Tech News

The Realme 8 Pro unveiled last week is receiving a new firmware with version number RMX3081_11_A.27. This is the second software update after a build with version RMX3081_11_A.24 was rolled out before the launch, which came with Starry Mode and Starry Timelapse features. The new build bumps up the Android security patch level on the Realme 8 Pro from February 2021 to April 2021, which is impressive since even Google's Pixels are yet to receive the April patch. Realme 8 Pro Additionally, the firmware adds Hyper Motion Slo-Mo mode to the smartphone's rear camera and updates the...

Samsung is working on a premium mid-range smartphone, the Galaxy A82 5G. It is the successor to the Galaxy A80 and it could be rebadged as the Galaxy A Quantum 2 in South Korea. The smartphone first appeared two months ago and some of its specifications were revealed over the past few weeks. Now, the phone’s front design, internal hardware, and software version have surfaced, telling us more about the phone.

The Galaxy A Quantum 2 (SM-A826S) was found in Google Play Console listings. The phone appears to feature a full-screen design at the front. Going by the specifications available in Google Play Console, the phone features a Full HD+ screen and runs Android 11. The Galaxy A Quantum 2 is equipped with the Snapdragon 855+ processor (SM8150P) and 6GB of RAM. While the Galaxy A80 featured a flip selfie camera system, the Galaxy A Quantum appears to have a traditional punch-hole-shaped selfie camera.

It has been reported in the past that this upcoming smartphone features a 64MP (Sony IMX686) rear-facing camera and Bluetooth 5.0. Nothing else is known about this smartphone, but we expect it to feature a QRNG (Quantum Random Number Generator) chip for enhanced security compared to traditional smartphones. This smartphone could be exclusive to South Korea. For other markets, it could be released as the Galaxy A82 5G and without the QRNG chip.

The original Galaxy A Quantum (based on Galaxy A72) featured a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display, an Exynos 980 processor, a 64MP quad-camera setup, a 32MP selfie camera, and a 4,500mAh battery with 25W fast charging.

The post Galaxy A Quantum 2 specs revealed via Google Play Console appeared first on SamMobile.

The Samsung Galaxy M21 announced last March with Android 10-based One UI 2.0 received One UI 2.1 in September and One UI 2.5 in November. The smartphone then picked up the Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update in January, and now it's receiving the One UI 3.1 Core update. The new firmware includes the March 2021 Android patch and improves the Galaxy M21's security while also improving the camera and overall device performance. But aside from that, you can also expect it to bring new editing tools, Eye Comfort Shield, and improved stock apps to the smartphone. Samsung Galaxy M21 One...

Microsoft’s Cortana apps for Android and iOS have officially reached their defunction on March 31 2021. Microsoft’s voice assistant alternative to Google Assistant and Siri will continue to function on Windows 10. As explained in Microsoft’s Cortana support page, the mobile app is no longer supported as of Wednesday this week. Lists and reminders will no longer be available through Cortana apps on mobile. These reminders and lists can still be accessed through Cortana on Windows 10 and Microsoft’s To Do apps, available for both Android and iOS. The shutdown was originally...

Huawei’s 2020 annual report has been published and the company reports that the numbers are in line with what was forecasted: “marginal growth”. Huawei’s sales revenue weighed in at CNY 891.4 billion ( $136.7 billion) with net profit CNY 64.6 billion ($9.9 billion). Revenue is up 3.8% YoY and profits are up 3.2% YoY. This is despite US sanctions that were set in 2019 by the Trump Administration. Over the past year, we’ve held strong in the face of adversity. We’ve kept innovating to create value for our customers, to help fight the pandemic, and to support both economic recover and social...

This Monday Xiaomi unveiled its top of the line flagship smartphone for 2021, the Mi 11 Ultra, alongside many other products. The Ultra is the successor of the widely praised (including by us) Mi 10 Ultra from 2020, which sadly never got an international release. The Mi 11 Ultra rectifies that error, albeit for an eye-watering price. If you were wondering whether what's inside the handset might warrant all that dough, a Chinese YouTube channel has the answer for you, in the form of a video teardown. Obviously it's in Chinese, but you can see what's important - and you may also want to try...

The first-ever Quantum Dot TV prototype from Samsung Display will be delivered to Samsung Electronics in late spring, according to a new report from the Far East. Dubbed QD-OLED, the technology has yet to be implemented into a consumer-level device. That state of affairs does not necessarily stem from any technical limitations, either.

Instead, Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display have reportedly been at odds regarding the future of television sets for some time now. And it wasn’t until recently that the former was willing to even entertain the idea of committing to QD-OLED panels. The other alternative would be to pursue the so-called QNED solutions, short for “quantum nano-emitting diodes/nanorods”.

Quantum-what now?

Assuming a lesson in supramolecular chemistry is not what you’re here for, what you need to know is that Samsung Electronics is scheduled to receive the final QD-OLED prototype for technical testing and market evaluation this June, as South Korean sources now claim.

Despite the logistical nightmare that 2020 turned out to be, the timeline for the potential release of Samsung’s first QD-OLED TVs perfectly matches the initial industry watcher projections from last year. This does not mean we’ll necessarily see consumer-grade QD-OLED smart TVs from Samsung in Q3 2021, but it certainly makes it more likely.

