Back to school tech guide 2015: the definitive gadget list for work and fun
Summer is coming to an end soon, and it’s that time of the year when young minds around the country mentally prepare for the change from lazy summer days to getting ready for that 8 AM course that you know you should not have taken. It is also the time to splurge on your essential, and not so essential, back to school shopping.
When it comes to your tech needs, we’ve got you covered! Ranging from devices that are a necessity to those that will help just to have some fun, here is our round up of the best back to school tech you can find.
Media streaming
Google Chromecast
The Google Chromecast HDMI streaming stick lets you stream your online video and music to your TV from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, with support for Android and iOS devices and Chrome for Mac and Windows. Setup is very easy, and all you need to do is plug the device into the HDMI port of the TV, connect it to your Wi-Fi network and follow some very basic setup instructions. There’s also a number of great services that offer support for Chromecast, with tons of new apps and services adding support all the time, and it’s affordable price point of $29.99 currently makes it one of the best media streaming options available.
SEE ALSO: 22 best Chromecast apps for Android
Nexus Player
The Nexus Player is Google’s full-fledged Android-powered set-top box, going beyond what the Chromecast offers. Running the new Android TV platform, this device gives you access to movie, TV, and gaming recommendations based on your history. You can use the included remote to navigate through the menus, or simply voice search from the remote to find what you’re looking for. This device comes Google Cast ready, and if you don’t have your remote, you always have the option to just use your phone. Streaming content also syncs across your phone, tablet, and Nexus Player so you can start a movie on your TV, then finish it in bed on your phone or tablet later. The Nexus Player is currently priced at $69.99.
SEE ALSO: Nexus Player review
Roku 3 (2015 model)
Unlike the other media/gaming devices on the list, the Roku 3 isn’t Android-powered but it does integrate with services like Google Play Movies & TV and arguably provides the very best selection of streaming entertainment anywhere, including both popular premium services as well as free entertainment options. The Roku 3 features an enhanced remote with built-in headphone jack for those times when you want to listen to your shows without interrupting others around you. The Roku 3 enhanced remote also features motion-sensing technology that lets you play games with a simple flick of your wrist, along with game-ready buttons. The Roku Android app lets you use your smartphone or tablet as a remote, and with some devices, also stream local media. A new very useful addition with the 2015 model is voice search, to make navigating through everything much easier. The Roku 3 is priced at $99.
Smartphones
Moto G (3rd Generation)
The latest edition of the Motorola’s affordable smartphone retains some of what made its predecessor so popular, such as its very smooth software experience, while adding a few great extras, including its IPx7 rating for water resistance, better camera, slightly different design elements, and what will likely be its most popular aspect, the ability to customize the device using Moto Maker. The Moto G (3rd generation) is available in two iterations, with the cheaper $179.99 version coming with 8 GB of on-board storage and 1 GB of RAM, with the 16 GB version with 2 GB of RAM setting you back an additional $40, with an additional expense of you are hoping to add an engraving to the device.
SEE ALSO: Moto G (3rd generation) review
Buy now on Amazon
Customize using Moto Maker
Axon Phone by ZTE
Chinese OEMs are slowly but surely breaking into the competitive US market, with some great devices offering excellent bang for your buck. One such smartphone is the Axon Phone by ZTE. While its beautiful design, gorgeous Quad HD display, smooth performance, high-end specifications, fluid software experience, and decent camera isn’t above and beyond what is expected from a current generation high-end flagship, the fact that it is significantly cheaper than the devices it directly competes with, at a price point of $449.98, is what makes the Axon Phone by ZTE a no brainer.
SEE ALSO: Axon Phone by ZTE review
ASUS Zenfone 2
There has been a big focus in the Android world on affordability without compromise, and a great example of this is the ASUS Zenfone 2. The Zenfone 2 caught everyone’s attention with its beautiful Full HD display, solid specifications that offer a smooth and fluid experience, customizable software, and fantastic design and build quality, all at an extremely affordable price point. $199 will get you the version with 16 GB of on-board storage and 2 GB of RAM, but if you’re looking for more, the 64 GB version that packs a whopping 4 GB of RAM is priced at just $299.
