Galaxy Note 8 Android Pie beta includes Night mode schedule option

So Samsung released the Android Pie beta for the Galaxy Note 8 today, catching us off guard (well, not completely, but it’s still a pleasant surprise) while everyone was fixated on the Pie release for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9. And the first thing we did after installing the beta on our Galaxy Note 8 was check whether the Night mode feature has a schedule option. And it is, even though the option is missing from the final updates for the S9 and Note 9.

While this doesn’t necessarily mean the option will be present on the final Pie releases for the Galaxy Note 8 (or the Galaxy S8), we are inclined to believe it will be. Samsung has the schedule functionality mentioned in the Pie user manuals for the Galaxy S9, so chances are that the company simply forgot to include it in the actual software because it wanted to get the update out there as quickly as possible. We still could be wrong, though, and Samsung might amend the user manual to remove all mention of the Night mode schedule setting at a later time. The same goes for video recording in Pro mode, which is missing on the Note 8 beta as well.

In any case, Note 8 owners who join the beta program can take benefit of the Night mode schedule feature. To customize the schedule settings, open the Settings app, tap Display, then tap Night mode. Here, enable the Turn on as scheduled option, then select Sunset to sunrise to make Night mode turn on and off when it gets dark and in the morning respectively. If you want to specify a manual start and end time for Night mode, select the Custom schedule option instead. Take a look at the GIF animation below for a visual guide (tap/click) on the image if it doesn’t automatically play).

For more on what’s new with Android Pie, check out our ongoing coverage here. Keep in mind that not all of these features may be available for every Galaxy device. If you own a Galaxy Note 8, don’t forget to check the Samsung Members app to see if Samsung has launched the beta program for your country.

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SK Telecom launches RCS messaging for Samsung flagships

Leading South Korean wireless carrier SK Telecom Co. has launched a next-generation communication service for latest Samsung Galaxy flagships. Called Rich Communication Services (RCS), the feature will be first available on the Galaxy S9 and S9+. More Galaxy devices, and other Android smartphones will get the feature in the future.

RCS will replace text messaging on Android smartphones

RCS is the next generation of text messaging set to replace cellular connection-based SMS (short message service). It is based on technical standards set by GSMA, a global association of telecom operators. Users of RCS can share photos, videos, music and documents of sizes up to 5MB without consuming data. Large-sized files up to 100MB can also be shared in a chat. In this case, however, the corresponding amount of mobile data will be used. SK Telecom will be running a promotional event until June 2019, allowing free transfer of 5MB to 100MB files.

There’s no need to install a separate app or sign up to use RCS. But like a mobile messenger app, RCS users can participate in a group chat and read recipients. SK Telecom will be adding the ability to send mobile gift coupons and transfer a small amount of money through RCS in the future.

“When all three mobile carriers in Korea jointly offer the service, there will be 50 million mobile subscribers using it,” SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho said during the CES earlier this month.

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Galaxy Note 8 One UI beta with Android 9 officially released

We reported earlier this month that the Galaxy Note 8 One UI beta program could go live soon. Beta One UI builds for the Galaxy Note 8 had already been spotted on Samsung’s servers. The company will no longer be keeping us guessing as it has confirmed the Android Pie beta for this handset.

This significantly improves the chances for the Galaxy S8 to get the beta. We did spot beta builds for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ on Samsung’s servers as well. So it may only be a matter of time before Samsung confirms the beta launch.

Galaxy Note 8 One UI beta registrations open

Samsung is certainly straying from tradition by doing this. It pleasantly surprised fans by opening up the beta to the Galaxy Note 9 and it’s going one step forward to open it up for Galaxy Note 8 owners as well. It has previously limited the beta programs only to the current Galaxy S flagships.

The company has confirmed the Galaxy Note 8 One UI beta program through a notice posted in the Samsung Members app. The notice mentions that users will be able to experience Android 9 Pie and One UI for the Galaxy Note 8 earlier than others.

Registrations for the program are now open. The notice has so far been received in India and may very well go live in other beta markets soon. Those who are interested can sign up. We did and have already received the OTA firmware version N950FXXU5ZSA5 on our Galaxy Note 8.

One UI brings a new look and feel to Samsung’s devices while Android 9 brings plenty of new features. Do check out our One UI feature focus series to find out more. It’s going to take a couple of months at least before the Galaxy Note 8 receives a stable build of Pie. The beta program will thus allow interested users to try it out before that.

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Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie update brings separate Dolby Atmos gaming option

One of the first new features that we wrote about when Samsung released the Android Pie beta for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ was a Dolby Atmos mode for gaming. This feature didn’t make it through to the last beta, and it was nowhere to be found when the stable Galaxy S9 Pie update started rolling out. Well, it turns out the Galaxy Note 9’s stable Pie update does include a gaming option for Dolby Atmos, but the way it works is a bit different.

Instead of being added to the existing Dolby Atmos listening modes (auto, movies, music, and voice), there’s a separate toggle called Dolby Atmos for gaming in the sound settings on the device. And it’s the right implementation in our eyes. With a separate option, Dolby Atmos can be enabled for gaming without having to modify the primary Dolby Atmos setting, so you can simply stop playing a game and use the phone for movies or music without having to constantly switch between the different Dolby Atmos modes.

As expected, the major difference Dolby Atmos for gaming seems to make is to increase the overall volume, with the effect more pronounced over wired audio. What isn’t clear is why the Galaxy S9 does not have the Dolby Atmos for gaming feature even on the latest Pie release. We’re guessing this is another hint that Samsung has rushed these updates out the gate and can only hope the company brings improvements and consistency across both of its 2018 flagships as far as Android Pie features are concerned.

