to be compensated.

Galaxy S20 owners who feel the same way and happen to have had their camera glass breaking are encouraged by Hagens Berman to fill out a form on their website. Assuming that Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the legal team for the class.

Do you or have you owned a model from the Galaxy S20 series? Have you experienced any issues with the glass covering the main camera module? And do you think Samsung should be subjected to a class-action lawsuit on account of this issue? Leave a comment below.

Galaxy S20

• Model: SM-G980F
• Dimensions: Bar: 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm
  
• Display: 6.2 inch / 157.48 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S20+

• Model: SM-G985F
• Dimensions: Bar: 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm
  
• Display: 6.7 inch / 170.18 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

• Model: SM-G988B
• Dimensions: Bar: 166.9 x 76.0 x 8.8 mm
  
• Display: 6.9 inch / 175.26 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

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Unpacking the new Galaxy Book series with Samsung’s HS Kim [Interview]

Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy Book series laptops yesterday at its Unpacked event. The company has been calling the laptops its “most powerful Galaxy” devices so far. It now envisions the laptop as an integral part of the Galaxy ecosystem.

The new models include the Galaxy Book, Galaxy Book Pro, Galaxy Book Pro 360 and the Galaxy Book Odyssey. This wide variety of notebooks aims to offer something for everyone. The entry-level models are affordable yet versatile.

The Galaxy Book Pro is thin and light with powerful specs while the Pro 360 has an incredible hinge as well as the S Pen. The Odyssey features top-tier specs and happens to be the world’s first laptop with NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 Ti GPU.

As this lineup represents a fundamental shift in Samsung’s approach to laptops, we wanted to find out more about the vision behind it. Who better to unpack the new Galaxy Book series with than Dr. Hark-sang Kim. He is the Corporate Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics and leads the New Computing R&D team at the Mobile division. Dr. Kim led the development project for the Galaxy Book series.

SamMobile: How do you assess the global laptop market post-pandemic and will Samsung now be making a more concerted effort to compete in it?

Hark-sang Kim: As global demand for PCs grows, we’re listening closely to consumers and designing devices around their ever-evolving needs and expectations. Despite an intense increase in PC demand during 2020 and 2021, we still believe demand will be high moving forward due to consumers wanting these connected and seamless experiences.

With the Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360, Samsung is meeting this demand with a new
generation of PCs that combine the power of a laptop with the mobile DNA of a Galaxy smartphone.

The Galaxy Book Pro series offers improved solutions in post-pandemic usage such as video
conferencing and virtual lectures. With Studio mode, you can enjoy video call environments that
help you look as you prefer regardless of your setting. Combined with Intelligent Noise Cancelling, which eliminates ambient noise from your microphone, you’ll be seen and heard with clarity.

With Screen Recorder and Samsung Studio Plus, you can also make the next viral gameplay tutorial by recording your screen in combination with your voice and polish your video with easy editing tools.

Consumers also prioritize full ecosystem connectivity perfect for a more mobile world. Link to
Windows (Microsoft Your Phone) provides seamless cross-device operation between the Galaxy
Book Pro series and Galaxy smartphones. Easy Bluetooth Connection effortlessly manages Galaxy
Buds connections between devices. These types of connected experiences on the PC are now more important than ever, and we will continue to build Galaxy Books that complete the Galaxy ecosystem for our users.

SM: Does Samsung’s research show that existing Galaxy device owners would consider switching to a Samsung laptop if it enabled them to get more out of the ecosystem?

HSK: As consumers add more devices to their home and office spaces, we learned that they want them to work together seamlessly so there’s no time wasted trying to find a note, transfer files, or connect to audio. In designing the Galaxy Book series, we looked across our entire mobile portfolio—from earbuds and IoT devices to tablets and smartphones—in search of ways for your devices to work together to help you do more.

Now with Galaxy Book Pro series, users can instantly sync photos and files with their smartphone
or enjoy their favorite Galaxy apps on PC via Link to Windows (Microsoft Your Phone). Users can also enjoy one unified Samsung Notes experience—with PDF annotation, voice recording, and auto-syncing—across smartphone, tablet, and PC. We’ve also developed new ways for different devices to support one another.

