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A week ago two Realme devices were surfaced on TENAA – the RMX3461 and RMX3463, which seemed to be two variants of the same device. Now they are back in the news again since sources on Weibo claim that these two are the Realme Q3s. Realme Q3s (RMX3461), photos by TENAA A mid-season upgrade to the popular Q3 series from April, this one is said to use the Snapdragon 778G. The original Q3 was powered by a 750G chip instead, the Q3 Pro Carnival used the 768G (the other two used Dimensity chips). The 778G is an advanced 6 nm chip (TSMC) with four big Kryo 670 cores and a premium...

Samsung might never release the unannounced Galaxy S21 FE, but even if it won’t, we can be sure that pre-production models exist somewhere in Samsung’s labs. The phone was leaked plenty of times before, and Samsung seemed like it was getting ready to release the next FE-branded phone before the end of the year. That might never come to pass, but regardless, more documents found at the FCC (via @simransingh931) confirm that Samsung has at least developed the Galaxy S21 FE to the point where it was ready for the market.

The documents confirm that the Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990E) — or at least the pre-production device — was manufactured at Samsung’s factory in Thain Nguyen. They also confirm that the smartphone was tested by the FCC between August 24-31. The FCC certificate was then issued a couple of days later, on September 2.

The papers further reveal that the Galaxy S21 FE is — or at least ‘was’ — planned to ship along with a 25W EP-TA800 travel adapter, a data cable, and a pair of earbuds. The international Galaxy S21 FE 5G was spotted at the FCC before, though this newer entry presumably has an Exynos SoC as opposed to one supplied by Qualcomm.

The FCC greenlit a Galaxy phone that might never see the light of day

Sadly for fans of the FE series, the future of the Galaxy S21 FE is more uncertain than ever. Samsung’s facing production issues due to the global semiconductor shortage, and while recent rumors indicated that the company may have solved the supply issues marring the Galaxy S21 FE, it might still be too late to bring this phone to the market. The Galaxy S22 series is getting close, and the Galaxy S21 is already available at a discount, which means there’s little room on the market for the Galaxy S21 FE. Meanwhile, the company recently started erasing bits of evidence of the Galaxy S21 FE’s existence from its websites.

Time will tell if Samsung will release the Galaxy S21 FE or not, but if it won’t, it means that the company has pulled the plug on the device at the last minute.

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The post Samsung’s supposedly canceled Galaxy S21 FE was greenlit by the FCC appeared first on SamMobile.

Even before you open the vivo X70 Pro box you are greeted with a “Co-engineered with ZEISS” label on the front. The box itself is somewhat small, but it is actually one of the better-stocked retail packages we’ve seen recently. Once you lift the lid you see the phone itself and another label: “Photography. Redefined”. It’s quite clear what the main selling point of the X70 series is and we will get to that in a moment. First, lets us rifle through what’s inside the box. The first thing to note is the FlashCharge 44W power adapter. It offers a USB-A port that can deliver up to 11V and...

Samsung started updating its foldable phones with the October 2021 security patch yesterday. The latest Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 were the first to receive the update, but it looks like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 wasn’t too far behind. And today, Samsung began rolling out a new firmware update — with the October 2021 security patch included — for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in South Korea.

The update is rolling out across multiple carrier variants, including LG U+, KT Corporation, and SK Telecom. Galaxy Z Fold 2 owners in South Korea can identify the new update by firmware version F916NKSU1DUI4, and as you may have noticed, the firmware number suggests that the update should include additional improvements aside from the October security update. The security patch has yet to be detailed by Samsung, but a changelog should appear by mid-October.

Likewise, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in other markets should join the version in South Korea soon. Customers will be greeted by a notification once the update is ready for download, and they can also check for new updates from the Software update menu inside the phone’s Settings app. As an alternative, SamMobile readers can download new updates from our firmware database for free and install them on their phones using a PC.

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Samsung is now rolling out the October 2021 security patch to a handful of Galaxy devices released last year, namely the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 lineups. The company began deploying the new security patch a couple of days ago, and yesterday, Samsung released the update for its latest foldable phone models in South Korea.

Similarly, Samsung is now distributing the new firmware update for the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 lineups in its homeland. And as always, the update will eventually reach more markets once the company determines that the first release can’t cause any unforeseen issues.

