Galaxy S20 was world best-selling 5G smartphone in first half of 2020

Samsung reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue for Q3 2020. It even recaptured the number one rank in the Indian smartphone market after a gap of two years. Now, it is being reported that the Galaxy S20 was the world’s best-selling 5G smartphone series.

According to the latest numbers from market analysis firm Strategy Analytics, the Galaxy S20+ 5G was the world’s best-selling 5G smartphone in the first half of 2020. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and the Galaxy S20 5G were the next two top-selling 5G smartphones globally, grabbing the second and third ranks, respectively. The Huawei P40 Pro 5G and the Huawei Mate 30 5G stood at the fourth and fifth positions.

Despite Samsung’s strong performance in the 5G smartphone market, it is being predicted that its market share could decline in Q4 2020 and the rest of 2021 as Apple recently launched the iPhone 12 series. All four iPhone 12 series models—iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max—come with built-in 5G connectivity.

The South Korean smartphone giant is expected to counter Apple by launching more mid-range and entry-level 5G smartphones in markets where 5G networks have been rolled out. The Galaxy A42 5G has already been showcased, and it should launch in more markets in the coming months.

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Latest Galaxy S21 Ultra leak hints at a major camera upgrade

There’s a new Galaxy S21 Ultra leak today and it’s all about the camera setup. The very first unofficial renders of the device surfaced about two weeks ago. They gave us an idea of what Samsung’s next flagship smartphone might look like.

It’s not uncommon for subsequent leaks to reveal changes to the original design. That’s what we’re seeing in today’s leak. Samsung has apparently been rather indecisive about the rear camera configuration for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. These renders are said to reflect the setup that it has now decided upon.

New Galaxy S21 Ultra leak reveals camera changes

The leak comes from a source who has been accurate on many occasions in the past. So there’s no reason to believe that any outlandish claim is being made here. @Onleaks says that the latest Design Validation Test prototype, it’s the final stage before mass production, features up to five rear cameras.

The technical specifications of the camera setup haven’t been revealed yet. There’s also the possibility that the Galaxy S21 Ultra may only have four rear cameras and an unknown sensor. When compared with the earlier renders, you can see that there’s been an addition to the rear camera housing. Exactly what that is should become clear in the coming months.

Previous reports suggest that the Galaxy S21 Ultra could feature two separate telephoto lenses, pairing a standard 3x lens with a periscope-style module capable of achieving magnification levels of 5x and above.

Everything else remains the same in these renders. With January fast approaching, we can expect to see more leaks about the Galaxy S21 series in the days to come. We have already exclusively revealed that Samsung is going to unveil the Galaxy S21 lineup in early January 2021.

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Galaxy Z Fold 2 November 2020 security update already rolling out

The new Android security update for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is already rolling out to select variants of Samsung’s second-generation foldable flagship as of today. The build number attached to this over-the-air package, F916BXXU1BTJB, by itself confirms the target is the SM-F916B model. It also reveals there’s more to this particular firmware version than just a new set of fixes for any number of security vulnerabilities.

With that said, even something as minor as general system stability improvements fits that definition of “more” which Samsung has been using for years. And given the historically modest file size of this update, which is just under 350MB, it’s unlikely we’re looking at anything more consequential. But we probably won’t be able to say either way with complete certainty for at least a few more days – until Samsung publishes an official changelog.

The first Galaxy to receive the November 2020 security patch

As a matter of fact, we’re still waiting for Samsung to even detail the new security patch level, dated November 1st, 2020. Which makes the Galaxy Z Fold 2 its first Android smartphone to receive it. An unlikely debut, given how it’s been just over a week since the recently released foldable started embracing the October update.

But seeing this kind of unexpected urgency on Samsung’s part is hardly a reason to complain. Especially right now, while pretty much all of us using it are still in a highly impressionable phase, which tends to be a pretty good thing when the product at hand is as impressive as this latest among Samsung’s attempts at a foldable smartphone concept is.

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Samsung partners with South Korean IT service firm to improve NEON

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies are of great importance for every tech firm. Samsung has been improving its AI technologies for the past few years, but it is yet to match the likes of Amazon, Apple, and Google. Now, the South Korean firm has announced that it is partnering with a South Korean IT firm for improving its AI tech NEON.

Samsung Technology and Advanced Research Labs (STAR Labs) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CJ OliveNetworks Co. to create human-like algorithms for AI technologies. The two companies will create an “influencer” in the virtual world, and it can be used in various media content. Earlier this year, the company showcased NEON, an AI chatbot in the virtual human form. The software that powers NEON is CORE R3, and it is developed by STAR Labs.

