Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ to launch on February 25

After a myriad of speculations, Samsung has now official marked February 25 on the calendar for the launch of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, which also marks the beginning of MWC 2018. The invite for the Samsung Unpacked event is minimal with a big ‘9’ written on it, which is a clear hint on the expected smartphones. Also not to miss is the three words “The Camera. Reimagined”.

Additionally, Samsung released a statement accompanying the invite, which read, “Samsung Electronics will showcase the next generation of Galaxy devices that reimagines the camera and redefines the way you share your moments.” Based on the invite and the information released in conjunction with the announcement, it’s clear that Samsung is touting big changes when it comes to the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+’s photographic capabilities.

In fact, earlier this week, Samsung detailed its new ISOCELL image sensors that are expected to be featured in the new Galaxy smartphones. These image sensors have been revealed to come with technologies such as Tetracell and Smart WDR to enhance image results. It is also revealed to enable features such as a variable aperture and slow-mo video recording.

Essentially, with the new sensors, you can expect improved speed in the future Samsung smartphones to focus, as well as the ability for the camera to keep locked-on and track moving objects. And this will all be possible in low light too. Among the three sensors, there is also a Slim sensor that was revealed, which vows to keep the next smartphone bump-free, while also delivering ‘bokeh’ effects with just a single lens.

Now, if you go back to the ‘9’ on the invite, could Samsung move back to a single-camera setup with the Galaxy S9’s, considering it has teased the Slim sensor just days ahead of the launch?

Apart from that, recently a video of the purported Galaxy S9 has also been spotted on Weibo, which if true, will be the first time we will see the working model of the smartphone. The clip lasts a brief 10 seconds and does not reveal much information to allow us to verify the model. Given the design of the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen though, you can be pretty sure it is a Samsung device. But because the Galaxy S9 is going to be identical to the Galaxy S8, especially when it comes to the front panel design, there’s no way to prove this is indeed a working Galaxy S9, as claimed.

Samsung is believed to reuse the Galaxy S8 design for the 2018 flagship, although the rear panel will get a significant makeover. When it comes to hardware, the Galaxy S9 will pack the latest chips from Qualcomm and Samsung and storage of up to 512GB according to reports.

Samsung Pay update in India now allows users to pay their bills within the app

After launching the Samsung Pay platform in India earlier this year, Samsung has gradually expanded the service by making some strategic investments. Samsung has also partnered with Paytm and Mobikwik to include their respective wallets within the app. Now, the South Korean tech giant has updated the Samsung Pay app in India which brings new features to the platform.

The new update is about 80MB in size. To update, open Samsung Pay, tap on the three dots on the top right > followed by settings > about Samsung Pay. Here, you will see the update button, just click on it. Among the new features, Samsung has introduced utility bill payment option, and the ability to add money to mobile wallet using your favorite cards. You can also save bank account and IFSC information of your family and friends when transferring money using UPI.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) with dual selfie cameras, Infinity Display launched: Price, Specs and features

After the update, you will see the new ‘Pay Bills’ option on the home screen. You can add your Aircel, Airtel, BSNL, Idea, Tata Docomo and Vodafone postpaid mobile numbers under. In case of electricity bill payments, Samsung has added BEST Mumbai, BSES, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution, Tata Power, Reliance Energy and Noida Power. While DTH operators such as Sun Direct, Dish TV and Tata Sky are included, Reliance Digital TV is not a part of it, yet.

Similarly, you can also make broadband bill payments for ACT Fibernet, BSNL, Connect and MTNL Delhi Broadband; landline payments for BSNL, Airtel, and MTNL (Mumbai & Delhi). Lastly, you also have Adani Gas, Mahanagar Gas and Indraprastha Gas; and Delhi Jal Board and Municipal Corporation of Gurugram.

After you add these billers, the app will alert you when the respective bill is generated. The bill amount will be visible on the ‘Pay Bills’ page, along with the due date. What’s more, once the bill is generated, you can also add a reminder for the same – which could be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. You can then pay the bills using your bank account linked to the UPI ID.