The new firmware update should improve more aspects beyond security

Judging by the firmware numbers accompanying these new updates, Samsung should be improving more than just the security level of the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 series. We can’t confirm the new additions and changes for the time being, as the update is limited to Korea, but more details should emerge soon. Either way, the updates for the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 lineups can be identified by version numbers G98xNKSU1EUI3 and N98xNKSU1DUI2, respectively.

Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 series customers in South Korea should now be greeted by an update notification. The same notification will eventually reach other markets. Users can also check if the update is available to download by opening the Settings app on their phones and navigating to Software update. And as usual, SamMobile readers have access to the latest firmware from our database, where they can download new Samsung updates for free and install them manually using a PC.

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The Honor 50 was introduced in China back in June, and quickly became а big part of the brand’s revival at the domestic scene. The company CEO hinted the series is scheduled for a global rollout in Q4, and today we got a more specific date - October 26. According to the PR department of Honor, the Snapdragon 778G-powered phone will first hit the United Kingdom and markets in the European Union. Other markets like Russia, UAE, Latin America, and Malaysia will get it at a later date, with specific region availability to be detailed later on. The Honor 50 has a 6.57” OLED display with...

Third-party case makers have already received the necessary design details to begin manufacturing Galaxy S22 protective cases ahead of the series’ official launch. The first live photos of third-party Galaxy S22 protective cases have now emerged online, and they seem to confirm some of the design details revealed previously in renders.

Judging by these third-party case designs, the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ will have the same type of camera housing design as the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+. At the same time, Galaxy S22 Ultra protective cases indicate that, indeed, the top-tier model will revert to an older design language based on a protruding camera housing that doesn’t wrap around the phone’s edges.

The Galaxy S22/S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra could look very different

Recent reports suggest that the Ultra model won’t be called the “Galaxy Note 22 Ultra” even if it will have a built-in S Pen slot. But regardless of its name, these early photos and renders lend more weight to the idea that the Ultra model won’t look anything like the standard Galaxy S22 and Plus variants.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra appears to be ticking a lot of boxes for Galaxy Note fans who were left out earlier this year. It has a boxier design and a dedicated S Pen slot, but on the other hand, Samsung doesn’t seem to be willing to use the same seamless camera housing design across the entire 2022 flagship series.

These Galaxy S22 Ultra cases don’t confirm whether the “P” shaped camera cutout will accommodate a single protruding camera element or two. But either way, it’s obvious from these photos that the camera bump won’t wrap around the edges, and that’s the one design element that’s setting the Galaxy S21 series apart from its rivals and even other Galaxy phones.

Of course, nothing is confirmed until it is, and in theory, things can change by the time Samsung hosts the next Galaxy Unpacked event. But realistically speaking, if case manufacturers have already started producing Galaxy S22 cases based on official specifications, then Samsung must’ve decided on the overall design.

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The post Galaxy S22 series cases lend even more credibility to the leaked designs appeared first on SamMobile.

After releasing the September 2021 security update to the Galaxy A02, Galaxy A51, Galaxy A71 5G, Galaxy M30s, and the latest Galaxy Z series smartphones this week, Samsung has released it to the Galaxy A32 5G. The new software update is currently available in Colombia, but it could soon expand to more markets.

The Galaxy A32 5G (SM-A326B) is getting a new software update with firmware version A326BXXU3AUH7. It includes the September 2021 security patch that fixes more than 50 privacy and security-related vulnerabilities. While we don’t have the official changelog yet, this update also includes general bug fixes and devices stability improvements.

If you are a Galaxy A32 5G user in Colombia, you can check for the update by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. You can also download the latest firmware file from our firmware database and flash it manually. You would need a Windows computer to do this.

Samsung had launched the Galaxy A32 5G earlier this year with Android 11-based One UI 3.1 on board. The smartphone will receive at least two major Android OS updates in the future.

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The latest phone from Dutch-based Fairphone brings 5G connectivity, dual 48MP cameras and a 9.2 out of 10 repairability score on the French Repairability Index. In true company fashion, the latest Fairphone is produced in an ethical way with recycled materials and fairtrade gold and ethically sourced cobalt and lithium. It’s fairly easy to repair and you can purchase spare parts from Fairphone if something breaks down. A brand new battery costs €29.95, the dual rear cameras go for €79.95 while the selfie cam will costs you €29.95. Fairphone 4 in grey, green and speckled green...

