SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine: April 9, 2018

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly Firmware Magazine. You can think of it as your go-to resource to find out which of your Samsung devices has received a new update or if it’s going to receive a new firmware update in the near future.

To keep things interesting, we present the Firmware Magazine in new designs every week. It will always include the important details about firmware updates such as the firmware versions, device model numbers, Android OS versions and the country where said update is out already.

SamMobile Firmware Update Magazine

Keep in mind, however, that these firmware details are based on the firmware that are available in our database, and in some cases, the latest updates might not show in the same week as the full firmware files take additional time to make it to our database.

The purpose of this magazine is to bring all of that important information about firmware updates to you, the reader, in a manner that’s easy to comprehend—so even if you’re new to the world of firmware, you’ll have no trouble making sense of it all.

Click on the image below to grab the latest firmware magazine!

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[Poll] How do you like the Galaxy S9’s Super Slow-mo feature?

The Super Slow-mo camera feature has been at the forefront of Samsung’s marketing push for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, and the company says its engineers had to sit down and design a faster image sensor so that its latest flagships could slow down a 0.2-second moment to nearly six seconds. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ can even record super slow-motion videos on their own when they detect movement, and in manual mode, one can capture up to 20 super slow moments in a single video.

Super Slow-mo is great, but it’s not perfect

Super Slow-mo isn’t a perfect feature, though. It doesn’t work great indoors or at night, even when you think the lighting is good, since the camera has to use a fast shutter speed to record these videos. These videos are also recorded at only 720p resolution, so they don’t do justice to the beautiful high-resolution display on the Galaxy S9 and S9+. But, when it works, it works great, and you can get some amazing slow-motion videos using the Super Slow-mo feature if you time things right.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ hit retail shelves in mid-March, and were released in more than a 100 markets by the end of the month. That means many of you have been using either of these phones for a couple of weeks and have probably tried out Super Slow-mo, and we want to know how you like it. Is it one of your favorite Galaxy S9 features, is it something that’s nice to have but not so important, or do you think it sucks?

Whatever your opinion, let us know by voting in the poll below and leaving a comment. And in case you missed it, there’s also an option to take regular slow-motion videos on the Galaxy S9, though it isn’t enabled by default. Go here to see how you can fix that.

How do you like the Galaxy S9's Super Slow-mo feature?

• It's great!
• It's nice when it works
• I don't care for slow-motion videos
• I'll tell you when I actually use it
• It's okay, not particularly exciting
• It sucks, doesn't work when I want it to
• The low video resolution puts me off

Results

• It's great! 25%, 1 vote
  1 vote 25%

  1 vote - 25% of all votes
• It's nice when it works 25%, 1 vote
  1 vote 25%

  1 vote - 25% of all votes
• I don't care for slow-motion videos 25%, 1 vote
  1 vote 25%

  1 vote - 25% of all votes
• I'll tell you when I actually use it 25%, 1 vote
  1 vote 25%

  1 vote - 25% of all votes
• It's okay, not particularly exciting 0%, 0 votes
  0 votes

  0 votes - 0% of all votes
• It sucks, doesn't work when I want it to 0%, 0 votes
  0 votes

  0 votes - 0% of all votes
• The low video resolution puts me off 0%, 0 votes
  0 votes

  0 votes - 0% of all votes

Total Votes: 4

6 April 2018

×

You or your IP had already vote.

• It's great!
• It's nice when it works
• I don't care for slow-motion videos
• I'll tell you when I actually use it
• It's okay, not particularly exciting
• It sucks, doesn't work when I want it to
• The low video resolution puts me off

×

You or your IP had already vote.

Results

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Gear S3 update brings battery life improvement

Samsung has recently updated its smartwatches and fitness trackers with new features and interface tweaks to improve the experience these devices offer. A few months ago, a similar update was released for the Gear S3, and it was a substantial one compared to what the Gear S2 or the Gear Fit2 have received. Unfortunately, that update also hit the Gear S3’s battery life. Many users complained of seeing as low as one-third of the battery life their Gear S3 offered earlier, and Samsung halted the original update, released a revised version, and also followed up with a separate update with battery life improvements later on. Today, yet another update targeting battery life is making its way to the Gear S3.

New Gear S3 update rolling out

The update also improves Bluetooth connection stability, so you should technically see fewer instances of the connection between your watch and your phone acting up. Of course, it remains to be seen what kind of effect the update will have on battery life; if you’re facing problematic battery life on your Gear S3, you will need to wait for the update and see how things are for a few days after you’ve installed it. We are told the update is currently rolling out in the US, Canada, and South Korea, with firmware version R760XXU2CRC3. Other markets should be getting it soon, and if you own a Gear S3, you can see if the update is available for you from the About Gear » Update Gear software section in the Settings tab of the Samsung Gear app on your phone.