With Easy Bluetooth connection, the Galaxy earbuds automatically toggle between the PC, tablet, and smartphone as you switch tasks. Second screen allows users to expand your PC workspace onto their tablet. SmartThings Dashboard simplifies their smart home, allowing them to dim the lights, change the temperature, and set oven to preheat all from one central hub.

SM: How were the sizes determined? Were 14-inch and 16-inch also considered instead of the 13.3- inch and 15.6-inch sizes?

HSK: We’re constantly listening to consumers and launching products that best meet market needs. According to IDC data, 13-14-inch and 15-16-inch devices are the most in-demand PC sizes on the market. Determined to fulfill this need, we chose sizes at 13-inch and 15-inch. The 13-inch models are for those who prioritize mobility first and foremost, and 15-inch models are for those who want to balance mobility with a larger screen experience.

SM: What is the external graphics processor (GPU) which would only be available for the 15.6-inch Galaxy Book Pro?

HSK: The external graphics processor (GPU) in the 15.6-inch Galaxy Book Pro is NVIDIA® GeForce® MX450. We decided to offer an external graphics processor to the 15.6-inch
Galaxy Book Pro to provide a more optimized experience for consumer who expect to use their
PC for this type of work.

SM: What is the difference between the Galaxy Book Pro 360 Super AMOLED and Galaxy Book Pro AMOLED screen?

HSK: For the first time ever, we built Galaxy Book Pro series with AMOLED displays, meaning users now have access to incredibly accurate colors, richer contrasts and more depth across their entire Galaxy ecosystem from their smartphones, tablets, wearables and now PCs.

Galaxy Book Pro and Pro 360 uses an AMOLED display that’s perfect for daily use and after work
entertainment thanks to the SGS Eye Care-certified displays. It also comes with the Intelligent
Color Engine which can automatically adapt the display’s color space depending on the on-
screen content.

In addition to those features, Galaxy Book Pro 360 uses a Super AMOLED display, which enables
touch and S Pen input. This makes it ideal for creative users, from artists looking for real-world brush effects to graphic designers who need pinpoint accuracy.

SM: How many nits is the peak brightness of the laptop and wouldn’t QLED be better, which was used in the past laptop line-up? If so, why was OLED chosen and not QLED again this time?

HSK: The Galaxy Book Pro series is packed with innovations and development knowledge that Samsung has accrued over the years building the mobile devices. Generally, consumers use PCs primarily indoors so we naturally optimized the Galaxy Book series’ brightness for indoor usage.

Among many considerations when developing the new Galaxy Book Pro series, one of the most
important consideration for our target users was mobility- how thin and light the device can be.
Even if the performance is top of the line, if it’s too thick or heavy, it starts to become a trade-off and can disrupt mobility. To balance these considerations, we chose AMOLED technology which has competitiveness for thin and light, for the Galaxy Book Pro series, the same technology found on other Galaxy devices such as smartphones.

Secondly it is crucial to provide users with the most accurate and optimized displays possible.
This led to the development of the Intelligent Color Engine, which can switch color spaces. The
reason this is important is because different tasks require different color fields. For example,
videos are more vivid in DCI-P3, photo editing typically requires Adobe RGB and general usage
relies on the all-round sRGB. The Galaxy Book Pro series’ displays can switch between these
seamlessly, ensuring all content is optimized.

Finally, the display should be comfortable and consistent. Users who work all day on their
devices should not feel strained or lose concentration due to their display. The Galaxy Book Pro
and Pro 360’s AMOLED displays SGS Eye Care-certified. They transmit less blue light, and they are more comfortable to look at. In addition, by providing the exact same color range as the Galaxy smartphones do, photos and design works can be seen exactly the same between devices for
accuracy.

SM: With this significant revamp, has Samsung reconsidered its position on offering laptops and notebooks in limited markets only?