In a community forum post, Xiaomi announced the start of its beta testing program for Android 12 on some of its flagship devices, namely the Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra and Mi 11i. This is for the global version of Xiaomi's MIUI, though, keep in mind. The company is recruiting a limited number of users to participate in the testing of the Global Stable ROM and the seats are limited to 200 for each device so you better hurry. You will find a detailed instructions of how to apply and install the ROM at the source link below. Keep in mind that Xiaomi's staff expects you to be active on its...

Even though Apple doesn't advertise it, the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max got an upgraded charging this year. According to ChargerLAB's tests, the iPhone 13 Pro Max can go up to 27W while the standard Pro peaks at 23W. This means that with appropriate USB Power Delivery charger with at least 30W output, the Pro Max can charge at 27W for a while before temperature constraints lead to throttling. And since the device doesn't ship with a charger at all, Apple is happy to sell you a $50 30W USB PD charger. The iPhone 13 Pro received some love as well and ChargerLAB says it can get up to...

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is great. We loved it when it came out, and we think it has held up excellently more than a month later. The Z Flip 3 is stylish, it’s got high-end hardware, and its price tag of $999 is crazy attractive. The Z Flip 3 is pretty much as mainstream as foldables can get right now, and it’s no wonder Samsung has been selling a lot of units around the world.

There’s plenty of room for improvement

That said, the phone is not perfect. There are many ways Samsung can make the package more compelling with next year’s Galaxy Z Flip 4. And in our latest video on SamMobile TV, we’ve put together a wishlist of improvements that we would like to see on the Galaxy Z Flip 3’s sequel.

Check it out below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can stay up-to-date on all our future content. You can also join our Telegram group and follow us on Google News for instant news updates.

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The post Galaxy Z Flip 4 wishlist: How 2022’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 sequel can be better appeared first on SamMobile.

As expected Motorola announced its Moto Tab G20 Android tablet earlier today. The device carries an 8-inch LCD with HD+ resolution, Helio P22T chipset and a 5,100 mAh battery. These specs sound familiar as they match Lenovo’s third-gen Tab M8 slate. The Moto Tab G20 comes in a single 3GB RAM and 32GB storage trim and it also has a microSD slot for expansion. Android 11 covers the software front and Motorola is also bringing a Kids Space mode. You get a 2MP front-facing cam and a 5MP sensor around the back. There’s also Dolby Atmos coming from the single bottom-mounted speaker. The...

Over the past five weeks, Samsung has released the September 2021 security update to many Galaxy smartphones and tablets, including the Galaxy Tab S7 series. Now, the company has started releasing the security update to the Galaxy Tab Active 2.

The Galaxy Tab Active 2 is getting the new software update in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. It comes with firmware version T395UBSCCUI5 and includes the September 2021 security patch. Samsung had mentioned earlier that this security patch fixes more than four dozen vulnerabilities related to user privacy and data security. General bug fixes and device stability improvements could also be a part of this new software.

If you are a Galaxy Tab Active 2 user in any of the countries mentioned above, you can check for the update by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. You can also download the new firmware file from our firmware database and flash it manually using a Windows computer.

Samsung had launched the Galaxy Tab Active 2 four years ago with Android 7.1.1 Nougat on board. It received the Android 8.0 update in 2018 and the Android 9 Pie update in 2019. We are surprised to see that such an old tablet is still getting monthly security updates.

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Samsung is due to unveil the Galaxy S22 series early next year. If history is any indication, the company will launch the lineup in January 2022. Rumors suggest that next year’s lineup might deliver one of the most comprehensive changes to the Galaxy S series.

The company must have a game plan in mind about how it’s going to manage the three different models that will make up the Galaxy S22 series. The one being talked about now happens to be a bit surprising.

Samsung is betting big on the standard Galaxy S22 models

More than half of the shipments will be accounted for by the Galaxy S22 with the rest being made up by the Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Up to 60% of all Galaxy S22 shipments will be of the 6.06-inch standard Galaxy S22. The 6.7-inch Galaxy S22+ will account for 20% of shipments while the 6.8-inch Galaxy S22 Ultra’s share will range between 20-30%.