Samsung Display, for its part, is currently focused on perfecting its manufacturing processes and bolstering the still-meager yields. The capacity of its flagship Q1 factory line –located in Asan, South Korea– presently hovers around 30,000 panels per month. In the meantime, LCD production continues, a full decade from the height of its plasma wars.

The post First Samsung Quantum Dot TV prototype coming this spring appeared first on SamMobile.

Samsung makes Exynos processors based on ARM’s microarchitecture. The latest Exynos chipsets such as the Exynos 1080 and the Exynos 2100 use the ARMv8.2-A design. Yesterday, ARM unveiled its brand new ARMv9 architecture, and Samsung announced that it will release Exynos chips based on ARM’s new design in the future.

ARM’s brand new architecture comes almost a decade after the launch of ARMv8 in October 2011. ARMv8 brought support for 64-bit CPUs with the AArch64 instruction set. With ARMv9, the British semiconductor design firm aims to bring improved performance along with better security. The company says that its new design features enhanced vector processing, much better machine learning performance, improved security, digital signal processing, and full backward compatibility with ARMv8.

With ARMv9, smaller machine learning workloads can be processed directly on the CPU rather than relying on dedicated accelerators. It also introduces Confidential Compute Architecture (CCA) for a more dynamic security system. CCA creates ‘realms’ that are secure and containerized execution environments that are opaque to the operating system.

ARM claims that its new design brings an IPC (instructions per cycle) improvement of 30% over ARMv8, but AnandTech expects it to be around 14% better than current-generation CPUs such as the Cortex-A78 and Cortex-X1 (used in the Exynos 2100). ARM also revealed that its next-generation Mali GPUs will bring real-time ray-tracing and variable rate shading for improved graphics performance.

We can expect ARMv9-based processors from Apple, Samsung, Qualcomm, and MediaTek to hit the market sometime in 2022. So, it is possible that the Galaxy S22 will use a high-end Exynos processor with ARMv9-based CPU cores and AMD Radeon Mobile GPU. Samsung took a giant leap with the Exynos 2100, solving battery life and performance throttling issues, and the next-gen Exynos processor could be even better.

Min Goo Kim, executive vice president of SoC development at Samsung Electronics, said, “Arm’s next-generation Armv9 architecture offers a substantial improvement in security and machine learning, the two areas that will be further emphasized in tomorrow’s mobile communications devices. As we work together with Arm, we expect to see the new architecture usher in a wider range of innovations to the next generation of Samsung’s Exynos mobile processors.”

The post Samsung vows to make Exynos processors based on ARM’s new architecture appeared first on SamMobile.

In a note to investors, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that the iPhone 13 Pro Max will have an outlier main camera compared to the rest of the 13 lineup. The iPhone 13 Pro Max will use a slightly brighter f/1.5 lens on top of its main sensor, whereas the iPhone 13, 13 mini and 13 Pro will use an f/1.6 lens for their main cameras, which will either have a similar or identical to the current main imager on the iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 mini. There's no word on any differences to the sensors behind those cameras just yet. All iPhone 13 models will have a 7P lens (that's...

Samsung has launched an exciting new deal in the USA involving the entire Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G ecosystem. Prospective buyers now have an opportunity to purchase the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G along with a 45mm Galaxy Watch 3 Bluetooth, a pair of Galaxy Buds Pro, a Wireless Charger Trio, and a Clear Protective case for the flagship phone, all for just $1,400.

The latest deal shaves more than $500 off the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G bundle’s price, and it goes hand in hand with an additional $100 promotional discount for total savings of over $600. And along with the products mentioned above, customers will also receive 4 months of YouTube Premium for free (valued at $47.96).

Be careful when choosing the color of your Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

The discount applies to the 128GB Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G in Phantom Silver and Phantom Black, however, the latter color option represents a better deal because it’s bundled with more products. As of this writing, the Wireless Charger Trio in white — which is supposed to accompany the Phantom Silver bundle — is out of stock, therefore it’s been removed from the bundle.

There’s no guarantee that the new discount will last long, seeing how some products can go out of stock at any moment. If you’re in the market for a new Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and accessories, make sure you refer to the links below before it’s too late.

Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review | Galaxy Buds Pro review
Galaxy Watch 3 review

• Buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Phantom Black bundle at Samsung
• Buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Phantom Silver bundle at Samsung

Galaxy S21 Ultra

• Model: SM-G998B
• Dimensions: Bar: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
  
• Display: 6.8 inch / 172.72 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 2100
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm)

• Model: SM-R840
• Dimensions: Watch: 46.2 x 45.0 x 11.1 mm
  
• Display: 1.4 inch / 35.56 mm Circular Super AMOLED
• CPU: Exynos 9110
• Camera:

More specifications

Galaxy Buds Pro

• Model: SM-R190
• Dimensions: Ear Buds: 20.5 x 19.5 x 20.8 mm
  Cradle (Ear Buds): x x mm
  
• Display:
• CPU:
• Camera:

More specifications

The post The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G product ecosystem gets a 30% discount appeared first on SamMobile.

The April 2021 Android security update is being inducted into the Galaxy Fold as of yesterday. Samsung’s latest patch for its seminal flexible-display device was first sighted in France, identified by version number F900FXXU4EUCF. Based on the said package name, some additional performance improvements, bug fixes, or both are part of the latest OTA download, as well.