SEE ALSO: ASUS Zenfone 2 review
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung introduced a major change in terms of design and build quality with its latest S series flagship smartphone, moving away from plastic and going to a beautiful metal and glass unibody design. The device is an absolute powerhouse with its in-house processing package, with the smooth performance helped along by the toned-down software experience. Everything Samsung is known for makes a return here, such as its fantastic Quad HD Super AMOLED display, and one of the best camera experiences around on a smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S6 is certainly expensive, available at a full price of $599, but you do get to take advantage of the standard subsidized rates with a 2-year contract from the various network carriers in the US.
SEE ALSO:
Protective cases and covers
If you are paying a premium for your smartphone, it’s natural that you’ll want to keep it in a pristine condition for as long as possible, and regardless of what mobile device you have, an extra layer of security is never a bad idea to keep it safe from scratches, and accidental bumps and drops. If you decide to pick up any of the smartphones listed above, you can find great cases for them in the links below, and for any other device, don’t forget to check out our growing database of best cases currently available for a variety of smartphones and tablets, which you can find here.
Moto G (3rd generation) cases
ZTE Axon Phone cases
ASUS Zenfone 2 cases
Samsung Galaxy S6 cases
Android Wear smartwatches
Sony Smartwatch 3
Sony decided to go with Android Wear with its latest smartwatch offering, the Smartwatch 3. What makes the Sony Smartwatch 3 stand out is its onboard GPS module, that lets you track your activities without needing a smartphone, its IP68 rating for resistance to dust and water, and the use of a transflective LCD display, which helps a lot with outdoor visibility. While the device maintains a sporty look and doesn’t try to be like a traditional watch like some other smartwatches out there, this device is ideal for active users who are looking for a simple way to keep a track of their fitness activities. Priced at $173 currently, the Smartwatch 3 is also one of the more affordable options available.
SEE ALSO: Sony Smartwatch 3 review
Moto 360
The Moto 360 was one of the first Android Wear smartwatches announced, and, while it took Motorola more than half a year to release it, the sleek circular device has been well received. Featuring a large circular screen, a sleek brushed metal build, and several replaceable bands, the Moto 360 will look good in just about any occasion. On the inside, the processor is older than the competitors’, while the battery is on the small side, but the device will last a day of usage for all but the most active users, and you get one of the better charging implementations around. The Moto 360 is a great choice if style is your biggest priority, and is currently priced at just $149.
SEE ALSO: Moto 360 review
LG Watch Urbane
LG has been at the forefront of the Android Wear smartwatch evolution, starting from the reference model-like nature of the LG G Watch, to its first round face smartwatch, the G Watch R, culminating to its latest, and most expensive, offering, the Watch Urbane. Featuring a premium design and build quality that gives this device a certain luxury appeal, the Watch Urbane also brings with it improvements in other key areas, like battery life. If you’re looking for a stylish device that is as close to a traditional watch as possible, the LG Watch Urbane is the one for you. The most expensive of the lot, the Watch Urbane is currently priced at $302.
SEE ALSO: LG Watch Urbane review
Fitness trackers
Fitbit Charge HR
The Fitbit brand is popular for a reason, and that’s because their products are extremely great quality. The Fitbit Charge HR is an accurate fitness tracker that gives you useful information like distance traveled, step counts, calories burned, stairs climbed, and much more, while also allowing for continuous, automatic, monitoring of your heart rate. It’s made of a high quality rubber material that won’t wear down over time. It features a small OLED display that gives you notifications, phone calls, and basically anything else that you need to see on your phone. Priced at under $150, the Fitness Charge HR is a great choice to help you stay on top of your fitness activities.
Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
Most of us use tablets for watching movies, reading, and playing games. So it makes sense to go for the very best display you can get, and it’s hard to find anything better than the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. The Tab S 8.4 is one of the few tablets with an AMOLED screen and a super crisp Quad HD at that, with an excellent 359 ppi pixel density. Being AMOLED, the screen will show deep blacks and vivid colors, perfect for games and movies. The portable Tab S 8.4 combines the portability of smaller devices with the screen real estate afforded by larger tablets. If you’re looking for everything that Samsung has to offer in an affordable package, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is the best choice for you.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 review
Nexus 9
The Nexus 9, from Google and HTC is an Android fanboy’s dream, with it running the purest, most recent version of Android, and always being one of the first to receive future software updates, for at least two years. There are no OEM additions (though stock Android may be a little too minimal for your taste) and therefore nothing to bog down the user experience.The Nexus 9 is just as impressive on the hardware side, featuring 64-bit Tegra processor, a beautiful 1536 x 2048 pixels screen, stereo front speakers (disguised under the protective glass) and a big battery. The device features a utilitarian, yet elegant design, with an aluminum frame that gives it rigidity without adding much heft. The Nexus 9 is still one of the best Android tablets currently available, and is currently priced starting at $349.
