Samsung might launch the Galaxy Note 5 in Mid-August

Instead of launching the Galaxy Note 5 at IFA 2015, Samsung might launch the device in mid-August, according to Wall Street Journal. Launching the device as soon as possible will give the company an edge over its arch rival Apple. Last year, Apple's iPhone 6 Plus launch affected the sales of the Galaxy Note 4 negatively because it was launched just days after the Note. But this year, Samsung might be launching sooner to avoid that.

This information is not officially confirmed by Samsung, so take it with a little pinch of salt.

Via

Samsung Galaxy J7 listed on an online retailer's website in Russia

Last month, TENAA revealed a duo of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy J-series smartphones namely the Galaxy J7 and Galaxy J5. Now, the Galaxy J7, which is bigger than the Galaxy J5 has been listed on a Russian online retailer's website along with its full specs.

The Galaxy J7, according to the listed specs, features a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1280p, an octa-core Marvel PXA1936 processor clocked at 1.2GHz, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, 13MP primary camera, 5MP secondary camera and a 3000mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0 Lollipop, with the new version of Touchwiz from the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge on top.

Source | Via

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 certified by TENAA

The China Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center (TENAA) has certified the 8.0-inch model of Samsung's upcoming high-end Android tablet, and successor to the Galaxy Tab S, known as the Galaxy Tab S2. Early last month, the 9.7-inch model of the tablet was revealed, and the other day, another photo of the 9.7-inch model, and a bumper back case was also revealed. Thanks to TENAA, we now have our first look at the 8.0-inch model.

Specs wise, the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 has similar specs as its 9.7-inch sibling. It feature an 8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1536 x 2048p and a 4:3 aspect ratio, octa-core 1.9GHz processor (probably the Exynos 7420), and 3 GB of RAM. There's an 8MP camera at the back and a 2MP camera in front. Android 5.0.2 Lollipop is pre-installed. The tablet weighs 260g and measures 198.2 x 134.5 x 5.4. It's quite thin at just 5.4mm and could become the world's thinnest tablet for 2015.

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 and 9.7 soon.

Source (Translate) / Via 

Samsung to launch the Galaxy S6 Plus in the coming weeks

It was rumored in the past that Samsung will launch the Galaxy Note 5 in July's end to battle Apple's upcoming smartphones. But later, the company's mobile president, J.K Shin came out and denied the rumor.

However, after denying another rumor that had said that Samsung's flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge were performing poorly in the markets, Shin didn't deny the rumor that said Samsung will Launch another Galaxy S6 Edge-like smartphone before launching the Galaxy Note 5 at IFA 2015. Now, there is report that the company is going to unveil this Galaxy S6 Edge-like smartphone in the coming weeks, and will dub it Galaxy S6 Plus/Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

The Galaxy S6 Plus is expected to feature a 5.4-inch or 5.5-inch Super AMOLED curved display, hexa-core Snapdragon 808, 32GB built-in storage, 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Other details of the smartphone are still unknown.

Via

Android 5.0.2 to be released for the Galaxy S5 for bug fixes

Back in May, it was reported that Samsung was preparing to release micro-updates to fix Android 5.0 Lollipop issues on its devices. Now, there is report that Australian carrier, Optus, is testing Android 5.0.2 Lollipop for the Galaxy S5 (SM-G900), in partnership with Samsung.

The update includes performance improvements and bug fixes, and should be pushed out for the Galaxy S5 soon. All other Samsung's devices currently running Android 5.0 Lollipop (excluding the ones running 5.0.2 already) will likely get the update, but at an unknown time.

Via

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 spotted in a case leak

Earlier this month, Samsung accidentally confirmed the existence of the Galaxy Tab S2, the successor to the Galaxy Tab S, and on that same day, an image of the 9.7-inch model of the tablet
leaked showing a Galaxy S6-like design. Now, another image has surfaced, revealing a bumper back case for the 9.7-inch model again. Note that the Galaxy Tab S2 will also have an 8-inch model just like its predecessor. These images makes it clear that case manufacturers are a step ahead of Samsung, and will start offering their cases immediately the tablets are announced.

In terms of specs, both the 8-inch and 9.7-inch models of the Galaxy Tab S2 are expected to feature the same screen resolutions of 1536 x 2048p, same aspect ratios 4:3, same octa-core Exynos processors and 3GB of RAM. They will both run Android 5.0.2 and are expected to be announced in June.

Source 

A mysterious Snapdragon 808-powered Samsung smartphone spotted on GFXBench

A mysterious Samsung smartphone powered by Qualcomm's second best SoC, the Snapdragon 808, has been spotted on GFXBench's site.