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Samsung forecasts 57.6% profit jump in Q1 2018

Market analysts predicted that when Samsung will announce its earnings guidance for the first quarter of this year, it will forecast an almost 50 percent increase in profit for the quarter. Samsung has officially released its Q1 2018 earnings forecast today and the company has beat market expectations. It forecasts a 57.6 percent jump in profit this quarter compared to the same period last year.

A healthy 57.6% surge in profit

Thomson Reuters polled financial analysts earlier this week and they expected that Samsung will post an operating profit of $13.7 billion in Q1 2018 with the semiconductor business accounting for almost three-quarters of that. Samsung’s expects to post $14.7 billion in profit for the quarter which is a 57.6 percent jump compared to the $8.7 billion operating profit it posted in Q1 2017. It expects revenue for the quarter to touch almost $56 billion.

Samsung has not released performance and division-wise figures so far as that will happen later this month when it reports the full results for the period ending March 2018. However, as expected, the company’s semiconductor division has put it on the path to a very profitable year in 2018 as well. The company has benefitted from rising prices for memory chips and the fact that it’s the dominant supplier of these chips. Analysts predict that Samsung makes 70 cents in operating profit for every $1 of DRAM chips sold.

There were some concerns in the market that the gains made by the semiconductor division would be offset by losses at its display business which has reportedly been impacted by Apple’s decision to cut iPhone X production in half due to sluggish sales. However, that does not appear to be the case.

Even though the forecast looks good on paper the response from the market has been muted, Samsung’s shares actually fell after the earnings forecast was released. It simply confirms the notion that Samsung is heavily relying on its semiconductor business to bring in a major chunk of its profits. Analysts forecast similar or lower profit for Samsung in the second quarter as memory chip prices are expected to fall and Samsung may also incur higher marketing costs for the Galaxy S9.

Samsung will report the full earnings result for the first quarter of this year towards the end of April.

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Plex VR app is now available on the Gear VR

Plex is probably the most polished media management software out there. It allows you to organize, stream, and share your media with an easy to use interface and a client app on almost all major platforms. Plex is available on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and many TV platforms. While Plex was doing well by supporting TVs, computers, tablet, and mobile users, it never really focused much on VR users despite the constant requests from VR fans to bring the service to various virtual reality platforms. VR users were relying on all kind of hacks to get the service on their favorite platforms.

Plex VR streams videos from PC to Gear VR

Acknowledging the demand for VR support, Plex finally released the Plex VR app for Google’s Daydream VR earlier this year. This move still left many users on Gear VR and Oculus waiting for the service. Plex is finally bridging that gap as well by bringing its app to Gear VR and Oculus. The company announced the launch of Plex app on Gear VR and Oculus in a blog post today.

Using Plex VR, Gear VR users can stream media from their or their friends’ computers from anywhere in the world. Plex makes it easy to watch videos, including 3D, 360-degree, and 180-degree formats, in Gear VR without copying the large video files to phone’s storage (few DLNA apps offer similar functionality, but Plex is easier and better). Plex also allows users to watch videos in different VR environments for a more immersive experience.

Plex follows a freemium model where some of the basic features are free, while others need a subscription or one-time in-app purchase. Plex Pass users (a subscription service available in monthly, yearly, and lifetime options) can access all Plex features on all platforms at no additional cost. Just like Plex’s pricing on Daydream platform, streaming videos to your Gear VR headset is free, but features like co-watching with your friends require a Plex Pass. If you want to give the service a try on your Gear VR, you can download the app from here.

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Best power bank for the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+

Your quest for the best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ ends here. There are quite a few options available for customers who want reliable external battery packs that they can carry around with them and charge their new Samsung flagship as and when required. This list has some of the best options available right now that provide the good value for money.

Many customers will think about purchasing an external battery pack for Galaxy S9 after they pick up the device. That’s because the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have the same battery capacities as their predecessors and official Galaxy S9 battery life stats aren’t that different from the Galaxy S8.

Battery cases vs power banks: What’s better?

It depends on your preference. External power banks tend to have higher capacities and they can be used to charge multiple devices. You can chuck one in your bag and forget about it. Battery cases snap on to the device and add significant weight and heft to it. Sure, you can charge up the device and then take off the case but then you’re left without protection on the phone. With an external battery pack, you can use any case and simply disconnect it when you don’t want to carry it around. Moreover, heavy users can get multiple charge cycles out of an external power bank while most battery cases are only good for one full additional charge cycle.