Samsung has yet to share a detailed changelog accompanying this release, but expect an update on that front by next week. As for when to expect the update, itself, these releases are typically done in a gradual manner. The wait for the April 2021 security update to reach the Galaxy Fold probably won’t be too long, based on how swiftly past monthly patches arrived to Samsung’s first-ever foldable smartphone.

How much longer will the Galaxy Fold be supported?

The Galaxy Fold just turned two last month, but it’s nowhere near its anticipated EOL. For starters, it was included in Samsung’s 2020 promise to bring at least three generations of major OS upgrades to its modern devices. Meaning we still have at least Android 12-based One UI to look forward to, followed by at least another year’s worth of monthly security patches.

Only afterward is Samsung expected to start winding down Galaxy Fold support. The process is meant to happen gradually, with the transition period consisting of quarterly updates instead of monthly releases. In conclusion, we’re currently halfway into the Galaxy Fold’s lifecycle, at worst.

As for the April 2021 security patch, you can download full system images containing the update from our firmware section. Or just wait for the software upgrade notification to reach you naturally, which should happen any time now.

The post April 2021 Android security update joins the Galaxy Fold appeared first on SamMobile.

ZTE held a launch event in China earlier today where we saw the debut of its S30 series phones. Alongside those, ZTE announced its Watch GT smartwatch and a new pair of TWS earphones called LiveBuds SE. ZTE Watch GT The Watch GT comes with a traditional round watch casing and a 1.2-inch AMOLED display. The lightweight aluminum alloy build and helps the Watch GT tip the scales at just 30 grams. The casing features a brushed look while the silicone watch straps come in black, gray, orange, yellow and blue colors. Watch GT can track your heart rate as well as blood oxygen levels,...

Samsung has been nothing short of awesome over the past few months in terms of software updates. The company has already rolled out the Android 11 update to dozens of smartphones and tablets. Now, it is releasing the One UI 3.1 update to various Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy M21.

The One UI 3.1 (Core) update is now rolling out to the Galaxy M21 in India. The latest software update, which has firmware version M215FXXU2BUC8, has a download size of around 960MB and we recommend using a Wi-Fi network to download it. Apart from One UI 3.1, the new update also brings the March 2021 security patch to the Galaxy M21. The update should bring improved stock apps, slightly refreshed UI, and the ability to remove GPS location data from images. Samsung mentions that the update also improves the camera, overall performance, and stability of the Galaxy M21.

If you are a Galaxy M21 user in India, you might have received a notification for the update. If you haven’t received the update yet, you can check for it manually by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install on the smartphone. Alternatively, you can download the firmware from our firmware section and flash it manually. We expect the new software update to roll out to the Galaxy M21 in other markets over the next few days.

The Galaxy M21 was launched one year ago with Android 10 on board. A few months later, it received the One UI 2.1 update and then the One UI 2.5 update. Earlier this year, it received the Android 11-based One UI 3.0 (Core) update.

The post Samsung starts rolling out One UI 3.1 update to Galaxy M21 appeared first on SamMobile.

We’re switching things up in our latest SamMobile Weekly Giveaway. Enter now for a chance t win a free Galaxy Tab A7 (2020). The Wi-Fi variant of this capable tablet, to be precise.

The Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) was launched primarily as an affordable media consumption tablet. As we mentioned in our review of the device, it’s perfect for watching videos, casual gaming and browsing.

As always, our giveaway is open for everyone. Simply use the widget pasted below to submit an entry. The winner of this SamMobile Weekly Giveaway will be announced on April 7, 2021.

Galaxy Tab A7 international giveaway!

The post SamMobile Weekly Giveaway: Get a free Galaxy Tab A7 (2020)! appeared first on SamMobile.

We’re back with the SamMobile Weekly Giveaway. The Samsung product on offer this week is a pretty special device. We’re giving away the brand new Galaxy A52 which is without a doubt one of the best mid-rangers yet from Samsung.

It’s packed to the brim with new technology. The Galaxy A52 features a 90Hz refresh rate display, a powerful new processor, improved cameras and comes with the guarantee of three major Android OS upgrades. Check out our Galaxy A52 review to find out what we think of the new smartphone.

Our giveaways are open to readers across the globe. All you need to do is use the widget at the end of this post to submit an entry. We will announce the winner of this giveaway on March 31, 2021.

Result: Congratulations to Quique Eb for winning the Galaxy A52. We’re giving away the Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) this week, who knows, you might be the next lucky winner!

Galaxy A52 international giveaway!

The post [Result] SamMobile Weekly Giveaway: Win the brand new Galaxy A52! appeared first on SamMobile.

Realme introduced the GT Neo today with a Dimensity 1200 chipset, but it wasn’t the only phone on the stage - we also saw the launch of the Realme V13 5G. This new affordable midranger has some specs to get enthusiastic about - a big 5,000mAh battery, 90Hz refresh rate and ample storage for the class. The chipset of the Realme V13 5G is Dimensity 700 - an SoC, built on the 7nm process technology, and having two CPU cores running at 2.2 GHz (the other six are at 1.8 GHz). It is coupled with 8GB RAM and either 128GB or 256GB storage. On top of that, there is also a dedicated microSD...

The April 2021 security update started rolling out to Samsung devices over the last 24 hours, with the Galaxy Tab S6 being the latest to join the fold. The newest over-the-air package targeting the 2019 slate has been designated as the release version T865XXU4CUC1. Its staged deployment began yesterday in Germany and more countries are expected to follow shortly.

