WhatsApp backups are about to get a lot more secure!

WhatsApp has been one of the less feature-packed messaging apps available on iOS and Android, but we’ve seen more and more functionality added to the app ever since it was acquired by Facebook a couple of years back. Recently, WhatsApp made chat and media transfer possible between Samsung phones and iPhones, and it’s also bringing the option to hide your “last seen” status from individual contacts soon.

And for enhanced security, WhatsApp will soon introduce another great feature: end-to-end encryption for the backups you save on Google Drive. Right now, all messages sent between WhatsApp users are end-to-end encrypted, making it impossible for anyone — including WhatsApp — to read them, but backups made to Google Drive aren’t and can be accessed by Google and its employees. To change that, Facebook announced today that it would add the option to create end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) backups.

Each backup you make to your Google Drive account will be encrypted with a randomly generated encryption key that can be saved locally by the user or secured with a password. Choosing the latter option will store the encryption key in what WhatsApp calls a Backup Key Vault, and the user can then access the key from the vault when needed by providing the password. To make things ultra-secure, WhatsApp says that the encryption/decryption key will be deleted if the wrong password is entered too many times.

End-to-end encryption for WhatsApp backups will roll out to Samsung devices (and other Android devices) in the coming weeks. Oh, and in case you missed it, while the app will get more secure for most users, some will soon lose access to WhatsApp entirely as the company is dropping support for some Samsung phones by the end of the year – here are more details on that.

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Galaxy Watch 4 series gets six unique Sami Miro Vintage eco watchbands

Samsung has announced a limited-edition watchband collection designed by Sami Miro Vintage for the Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch series. The collection consists of six unique watchbands manufactured from eco-friendly materials such as recycled apple peel skins recovered from the fruit industry.

Each limited-edition watchband was created with different occasions in mind. According to the designer, colors including Stratus Sky, Cloud Navy, and Midnight Black are great for any time of the day, while Aurora Night and Dawn Atlas are a bit more colorful and fit special occasions.

The Stratus Sky and Midnight Black watchbands have a premium look of leather — even though they’re completely vegan — while the Aurora Night, Cloud Navy, Earth Sunrise, and Dawn Atlas wristbands were manufactured from Eco-friendly TPU material.

Introducing three new Sami Miro Vintage watchfaces

Samsung is also releasing three watchfaces to match the six new eco-friendly Sami Miro Vintage watchbands for the Galaxy Watch 4 series. They’ll be available for download from the Google Play Store.

Customers will have the option of buying the limited-edition Sami Miro Vintage watchband collection from Samsung for $39.99. That’s right! Customers get six watchbands and three watch faces for the price of a single Ridge Sport Band. Not a bad deal if you enjoy the Sami Miro Vintage designs and you wish to give your Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic a touch of exclusivity.

Galaxy Watch 4 series review
Galaxy Watch 4 hands-on | Galaxy Watch 4 Classic hands-on

SamsungGalaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm)

BuyFull SpecsReviewHands-On

SamsungGalaxy Watch 4 (44mm)

BuyFull SpecsReviewHands-On

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SamMobile TV: Join us today for a new Weekly Round Up episode!

Friday is here, and we’re bringing you another episode of SamMobile TV for the end of the week. As some of you know by now, we’re rolling out a new episode of Weekly Round Up every Friday, and this week, our host Benjamin will talk you through a variety of topics, from new Exynos chipsets powered by AMD graphics to stretchable OLED displays.

Indeed, rumor has it that Samsung will bring AMD-powered Exynos chipsets to the Galaxy A series next year. In addition, the company’s display division has been working on stretchable displays, and it recently demonstrated the technology at Global Tech Korea 2021.

Meanwhile, Galaxy Note 9 owners have learned this week that their phones will receive quarterly firmware updates moving forward. And last but certainly not least, there’s been some talk about the Galaxy S22 possibly launching before the end of this year as opposed to January 2022.

We’ll also be taking questions from our viewers, so make sure to tune in on YouTube and join other Samsung fans on SamMobile TV at 7 PM CET/10 AM PST/10:30 PM IST.