HSK: In 2020, PCs became permanently woven into everyday life. They helped us connect to the wider world, work remotely, video conference with friends and family, and find outlets for creativity and relaxation. In turn, we’ve seen consumer expectations rise. Our mobile-first users want their devices to deliver seamless communication, sustained productivity, and immersive entertainment—all in one.

In 2021, we’re expanding the Galaxy ecosystem with the new Galaxy Book series. With the
growing marketing needs, we are moving into more markets this time and constantly evaluating
new growth. We aim to provide consumers with a new mobile computing experience powered
by innovations spanning across the Galaxy ecosystem as we establish Samsung’s leadership and
long-term commitment to the PC market.

The post Unpacking the new Galaxy Book series with Samsung’s HS Kim [Interview] appeared first on SamMobile.

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ECG firmware update lands on Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2 in Russia

The highly anticipated ECG and blood pressure firmware update for the Galaxy Watch 3 and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 was released in 31 markets earlier this year, but some key regions such as Russia were left out. Thankfully, the roll-out continues and Samsung confirmed today that the two additional health-tracking feature are now becoming available in Russia thanks to a new firmware update that’s being distributed to both the Galaxy Watch 3 and the Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Galaxy smartwatch users who have never used the blood pressure reading feature before will be required to set up the Samsung Health Monitor app first. It’s available at the Galaxy Store and it has to be installed on the smartphone that’s connected to the Galaxy Watch 3 / Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Once the app is installed, users will have to calibrate the smartwatch for accurate measurements using a dedicated blood pressure monitor. Of course, nothing’s stopping Galaxy Watch 3 or Galaxy Watch Active 2 owners from taking blood pressure readings without calibrating the sensors using medical equipment first, but this would defeat the purpose.

As for the ECG functionality, it can be used to determine if the user has a sinus rhythm or suffers from atrial fibrillation. Once an ECG is performed using the Galaxy Watch 3 / Galaxy Watch Active 2, the ECG data will be synchronized with the connected smartphone in the form of a PDF report.

Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 owners in Russia who want to use the new ECG and blood pressure monitoring features will have to download the aforementioned Samsung Health Monitor app from the Galaxy Store, and they’re also required to update the basic Samsung Health app on their smartphones to enable the ECG and blood pressure reading functionalities.

Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm)

• Model: SM-R840
• Dimensions: Watch: 46.2 x 45.0 x 11.1 mm
  
• Display: 1.4 inch / 35.56 mm Circular Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9110
• Camera:

More specifications

Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)

• Model: SM-R820
• Dimensions: Watch: 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm
  
• Display: 1.4 inch / 35.56 mm Circular Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9110
• Camera:

More specifications

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Galaxy Book Go images and specs leak ahead of launch

Samsung was expected to unveil the Galaxy Book Go alongside the Galaxy Book Pro, Galaxy Book Pro 360, and the Galaxy Book Odyssey during its April 28 event. However, the company didn’t unveil the ARM-based Windows 10 laptop. Now, the laptop’s first set of images have been revealed alongside its full specs sheet.

German tech publication WinFuture published the press renders and specifications of the Galaxy Book Go. The laptop features a 14-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD resolution. It uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor, which features an octa-core 64-bit CPU clocked at 2.5GHz. The laptop has 4GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot. It runs the ARM version of Windows 10 Home and will reportedly be priced at just €449.

The Galaxy Book Go appears to have a tenkeyless backlit keyboard, a decently-sized trackpad, a fingerprint reader, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos audio, and a 720p webcam. It reportedly weighs just 1.39kg and is 14.9mm thin. In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy Book Go features LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, Miracast, Bluetooth 5.1, one USB Type-A port, two USB Type-C ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Since it uses an ARM processor and doesn’t need active cooling, it does not feature any air vent, which makes it resistant to dust. It is also MIL-STD-810G rated for resistance against drops and shocks. The Galaxy Book Go reportedly comes powered by a 42.3Wh battery and can be charged using a 25W USB Type-C charger.

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