Samsung’s new video explains how its latest flagship soundbar works

Samsung’s flagship soundbar for 2021, the HW-Q950A, is now available for purchase in the US via the company’s website. With the launch of the new soundbar, the company has published a new video on YouTube that explains how the soundbar works and what features it has to improve your home audio experience.

The Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar features 11.1.4-channel audio, and it comes with a wireless subwoofer and wireless rear speakers. The soundbar has seven drivers (two side-firing, two top-firing, and three front-firing) and the rear speakers have two drivers each (one front-firing and one top-firing). It is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio playback for a 360-degree immersive experience.

Other features include Q-Symphony, which when combined with a compatible Samsung QLED TV, offers better sound as the TV’s built-in speakers turn into center channel speakers. It also features SpaceFit Sound+, which uses microphones inside the soundbar and the paired QLED TV to analyze the shape and size of the room and calibrate audio accordingly.

Active Voice Amplifier is a feature that analyzes other audio in the room and adjusts the vocals’ volume so that you can hear everything clearly, even when there’s a vacuum cleaner running in the background. Then there’s Tap Sound, which uses NFC to transfer audio from your smartphone to the soundbar. It has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Alexa voice assistant.

• Buy HW-Q950A 11.1.4-channel soundbar from Samsung

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All Samsung semiconductor chip plants get Carbon Trust’s Triple Standard certification

Samsung, the world’s biggest memory chip maker, has announced that all of its semiconductor chip plants have received British Carbon Trust’s Triple Standard certification. It means that all those plants are designed to reduce carbon and water waste, protecting the environment as much as possible.

The South Korean firm has now become the world’s first company whose semiconductor manufacturing sites have received the Triple Standard certification from Carbon Trust. Samsung Foundry has a total of nine semiconductor chip plants spread across China (Suzhou, Tianjin, and Xian), South Korea (Cheonan, Giheung, Hwaseong, Onyang, Pyeongtaek), and the US (Austin, Texas).

Samsung’s chip plants have reduced carbon emissions, water wastage, and waste emissions

As the semiconductor industry moves towards more advanced chip fabrication processes, the use of water and carbon emissions increases. However, Samsung has set up strict procedures and processes that reduce water usage as well as carbon emissions. The company has reduced carbon emissions by 9.6%, water usage by 7.8%, and waste emissions by 4.1% over the past three years.

The company also announced that its chip plants in China and the US have completed the goal of 100% renewable energy use with a renewable energy certificate (REC). With these efforts, Samsung has been successful in reducing 1.3 million tons in carbon emissions. Its water savings reached 10.25 million tons, thanks to improved water reuse and advanced filtration methods.

Samsung also reduced 35,752 tons of waste by increasing the usage of eco-friendly packaging materials and reducing disposable packaging (corrugated cardboard, plastic wraps, and string bundles).

Sung-Dae Jang, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ DS Division Sustainability Management Office, said, “We have been making efforts in various fields for decades in the fields of carbon, water, and waste in order to effectively respond to climate change and have managed them as business indices. Ultra-fine process-based low-power semiconductors We will increase the sustainability of the semiconductor business by restoring the local ecosystem through eco-friendly water treatment and developing facilities to reduce greenhouse gases.”

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Galaxy Book Go 5G is a Windows 10 laptop powered by the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G

Alongside the Galaxy Book Go, Samsung has also unveiled the Galaxy Book Go 5G. It is an ARM-based Windows 10 laptop that is powered by Qualcomm’s new high-end processor. It is a thin-and-light laptop with a conventional form factor that weighs just 1.38kg and is 14.9mm thin.

Samsung’s new laptop features a 14-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD resolution and a 180-degree hinge. It has stereo speakers that feature Dolby Atmos audio and a 720p webcam. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G processor, up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB of eUFS storage, and a microSD card slot. The laptop can be configured with the Windows 10 Pro operating system.

The Galaxy Book Go 5G has a chiclet-style tenkeyless keyboard layout and a large trackpad with Windows Precision drivers. In terms of connectivity, the laptop features 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, one USB 2.0 Type-A port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports, a nano-SIM card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. It is powered by a 42.3WHr battery that supports 25W fast charging.