While only the SIM-enabled version of the Galaxy Tab S6 (SM-T865) has started making the jump to a new security patch level so far, the Wi-Fi model (SM-T860) shouldn’t be far behind. Monthly firmware upgrades for Samsung’s Android devices tend to be deployed gradually so as to minimize their impact on network performance.

What’s new in this release?

With that in mind, the deliberate fashion wherein the April 2021 security patch started rolling out to the Galaxy Tab S6 might indicate that this particular device remains relatively popular, i.e., a common sight among consumers. What’s certain is that Samsung keeps it updated in a orderly fashion; despite releasing less than 18 months ago, the Galaxy Tab S6 already received two major operating system upgrades and is running Android 11 nowadays. It was also encompassed in Samsung’s promise of three generations’ worth of operating system upgrades, so there’s more where that came from.

Today’s release also appears to contain some additional performance and stability improvements on top of the security patches. To check whether your Galaxy Tab S6 can already install the April 2021 security patch, navigate to the system Settings app, scroll down to the bottom where you’ll see a Software update submenu, and try initializing the Download and install option on the following screen. Our firmware archives already have some full system images containing the new update up for download, as well.

The post April 2021 security update rollout reaches Galaxy Tab S6 appeared first on SamMobile.

ZTE unveiled a trio of mid-range 5G phones with the new S30 series. Besides next gen connectivity, the three phones share a passion for display quality, photography and fast charging, it's just that some are better at those things than others. ZTE S30 Pro The clear leader of the pack, the ZTE S30 Pro derives its power from a Snapdragon 768G chipset. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage as standard and runs MyOS 11, a ZTE skin over Android 11 (all three phones run the same software). The S30 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 768G with a heat pipe that keeps it cool A heat...

Realme GT Neo just made its official debut with a Dimensity 1200 chipset and bold design of the back panel. The phone is almost identical to the Realme GT 5G, down to the measurements, cameras and screen. The Realme GT Neo is built around a 6.43” Super AMOLED screen with a punch hole in the right corner. It has Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate. The 6nm Dimensity 1200 chipset by Mediatek is coupled with three RAM options - 6GB, 8GB and 12GB - and two UFS 3.1 storage choices - 64GB and 128GB. The Realme GT Neo has a 64MP main shooter on the...

Samsung’s free video streaming service, Samsung TV Plus, is now available in India. Samsung TV Plus offers access to ad-supported video content, including documentaries, movies, music videos, news, sports, TV shows, and more. The company said that it launched Samsung TV Plus in India following a change in consumer behavior since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samsung TV Plus will be available in India on all smart TVs from the company released since 2017. The video streaming service currently features 27 global and local channels, and the company said that it will add more channels soon. Samsung TV Plus will also be available on all Galaxy smartphones and tablets running Android 8.0 (or newer) starting tomorrow. The Samsung TV Plus app can be installed via Galaxy Store or Google Play Store.

The South Korean firm’s free, ad-supported video streaming service brings exciting content from various genres. Users don’t need to set up anything, have a credit card, or pay for any kind of subscription. They can just launch the app and start watching content, complete with EPG (Electronic Programming Guides). With its launch in India, Samsung TV Plus is now available in 14 countries globally, including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

Reshma Prasad Virmani, Director, Services, Samsung India, said, “Over the last one year, consumers have been spending more time at home. Their television sets and smartphones have become the centers of their lives, for both entertainment as well as information. We also noticed that consumers now immensely value great media content, reason why we chose to introduce Samsung TV Plus in India. Over the next few months, we expect to scale TV Plus to add more channels and content.“

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Samsung announced the Galaxy S20 FE in India last October, and after five months, the company has launched its 5G variant in the South Asian country. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G comes in a single 8GB/128GB memory configuration in India priced at INR55,999 ($765/€650) but early birds can have it for INR47,999 ($655/€560). You can buy one in Cloud Navy, Cloud Mint, or Cloud Lavender colors from Samsung's official India site, Samsung Exclusive Stores, Amazon.in, and leading retail outlets across the country. Unlike its 4G counterpart powered by the Exynos 990 SoC, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G has the...

Samsung started rolling out the April 2021 security patch to the Galaxy S21 series just two days ago. Now, the latest security patch from the company has reached the Galaxy S10 series, at least in a few markets. That’s quite impressive from Samsung in terms of software updates for older smartphones, especially considering that April 2021 isn’t even here yet.

A new software update, which bears firmware version G97xxXXU9FUCD, is now rolling out to the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, and the Galaxy S10+ in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Apart from the April 2021 security patch, we can also expect the update to bring non-critical bug fixes and stability improvements to the smartphones. We don’t have the official changelog for this update yet, and if we find any new feature after installing the latest firmware, we will update the article.

We expect this update to roll out to Galaxy S10 series smartphones in other markets over the next few days. If you are a Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, or Galaxy S10+ user in any of the countries mentioned above, you can manually check for the update on your phone by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install.

The Galaxy S10 series received the One UI 3.1 update last month. Samsung has already released the April 2021 security patch to the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy A51, Galaxy A52, and the Galaxy S20 FE. We expect the latest security patch to be released for more Galaxy smartphones and tablets over the next few weeks.