The smartphone has model number SM-G9198, and sports the aforementioned Snapdragon 808 SoC with an hexa-core CPU clocked at 1.8GHz. Other specs of the smartphone includes a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 768 x 1280p, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front facing camera. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

No other detail of the smartphone, including its real name is known at the moment. From the looks of things, this could turn out to be a mini version of an existing Samsung smartphone.
Via 

Samsung Galaxy A5 gets Android 5.0.2 in Poland

Early this month, Samsung updated the Galaxy A3 to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, and just a couple of days ago, the same update was pushed over to the Galaxy A7. Now, the Galaxy A5 is getting it. The update is available over-the-air and via KIES in Poland and will be pushed to more regions in June.

The update is about 1GB in size and brings Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, Updated TouchWiz UI with Material Design, New Lock Screen, Improved Battery Life, New Notification Panel, Updated System Apps, Better Network Connection, along with many bug fixes, stability enhancements and performance improvements.

If you can't wait for the update to reach you region in June, you can download the Poland firmware here, and flash it using Odin3.

Via

Samsung will launch Iron Man edition Galaxy S6 Edge next week

On the 15th of May 2015, Samsung officially teased a limited Iron Man edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge on its official Twitter profile. Now, the Korean giant has officially again, announced that the Iron Man themed Galaxy S6 Edge will be launched next week.

The company made the announcement in a Facebook post that included a photo of the smartphone with a COMING NEXT WEEK tag. There are, at this point in time, no details on when the smartphone will be available for purchase or how much it'll cost. Check out the image below:

Source / Via

Samsung's Galaxy J7 and J5 receives TENAA certification

Two Samsung’s unannounced smartphones named Galaxy J7 and Galaxy J5 have received TENAA certification in China. While nobody knows exactly when the duo will be launched, there appearance on TENAA’s website should mean that they’ll be launched soon, at least in China, since they both carry China Mobile logo at the back.

Galaxy J7

Galaxy J5

If you don’t know, The Galaxy J is Samsung’s latest entry-level to mid-range smartphone series. Samsung had already released one Galaxy J smartphone dubbed Galaxy J1 in January this year. The J1 belonged to the entry-level segment, that is, it features low-end specs with a 4.3-inch display. Now, Samsung will add two more members to this Galaxy J series – J7 and J5.

Unlike the Galaxy J1, the Galaxy J7 and Galaxy J5 belongs to the mid-range segment. They feature similar hardware like an octa-core processor, 1.5 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of built-in storage. Both have the same camera setup – 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera. The same screen resolution of 720p. And also runs the same software version – Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. The only differences between the duo is that, the J7 has a 5.5-inch display and measures 7.9mm thick, while the J5 has a 5-inch display and measures 8.5mm thick.
.

Galaxy J7

Galaxy J5

 Source / Via I, 2, 

Samsung ‘CHOPIN’ tablet spotted on Geekbench with Intel Atom processor and 4GB RAM

Samsung is said to be working on several new Android-powered tablets which it intends to announce in 2015, and one of those tablets, codenamed ‘CHOPIN-LTE’, has been spotted on Geekbench.

The tablet will spot a 64-bit Intel Atom x5-Z8500  processor that is manufactured on the company’s 14nm Cherry Trail process, with 4-cores clocked at 2.24GHz, Intel 8th generation GPU and 4GB of RAM. It will run Android 5.1 Lollipop. Other details like screen size, camera, battery capacity etc. are unknown.

As you can see in the image below, the tablet has a single-core score of 1005 and multi-core score of 3426, and if all these numbers finds there way to the final consumer units and not just the prototype, this could be one of the best Android tablets of 2015.

Source / Via

Sprint Galaxy Note 4 gets factory reset protection in new update

Sprint has released a new software update for the Galaxy Note 4 today, and as you can see in the picture below, the update is not for Android 5.1 Lollipop, rather, it's just a simple update that adds Factory Reset Protection, a feature that was removed from the initial Lollipop build that was released for Samsung's devices.

Originally, the feature was part of Lollipop, but for some unknown reasons, it wasn't included in the Lollipop update that was rolled out to Galaxy Note 4, which is why Sprint is rolling it to the device through another update.

Factory Reset Protection, as the name suggests, is a feature that adds an extra layer of protection before the device can wiped itself clean. When the feature is enabled, the device can’t wiped itself clean without the user’s passkey. However, due to this, thieves will not be able to wipe stolen devices in other to sell them. The update has software number: N910PVPU2BOE1 and it’s now being rolled out.

Source / Via

Here are the specs of the Galaxy A8 (SM-A8000)

Details of Samsung's unannounced metal handset, the Galaxy A8 (SM-A8000), has shown up on GeekBench, and as we thought, the handset is well above its siblings, the Galaxy A7, A5 and A3, in terms of specs.

The Galaxy A8 is expected to feature a 5.5-inch 1080p display (the display technology isn’t listed, but we’re guessing it’ll likely be Super AMOLED), Octa-Core Snapdragon 615 processor, Adreno 405 GPU, 2 GB of RAM 16 GB of internal storage, 16MP rear Camera, 5MP front camera and a 3050mAh battery. It will run Android 5.1.1 with the latest TouchWiz UI on top and will only be available in select Asia and Europe markets.