Samsung might be expecting the cheapest model of its next flagship to perform better than its predecessors. The standard Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 models didn’t make up more than half of the entire shipments for the series.

The company did try to make the Galaxy S21 and S21+ more appealing to customers by adjusting their prices and specifications. It can’t significantly increase prices for these models due to intense competition in this segment.

The total planned production volume of the Galaxy S22 series is said to be in the low 20 million units. It’s a conservative estimate as shipments of Galaxy S flagships have generally been in the mid 30 million units range.

This might have something to do with the poor performance of the Galaxy S21 series. Its shipments are predicted to be in the mid 20 million units range. Analysts expect that the Galaxy S22 lineup might regain the series’ average shipments in excess of 30 million units.

What’s surprising to see is that Samsung isn’t expecting a significant surge in the demand for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. That’s despite the fact that this device will be a lifeline that Samsung throws to Galaxy Note fans.

It goes without saying that the Galaxy S22 Ultra will support the S Pen. However, it will go a step further than that. Leaked renders and multiple reports have revealed that it’s going to have a dedicated S Pen slot just like the Galaxy Note devices.

Users will no longer need to carry the S Pen separately. They would be able to store it inside the device just like they would have done on a Galaxy Note smartphone. While the dedicated silo might help absorb more Note fans into the Galaxy S series, it may not be enough to entice all of them.

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The post Samsung’s game plan for the Galaxy S22 series is a bit surprising appeared first on SamMobile.

There is another affordable 5G Nokia phone on the way – two, in fact, but today the rumor mill surfaced detailed specs for only one of them. The Nokia G300 5G will be based on the same Snapdragon 480 that was used in the recent G50 as well as the X10 and X20 (speaking of, the other upcoming phone we mentioned is the Nokia X100). HMD Global never released a Nokia G30, so this isn’t a sequel. It’s not exactly an upgrade over the G20 either, at least as far as cameras and batteries are concerned. Though this one has a much more powerful chipset (it’s not hard to beat a Helio G35) and 5G...

Poco launched the C3 last October as its most affordable smartphone and sold 2.5 million units in India. Today, Poco followed it up with the C31 - the second member of the C-series. The Poco C31 is powered by the Helio G35 SoC and comes with up to 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage onboard. It also has a dedicated microSD card slot for storage expansion by up to 512GB. The C31 runs the dated Android 10 out of the box, and Poco takes pride in offering the phone to its customers without any advertisements in the UI. The smartphone's built around a 6.53" 20:9 HD+ screen with TUV...

The Galaxy A02 has finally started getting the Android 11 update. The new software is currently rolling out in Russia, but it could reach more markets over the next few weeks. The update also brings the September 2021 security patch that fixes more than 50 privacy and security-related vulnerabilities.

Samsung has released the new software update to the Galaxy A02 with firmware version A022GDXU2BUI3. It brings Android 11 along with One UI 3.1. It includes new features such as one-time permissions, chat bubbles, auto permissions reset, a slightly revamped UI, more lock screen widgets, improved stock apps, and a redesigned Device Care section.

If you are a Galax A02 user in Russia, you might soon receive a notification of the new update. If you don’t want to wait for the update to arrive on its own, you can check for it manually by navigating to Settings » Software update and tapping on Download and install. You can also download the entire firmware file from our firmware section and flash it manually.

Samsung had launched the Galaxy A02 earlier this year with Android 10-based One UI 2 on board. The device could get the Android 12 update sometime next year, and it could be the smartphone’s last major Android OS update.

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The Galaxy S22 series will no doubt bring a number of upgrades that are expected from every new yearly flagship, but at least one important feature will be sacrificed, at least on the Galaxy S22 and S22+.

The battery capacities on the two models are being downsized by 300 mAh, as revealed in recent weeks. The Galaxy S22 is going to have a 3,700 mAh battery and the Galaxy S22+ will have a 4,500 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra is set to sport the same 5,000 mAh battery as the S21 Ultra.

Earlier this week, we got confirmation that the base Galaxy S22 model will indeed have a smaller battery than its predecessor, and today, similar confirmation has arrived for the Galaxy S22+. The S22+ battery has been certified in Korea, and a live image of it shows the capacity figures quite clearly. The phone will have a 4,500 mAh typical battery capacity and a rated capacity of 4,390 mAh.