Galaxy S10e

• Model: SM-G970F
• Dimensions: Bar: 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm
  
• Display: 5.8 inch / 147.32 mm Dynamic AMOLED Display
• CPU: Exynos 9820
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S10

• Model: SM-G973F
• Dimensions: Bar: 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8 mm
  
• Display: 6.1 inch / 162.5 mm Dynamic AMOLED Display
• CPU: Exynos 9820
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

Galaxy S10+

• Model: SM-G975F
• Dimensions: Bar: 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm
  
• Display: 6.4 inch / 162.5 mm Dynamic AMOLED Display
• CPU: Exynos 9820
• Camera: 12MP

More specifications

The post April 2021 security patch is now rolling out to Galaxy S10 series appeared first on SamMobile.

The first time we heard of Samsung planning to go back to Wear OS-running smartwatches was back in 2018 when some company employees were spotted wearing watches with Google's operating system instead of Tizen. Yet the company stuck with its in-house operating system for all of its smartwatches since. Last month a reliable tipster claimed an Android Watch may finally be coming, and we later saw evidence backing those claims. Now an APK teardown of the latest version of the Galaxy App wearable app suggests that Samsung's next-gen smartwatches will indeed run Google's Wear OS. The source...

Almost six months after launching the Galaxy S20 FE (4G) in India, Samsung has finally launched its 5G variant in the country. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G with the Snapdragon 865 processor is now available in India, which is a slap in the face of anyone who spent money to buy the Galaxy S20 FE in India last year, given its poor Exynos 990 processor.

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G is priced at INR 47,999 (around $650) in India, after an instant cashback of INR 8,000. The phone is available in three colors—Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, and Cloud Navy—but just one memory configuration: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage. It can be purchased starting today from Amazon.in, Samsung.com, Samsung Exclusive Stores, and authorized retailers across the country.

Samsung also appears to have dropped the price of the Galaxy S20 FE 4G, at least on Amazon.in, where the phone is being sold for just INR 36,574 (around $499). However, that price is only applicable when it is not clubbed with an exchange offer or no-cost EMI scheme. The company has also listed the 256GB variant of the Galaxy S20 FE 4G on its website, but it is not available for purchase right now.

Galaxy S20 FE 5G specs recap

To jog your memory, let us have a look at the specifications of the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. It has a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Full HD+ resolution, and HDR10+. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 865 processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB internal storage, and a microSD card slot. It has stereo speakers, an IP68 rating, Samsung Pay, and in-display fingerprint reader. It has 5G, LTE, GPS, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB Type-C port, and a 4,500mAh battery.

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G has a 32MP selfie camera at the front. At the rear, it has a triple-camera setup, featuring a 12MP OIS wide-angle camera with dual-pixel autofocus, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and OIS. Both front and rear cameras can record 4K 60fps videos. The phone supports up to 25W wired fast charging, 15W wireless fast charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

• Buy Galaxy S20 FE 5G from Samsung India

Galaxy S20 FE 5G review

The post Galaxy S20 FE 5G with Snapdragon 865 processor launched in India appeared first on SamMobile.

The Realme 8 5G bearing model designation RMX3241 bagged NBTC certification last week, and now it has been certified by FCC as well, moving it a step closer to the launch. The FCC listing reveals that the Realme 8 5G will pack a 5,000 mAh battery and run Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 out of the box like its 4G counterpart, but there will be some differences between them. For starters, the Realme 8 5G will be thicker (8.5mm) and heavier (185 grams) than the non-5G variant. Realme 8 5G will feature a side-mounted fingerprint reader Moreover, the Realme 8 5G will feature a...

As if Samsung’s smartphone lineup is not confusing enough, the company is making another variant of the Galaxy S20 FE. This new variant first appeared earlier this month with model number SM-G780G. A few days later, we confirmed that it is an LTE variant of the Galaxy S20 FE with the Snapdragon 865 processor.

The Galaxy S20 FE 4G (SM-G780G) has now appeared in Geekbench’s database. The new listing reveals that the phone uses the Snapdragon 865 processor (codename ‘kona’) with the Adreno 650 GPU. It features 6GB of RAM and runs Android 11 out of the box (probably with One UI 3.1). The phone scored 893 points in the single-core CPU test and 3,094 points in the multi-core CPU test. Samsung has also published support webpages for this variant of the Galaxy S20 FE on its website for Malaysia, the Caribbean, the Philippines, and the UK. All those support webpages mention the model number SM-G780G/DS, which means that the phone features a dual-SIM card slot.

Galaxy S20 FE 4G (Snapdragon 865) specs

As per the information we have, except for the processor, this new variant of the Galaxy S20 FE is exactly similar to the Exynos 990 variant. It features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with Full HD+ resolution, HDR10+, and a 120Hz refresh rate. It has 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage, and a microSD card slot. The phone has a 32MP selfie camera and a 12MP+12MP+8MP triple-camera setup on the rear with 4K 60fps video recording.

The phone also features an in-display fingerprint reader, stereo speakers, IP68 rating, full Samsung Pay, and a USB 3.2 Type-C port. It uses a 4,500mAh battery and supports 25W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

The post Yes, Galaxy S20 FE 4G with Snapdragon 865 processor is coming soon appeared first on SamMobile.