Samsung has also included many features from its Galaxy ecosystem, including Galaxy Buds sharing, Quick Share, Samsung TV Plus, Second Screen, Smart Switch, SmartThings, SmartThings Find, and more. The company claims that the Galaxy Book Go 5G has military-grade durability and can last all day on a single charge. It will be available later this year, but its pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

Woncheol Chai, SVP and Head of Experience Planning Team, Samsung Electronics, said, “PCs continue to enable our digital lives, helping us connect to our friends and family, work remotely, and find outlets for creativity and relaxation. The Galaxy Book Go series is built for today’s mobile-first users who expect seamless communication, sustained productivity, and immersive entertainment—all in one device.”

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Galaxy Book Go goes official with Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor, Windows 10

Samsung has finally announced the Galaxy Book Go, its latest ARM-based Windows 10 laptop. The device was initially expected to be unveiled during the company’s Galaxy Unpacked April 2021 event, but that didn’t happen for unknown reasons. Alongside the Galaxy Book Go, Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Book Go 5G that features a more powerful Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G processor.

Galaxy Book Go is powered by Snapdragon 7c Gen 2

The Galaxy Book Go is a thin-and-light laptop that weighs 1.38kg and is just 14.9mm thin. It features a conventional form factor and comes in just one color: silver. The laptop has a 14-inch IPS LCD screen with Full HD resolution, a 720p webcam, and stereo speakers with Dolby Audio.

The Galaxy Book Go runs Windows 10 (configurable with Windows 10 Pro) with the help of Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor. It comes in two memory configurations: 4GB RAM + 64GB storage and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage. There’s a microSD card slot for storage expansion.

Naturally, the Galaxy Book Go features LTE connectivity, thanks to that Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip’s built-in modem. However, there is also a Wi-Fi-only version of the laptop. Other connectivity features include a USB 2.0 Type-A port, two USB 3.2 Type-C ports, a Nano SIM card slot, a headphone/mic combo jack, Wi-Fi 5 (2×2 MIMO), and Bluetooth 5.1. It is powered by a 42.3Whr battery and supports 25W fast charging via the USB Type-C port.

The South Korean firm has also included certain Galaxy ecosystem features like Galaxy Buds sharing, Quick Share, Samsung TV Plus, Second Screen, SmartThings, SmartThings Find, Smart Switch, and more.

Galaxy Book starts at just $349

Samsung has priced the Galaxy Book Go at an ultra-affordable $349 for the Wi-Fi-only version. At this price, it will compete with a lot of Chromebooks. Pricing for the LTE variant has not been announced yet, but the company says that this laptop will be available in select markets starting this month.

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President Moon is undecided as to whether he should pardon Lee Jae-yong

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the chiefs of Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and SK met earlier today to discuss business strategies following Moon’s meeting with US President Joe Biden last month. As revealed yesterday, another topic of conversation was the release of Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong from prison, and President Moon replied.

The idea of pardoning Lee Jae-yong after he was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison on account of bribery has been hanging in the air for a few months now. Back in April, five major lobby groups in South Korea petitioned for the pardon of Lee Jae-yong’s, arguing that Samsung needs leadership amid the semiconductor shortage, especially if South Korea wants to remain a top player in this segment.

President Moon hasn’t reached a final decision on the matter, but the petition was brought to his attention again earlier today by SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won.

Moon Jae-in ‘understood’ the difficulties faced by South Korea’s major companies

According to Reuters citing Moon’s spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee, the president told the five business leaders that he “understood” the difficulties faced by South Korea’s major companies following Lee’s imprisonment at a time when the global semiconductor market is facing a crisis. The president appears to be more open to the idea of a pardon, but a final decision has yet to be reached.

While business leaders and even Buddhist monks have pleaded for Lee’s pardon, some people oppose this idea. The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy is an activist group that’s against pardoning chaebol chiefs. The group issued a statement saying that the release of Lee Yae-yong would “abuse the legal system to justify corporate crimes.”

President Moon’s decision isn’t made any easier by the fact that he vowed not to pardon serious economic crimes — including bribery and embezzlement — before he got elected in 2017. On the other hand, deciding against Lee’s early release from prison could have serious ramifications across the industry.