It will be interesting to see the kind of battery life the Galaxy S22 series phones will provide. The S22 and S22+ are said to feature smaller screens (6.1 inches and 6.55 inches), and if the new Snapdragon and Exynos chipsets are more efficient than this year’s chips, battery life may be similar to what we see on the Galaxy S21 and S21+.

But that’s something we will only find out once the Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra go official and get into the hands of consumers and reviewers. That’s expected to happen sometime in early 2022, though there are whispers in the rumor mill that Samsung could push up the launch to December this year.

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Samsung once again became the first company to release a new Android security patch ahead of schedule as it rolled out the October 2021 patch for the Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra a few days ago. And now, it's the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 that are getting the latest Android security update. The new build for the Galaxy Z Fold3 comes with firmware version F926NKSU1AUID, and F711NKSU2AUIE for the Galaxy Z Flip3. A detailed changelog of the update is unavailable, but it should bring more to the smartphones than just a new security patch. The update for both smartphones is seeding...

Samsung could unveil the Galaxy S22 series in January 2022. Ahead of the launch, most of the specifications of the upcoming smartphones have been leaked. It was also rumored that Samsung could call the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s successor the Galaxy Note 22 Ultra because it features a built-in S Pen slot. However, a new rumor claims otherwise.

According to tipster Ice Universe (@UniverseIce), Samsung’s next flagship smartphone will be called the Galaxy S22 Ultra and not the Galaxy Note 22 Ultra. Although the company is expected to bring back all the goodness of a Galaxy Note series smartphone with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, including the S Pen and the silo to store the stylus inside the phone, the company may not want to change its famous branding.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is rumored to feature a 6.8-inch Super AMOLED LTPO display with QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz variable refresh rate. It is expected to come equipped with the Exynos 2200 processor with an AMD RDNA2 GPU (Snapdragon 898 in some markets), 12GB RAM, and 256GB/512GB internal storage. It could continue to use a 108MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and two 10MP telephoto cameras.

The upcoming smartphone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, similar to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, it is getting an upgrade in terms of charging speeds. It was recently revealed that it would be compatible with 45W fast charging. It will also feature GPS, Wi-Fi 6E, UWB, Bluetooth 5.x, NFC, USB Type-C port, stereo speakers, an IP rating, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

Are you planning to upgrade to the Galaxy S22 series next year? Which model would you opt for? Let us know in the comments section below.

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The post Galaxy S22 Ultra name change isn’t happening, according to latest rumor appeared first on SamMobile.

Samsung has announced that it has developed a VoNR (Voice over New Radio) solution for 5G voice calls. The company said that its new solution can be used by all mobile phone brands and network carriers worldwide. With this new 5G VoNR solution, Samsung plans to offer a streamlined 5G SoC development and the deployment of VoNR services.

Usually, even when devices are connected to 5G networks, they drop to 4G signals during voice calls. However, with Samsung’s new solution, devices can stay on the 5G network for a truly next-generation experience and faster call connection times. Users can also stay on voice calls while playing online games or while streaming high-resolution videos.

The South Korean firm’s VoNR solution includes the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), Quality of Service (QoS), and a handover mechanism. IMS is the critical technology in VoNR, and it handles all multimedia tasks such as audio, video, and data services over a single IP network. Samsung’s IMS stack is designed for stable compatibility between 5G VoNR and 4G VoLTE services.

Samsung has also developed a QoS system that assists uninterrupted handover between nearby network base stations. It analyzes the flow of data in real-time and then prioritizes services for stable voice calls. The company is focused on localization and automation tests for 5G VoNR deployment with network carriers for improved reliability and performance.

Jonghan Kim, Vice President of System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics, said, “With a surge in the number of 5G smartphone users, there is a higher demand for various 5G technologies and services. We will continue to deliver next-generation mobile communication technologies, including VoNR service support, that will bring users together, faster.”

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The vivo X70 series was announced on September 9, and three weeks later the manufacturer brought the lineup to the global audience. During a launch event, the vivo X70 Pro and vivo X70 Pro+ were introduced to the Indian audience, and we know they will arrive in other countries as well. vivo X70 Pro The flagship vivo X70 Pro+ is powered by a Snapdragon 888+ and has a tremendous camera setup, while the vivo X70 Pro is a tad more affordable but still running on the mighty Dimensity 1200 chipset. The vanilla vivo X70 was missing from the event, as we received a confirmation from company...