Oppo has been spewing Reno phones left and right and even if the full Reno5 lineup is not complete yet, the Reno 6 is already appearing on the horizon. Multiple leaks have revealed a new Oppo PEPM00 phone is in the works, and a screenshot suggested the device will be called Reno6. Oppo Reno 6 specs and features The PEPM00 device has been certified at 3C with 65W fast charging, matching the Reno5 5G with its SuperVOOC 2.0 standard. The screen of the phone will have a 90Hz refresh rate, while on the inside there will be 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. Apparently, the phone...

TCL is now sending invites out for its scheduled livestream event taking place on April 14. At it, TCL is expected to follow up on more of its 20 series smartphones. During CES this year, TCL announced two TCL 20 variants: the 20 5G and the 20 SE. The three remaining are the 20 Pro 5G, the 20L, and the 20S. Details for these are expected to arrive at this livestream event. Looking forward to sharing more about our upcoming products at the @TCLMobileGlobal event on April 14 at 11am ET! Join us! pic.twitter.com/PVZodtWk9l— Brad Molen (@phonewisdom) March 30, 2021 Display Your Greatness:...

Samsung’s Tizen is the second-best operating system for smartwatches right now. However, the South Korean firm appears to be planning to ditch Tizen in favor of Google’s Wear OS, at least according to the latest rumors. The rumors first appeared back in 2018 when the company replaced Gear branding with Galaxy for its smartwatches. Now, another report seems to confirm Samsung’s shift from Tizen to Wear OS for its next-generation smartwatches.

An APK teardown of the latest version of the Galaxy Wearable app by Android Police’s Max Weinbach reveals two codenames: Fresh and Wise. These codenames are connected to Samsung’s next-generation smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch Active 4. They will reportedly come in two sizes—40/41mm and 44/45mm—and two variants: Bluetooth and cellular.

A new plugin with the codename ‘water’ was also found in the APK file, and it is reportedly Samsung’s compatibility layer for Wear OS. A reference to ‘newos’ was also found in the Galaxy Wearable application file. All of this points towards Samsung preparing to launch the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch Active 4 smartwatches running Google’s Wear OS. The upcoming watches are expected to be launched sometime in Q2 2021.

We are not entirely sure as to why Samsung would switch from Tizen to Wear OS even though the former is generally a more polished platform. Perhaps, this switch is a part of Samsung’s deepening partnership with Google and due to the lack of enough third-party apps and services for Tizen. Samsung is quite optimistic about the wearable market, especially after its growth last year, so it could be willing to ditch Tizen for even better growth.

Earlier, it was also found that Samsung is also working on the Galaxy Buds 2, which could replace the original Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Buds+ later this year.

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Day two of Xiaomi’s Mega Launch event brought us the brand’s first foldable smartphone – the Mi Mix Fold but there was another non-tech announcement on stage. The new Xiaomi logo is here and it brings a brand new “Alive” branding identity designed by Japanese graphic designer Kenya Hara. The big change in the new logo is its rounded edges. There’s also the new MI typography which adds a more aesthetically pleasing look to the company’s name next to the logo. Xiaomi specifies that it wanted a more agile look to its brand identity and one which symbolizes its agile nature heading into...

Xiaomi’s cutting edge Mix series is back with the Mi Mix Fold – the company’s first foldable phone that is packed with innovative features. So much so that the folding display may not even be the most interesting component on the phone. The large internal screen is an 8.01” OLED panel with 4:3 aspect ratio (1440p+ resolution). It’s a tablet-sized display and Xiaomi claims it is the largest display on a foldable smartphone, although Huawei may disagree with this. The Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold has an 8" internal display (4:3) and a 6.5" external display Still, it’s large enough that...

The Huawei P50 series may have been delayed yet again. It is believed that Huawei originally had an end of March event planned at which it would have announced the release of HarmonyOS 2.0 and the first phones to run it out of the box – the P50 models. However, the phone launch was pushed back – to June, according to unconfirmed info – and the company didn’t want to hold back the release of its Android replacement OS. So, Huawei officially confirmed that HarmonyOS is coming in April. As for the P50 series, Weibo users are claiming that the new launch date has been tentatively set for...

Samsung has just announced the release of a new debit and credit card service in Russia in collaboration with Tinkoff and Mastercard. It comes with various benefits, especially for Samsung customers who can take advantage of discounts of 20%-to-45% when purchasing Samsung products including smartphones, laptops, TVs, and home appliances.

The 20%-to-45% discounts become available after purchasing products with a combined value of at least 30,000 rubles ($394) per month for three months. In addition to this offer, Samsung credit / debit card holders will take advantage of 3% cashback with bonuses for every 100 rubles spend at an official Samsung store, online or offline.

The co-branded credit / debit card will be available in physical and digital format. The cost of servicing is 0 rubles for accounts with a balance of at least 50,000 rubles ($658), otherwise, a monthly fee of 99 rubles ($1.30) applies.

Samsung fans in Russia can visit Samsung’s dedicated webpage and apply for the co-branded card. Customers will then have to wait for the approval process to conclude, after which a bank representative will deliver the card to the customer for free, within 1-3 days. Existing Tinkoff clients will have the option of adding the card to their e-wallet upon approval without having to meet with the representative.

For 10 years Samsung has remained the favorite brand of Russians, said Olga Chechetkina, head of Samsung Pay at Samsung Electronics. Thanks to the partnership with Tinkoff and Mastercard, we were able to express our gratitude to users for their loyalty to the company by offering them a Samsung card with unique conditions.