“Semiconductors require large-scale investment decisions, and leaders can only make such decisions in a swift manner,” said Kinam Kin, vice chairman and CEO of Samsung’s device business. Hanyang University Professor Park Jea-gun said, “It’s hard to make big business decisions if not the owner.” Without Lee at the helm, South Korea could lose the semiconductor race to rival companies within the next few years.

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People just can’t stop simping over this AI Samsung mascot

An unofficial (but somewhat official) Samsung mascot / 3D avatar took the internet by storm a few days ago after a an image gallery was discovered on the creator’s website. Sam — short for Samantha — is not an AI avatar but a 3D mascot created by Lightfarm in collaboration with Cheil, the latter of which is a marketing company owned by Samsung.

Sam hasn’t been used in any commercial products or advertisement campaigns, and it’s unlikely for this to happen in the future. Not that she needs any more popularity because it seems that people just can’t stop simping over her.

Lightfwarm already had a 2D model of Samantha before it hit the spotlight. However, the character model went through a ‘complete redesign to return to social networks in a 3D version.’ What Lightfarm and Cheil probably didn’t expect was for Samantha to become the subject of so much fan-made erotic material as soon as it rejoined social media following its makeover.

Simply put, it didn’t take long for countless social media users to gawk over Sam’s renders and claim the avatar as their ‘waifu’ after they got lost in her big, blue, digital eyes. And in case you’re wondering, ‘waifu’ is an internet slang describing an anime character towards which a person feels attracted, often times in a romantic way. Needless to say, Samantha became an instant meme and the source of a lot of erotic fan fiction in a matter of hours, if not minutes.

Pictures of Sam were removed from the Lightfarm website after the avatar blew up on social media, but countless social media posts remain. And while Samantha was never officially meant to replace AI assistants like Bixby, chances of that happening now are even slimmer. But, who knows?! Perhaps Samantha will be brought to ‘life’ once NEON becomes advanced enough to combat your loneliness.

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May 2021 security update starts rolling out for Galaxy A42 5G

The Galaxy A42 5G, which was launched in mid-2020, has started receiving a new software update in some parts of Europe. The mid-range 5G smartphone had received the April 2021 security patch last month, and now it is getting access to the May 2021 security update. The Galaxy A42 5G is currently on Samsung’s quarterly software update schedule.

Samsung has started releasing a new software update to the Galaxy A42 5G in Germany, Greece, Italy, and the UK. The latest update, which has firmware version A426BXXU2BUE1, includes the May 2021 security patch. As per Samsung’s documentation, the May 2021 update includes dozens of fixes from Google and 23 fixes from Samsung to improve the privacy and security aspects of the smartphone.

If you are a Galaxy A42 5G user in any of the countries mentioned above, you might have received a notification regarding the update. If not, you can manually check for the update by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. Alternatively, you can also download the newest firmware file from our firmware section and flash it manually.

Samsung had launched the Galaxy A42 5G last year with Android 10 and One UI 2 onboard. Three months ago, the smartphone received the Android 11-based One UI 3.1 update.

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The Galaxy Z Flip 3’s refined design could usher in thinner display bezels

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable phone is expected to have a refined exterior design, with early leaks hinting at an enlarged cover display and a wide range of color options. New data shared by @IceUniverse on Weibo now suggests that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 will also feature thinner bezels around the foldable display, as well as a narrower metal frame surrounding the device.

The enclosed renders (below) were created based on exclusive data, claims the source. This data supposedly indicates that the Galaxy Z Flip 3’s display border will not be wider than 3.8mm.

The display bezel surrounding the original Galaxy Z Flip’s foldable panel is very noticeable as one of the design features that keep the phone away from looking entirely futuristic. Samsung reportedly wants to address this design shortcoming to a degree, and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 could be the first step in that direction.

Infinity-O foldable display cutout and a narrower metal frame

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 also seems to have sharper edges, judging by all the data so far, and this could contribute further to a more modern look and narrower bezels. The metal frame of the Z Flip 3 will supposedly be narrower, and according to the source, it won’t have the look and feel of metal, which probably says more about the finish rather than the choice of materials.