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is going to be smaller than the S21, but that also means that it will have a smaller battery – 3,700 mAh according to the most recent rumors. And those rumors have been confirmed with a photo of the actual battery. Here it is, the EB-BS901ABY (14.35 Wh), photographed during the certification process of SafetyKorea. For reference, the Galaxy S21 and the S20 before it had 4,000 mAh batteries, so 300 mAh have gone missing. Of course, the battery life was significantly improved between the two generations – in our reviews we found that the Endurance rating went up...

Samsung’s adoption of multi-camera systems for smartphones a few years ago didn’t seem to have helped local lens suppliers much. In fact, the opposite happened, and rival companies from China have been thriving on the back of Samsung’s orders for a few years. Meanwhile, lens suppliers in South Korea were all in the red last year, and Haesung Optics stopped producing lens modules altogether earlier this month.

Sekonix reportedly was the only domestic smartphone camera lens supplier that had recorded an operating profit in the first half of the year. However, most other South Korean suppliers that were hoping to grow their business after Samsung switched to multi-camera systems haven’t been as lucky, and many of them are on the verge of losing their business entirely.

Samsung’s aggressive cost-saving strategies go beyond camera lenses

Samsung, like many other smartphone makers, is looking for ways to cut production costs. And to this end, the company’s been outsourcing the production of more smartphone models to ODMs and began acquiring more parts — OLED panels and batteries — from Chinese suppliers, including TCL, BOE, and ATL.

Word is that more TCL and BOE panels will be used for future low and mid-range smartphone models, while ATL batteries will reportedly power the Galaxy S22 series. And although there were rumors of a possible collaboration with Japanese camera manufacturer Olympus for the Galaxy S22 series’ camera system, they were later denied by the company.

Getting back to South Korean lens suppliers, industry watchers are worried that companies from China who benefit from supplying modules to Samsung could end up dominating the segment, similar to how LCD manufacturers did.

An unnamed industry official cited by The Elec went as far as claiming that if the domestic lens industry doesn’t improve, “it will be a burden on Samsung Electronics.”

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The post Samsung’s China shift is bleeding its Korean suppliers dry appeared first on SamMobile.

There have been numerous rumors about Apple developing OLED iPads in two different sizes - a 10.86-inch model and a larger 12.9-inch one. However, according to a Korean news outlet, the development of the smaller model has been halted. The source believes there are several reasons behind the discontinuation. Since Samsung will be delivering the screens, Apple is asking the Korean tech giant to produce double-stack tandem structure OLEDs instead of single stacks, which is the more widely used configuration in today's smartphones and tablets. Of course, this would up the price of the...

Nothing to see here, move along. Samsung swept any evidence of the Galaxy S21 FE under the rug and removed the support pages for the phone that went live in anticipation of its announcement. An announcement that has reportedly been canceled. You can see the various support pages for the SM-G990B, the international version of the Galaxy S21 FE. They have all been removed now (though they still linger in Google’s cache). It seems that a series of delays pushed the launch back so much that the S21 FE is no longer relevant. In August a back to school promo leaked – that would have been...

The Google Pixel 6 series is expected to be unveiled on October 19 with some evidence pointing to October 28 as the first date of availability. Speaking of, the new Google flagships will be available only in 8 countries, including three in Europe. That is where the latest leak comes from – someone inside a major European carrier caught sight of the pricing for the two new models and it is less than you may have expected. By the way, this info comes from the This is Tech Today YouTube channel, which previously shared a hands-on video with the Pixel 6 Pro. Back to the phones. The...

According to Counterpoint Research, Honor has outpaced Xiaomi in terms of smartphone sales in China for August and is thus one of the top-three largest smartphone brands in the country behind Oppo and vivo. The new report states an 18% increase in monthly Honor smartphone sales for August which also made the company one of the fastest growers in the region. Counterpoint Research Monthly Market Pulse, August 2021 Counterpoint’s Tarun Pathak commented that Honor has successfully rebuilt its smartphone business after parting ways from Huawei. Honor was able to restore ties with...

We have the Galaxy Buds Live on offer in our latest SamMobile Weekly Giveaway. It remains one of the best Samsung earbuds in 2021 and with good reason.