SEE ALSO: Nexus 9 review
All-new Kindle Paperwhite
The all-new Kindle Paperwhite may not offer as much terms of features and functionality as the other tablets on this list, but this e-reader lets you do one thing incredibly well, and that is read books. With features that include a higher resolution display with no screen glare, a built-in adjustable light for day and night time reading, and a battery that lasts for weeks instead of days, this is certainly one of the best if you’re in the market for an e-reader. The new Kindle Paperwhite is also priced starting at just $119, making it a very affordable option if all you really need a tablet for is to read books.
Chromebooks
Toshiba Chromebook 2
The successor to the original Toshiba Chromebook brought with it some refinements to the overall design with a sleeker look and a lighter body, a Full HD display, and 4 GB of RAM. The device Powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron processor (with fanless design), and other specs that include a battery rated for 9 hours use, 16 GB storage with 100 GB Google Drive space, and a Skullcandy-branded audio experience. The Toshiba Chromebook 2 may be considered expensive given its competition, but at $279, is still a very budget-friendly option.
Acer Chromebook 15
It is quite difficult to find a Chromebook with a large display, but that search has become a lot easier with the Acer Chromebook 15, with its large 15.6-inch display. The base model, priced at just $219.99 is powered by an Intel Celeron processor and comes with 2 GB RAM, a battery that is rated for 11 hours of use, but the display experience is also hindered by a relatively low 1366 x 768 resolution. You also have the choice to upgrade the processor, and the RAM to 4 GB, which also bumps up the display resolution to Full HD, which would be the better way to go, but will of course, cost more money.
ASUS Chromebook Flip
Finding an inexpensive, capable Chromebook isn’t too difficult nowadays, but if you’re looking for a little more functionality, the ASUS Chromebok Flip could be the device for you. The Flip sports a 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 1280 x 800 resolution, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz, 2 or 4GB of RAM, an aluminum chassis, and a battery that’s supposed to last up to nine hours on a single charge. It also weighs under 2 pounds, measures just 0.6-inches thin and comes with 16GB of on-board storage, which is quite standard fare. The big story with this Chromebook is its ability to be used as a notebook computer or a tablet just by flipping the keyboard around. If you’d like to use it as a tablet, flipping the keyboard around to the back will automatically pull up the on-screen navigation buttons. It’s small display size may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for an affordable 2-in-1 device, the $229 price of this chromebook is ideal.
Bluetooth speakers
Bose SoundLink 3
While it doesn’t offer the bells and whistles that many of its competitors do, the SoundLink 3 seems to adhere to the philosophy of doing one thing well, when it comes to sheer volume and sound quality, this one is tough to beat. While lack of bass is a common complaint when looking at Bluetooth speakers, that isn’t the case here. This isn’t going to blow a full hi-fi system or car stereo out of the water, but given the size, the depth and presence of the bass is impressive. If you’re looking for a speaker to fill the room at a party, this is going to be your best bet. The only downside here is the price, with the device priced at $299.95.
SEE ALSO: Bose SoundLink 3 review
Creative Sound Blaster Roar
Not only is the Creative Sound Blaster Roar SR20 cheaper than the Bose SoundLink 3, it is absolutely packed with features as well. Apart from just playing music over Bluetooth but it also has a built-in microSD card slot that allows it to function as a standalone music player, a 6,000 mAh battery that can charge your mobile devices, and a voice recorder function. Even with this feature set, the Creative Sound Blaster can be found for a somewhat reasonable price of $149.99.
SEE ALSO: Creative Sound Blaster Roar review
Anker MP141
While Anker is a fairly recognizable brand name, the company has its hands in so many areas that you might not know them for the audio products. It may not stand toe to toe with the other Bluetooth speakers on this list, when it comes to sound quality, given the tiny size and low price, the Anker MP141 is definitely worth a mention. While the heavy-duty look and small size might not be for everyone, the price certainly is, and the 20 hour battery life is another plus, and priced at just $39.99, it’s a no-brainer.