ALSO READ: Google Assistant now rolling out to Android Lollipop tablets and smartphones

The second feature is the ability to save IFSC code and bank account number of your family or friends, when you transfer money using UPI. This will allow you to save the contacts you frequently transfer money to. Lastly, Samsung has also added the ability to add money to Paytm or Mobikwik wallet from saved credit and debit cards. These nifty additions to the platform prove that Samsung is serious about Samsung Pay as a cashless mode of payment in India.


Source: SamMobile

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Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) with dual selfie cameras, Infinity Display launched: Price, Specs and features

Samsung has launched the Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018), the successors to Galaxy A5 (2017) and A7 (2017). The smartphones bring Samsung’s Infinity Display design to the mid-range price segment and also debuts the new name scheme.

As expected, the Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) sport the Infinity Display design similar to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note8 smartphones. The Galaxy A8 (2018) sports a 5.6-inch display while the Galaxy A8+ (2018) features a larger 6-inch display. Both the models use a Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2220 x 1080 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18.5:9.

The display sizes mean that the Galaxy A8 (2018) series sits right between the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 and the 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+. The use of Infinity Display design supporting Full HD+ resolution means that the new A-series finally support Gear VR.

"With the release of the Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018), we're bringing our customers' favorite features from our flagship smartphones, such as the Infinity Display and our first Dual Front Camera with Live Focus, to our Galaxy A series, which is already known for its premium design", Junho Park, vice president of Global Product Planning, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics said. 

Apart from display and design, Samsung has also added dual-front camera setup to the new Galaxy A8 (2018) series. The Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) feature a combination of 16-megapixel and 8-megapixel front camera setup with f/1.9 aperture and support for Live Focus, that allows users to capture pictures in bokeh mode and add blur even after the picture is shot. The smartphones will seamlessly switch between the two front cameras to get the desired effect.

The rear camera has also been updated with new 16-megapixel sensor and wider f/1.7 aperture. The rear camera lacks optical image stabilization, but there is digital image stabilization for shooting steady videos while added hyperlapse mode allows for shooting timelapse on the go.

The Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) are powered by an octa-core processor, but Samsung isn’t confirming whether it’s Exynos or a Snapdragon chipset. The Galaxy A8 (2018) has a 4GB RAM and option for either 32GB or 64GB internal storage. The Galaxy A8+ (2018) comes in two storage variants: 32GB storage with 4GB RAM, and a 64GB variant with 6GB RAM. Both the smartphones are IP68 water and dust resistant and support Samsung Pay for contactless mobile payment.

They run Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box, which is disappointing considering that Android Oreo has been out for nearly four months now. The Galaxy A8 (2018) houses a 3,000mAh battery while the A8 (2018) gets a larger 3,500mAh power pack. Both the devices charge over USB Type-C port and support fast charging. 

Samsung is yet to formally announce pricing for the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ 2018, it is being speculated that while the A8 will be priced at 499 Euros (roughly Rs 37,755), the larger A8+ will be available for 599 Euros (roughly Rs 45,323). Samsung will likely announce the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ 2018 for global markets (including India) at CES 2018 in January.

Samsung Galaxy A7 2017

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 

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Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) leak reveals Galaxy S8-like Infinity Display, dual front cameras

Samsung will soon be updating its Galaxy A series smartphones. The lineup is expected to consist of the 2018 iteration of the Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5, and Galaxy A7. Samsung is also rumored to launch the Galaxy A8 (2018), which would be the high-end model in the series. The smartphone’s alleged design has been leaked now which shows a Galaxy S8-like Infinity Display.

The leak (via GizChina) shows  cutout of what would be the display of the Galaxy A8 (2018). The smartphone has very thin bezels on top and bottom and almost none on the sides. The display also appears to be curved like the Galaxy S8. What’s striking is the dual-camera setup located on the top chin of the smartphone. Samsung only recently introduced the dual-camera setup on the Galaxy Note 8, and a dual-selfie camera module seems very unlikely.