We mentioned in our Galaxy Buds Live review that comfort is one of the biggest selling points of these earbuds. The unique design allows for a very comfortable listening experience. The Galaxy Buds Live also happen to be the first Samsung earbuds to support Active Noise Cancellation.

SamMobile members from across the globe and enter using the widget below for a chance to win the Galaxy Buds Live. The winner will be announced on October 6, 2021.

Samsug Galaxy Buds Live international giveaway!

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Need a little help with your workouts? Samsung’s Galaxy Fit 2 is just the perfect device for you. It’s up for grabs in our latest SamMobile Weekly Giveaway.

In addition to the many advanced tracking features that the Galaxy Fit 2 offers, the device can even automatically detect five different activities. There’s even sleep tracking functionality. A single charge is enough to make the device last for up to 15 days.

Simply follow the steps mentioned in the widget below to submit an entry for the giveaway. The winner will be announced on September 29, 2021.

Result: Congratulations to Rui Santos for winning the Galaxy Fit 2. We’ll get your prize out to you right away. Everyone else can try their luck in next week’s giveaway!

Samsug Galaxy Fit 2 international giveaway!

The post [Result] SamMobile Weekly Giveaway: It’s your chance to win a Galaxy Fit 2! appeared first on SamMobile.

What comes to your mind when someone mentions the Galaxy Note 7? It’s probably the device’s flawed battery that was a fire hazard. The battery was the entire reason why Samsung had to discontinue the Galaxy Note 7 weeks after it was released.

Samsung reevaluated its battery supply chain after the incident. It ceased all business with a Chinese supplier that supplied a chunk of those batteries. That same supplier has gradually been brought back into the chain. Now it has emerged that the Galaxy S22 series is also going to use batteries from the same supplier.

ATL and Samsung SDI both supplying batteries for the Galaxy S22 series

China’s Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) was one of the suppliers for the Galaxy Note 7’s batteries alongside Samsung SDI. ATL was cut off from Samsung’s battery supply chain following the incident.

Samsung has since put in place rigorous safety measures to ensure there’s never a repeat of that embarrassing episode. ATL might have been able to meet Samsung’s strict standards as the Korean giant has reopened its business relationship with the company.

Batteries from ATL are currently being used in Galaxy A/M series smartphones, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds wearables. ATL has even supplied batteries for Samsung’s flagship models. The Galaxy S21 series utilizes batteries from both ATL and Samsung SDI.

Korean media is reporting that ATL and Samsung SDI will also supply batteries for the upcoming Galaxy S22 lineup. The fact that Samsung is using ATL once again for its flagship models shows that its technology and safety has continued to improve.

The Samsung SDI-made Galaxy S22 battery has already leaked online. It has a rather disappointing 3,700mAh capacity, a 300mAh decline compared to the Galaxy S21’s 4,000mAh battery.

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There have been multiple rumors about an OLED iPad being released next year. Apple was reportedly working with Samsung on the OLED panel for the tablet. That was hardly surprising as Samsung’s is the dominant supplier of OLED displays.

However, it appears that there has been a change of plan. The latest reports suggest that Apple and Samsung have given up on this project for now. This means that there probably won’t be an OLED iPad next year.

Apple and Samsung can’t seem to agree, what else is new?

Apple was reportedly going to launch its first iPad with an OLED display in 2022. It would have featured a 10.86-inch panel supplied by Samsung. This tablet was supposedly the successor to the existing iPad Air. In 2023, Apple was then expected to launch 11-inch and 12.9-inch OLED iPad Pro models.

The latest reports out of South Korea suggest that the 10.86-inch OLED display project has been cancelled by Samsung and Apple. The reason remains a mystery with some claiming it may have to do with profitability issues or the single stack structure of the OLED panel.

The single stack OLED panel structure is most widely used currently. The RGBs form a single emission layer. In a two stack tandem structure, which Apple had reportedly asked for, there are two RGB emission layers stacked on top of each other. This is said to deliver a 2x increase in brightness and 4x in panel life.

Samsung Display proposed a single stack structure despite the request from Apple. It has commercialized single stack only so far. Unless Samsung Display knows that the 10.86-inch OLED iPad will sell well and for a long time to come, preparing the back-end process for the two stack structure would be very costly.