SEE ALSO: Anker MP141 review
Headphones
Bose Quiet Comfort 25
One of the best features of the Bose Quiet Comfort 25 is the active noise cancellation that it offers, and Bose finds the perfect mark between it not working that well, or otherwise resulting in a hissing sound when the noise cancellation is too overbearing. In terms of sound quality and comfort, the QuietComfort 25 is on par with other Bose headphones, which is to say their fairly well balanced, but they don’t go overboard on bass. One common complaint about Bose products is that they’re expensive, and that is certainly the case here with its price tag of $299, but you certainly get what you pay for.
SEE ALSO: Bose Quiet Comfort 25 review
Audio Technica ATH-M50X
Audio Technica is the first name that comes up if you’re looking for precision sound that doesn’t sacrifice an enjoyable listening experience for the sake of accuracy. While some color choices run more expensive, the base models of the ATH-M50x clock in at under $200, and the combination of price, sound quality, and build quality come together in a pair of headphones that are more than the sum of their parts. If you’re looking for some more features, like active noise collection, the headphones listed above may be the better way to go.
SEE ALSO: Audio Technica ATH-M50X review
Monoprice 8323
Like the ATH-M50x headphones, the Monoprice 8323 doesn’t offer much in the way of features, but what they lack in fancy looks or included remotes, they make up for in sound quality. Obviously, to keep the price low some sacrifices had to be made. For example, the build quality isn’t exactly rock solid, but given its price point of of just $33, this is an absolutely great deal for the audio quality you get to enjoy.
SEE ALSO: Monoprice 8323 review
Earphones (Sports)
Jaybird Bluebuds X
One big issue with all earbuds is getting a good fit and this earphone aims to fix that by including a couple of different sized ear tips and wing tips for you to mess around with until you get the fit that’s most comfortable for you. Since their release, the Jaybird Bluebuds X have been the standard for what Bluetooth earbuds should do. They offer about 8 hours of battery life, and on the wire connecting the two buds are the buttons that control everything from answering calls to skipping tracks. With its price point of $143, these earphones are certainly expensive, but worth it, helped along by the lifetime warranty that is available.
SEE ALSO: Jaybird Bluebuds X review
Jabra Sport Pulse
While the other earphones listed are ideal for wearing at the gym, they don’t have any exercise-specific features outside of not falling out of your ears. This pair of earbuds on the other hand, take sport-focused earbuds to a whole new level. Starting with the sound, the Jabra Sport Pulse offers great audio quality – it goes a step beyond, however, in that not only are they sweat-resistant, but they actually have a built-in heart rate meter to track your workouts as you wear them. While on the more expensive side, with its price point of $199, the additional fitness tracking feature may be what you are looking for.
SEE ALSO: Jabra Sport Pulse review
Sol Republic Shadow Wireless
The Sol Republic Shadow Wireless is another great choice if you’re looking for Bluetooth earphones, and along with the availability of 8 hours of battery life, they also sound really good. The Shadow Wireless have Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX which enables them to stream high quality music from your device from up to 30 feet away. Sol offers free ear tip replacement for life. The earphones have three buttons for volume up, volume down, and play/pause/answering phone calls right on the neckband as well. The Sol Republic Shadow Wireless earphones are priced at $99.99.
USB chargers and cables
Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 charger
Officially licensed and certified to use Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 Technology applied to one out of the 5 available ports, the Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 USB Wall Charger allows you the option to charge compatible devices up to 75% faster than a standard charger. Multiple built-in safeguards are available to fully protect against over-current, overcharging, and overheating for safe and fast charging. Of course, this charger can be used to charge older devices as well. While the version with 5 ports is priced at $29.99, and 3 port iteration is also available for a cheaper $22.99.
Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 car charger
Like the wallcharger, the Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 car charger is also officially licensed and certified to use Qualcomm’s fast charging technology, if you do have a device that can take advantage of it, and an additional port is also available two charge two devices simultaneously. Once again, multiple built-in safeguards are available to fully protect against over-current, overcharging, and overheating for safe and fast charging. This car charger is currently priced at $16.99.