Samsung is planning to improve NEON and use it in various areas, including customer reception, education, media, retail, and more. NEON can be a news anchor or a shopping host, depending on the implementation and the needs of the client. In the future, NEON will be offered in two enterprise models: NEON Content Creation and NEON Workforce.

STAR Labs, which is led by 39-year-old computer scientist Pranav Mistry, is also set to sign another partnership with a financial firm in South Korea in the near future. However, Samsung didn’t reveal the name of the firm. Mistry said, “We are excited to collaborate with CJ, the K-content leader. And neon technology will bring new changes to the way and scale of content creation.”

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Samsung dethrones Xiaomi to become India’s biggest smartphone brand in Q3 2020

It looks like today is a good day for Samsung. Earlier today, the company reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue. It is now being reported that Samsung managed to dethrone Xiaomi in the Indian smartphone market and regained its number one position after a gap of two years. However, a report from Canalys stated a few days ago that Samsung is still in the second position.

According to the latest numbers from market analysis firm Counterpoint Research, Samsung’s achieved an impressive 32% year-on-year growth during Q3 2020 to become India’s leading smartphone brand. The South Korean firm managed to grab a 24% share of the market, while Xiaomi slipped to the second spot and its market share was 23%.

Samsung was reportedly the fastest to recover from the COVID-19 dent. The company’s strong performance resulted from multiple strategies, including effective supply chain management, the launch of good mid-range models, and touching of various price points. The company aggressively pushed its smartphones in the online market, and its online contribution to the business was the highest. Anti-Chinese sentiment could also be one of the factors for Samsung’s impressive growth in the country.

Vivo was the third-biggest smartphone brand in India with a market share of 16%, while Realme and OPPO grabbed the fourth and fifth positions with a market share of 15% and 10%, respectively. In the value flagship segment ($400 to $600), OnePlus remained at the top position. Apple did well in the premium segment, thanks to strong sales of the iPhone 11 and the iPhone SE 2020.

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Samsung’s Q3 2020 earnings reveal its highest-ever quarterly revenue

Earlier this month, Samsung had posted its earnings estimates for Q3 2020. Now, the company has published its final numbers for the latest quarter. Despite the pandemic, the South Korean tech giant has come out like a winner, posting its highest-ever quarterly revenue.

Samsung said that it saw a significant increase in consumer demand for smartphones, computers, TVs, and other devices. Even its display panel and semiconductor businesses did well during the period. The company reported that its sales climbed 8% from last year to KRW 66.96 trillion (around $59 billion). Its operating profit jumped 59% from Q3 2019 to KRW 12.35 trillion (around $10.09 billion) and its net profit rose to KRW 9.36 trillion (around $8.2 billion).

The South Korean conglomerate’s revenue was higher than market expectations. Due to the COVID-19 scenario, Samsung said that consumers purchased more smartphones and other consumer electronics. The company’s highest-ever quarterly revenue is also due to its efficient cost management, one-time gains from its display and chip businesses, and the launch of flagship products like the Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

The company’s mobile sales increased by 6.1% from the previous year to KRW 29.81 trillion (around $26.3 billion). Compared to Q2 2020, its smartphone business showed a whopping 51% jump as markets opened up around the world during Q3 2020. Samsung also attributed higher sales to the increased demand for mass-market products (Galaxy A and Galaxy M series smartphones) in markets like India.

Samsung’s profits could decline in the current quarter due to the launch of the iPhone 12 series. The company also expects to receive fewer memory chip orders during the fourth quarter. While the company has warned about a possible decline in profits for Q4 2020, it expects 2021 to be better for the electronics industry.

Developing…

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[Poll] Would you even care if Samsung removed chargers from the box?

Samsung didn’t waste any time in pulling Apple’s leg when the latter announced that its new iPhones won’t ship with a charger and earphones in the box. A new report suggests that it may be thinking about doing the same thing.

Korean media is of the view that the Galaxy S21 series may not include either accessory in the box. Even if the charger is retained, they fully expect Samsung to ditch the earphones. We may have seen a trailer for that with the Galaxy Note 20 series in the US. Samsung doesn’t ship earphones with its new flagship in the US but does give users one for free if they ask customer support.

Apple put an environmental spin on its decision but that’s a bit too convenient. This will obviously increase the company’s margins on the product and also spur sales of chargers and wireless earbuds. Samsung wouldn’t want to leave that extra money on the table as well.

How would you feel about it, though? Are you fine with not getting chargers and earphones as long as Samsung’s flagships get a noticeable price cut? Or if environmental benefits are tangible enough? Would you just not care either way? Vote below and share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment.

Would you even care if Samsung removed chargers from the box?

• I would, I don't want to buy chargers and earphones separately
• I won't, but only if devices get cheaper
• Meh, I can't be bothered about this
• I won't, as long as its truly benefits the environment

Results

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