It’s not clear when Samsung will announce the handset at this point in time.

Source

J.K Shin denies early Samsung Galaxy Note 5 launch rumor

If the early Samsung Galaxy Note 5 launch rumor that reared its head on the internet the other day were getting you excited, then you'll be saddened to hear that the company's Mobile president, J.K Shin, has denied the rumor.

The rumor had said that Samsung might launch the Galaxy Note 5 in the end of July instead of early September as it normally do. The reason for the move was that the company planned to take on Apple's upcoming handsets, the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. However, the rumor wasn't true because the move would mess up Samsung's cycle of launching a Galaxy Note flagship. More so, Shin also denied rumors about the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge doing poorly in the market.

It is noteworthy that, Shin, failed to address the rumor that says Samsung will release another Edge handset before unveiling the Galaxy Note 5 in September. In this case, his silence could mean something.

Source / Via 

Samsung's new Silicon Valley HQ looks perfect

Over the years, Samsung has worked very closely with many Silicon Valley based companies, which is why the company's move to construct a perfect complex of its own to rival many others that are scattered around Silicon Valley makes a lot of sense.

Located in San Jose, California, the new HQ costs the company $300 million and according to NBBJ, the architecture firm behind the project, the HQ is 85% complete with only the landscaping and interiors remaining.

The new Samsung's Silicon Valley HQ is a 10 story complex, which feature a "Fitness center in the sky," a clean room for semiconductors and a floor space of 1.1 million square feet. The company plans to split the complex between semiconductor research and development as well as marketing and sales related functions. It's not clear how many employees will work at the new Samsung HQ at the time of writing.

Source

Galaxy S6 series shipments cross the 10 million mark

Samsung has shipped more than 10 million units of the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge combined, according to a report from a "high-ranking" Samsung official to Yonhap News. Although the official didn't give an exact timeline as to when the milestone was achieved, it's clear that the company took more than a month to achieve the milestone with its latest flagship handsets. In the past, it took Samsung 25 and 27 days to achieve the milestone with the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 respectively.

Samsung is even trying so hard to increase demands for both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge by partnering with Marvel for cross promotion of the handsets and initiating various marketing activities. However, due to the good marketing strategies and the fact that the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge are undoubtedly good looking, Analysts expect Samsung to see stronger demand for the handsets throughout the year. Some even predicted that the company will sell up to 50 million units of both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge this year.

Via / Sources I, 2

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE receives Android 5.0.2 Lollipop

Samsung has started updating the Galaxy Note 12.2 LTE to Android 5.0.2. The update is rolling out over in Switzerland right now with build number P905XXUABOD7. The update includes all the features of Lollipop, including a Lollipop inspired Material Design, Performance Improvement, Heads Up Notification, New Lock Screen, Battery Life Improvement and more. As usual, it will take days, even weeks before every user of the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE gets it OTA. However, if you can't wait, the update is also available to download via Samsung Kies or SamMobile's Firmware database.

Via

Samsung officially teases Iron Man edition Galaxy S6 Edge

Following the release of the Avengers movie: Age Of Ultron, Samsung will launch a limited Iron Man edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge. The company teased an image of the aforementioned limited edition Iron Man inspired handset on its official twitter handle, saying that it's coming soon.

As we all know, Samsung collaborated with Marvel for cross promotion of its latest flagship handsets, a move that bought Marvel's Avengers fans over to the company. Now, the company wants more of that love, and its move to launch an Iron Man edition of its top-end handset is a clear indication of that. The device will be highly limited to select markets around the globe, so if you'd love to own one, keep your eyes glued to your computer/smartphone screen everyday.

Via

Samsung Gear Live is no longer available on Google Play Store

If you wish to purchase the Samsung Gear Live Android Wear smart watch anytime soon from the Google Play store, you'll be disappointed to hear that the search giant has removed the smart watch from the Store, that is, it is no longer available for purchase on the Play Store. However, you can still get the wearable from other online stores, like Amazon.

What caused the search giant to remove the smart watch from the Play Store is still unknown. Could it be because the Gear Live was seen few days ago running Macintosh II OS flawlessly? No one knows too. But since Samsung is getting ready to announce its new round screen smart watch named Orbis/Gear A, which is based on the company's home-grown OS, Tizen, at the IFA trade show in September alongside the Galaxy Note 5, the removal of the Gear Live from the Play Store could easily be overlooked.

Via

Samsung to discontinue Samsung Wallet on June 30th

With the launch of Samsung's Pay coming closer, the company has decided to discontinue the Samsung Wallet service. Samsung has started sending emails to all Samsung Wallet users, saying that the service will be discontinued on June 30th. It didn't give any reason for the discontinuation, but one can guess it's because of its upcoming payment service.

However, all reservations made by users of the service will still be available after the service is shut down, but they won't be able to create new reservations. It's not known how many users that are currently using Samsung Wallet, but given that the launch of the company's payment service is inching closer, it doesn't simply care about that anymore.

Via