Anker tangle free USB cable
This Anker USB cable addresses a few issues users generally have with such cables, keeping them tangle free, and offering some durability, with its nylon braided cord. Anker also claims that this cable allows for charging by up to 7% faster than standard cables, as well as allowing for transfer data speeds up to 480 Mbps. The Anker tangle free USB cable is priced at $5.99.
External Battery
Lumsing 10,400 mAh battery bank
The Lumsing battery bank offers a very high 10,400 mAh capacity, which should be enough to charge your smartphone multiple times, and you can charge two devices simultaneously as well. 4 LED indicators are present to show how much charge the device still holds, and there are protections available to avoid overcharge, overvoltage, overcurrent, and short circuits. Despite the capacity this device offers, the Lumsing battery bank is currently priced at just $19.99.
Anker 2nd generation Astro Mini
The Anker Astro Mini is a very portable, lipstick-sized, battery pack, and is the perfect device to have when in a pinch. It doesn’t offer the highest capacity, but 3,350 mAh should be more than enough to get at least close to a full charge with most smartphones. The Anker Astro Mini is also available with a great deal right now, with the black version of the device priced at just $9.99, with the other color options setting you back an additional $10.
Expandable storage
SanDisk Extreme
The SanDisk Extreme is the USB flash drive for you if you’re device has a USB 3.0 port, allowing you to enjoy fast read and write speeds, ideal for any big file transfers. While the write speeds seem to vary from 55 Mbps to 190 Mbps depending on the capacity, you do get read speed of 245 Mbps across the board. The Extreme is certainly a bit pricey when it comes to flash drives, with the device priced starting at $16.99 for the 16 GB variant, but it is worth it for the extra speed.
SanDisk Cruzer Blade
The SanDisk Cruzer Blade is the cheaper option, if you’re looking for lower capacity options, or if you don’t have a USB 3.0 port to take advantage of. The read and write speeds are admittedly slow, but that is understandable. Starting at just $5.95 for the 4 GB variant, the Cruzer Blade is a great flash drive choice, and with a hole for a keychain ring, you won’t have to worry much about losing it.
Lexar microSD card
The Lexar high-performance microSD card is the premium memory solution for sports camcorders, tablets, and smartphones. It quickly captures, stores, plays back, and transfers media files, including 1080p full HD, 3D, and 4K video, with a transfer speed up to 95 Mbps. While comparatively a bit pricey, with the 32 GB version priced at $24.99, this is ideal for use with devices like GoPro Hero 3 and others.
SanDisk Ultra microSD card
The SanDisk Ultra microSD card is a cheaper alternative to the option above, and is ideal for smartphones and tablets. You get p to 80 Mbps transfer speeds, and it allows for Full HD video recording and playback. The microSD card is temperature proof, shock proof, X-ray proof, and magnet proof, and there is also the Memory Zone app, that lets you auto-manage media and memory for peak phone performance. The SanDisk Ultra microSD card starts at price point of $6.51 for the 8 GB version.
There you go! Our definitive list of gadgets for a great back to school season! Have some suggestions? Drop us a line.
What to do when your Galaxy S6 won’t turn on
Many people consider removable batteries to be important for when you’ve run out of juice but another key element is to be able to restart a handset when it freezes, just by pulling the battery out. On past Galaxy flagships, this was the easiest way to soft reset the handset, but with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, this is no longer possible due to the non-removable battery.
A couple of days ago, my Galaxy S6 Edge decided to turn off and wouldn’t turn on; although it showed signs of life thanks to a blinking red notification light, the display was completely black leaving me wondering whether I had a hardware fault. Luckily, fixing this proved to be really simple, so here’s what to do when your Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge won’t turn on.
Galaxy S6 Edge in video:
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
Restarting the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge
For most issues, restarting your phone can certainly fix the problem and it’s recommended to perform this step if your handset ever becomes slow and unresponsive, is draining battery quickly or you receive error messages in the camera.
To restart your Galaxy S6, you can use one of the following methods:
- Press and hold Galaxy S6 power button for a few seconds, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Press and hold Galaxy S6 power button until the phone restarts.
- Press and hold the Power button and the Volume buttons simultaneously for more than 7 seconds, if the phone is not responsive.
Still didn’t work? Let’s try this
If you’ve tried the above steps and they haven’t worked, connect your handset to a charger and if there’s still no signs of life, you’ll need to try the steps below.