Best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+

ZeroLemon ToughJuice

The ZeroLemon ToughJuice is first on our list of best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. It has a very high capacity of 30,000mAh, that’s ten times more than the Galaxy S9’s 3,000mAh battery. It can charge up to five devices simultaneously through its one dedicated USB Type-C port for Fast Charging and four USB Type-A ports.

The one downside here is that it has a microUSB input so you can’t use your Galaxy S9’s charger to fill up this power bank. It’s also the most expensive option on our list as it’s priced at $54.99 on Amazon.

RAVPower

Consider the 20,100mAh RAVPower USB Type-C power bank if you don’t require ten times the battery capacity of your Galaxy S9. It supports both Quick Charge 3.0 and USB Type-C input/output so the power bank can be fully charged in under five hours and it can charge compatible smartphones from 0 to 80 percent in under 60 minutes.

The 20,100mAh battery is packed inside a body that has a classic matte design with a scratch resistant surface. One of the best-selling external battery packs on Amazon, it’s available for $49.99.

Samsung Fast Charge Battery Pack

This power bank is obviously a bit expensive despite its low capacity because it’s Samsung-branded. The 5,100mAh Samsung Fast Charge Portable Battery Pack provides up to two additional full charges for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. It supports Samsung Fast Charge which enables compatible devices like the Galaxy S9 to charge up to 1.5x faster than standard USB charging options. It can also be used to charge any other USB compatible device. The battery pack supports pass-through charging which means you can charge it and your phone at the same time. Just connect your phone to the portable battery and then start charging the battery.

It also has USB Type-C input which will let you use your Galaxy S9’s charger to charge the battery pack. It’s available from Amazon for $39.

Anker PowerCore

The Anker PowerCore earns a place on this list of best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ because the company is well regarded for its quality accessories. This power bank has a 13,000mAh capacity which is enough to provide almost four full charge cycles for the new Samsung flagship. It has USB Type-C input which means you can use your phone’s charger to fill up this power bank. It doesn’t support Qualcomm Quick Charge but can deliver a max speed charge of up to 3A with Anker’s Power IQ and VoltageBoost technologies.

Measuring 3.8 x 3.1 x 0.8 and weighing 8.5 oz, it’s also quite easy to carry around. The Anker PowerCore is available from Amazon for $29.99.

Heloideo Power Bank

This is the cheapest and also the most unique option on our list of best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. It may only have a 5,000mah capacity but this slim power bank has a built-in AC plug which means you can directly plug it into a wall outlet to charge it up. It has a built-in USB Type-C cable within its 0.6-inch thin body. You can buy it on Amazon for $27.99.

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This list should make it easier for you to decide which is the best power bank for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Do let us know in the comments below whether you prefer a battery case or an external battery pack and if you’re going to purchase one of these power banks.

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Galaxy J1 mini prime gets April 2018 security patch

Having detailed it earlier this week, Samsung has now started rolling out the April 2018 security patch. The company has developed a habit recently to kick off the launch of a new security patch with low-end and mid-range devices and it’s sticking to the script this month as well. The Galaxy J1 mini prime is a low-end device that has only been released in a handful of markets and it’s now the first device that’s officially receiving the April patch.

Galaxy J1 mini prime April 2018 security patch

We say that it’s officially the first device to get the April 2018 security patch because Samsung actually released the latest security update for one device even before Google made the details of this patch public. It released the April 2018 security patch for the Galaxy J3 (2017) in the Netherlands and Luxembourg last week.

The security patch for the month of April 2018 fixes seven critical vulnerabilities that were discovered in the Android operating system alongside fixes for dozens of high and moderate-risk vulnerabilities. The latest patch also has fixes for eight vulnerabilities that are exclusive to Samsung’s software.

The company is now rolling out firmware version J106FJVU0ARC4 for the Galaxy J1 mini prime in Russia. The firmware update is rolling out over-the-air so users in the country should expect to get it soon. It’s also available for download from our firmware section.

As previously mentioned, Samsung has yet again released the latest security patch for a low-end device first. This makes it highly likely that the next device to get the April 2018 security patch will be one from Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy A lineup.

Some devices that are still being supported by Samsung haven’t received the March patch as yet. They will most likely skip straight to the April patch as this is something that we have seen happen many times before. Don’t fret if you didn’t get last month’s patch, you will most likely get the one for April in the coming weeks.

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