ALSO READ: Samsung devices to receive Android 8.0 Oreo update leaked in list

With an edge-to-edge display, there won’t be a Home button on the smartphone. The fingerprint sensor will most likely be placed at the rear. This leaked design is in line with rumors and reports on the Galaxy A5 (2018) and Galaxy A7 (2018). For long, Samsung has been rumored for quite long to introduce Galaxy S8-like Infinity display on the 2018 Galaxy A series. Details on the smartphone’s features and specifications are still unknown.

Speaking about the Galaxy A5 (2018) and Galaxy A7 (2018), the smartphones are expected to feature a 5.5-inch and 6-inch full HD Infinity display, respectively. The smartphones could be powered by in-house Exynos 7885 SoC or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 paired with 4GB of RAM. For connectivity, the smartphones are so far rumored to feature a 3.5mm audio jack and a USB Type-C port. Going by Samsung’s schedule, the 2018 Galaxy A series should launch by December or the beginning of 2018.

Galaxy A7 2017 

Galaxy A5 2017 

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Samsung devices to receive Android 8.0 Oreo update leaked in list

Google officially unveiled Android 8.0 Oreo three months ago. However, the latest OS update is yet to be rolled out by many key manufacturers across devices. One of these is Samsung, which is yet to make some of its devices Oreo-sweet. Samsung is known to have released only the Oreo beta update for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, but there had been no clarity as to which devices from its portfolio will definitely get the stable Android Oreo release, until now.

Thanks to a Weibo user, who goes by the name ‘i ice universe’, a list of Samsung Android devices which will get the Oreo update has been leaked. Androidos.in reports that the user has a decent record of leaks, however, one must take the information with the proverbial pinch of salt.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) starts rolling out Android 7.1.1 Nougat update in India

According to the list, a total of 36 Samsung devices will receive the Oreo update. Notable mentions include the two-year-old Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones. Interestingly, the list also reveals some unannounced devices as well. From the Galaxy A series, the 2018-edition of Galaxy A5, Galaxy A7, and Galaxy A3 will receive the Android Oreo update. These phones have been rumored by far to run Android Nougat out-of-the-box when they are launched.

As for the existing devices, the Galaxy A5, Galaxy A7, Galaxy A3 (2017) models will receive the update. From the Galaxy J series, upgradable models will be Galaxy J7 (2016), Galaxy J7 Pro, Galaxy J5 Pro among others. Other devices are from the Galaxy On series and Galaxy Tab series with models dating up to two years old.

Recently, OnePlus started rolling out the Android Oreo update to its OnePlus 3 and 3T models. It is also expected the Oreo update will soon make its way to the OnePlus 5 and bring Face Unlock capabilities.





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Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) starts rolling out Android 7.1.1 Nougat update in India

The Galaxy J7 (2016) was updated to Android 7.0 Nougat in India almost two months ago, and we had assumed at the time that the update would also be offered to the Galaxy J5 (2016). According to Sammobile, Samsung has started rolling out Android 7.1.1 Nougat update, along with Samsung Experience 8.5 UX in India.

This update is rolling out over-the-air, and, if you receive an update notification, just tap on Install now. The update can take a couple of days to reach all the units. However, if you don’t receive a notification or can’t wait for it, you can check for the update manually by going to Settings -> About phone -> System updates -> Install now. 

The update comes with a host of improvements and features including new power saving and background management features. The update also brings added support for dual-SIM dual-standby for 4G and 3G networks. The new update will also allow users to integrate GIFs directly on your keyboard with compatible apps like Google Allo, Google Messenger and Hangouts. The update also allows users to launch actions within an app by long pressing the app. Apart from the Nougat update, users will also get Samsung‘s Experience 8.5 user interface, which includes some improvements like Samsung Cloud integration, a new Device Manager app, as well as shutter button zoom option for the camera.

Galaxy J7 2016 

Galaxy J5 2016 

Galaxy J7 Max 

Galaxy J7 Pro 

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