When performing these steps, you’ll definitely want to follow them in order and for me personally (as well as many other people), step number 4 (highlighted in green) was the one that bought my phone back to life.
- Press and hold Power button for more than 20 seconds to check whether it turns on your phone or not.
- Press and hold Volume Up button for a few seconds and without releasing the Volume up button, press and hold Power button until your screen displays something.
- Press and hold Volume Up button for a few seconds and without releasing the Volume up button, press and hold the Power + Home buttons until your screen displays something.
- Press and hold Volume Down button for a few seconds, without releasing the Volume down button, press and hold Power button (totally 2 buttons) until your screen displays something.
- Press and hold Volume Down button for a few seconds and without releasing the Volume down button, press and hold Power button + Home button until your screen displays something.
If you get anything (such as Download mode) on the screen, you can just press and hold the power button to reboot normally. It is not necessary to do anything else. - Press and hold Volume up + Volume down + Power buttons until your screen displays something.
If these steps have failed, you’ll then need to visit your local Samsung care centre as it’s likely your handset has a hardware fault. Did these steps work for you? Let us know your views in the comments below.
AT&T and Alcatel OneTouch to issue Stagefright patches for the Idol 3, various Samsung devices
A number of Samsung devices on Sprint’s network are already starting to receive Stagefright exploit patches, along with the Nexus 6 and Nexus 5. It looks like AT&T is doing the same, as the carrier just released a series of update documents detailing the new security patches for various Samsung devices. Updates to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, Note 4, S5 and S5 Active should begin rolling out today, and you can find the update documents linked below:
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Active – G890AUCU2AU2AOF4
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4 – N910AUCU2COC6
- Samsung Galaxy S5 – G900AUCU4BOF3
- Samsung Galaxy S5 Active – G870AUCU2BOF3
If you’d like to check for the updates manually, head to Settings>System update>Update now.
Related Videos
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
Additionally, Alcatel OneTouch has just issued a statement claiming that it will release a Stagefright security patch to the Idol 3 on Monday, August 10th for devices in the United States. While the update will only be available in the U.S. at the start, the manufacturer claims it will roll out the update to more regions soon after the 10th.
Read more: Security firm uncovers another far-reaching Android vulnerability
(Update: multiple Samsung devices, too!) Stagefright patch now rolling out to the Nexus 6 and Nexus 5 as build LMY48I
- Samsung Galaxy S6 – G920PVPU2BOGA
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge – G925PVPU2BOGA
- Samsung Galaxy S5 – G900PVPU3BOG1
- Samsung Galaxy Note Edge – N915PVPU4COG1
The update may take a day or two to make its way to your device, but at least we now know that a fix is coming. To check for the update manually, head to Settings>System update>Update now.
Original post: According to a couple of Sprint update documents, the Nexus 6 and Nexus 5 should be receiving an update today carrying build LMY48I. The new build brings security fixes for the Stagefright flaw we first heard about a few days ago. Build LMY48I doesn’t appear to bring any fixes other than the patch for the Stagefright issue.
The Stagefright exploit is a new vulnerability found in the Android operating system that can affect devices running Android 2.2 or later. As of right now, there really isn’t anything to worry about, but we’d still advise you to check out our full explanation on the Stagefright exploit here.
While there are still no new factory images posted by Google for these devices, this is a pretty good sign that the updates should start rolling out sometime soon. Have you gotten the new update for your device? If so, be sure to let us know in the comments section down below.
T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and Edge get $100 price cut for 32/6GB models, $200 off 128GB
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge have received a phenomenal amount of praise and attention, particularly from the media, for pushing aesthetics and software to a whole new level. Despite this adulation, actual sales for Q2 2015 have been a bit on the sluggish side for Samsung. As a result, last week Samsung revealed plans to soon offer a price cut on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. While no specific timeline or pricing for this cut was reported, it seems that T-Mobile is now the first carrier to put such cuts into effect.
Those looking to pick up the Galaxy S6 will find it is $100 cheaper than it was previously for both the 32GB and 64GB models, which are now priced at $579 and $659.99 respectively. Even more exciting, the 128GB model received a $200 price cut which, oddly enough, means it costs the same as the 64GB model.
