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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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 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...

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 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)...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...