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Samsung’s next laptop with Intel Alder Lake CPU and DDR5 spotted online

Samsung is apparently developing a new Galaxy Book variant powered by a 14-core 12th gen Intel Alder Lake CPU. The first Alder Lake-based Intel CPUs are expected to be launched later this year, and by the looks of it, Samsung could be among the first PC OEMs to use Intel’s next-gen solution in a laptop.

An unannounced Samsung laptop carrying the “930QED” ID was spotted recently in UserBenchmark. The test results show that the device has an unidentified “Intel 0000” CPU with 14 cores and 20 threads, a base clock speed of 1GHz, and an average frequency of 2.25GHz with Turbo enabled. It’s also equipped with Intel Iris Xe graphics and 256GB of Samsung SSD storage.

This could be Samsung’s first laptop with DDR5

The last bit of information shared by UserBenchmark (via @BenchLeaks / WCCF Tech) suggests that this mysterious Samsung laptop will be equipped with DDR5 memory. It could very well be the company’s first notebook to employ this technology. The benchmark reveals two sticks of 8GB of RAM (16GB total) clocked at 4,400MHz, which is the minimum frequency for DDR5. However, the modules are seemingly capable of running at a maximum of 6,400MHz.

Samsung could unveil its Alder Lake-based laptop early next year, presumably at or around CES 2022, though this will also depend on whether or not Intel will have its next-gen CPU ready for the masses this year.

Either way, the benchmark results shouldn’t reflect real-life performance for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the benchmark doesn’t seem to have been optimized for this Intel Alder Lake CPU just yet, and secondly, the CPU was throttled at 90% by the operating system. With that in mind, the benchmark seemingly confirms some exciting hardware components, but it probably doesn’t reflect the product’s final levels of performance, so keep that in mind.

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Galaxy Z3 lineup, Buds 2, and Watch 4 wearables are now live in Thailand

After a couple of successful weeks of pre-orders, Samsung’s entire product lineup unveiled at the August Galaxy Unpacked event is now available for purchase outright in Thailand. Of course, the product lineup consists of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, the Galaxy Buds 2, and the Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch series.

Samsung is now selling the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in Thailand for the starting price of 57,900 baht ($1,772) and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 for 34,900 baht ($1,068). The clamshell model is available in the four basic color options, but customers in Thailand can also choose from two online-exclusive two-tone colors (pink or white with a black frame).

A new generation of wearables

Smartwatch enthusiasts in Thailand are looking at a starting price of 7,990 baht ($244) for the 40mm Galaxy Watch 4 and 11,900 baht ($364) for the 46mm Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.

To complete the lineup, Samsung is now selling the Galaxy Buds 2 wireless earbuds in Thailand for 3,990 baht ($122). Customers can choose from three color options.

There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to Samsung’s new product lineup, and we’ve already been there, so make sure you check our reviews and hands-on videos below if you’re looking for more details on these new foldable phones and smart wearables.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 review | Galaxy Z Flip 3 review
Galaxy Watch 4 series review | Galaxy Buds 2 review
Galaxy Z Fold 3 hands-on | Galaxy Z Flip 3 hands-on
Galaxy Watch 4 hands-on | Galaxy Watch 4 Classic hands-on
Galaxy Buds 2 hands-on

SamsungGalaxy Z Fold 3

• The best Galaxy Z Fold 3 Screen Protectors
• The best Galaxy Z Fold 3 Cases
• The best Galaxy Z Fold 3 Wireless Chargers
• The best Galaxy Z Fold 3 Bluetooth Headsets
BuyFull SpecsReviewHands-On

SamsungGalaxy Z Flip 3

BuyFull SpecsReviewHands-On

SamsungGalaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm)

BuyFull SpecsReviewHands-On

SamsungGalaxy Watch 4 (40mm)

BuyFull SpecsReviewHands-On

SamsungGalaxy Buds 2

BuyFull SpecsReviewHands-On

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Galaxy Z Fold 4 could be even cheaper if Samsung nails its next steps

There’s no denying the fact that the price has to come down before foldable smartphones can become the norm. Samsung realizes that and it’s actively working to make these unique devices more affordable.