Read more Galaxy S6 Edge review follow-up: three months later
For fans of the Galaxy S6 Edge, you can grab the 32GB model for $679.99, with the 64 and 128GB models priced at $769.99. With the 64 and 128GB models now the same, the choice here is pretty obvious.
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
It is unclear if all carriers will receive these same aggressive price cuts, though we’ll be sure to update you as soon as we learn more. If you are unclear if the Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge is right for you, be sure to check out our full review of the GS6, GS6 Edge, or take a look at our post comparing the two models.
What do you think of the new pricing? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Galaxy S6 Edge review follow-up: three months later
One of the breakout devices this year is the Galaxy S6 Edge, which bought the world’s first dual-curved smartphone screen in a package that appealed to millions of people. Announced alongside the Galaxy S6, Samsung’s “true flagship” bought a new era in design for the Korean manufacturer and while it was thought that the Galaxy S6 would be the most popular, customers turned to the unique and more expensive Galaxy S6 Edge instead.
The handset was released in April this year and in our review, we rated the handset 9.0 (out of 10), with Lanh saying that “the Galaxy S6 Edge is the beautiful result of Samsung’s newfound identity”.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review: the edge is here to stay
Our initial impressions were certainly very positive, but having spent three months with the handset, does it continue to live up to its lofty review score? One of the biggest problems with all smartphones is the eventual slowdown in performance as usage increases, but how has the Galaxy S6 Edge fared in three and a half months of use? Let’s find out.
Hardware
Curved displays on smartphones are certainly not unique but the Galaxy S6 Edge is, simply because it has the dual-curved display that rights one of the biggest issues with the Galaxy Note Edge: the curved display could only be seen when held in the left hand.
Samsung’s new design strategy certainly delivered a compelling flagship smartphone and like many users, I was sold on buying one as soon as they announced the handset. For me, the appeal of the dual curved display was two-fold: first, the handset stands out and second, I was hoping for some useful functionality in the edge screen.
Three months on, the curved edge still retains its appeal, but aside from the aesthetic appeal, I don’t actually use the Edge Screen features. The few times the Edge Screen has been activated – aside from the night clock which activated every night automatically – it has been by accidentally swiping the edged screen.
Aside from the curved display, there’s very little that sets the S6 Edge apart from its non-curved namesake. Some of Samsung’s hardware decisions still remain peculiar (as they can’t be fixed), but on the whole, the hardware is premium and definitely worthy of a flagship device.
The display itself remains one of the best on a smartphone display and although I’ve used most flagships released this year – including the LG G4 which has a Quantum Display – the oversaturated colours on the S6 Edge display provide a more emphatic experience.
The curved edge on the display of the S6 Edge can be a little jarring – especially when recording a video while panning or watching a film as the image wraps over the edge of the display – and the regular S6 is much better in this regard.
The back of the Galaxy S6 Edge is made from glass, which is both a blessing and a curse: the glass finish makes the handset more premium than past Galaxy flagships but also means the handset is susceptible to overheating. I’ve found the handset overheats quite often and while it’s not usually too hot to touch, it can be unbearable when charging and using simultaneously.
One surprising thing about the glass finish is that despite appearing to be fragile, my S6 Edge has survived several drops. When I used the original Galaxy S6, a few choice unintentional drops to concrete or stone floors resulted in significant damage in the body work, but the Galaxy S6 Edge seems to hold up remarkably well. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 provides significant protection and aside from a few scratches and a small chip in the bezel, the Galaxy S6 is mostly free of harm.
#gallery-2
margin: auto;
#gallery-2 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
#gallery-2 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-2 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Cameras are definitely an important feature on modern flagships and the Galaxy S6 Edge is no different with the 16MP camera proving to be one of the best all rounders on the market. Having used most flagships over the past year, I have a fair reference point and for me, the S6 Edge still has the best smartphone camera, although the LG G4 comes very close. For the past few days I was visiting Vienna, Austria and the Galaxy S6 Edge took all my photos; apart from a few noisy low light shots, the results were very impressive.
Three months on and the Galaxy S6 Edge hardware has mostly lived up to its initial appeal but emotion towards hardware doesn’t change too often during the first few months with a handset. The real changes are seen in the handset’s software and performance, as usage of the features changes and software updates tweak parts of the experience.