And finally, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 won’t have an in-display camera but rather an Infinity-O display cutout for the selfie sensor. There won’t be much of a size difference between the Infinity-O cutout on the ongoing model and the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Keep in mind that these renders were created by the leaker and don’t originate from Samsung. They aren’t official press renders that got leaked ahead of time, but apparently they were created based on exclusive data — dimensions and so on — which means that overall proportions should be relatively accurate.

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Guess the Samsung device quiz 4: See if you can get them all right!

This is a fun new activity that we have put together for our readers. Think you can correctly identify all Samsung devices? Take part in our quiz below and let’s see how many you can get right!

We’ll create a new visual quick every week for you to participate and hopefully learn more about the many Samsung Galaxy devices. Do share the results of the quiz with your friends and see if you can compete against them for higher scores and bragging rights.

Remember, if the quiz isn’t loading properly, please access the non-AMP version of this webpage.

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Get a free Galaxy S21 when you try out Verizon’s 5G network in the US

Want to score a Galaxy S21 for free? Well, there’s an exciting offer from Verizon that helps you in getting a free Galaxy S21, provided that you trade in your existing device, no matter its condition. The US-based telecom carrier desperately wants you to use its 5G network, and it is willing to give away a Galaxy S21 for free.

If you trade in your existing smartphone (old, new, broken, damaged, or with a cracked screen) to Verizon and agree to subscribe to a new 5G line, the carrier will give you monthly bill credits against a Galaxy S21. These bill credits nullify your monthly payments over the next 24 months. Yes, you need to stick with Verizon for two years to effectively get that Galaxy S21 for free. Moreover, if you are a new or existing Verizon customer, you need to opt for the unlimited plan.

If you are currently using any other carrier and switch to Verizon, you get a $300 virtual prepaid Mastercard. The card is sent to you within eight weeks of booking the unlimited plan so that you can cover any possible costs you may need to pay to your current carrier. You can either use Verizon’s app or go to any of their stores in the US to get this exciting offer.

Galaxy S21 features, specs

The Galaxy S21 features a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an under-display fingerprint reader. It has a 10MP selfie camera and a 12MP+64MP+12MP triple-rear-facing camera. Both front and rear cameras can record 4K 60fps videos. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB internal storage, and stereo speakers.

The phone has an IP68 certification for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S21 runs Android 11-based One UI 3.1 out of the box. It has 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C port, Samsung Pay, and Samsung DeX. The Galaxy S21 is powered by a 4,000mAh battery that charges at 25W (wired) or 15W (wireless). It also features reverse wireless charging.

• Get Galaxy S21 for free from Verizon

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SamMobile Weekly Giveaway: The Galaxy M21 is up for grabs!

Have you been looking for a budget device? Then consider this a sign to enter our next SamMobile Weekly Giveaway. The Galaxy M21 is up for grabs. It’s an entry-level device with very respectable specs.

The Galaxy M21 features a 6.4-inch display, an Exynos 9611 processor with up to 6GB RAM. It comes with a 48MP primary camera with an 8MP ultra-wide and 5MP depth sensor. As we pointed out in our Galaxy M21 review, this is one of the most value-packed offerings in Samsung’s Galaxy M lineup.

Simply use the widget below to submit an entry. All SamMobile readers across the globe are eligible to enter. The winner will be announced on June 9, 2021.

Galaxy M21 international giveaway!

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[Result] SamMobile Weekly Giveaway: Your chance to win a Galaxy M31!

We have a great device on offer in our latest SamMobile Weekly Giveaway. It’s the Galaxy M31, a solid mid-range smartphone from Samsung that has respectable specs and good software.

As we mentioned in our Galaxy M31 review, it’s a very compelling budget smartphone from Samsung. We particularly like its excellent Super AMOLED display, great battery life, good performance and 6GB of RAM on all variants.

You can win the Galaxy M31 in our giveaway this week. To enter, simply follow the steps mentioned in the widget below. The winner will be announced on June 2, 2021.

Result: Congratulations to Malik Hamza for winning the Galaxy M31!. For everyone else, there’s always next week’s giveaway.

Galaxy M31 international giveaway!