The new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 have received a significant price cut over their predecessors. That’s why they have broken sales records already. According to reports, we can expect the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to be even cheaper if Samsung is able to execute its next steps perfectly.

Samsung has a plan to make the Galaxy Z Fold 4 cheaper

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 price is already at a sweet spot. Starting at $999, it breaks a major psychological barrier for customers. Since these are still meant to be premium devices, it’s unlikely we’ll see the clamshell foldable’s price dip any further.

However, the Galaxy Z Fold series could be cheaper still. Starting at $1,799, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is 20% cheaper than its predecessors. The price tag is still a bit too high to make the device affordable for a lot more customers.

Samsung is looking to squeeze more value out of its supply chain in order to make the Galaxy Z Fold 4 cheaper. It wants to lower the mass production cost per unit while ensuring that the current quality standards are met. Improved yields for the Ultra-Thin Glass panels and further technology enhancement can help bring the cost of this critical component down.

The hinge is another expensive component in a foldable smartphone. There are now as many as four different suppliers that are vying to supply Samsung with the required components. Increased competition in the supply chain will also help the company bring prices down.

The report also mentions that Samsung will improve certain aspects of the Galaxy Z Fold 4. That’s to be expected anyway. It particularly mentions the handset featuring Samsung’s second-generation Under-Display Camera technology which will provide improved visibility and be even less noticeable.

Samsung has an entire year to do whatever it needs to do in order to bring the price down. The cheaper its top-of-the-line foldable becomes, the more it will be able to convince people to spend their money on it.

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Samsung now lets you increase RAM on your phone!

Samsung has found a way to increase your phone’s RAM for free. Well, don’t get too excited. It’s actually a feature called RAM Plus that the company is enabling in the Galaxy A52s 5G. The RAM Plus feature is like old wine in a new bottle because it is a rehash of the memory paging feature that already exists in Android and almost all other modern operating systems.

With the latest update, Samsung has added the RAM Plus feature to the Galaxy A52s 5G. The update with firmware version A528BXXU1AUH9 is currently rolling out in India. Apart from adding 4GB of virtual memory to the phone, the update also improves the camera stability and device stability.

If you are a Galaxy A52s 5G user in India (or other countries where this update is available), you can check for the update by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. You can also download the latest firmware file from our firmware database and flash it manually.

Samsung recently launched the Galaxy A52s 5G. Except for its more powerful Snapdragon 778G processor, its specifications and design are similar to the Galaxy A52 5G that was launched earlier this year.

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See the Galaxy M52 5G and its 120Hz display in these leaked renders

It was around four months ago when it first emerged that Samsung was working on a new device called the Galaxy M52 5G. Subsequent reports have revealed that this handset is going to have quite impressive specs.

Some leaked renders of the Galaxy M52 5G have now surfaced online, giving us a good look at the device. It has also emerged that this mid-range device is going to have a 120Hz refresh rate display. That’s only going to add to its appeal.

Galaxy M52 5G expected to hit shelves soon

We can see in these leaked renders that the Galaxy M52 5G has an Infinity-O display with slim bezels. There are textured vertical lines at the back which is most likely made out of plastic. The circular camera cutouts are in line with the design elements Samsung has been using on many of its devices since 2020.

The Galaxy M52 5G’s 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display reportedly has a 120Hz refresh rate. That’s going to keep everything nice and smooth on the screen. It’s a great feature to have on any device.

This is also Samsung’s second smartphone to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset after the Galaxy A52s 5G. It will be paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

There’s going to be a three-camera setup at the back with a 64MP primary, 12MP ultrawide and 5MP depth camera. A 32MP front camera will perform selfie duties. A 5,000mAh battery is going to keep the lights on.

India is likely going to be the first market where Samsung launches the Galaxy M52 5G in the coming weeks. The company has also indirectly confirmed that this device will be making its way to Europe as well.