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Samsung Electronics is now collaborating with French Internet service provider Free to bring more than 500 live channels to its range of smart TVs. Free has developed a TV interface / app called OQEE, which was released last summer along with the Freebox Top TV Player. The same app is now available on nearly every Samsung Smart TV, giving Freebox Pop and Freebox Delta subscribers access to their content without requiring additional hardware such as a TV box.

The OQEE app is compatible with Samsung smart TVs that were released in 2018 and later as long as they run Tizen 4.0 or higher. Samsung France claims that the app will be installed automatically on compatible TVs, which means that if you are a Freebox Pop or Delta subscriber, you’ll only need to launch the app and click Connect before you can gain access to the Freebox content library.

The OQEE app on Samsung TVs includes replay functionalities, live controls to pause or rewind programs, personalized profiles, and program recommendations. Freebox subscribers have access to 100 hours of content as part of their agreement, after which they can decide to pay extra for more viewing time. The OQEE / Freebox platform also offers access to other paid streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, CANAL Plus, and Disney Plus.

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Xiaomi’s Mega Launch proved so long that it had to be split into two – Part 1 yesterday brought several Mi 11 and we expected that Part 2 today will bring the company’s first foldable. It could be much more than that, Xiaomi just announced that it is getting into the electric car business. It posted an announcement that it will invest an estimated $10 billion over the next 10 years, starting with an initial investment of $1.5 billion. Xiaomi will set up a wholly-owned subsidiary to run its electric vehicle business. Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi, will also serve as CEO of that subsidiary as...

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is without a doubt one of the best Samsung phones that we’ve seen from the company so far. It’s packed to the gills with new technology and the company has also refreshed its design.

This slab of glass and metal is as precious as the flagships before it. So why not invest in one or more of these best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases? As they say, prevention is better than spending a few hundred dollars on repairs.

Best Galaxy S21 Ultra case in 2021

What you deem to be the best cases for the Galaxy S21 Ultra will be based on the way you use your phone. If you live an active lifestyle you may prefer a more rugged option. If you’d like to show off the brilliant color finish, then you will be satisfied with a clear case. Be that as it may, here are some of the best options you can invest in right now.

1. Otterbox Symmetry case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

Otterbox is highly regarded as a manufacturer for solid accessories. Its Symmetry case for Samsung’s latest flagship is thin, sleek and stylish. The one-piece design provides durable protection from drops and bumps thanks to its raised, beveled edges. The antimicrobial technology provides protection against common bacteria.

Buy for $39.05 at Amazon

2. Spigen Thin Fit case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

This case has a hybrid structure with Air Cushion technology for added durability. The lightweight and slim profile is complemented by the matte finish coating. Bonus tip: Check out all of the best Spigen cases for Galaxy S21 ULtra.

Buy for $13.99 at Amazon

3. Caseology Parallax case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

This striking case has a 3D design with raised bezels for enhanced screen protection. It has a dual-layered bumper that provides military-grade protection against drops and bumps. It’s backed by Caseology’s two-year limited warranty.

Buy for $16.99 at Amazon

4. Speck Presidio2 Grip case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

If extreme drop protection of up to 13-feet is required, opt for the Presidio2 Grip from Speck. Its Armor Cloud technology protects and cushions the phone like an airbag. The soft-touch finish makes it comfortable to hold wihle the no-slip grips provide a better fit in the hand.

Buy for $34.09 at Amazon

5. TORRAS Diamonds Clear case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

Show off the amazing color and the beautiful Contour Cut camera of your flagship with this Galaxy S21 Ultra clear case. It’s made from premium materials that ensure long lasting clarity and scratch resistance. Apart from looking gorgeous, this case provides military-grade drop protection and also features an anti-fingerprint oleophobic coating.

Buy for $18.99 at Amazon

6. Spigen Tough Armor case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

It’s no surprise that another Spigen product is on our list of the best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases. This product features all-new foam technology for enhanced shock protection. It’s made from a combination of TPU and polycarbonate for superior durability. The case even has a reinforced kickstand for ease of use.

Buy for $18.99 at Amazon

7. Samsung S-View Flip case with S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

This first-party option provides you with the best of both worlds. In case you forget, the Galaxy S21 Ultra has support for the S Pen (sold separately). The S-View Flip case makes it very easy to answer calls, control music and other options without having to open the cover. It also shows important information like battery level, date and time. Since the device itself doesn’t have a slot for the stylus, this new S-View case doubles as a silo for the S Pen as well.

Buy for $79.58 at Amazon (Case + S Pen deal)

8. Samsung Leather cover for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

The company also offers covers made from luxury materials. Its official leather cover accentuates the slimness of the device while providing a comfortable and ergonomic grip. The aluminium buttons and soft microfiber lining further elevate your phone’s luxurious feel.

Buy for $49.99 at Amazon

9. Samsung Silicone Case with S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

Simplicity with the ability to carry the S Pen is what describes this Galaxy S21 Ultra case best. The case has a slender form as it’s less than 2mm thick. You get protection against minor shocks and bumps without adding any heft to the device. There’s an insert on the side for the S Pen.

Buy for $69.99 at Amazon (Case + S Pen deal)

10. ELOVEN Card case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

This credit card case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a very convenient option. It can store up to 2 cards in the hidden slot. A sliding door provides easy access to the cards. The case has hard polycarbonate back layers with a durable and soft TPU body for maximum shock absorption.