Samsung Display is right to be concerned about its profitability in the face of such uncertainty. Apple has had to pay the company penalties in the past for not buying as many displays as it was supposed to.

Apple could get the panel from LG Display that’s making two stack OLEDs for its automotive clients. However, its production capacity is limited and may not be able to provide the kind of numbers Apple would need for a new iPad.

It remains unclear what will become of the OLED iPad in the face of these supply chain issues. Perhaps the two companies will work something out that will enable the device to hit the market in 2023.

Apple is quite late to the OLED tablet game. Some of the best Samsung tablets have OLED displays, they’ve actually had them since 2011, when Samsung’s first OLED tablet was released.

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As some users have reported, the new iPhone 13 models have troubles with the Unlock with Apple Watch feature that was introduced with iOS 14.5. Apple is aware of the issue and iOS 15.1 beta 2 already contains a fix for it. For now Apple recommends that you disable the feature and use a passcode unlock while waiting for version 15.1. Unfortunately, it’s not clear yet when it will graduate from beta. Especially since the fix requires watchOS 8.1 to be running on the your Watch and that is currently in beta 1. iOS 15.1 beta 2 fixes the Unlock with Apple Watch bug on iPhone 13 iOS...

Back in 2019, it felt that the only company that could go toe-to-toe with Samsung in the foldables market was Huawei. Samsung was showing off the first Galaxy Z Fold at the event. Not far from its booth, Huawei had the Mate X foldable on display.

A lot changed in the coming months. Huawei’s troubles with the US government dented its ability to compete. It even had trouble securing vital components made by its suppliers that needed to seek US approval. The company has continued to work on foldable smartphones, though. It now has the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in its sights.

Huawei has a Galaxy Z Flip 3 competitor in the works

Rumors out of China suggest that the Huawei Mate V foldable might be unveiled this year. This is said to be a clamshell foldable like the Galaxy Z Flip series. The first rumors about the Mate V can actually be traced as far back as early 2020. That’s when it first emerged that Huawei might have a competitor for Samsung’s clamshell foldable.

Details on the specs of this device remain slim at this point in time. It’s believed that the Huawei Mate V will use the company’s latest and most powerful Kirin 9000 chipset. No details about the display size, cover display, batter, 5G support, etc are available right now.

The biggest advantage of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is that it has no real competitor. The reincarnated Moto Razr could barely keep up with the original Galaxy Z Flip. It’s no match for Samsung’s latest clamshell.

Could the Huawei Mate V threaten that advantage? Huawei still faces significant hurdles in selling phones outside of China. It also remains cut off from Google Play Services. Unless those issues are resolved, the Mate V is really only going to threaten the Galaxy Z Flip 3 on Huawei’s home soil.

Huawei does have an event lined up next month where it’s expected to unveil new devices. Perhaps it may show off a glimpse of the new foldable at the event.

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The Galaxy S22 series could be unveiled in January 2022. However, months ahead of its release, the phone’s design and almost all of its specifications have been leaked. The Galaxy S22’s battery capacity was reported two weeks ago, and now, the battery capacity has been confirmed.

A Samsung battery with model number EB-BS901ABY has been certified by the South Korean certification agency. Going by its model number, it will be used in the Galaxy S22, which has model number SM-S901B. The battery has a rated capacity of 3,590mAh, and its typical capacity is 3,700mAh. This is a 300mAh downgrade compared to the Galaxy S21’s 4,000mAh battery.

It is being rumored that the Galaxy S22 will sport a 6.06-inch display that is smaller than the Galaxy S21’s 6.2-inch display. It could also use a more power-efficient Exynos 2200 processor. However, despite a more power-efficient display and processor, a 3,700mAh battery might not be enough, and the battery life may be shorter than the Galaxy S21. If you were thinking of upgrading to the Galaxy S22, you may be disappointed by its battery life.

The upcoming high-end smartphone could have a 10MP selfie camera at the front and a 50MP+12MP+10MP triple-camera setup at the rear. It is expected to feature an in-display fingerprint reader, stereo speakers, an IP68 rating, and wireless charging. The Galaxy S22 will be restricted to 25W fast charging, while the Galaxy S22+ and the Galaxy S22 Ultra will be upgraded to 45W.

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