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Galaxy Wide 5 goes official in South Korea

A new Samsung smartphone has been made official in South Korea. The Galaxy Wide 5 is a mid-range device with 5G connectivity, a triple-camera setup, and a big battery. The smartphone is priced at KRW 4,49,900 (around $385) and can be purchased via SK Telecom’s website. It comes in three color variants: Black, Blue, and White.

The Galaxy Wide 5 features a 6.6-inch Infinity-V LCD display with Full HD+ resolution. It comes equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a microSD card slot (up to 1TB expandable). The phone has an 8MP front-facing camera and a 64MP triple-camera setup at the rear. The rear-facing camera setup includes a 5MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP depth sensor.

The phone runs Android 11-based One UI 3.1 out of the box. Other features include 5G connectivity, GPS, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Galaxy Wide 5 is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 15W fast charging. The phone has a side-mounted fingerprint reader as well.

It is expected that this smartphone will launch in other markets as the Galaxy F42 5G.

• Buy Galaxy Wide 5 from SK Telecom

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Samsung is making a big $17 billion decision very soon

It has been a while since Samsung confirmed that it wants to build a new chip plant in the United States. The entire project costs around $17 billion. States and local officials have been trying to win over Samsung with incentives and tax breaks.

A project of this magnitude in their backyard would reap incredible benefits for the entire community. Samsung hasn’t made a decision as yet about the location of its new plant. However, it appears that the decision might come very soon.

Samsung has got some lucrative tax breaks

Bill Gravell, the judge of Texas’ Williamson County, has said that Samsung’s decision is imminent. “My experience with Samsung is that they move nimbly and swiftly,” he added. Williamson County is in the running for this new project.

Samsung has previously said that it wants to start construction on the new chip plant by January 2024. It expects to have the factory up and running by the end of 2024. Among the potential locations, Samsung has been considering are Austin and Williamson County in Texas as well as other locations in New York and California.

Gravell is an elected official and has been involved in local negotiations with Samsung. He feels confident that Samsung will pick Williamson County as the company has already started taking bore samples and started the land survey, engineering and design work. The county is no stranger to big tech companies. Dell is headquartered there and a future Apple campus is also going to be built there.

To entice Samsung to pick their site, Williamson County commissioners passed a big incentives package this week. It would rebate Samsung 90% of property taxes for the first 10 years and 85% for the following 10 years. The condition is that the company needs to meet certain construction deadlines and create 1,800 full-time jobs.

Samsung will also be saving around $314 million in taxes over the next 10 years in a separate property tax incentive deal with the city of Taylor.

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Galaxy S22 Ultra won’t get a 200MP camera but there’s always the S Pen

Samsung fans are now looking forward to the Galaxy S22 series. If history is any indication, we can expect the new flagship smartphones to be unveiled at some point in January next year. So it’s about time that rumors for the new devices started floating around.

Word on the street in South Korea is that Samsung has locked in the specs for the Galaxy S22 series. It will launch three models once again, the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Galaxy S22 Ultra is holding on to the S Pen

Earlier reports had suggested that the Galaxy S22 Ultra might feature a 200-megapixel camera, possibly with Olympus branding. That may not be the case. Korean media is reporting that the Galaxy S22 Ultra will feature a 108-megapixel camera like its predecessor.

There’s also going to be a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with OIS. No 3D ToF sensor will be on board. The 40-megapixel front camera will also be the same as the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung’s Under-Display Camera tech isn’t expected to feature on next year’s flagship series.

Both the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ will feature the same camera setup. This will include a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and a 50-megapixel primary sensor.

It seems that S Pen support for the Galaxy S21 Ultra wasn’t a one-off thing. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is likely going to retain S Pen support as well. What that means for the future of the Galaxy Note series, especially since Samsung seems to be giving up on it, is anybody’s guess right now.

Samsung is expected to start mass-producing the Galaxy S22 series from November with a January 2022 launch. The company might have lowered its sales expectations after the dismal performance of the Galaxy S21 lineup this year.

Interested in finding out more about the upcoming flagship lineup? Here’s everything we know so far about the Galaxy S22 series.

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