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Galaxy Tab A with S Pen finally gets updated to Android 11

Samsung has already updated dozens of Galaxy smartphones and tablets to Android 11. Last month, the company updated a whopping 350 devices (including variants) with new software releases. Now, it is updating the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) with S Pen to the latest public version of Android.

The Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) with S Pen has started getting a new software update in Chile and the Philippines. The new software, which has firmware version P205DXU5CUE3, brings Android 11 along with One UI Core 3.1. The new software includes a refreshed UI design, chat bubbles, one-time permissions, auto permissions reset, improved stock apps, improved versions of Samsung Internet and Samsung Keyboard, a better design for the Device Care page, and improved Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.

Samsung’s official changelog mentions that the company has also improved the performance of the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) with S Pen through enhanced dynamic memory allocation and restricting background activities. The South Korean firm has disabled a few features, including file sharing via Wi-Fi Direct, connecting to Chromecast via Smart View, and accessing SD card files directly via Dual Messenger apps.

The new update for the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) with S Pen has a download size of over 1.6GB and includes the May 2021 security patch. You can check for the update by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. You can also download the new firmware file from our firmware database and flash it manually if you know how the flashing process works. The update could reach more markets over the next few weeks.

The Galaxy Tab A with S Pen likely won’t get any more Android OS updates since it has already received two updates (Android 10 with One UI Core 2.0 and Android 11 with One UI Core 3.1) since its launch.

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More US carriers bring May 2021 security update to Galaxy Z Flip

The Galaxy Z Flip 5G was the first smartphone from Samsung to get the June 2021 security patch. However, the carrier-locked variants of the Galaxy Z Flip series haven’t been so lucky, and most of them were stuck with the April 2021 security patch. Two days ago, the Sprint variant of the Galaxy Z Flip 5G received the May 2021 security update, and now, other carrier variants have started getting the same update.

The Galaxy Z Flip has started getting a new software update in the US with the May 2021 security patch. The update, which has firmware version F700U1UEU4DUDB, is now available via various carriers in the US, including AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular South, Comcast, C-Spire, Tracfone, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile. As per the company’s documentation, the new software includes dozens of fixes from Google and 23 fixes from Samsung.

If you are a Galaxy Z Flip user in the US registered with any of the carriers mentioned above, you can check for the latest software update by navigating to Settings » Software update and clicking on Download and install. You can also download the entire firmware file from our firmware database and flash it manually.

Samsung had launched the Galaxy Z Flip early last year with Android 10-based One UI 2 software. The foldable smartphone received the Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update by the end of 2020 and the One UI 3.1 update three months ago. You can buy the Galaxy Z Flip 5G in the US for as low as $1,200 from Samsung’s website.

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Samsung tops smartphone market in Chile in Q1 2021, thanks to Galaxy A series

Samsung, the world’s biggest smartphone brand, has managed to uphold its number one position in Chile’s smartphone market as well. The company is far ahead of its rivals when it comes to market share. However, the latest numbers reveal that rival Chinese brands are catching up fast, and Samsung needs to be careful.

According to the latest numbers from market research firm Strategy Analytics, Samsung had a whopping 42.1% share of the smartphone market in Chile during Q1 2021. The South Korean firm shipped 1.2 million smartphones during the quarter, achieving a 63% year-over-year growth. It is being reported that Samsung’s impressive market share numbers in Chile are helped by the wildly popular Galaxy A series.

Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “We estimate Samsung grew its Chile smartphone shipments a healthy 63% YoY from 0.8 million in Q1 2020 to a record 1.2 million during Q1 2021. Samsung’s smartphone market share in Chile remains relatively stable for now, around the 42% level. Samsung has an extensive retail presence in Chile and its midrange A-series models are wildly popular.” Over 2.9 million smartphones were shipped in Chile during the first quarter of this year.

Lenovo (and Motorola) and Xiaomi have grown at an explosive pace, achieving 150% and 1,025% growth rates, respectively. Lenovo-Motorola’s market share increased from 11.8% in Q1 2020 to 17.2% in Q1 2021. The two companies shipped 0.5 million smartphones in the last quarter. Xiaomi shipped 0.5 million smartphones as well, but it grew from nothing in Q1 2020 to a market share of 15.5% in Q1 2021.

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