Buy for $69.99 at Amazon (Case + S Pen deal)

Get the best case for your Galaxy S21 Ultra

Picking out the best option doesn’t need to be difficult! A lot of people actually prefer investing in multiple cases. This lets them switch up the look and feel of their phone without having to compromise on its safety.

In case you haven’t already, do check out our Galaxy S21 Ultra review, in case you’re still on the fence about buying what is arguably one of the best phones yet from Samsung.

The post Best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases for Samsung’s best phone yet appeared first on SamMobile.

Samsung appears to have finally taken a step back in its incessant pursuit of Fortnite as means of attracting new lifelong customers. The company’s renewed strategy, epitomized in the newly launched Galaxy A32 5G and Galaxy A52 5G, sounds much more feasible. Not to mention less “hello, fellow kids-y.”

With video games finally being afforded some rest, Samsung opted to focus on the second most defining trait of today’s youth – not having any money.

Forever young?

Thanks to the wonders of economies of scale and late-stage capitalism, a general lack of currency does not prevent you from having quite a respectable smartphone these days. In all seriousness, cue the new Galaxy A series which just released today in Vietnam, debuting in a market of some 30 million (and rapidly rising) smartphone users.

Vietnam is bound to be one of Samsung’s largest battlegrounds with Chinese manufacturers this year, perhaps right behind India and Pakistan in terms of size and overall competitiveness. The Galaxy A32 5G and A52 5G have already been impressing consumers and the media alike in other parts of the globe since earlier this month. The latter is a particularly compelling proposition which manages to tick a remarkable number of boxes across different demographics.

All things considered, Samsung hardly could have wished for a better start to the calendar year for its mobile ambitions. It’s been firing on all cylinders since we were all still in Christmas mode and as things stand right now, we’re in for another action-packed quarter this spring; one filled with even more amazing value propositions and cutting-edge tech. Long may it continue, eh?

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You didn’t think it was over, did you? Even though Xiaomi unveiled the Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Pro, Mi 11 Lite (and 5G) and Mi 11i yesterday, not to mention additional gadgets, there is more to come from the aptly-named Mega Launch. After Part 1 comes Part 2 of the event. The company has officially confirmed that the Mix series will be making a comeback and we expect that to be the focus for today. It teased a liquid lens, but rumors suggest that the big reveal will be this – the new Mi Mix will be a foldable phone, Xiaomi’s first. And while that’s a big deal, we expect that there will...

The OnePlus 9 smartphones unveiled last week went on their first sale in China today, and OnePlus announced it sold units worth CNY300 million in 10 seconds across different online platforms. That translates to about $45.6 million at current exchange rates. However, the company didn't reveal which phone sold the most - the OnePlus 9 or the OnePlus 9 Pro. The OnePlus 9 lineup also includes the Snapdragon 870-powered OnePlus 9R, but it's currently an India-exclusive and even there it will not go on sale until next month. The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, on the other hand, are powered by the...

The Oppo A54 smartphone has just been announced in Indonesia. It's an entry-level device with a big battery, a Mediatek chipset and a stylish design. There are three cameras on the back, although Oppo designed the island to appear as if it hosts four shooters. The phone comes with a Helio P35 chipset, built on the 12nm process. It is paired with 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage, and there is a microSD slot for up to 256GB more. Oppo equipped the A54 with a basic 6.51” LCD with HD+ resolution and standard 60Hz refresh rate. There are no notches on the top - a single punch hole for the...

One UI 3.1 has introduced a slightly redesigned UI and a handful of cool new features to Samsung’s Galaxy phones, but perhaps one of the most overlooked additions is a new privacy and security option that lets you remove location information from your photos before sharing them on social media or otherwise.

This feature debuted with the Galaxy S21 series and, at that time, nobody knew with certainty if it will remain a Galaxy S21-exclusive privacy feature or if it will become a standard One UI 3.1 characteristic. As it turned out, the feature is being made available for virtually every Galaxy device running One UI 3.1. Here’s all you need to know.

What is metadata and how to remove location from photos in One UI 3.1?

Digital photos contain a lot of hidden information that’s not easily accessible without a third-party app. This information, known as metadata, includes details about the device that has captured the photo, date and time details, as well as location information, just to name a few.

From the user’s perspective, location data can be of help when trying to organize photos based on the time of capture and location. However, there’s also a history of metadata being used by governmental institutions to locate and find individuals under criminal investigation.

And indeed, nothing stops malicious parties from using the same data for their own purposes. Therefore, location information can pose a security / privacy risk if it falls into the wrong hands, especially now that there are billions of images shared online every single day. Some social media platforms are well-aware of the ways in which metadata can be used and they remove location data from user photos automatically whenever they’re uploaded, but others don’t.

With One UI 3.1, Samsung is putting the power of metadata removal in the palms of the users, at least to a degree. The latest firmware introduces an easy way to remove location information from photos via the Gallery app before sharing them. The option appears at the top of the share list, right above the Nearby Share button and the list of contacts / social media networks, and it doesn’t require additional steps.

No other metadata aside from location information seems to be removed, but even so, this is a small change (in appearance) that can greatly safeguard privacy and improve security without requiring much in return from the user.

There’s also great potential here, as future versions of One UI could give Galaxy smartphone and tablet owners even more control over the type of metadata they wish to remove from their photos before sharing them.

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