You can find the Dolby Atmos for gaming option in the Sounds and vibration » Advanced sound settings » Sound quality and effects menu in the Settings app. Check out the GIF animation below for a quick visual guide (tap/click the image if it doesn’t start playing automatically).

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Samsung pitches its foldable phone as the next phase of innovation

Samsung is understandably hyping up its upcoming foldable smartphone. It showed off the device’s Infinity Flex Display at SDC 2018 in November and will soon be showing off the actual device. The company has hinted that we might get to see its foldable smartphone on February 20 alongside the Galaxy S10.

With global smartphone sales slowing down amid concerns that smartphone innovation has peaked, Samsung is pitching the foldable smartphone as the next phase of technological innovation. It feels that this will make the smartphone more central to users’ lives more than ever before.

The foldable form factor could spur growth in the market

Hark-sang Kim, SVP and Head of Visual R&D Team at Samsung’s mobile division, writes that a larger display is key to unlocking future smartphone experiences powered by technologies like 5G, AI and AR. However, current trends dictate that the size of a smartphone’s display can only be as large as the device. Samsung decided to adopt the foldable form factor to overcome this limitation.

He writes that developing a new form factor became the central focus of Samsung’s innovation efforts. It wanted to resolve the contradiction between screen size and portability. The idea was to increase the screen size considerably without compromising on the portability. Samsung first showed off the prototypes of its flexible display at CES 2011. It has taken seven years to perfect the technology and get it ready for a consumer product. It made major investments to create a new material that changes the anatomy of the smartphone display.

A natural and durable folding experience was created which can withstand hundreds of thousands of folds. This form factor also forced Samsung to rethink placements of crucial components like the battery, camera and cooling system. It had to develop a new UX as well to ensure that apps can seamlessly transition between the smaller and larger displays.

Kim obviously did not touch on any specifics about the availability or launch of this device. However, given the information that now pouring out of the company, there’s a solid chance we’ll get to see the foldable phone on February 20.

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Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 Pie update rolling out in India and South Korea

Samsung is now rolling out the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie updates in two important markets. The devices are being updated in India and South Korea as we write this, with at least Korea getting the update for both beta and non-beta users on the S9 and Note 9. Indian users on Oreo might have to wait a bit for the Galaxy Note 9 update to be released for their devices.

In South Korea, the Galaxy S9 update comes with software version G96xNKSU1CRLL or G96xNKSU1CRLN depending on carrier. Indian users, meanwhile, are getting build G96xFXXU2CRLO. For the Note 9, South Korea is getting build N960NKSU2CSA1, and the Indian release has software version N960FXXU2CSA2, the same as the updates for markets like Germany and the UAE. Those on the Pie beta will have to download around 150 MB over the air to update to the stable version, while those on Oreo will be seeing a 1.6GB update.

To download the update over the air on your Note 9, S9, or S9+, open the Settings app on the phone, tap Software update, then select Download updates manually (this option is called Download and install on the Pie beta). You can also download the complete firmware files from our database for your country and upgrade using a Windows PC.

Don’t forget to check out what new features you can expect with the Android Pie update.

Galaxy S9

• Model: SM-G960F
• Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm
• Display: 5.8” (146.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 MP, CMOS OIS (F1.5/F2.4)

More specifications

Galaxy Note 9

• Model: SM-N960F
• Dimensions: 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm
• Display: 6.4" (162.5mm) Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9810
• Camera: 12 CMOS Dual OIS (F1.5/F2.4) & Telephoto: 12MP AF F2.4)

More specifications

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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Here are the confirmed Galaxy M20 (SM-M205F) specs

Earlier today, Samsung publicly listed its upcoming Galaxy M smartphone on Amazon India, revealing many of the features that we can expect the device to have. The listing talks up aspects such as an “oh-mAh-God” battery, an ultra-wide camera, and a display with a waterdrop notch, and we have now been able to get our hands on most of the phone’s specs. Well, we have specs for the Galaxy M20, and we’re assuming that’s the device Samsung is teasing as well.

5,000 mAh battery and ultra-wide camera the biggest draws?

The biggest attraction with the Galaxy M20 will no doubt be its 5,000 mAh battery. It’s the second time a Samsung phone is going have a battery that big (the first was the Galaxy A9 Pro), while it will be the first time we see fast charging on a budget Samsung device. That’s not going to be a surprise given the big battery; the phone will also get a USB Type-C port, another first for Samsung’s budget lineup (remember, the M series is expected to replace the Galaxy J and Galaxy On series of phones in India).

The M20 has a 6.3-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels; if you’re wondering, that small bezel above the display does include proximity and light sensors. The dual rear camera has 13-megapixel (f/1.9 aperture) and 5-megapixel (f/2.2 aperture) sensors, and as Samsung has revealed, the 5MP sensor will be for ultra-wide images. It’s an interesting decision and one that should work in the M20’s favor, as no other phone in the budget space comes with an ultra-wide camera.

Fairly powerful processor, but no Android Pie

Storage options include 32GB/64GB (and a microSD slot), but we don’t have info on the front camera resolution and the processor and RAM details. Samsung is teasing a powerful processor, though, and benchmarks offer enough confirmation that there will be an Exynos 7885 and 3GB of RAM under the hood. The 7885 comes with two high-performance cores, so it certainly should offer enough power to keep things running along well (it did power the Galaxy A8 after all).

On the software front, it will run Android 8.1 Oreo, and an update to Android Pie and the version after that should be on the cards going by Samsung’s update commitments to its budget devices in the last couple of years. There’s also a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and the phone seems to have a plastic unibody based on the official images (the lack of antenna bands is what gives that part away).

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The Galaxy M20 should go on sale on January 28th, as revealed by the Amazon India listing. We can expect pricing somewhere around $200, with sales limited to online retailers according to a new report. More info should show up as we move closer to the phone’s official launch.

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