Software
Aside from the design changes, the other big philosophy change in both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge is Samsung’s TouchWiz UX. Looking back to last year, the Galaxy S5 had one of the worst software experiences on a Samsung smartphone for many years thanks to loads of bloatware that couldn’t be uninstalled, but this year’s flagships changed that.
With the latest TouchWiz UX, we saw Samsung adopt the motto that “less is more” and as a result, there are just a handful of preloaded apps and all of these (including the entire Google suite of apps) can be disabled to prevent them from running in the background.
See also: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Tips and Tricks
When it announced the S6 Edge, Samsung made a pronounced effort to introduce the favourite contacts as a key reason to buy the Galaxy S6 Edge and on paper, it certainly has an appeal; the premise is that you set up to five favourite contacts and when your phone is upside down, the screen will light up with the colour of that contact when they call or message you. On paper, it’s a very useful feature but in actual practice, it’s rare that I leave my phone upside down, mainly because doing so increases the chances of scratching that lovely display (which I’ve done a couple of times).
The Edge screen also has different available panels and if you’re someone who relies on your news or stock feeds, you’ll find the panels are really useful. As a social junkie, the Twitter panel definitely appealed to me but when I have activated it, I’ve found it only displays a few trending items and doesn’t scroll across the list as you might hope. For many months, I’ve been hoping for new additional panels but it seems that – at least for now – 3rd party developers have very little interest in the Edge Screen. With the rumoured Galaxy S6 Edge Plus set to launch in a few weeks and presumably additional curved display devices planned for the future however, there’s still plenty of time for this to change.
The Galaxy S6 Edge launched running Android 5.0.2 Lollipop and this bought its own inherent Android issues, primarily around RAM management. Promising fixes for a host of issues, the Korean manufacturer then delivered the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and while this did fix a couple of things, it also impacted heavily on performance (more on that below) but a couple of software tweaks were a little strange.
Read: Features of Android 5.1.1 for Galaxy S6
As an example, the update delivered the ability to sort the App drawer in alphabetical order, but by doing so, it removes any customisation to the app drawer and there’s no way to revert the change (other than redoing all the customisation).
Furthermore, when an app updates and you’ve added it to a folder in the app drawer, it removes it from that folder and adds it to the last screen while also deleting any shortcut you’ve saved on your home screen. Not unbearable but frustrating indeed.
Yes, the Galaxy S6 Edge software experience is positive on a whole – and unbelievable if you’ve used past Galaxy handsets that are full of bloatware – but on the flip side, there remain a few things that don’t quite make sense. In a bid to streamline the entire UX, Samsung went too far towards a simplified UI and its updates have done very little to fix the quirks that remain in the software.
Performance
The Galaxy S6 Edge is powered by some of the latest specs including an octa-core 64-bit Exynos 7420 processor with a Mali-T760MP8 GPU and 3GB RAM. On paper, the specs are fantastic and performance should match. For a while it did, but the Android 5.1.1 update changed this. Sadly, it changed for the worse.
As mentioned above, the latest update delivered a few fixes but also introduced a lot of issues, primarily in the performance and stability of the handset along with the battery life. The biggest difference between the Galaxy S6 Edge before and after the update is the stability and reliability of the handset; prior to the update, the handset was generally stable and rarely forced closed apps or rebooted. After the update, the list of performance issues is almost endless and some of these do make the experience very frustrating.
Clearly, the Android 5.1.1 Update did more bad than good
As an example of why Samsung should be concerned, a week ago I took a picture and went to show it to a couple of journalists I was with. Instead of just loading the picture, the handset became unresponsive, overheated and finally restarted once I gave up and put it in my pocket. After taking a couple of minutes to finish powering up, a trip to the gallery revealed that the handset never saved the image I’d just captured and this is a common issue I’ve found since the update.
Earlier I touched on the handset overheating and the Android 5.1.1 update made this worse, with the handset regularly overheating even when performing the most mundane tasks. Furthermore, the update also results in the handset becoming slow, sluggish and very unresponsive. Before the update, I could open an app or switch app within a second but since the update, there is often a large and very noticeable delay, even when trying to go back to the home screen.
The handset also randomly vibrates as if something has delivered a notification (even though nothing shows) and on the subject of notifications, I’ve found that a lot of notifications are delayed since the update. Even when using Google’s own apps, I’ve waited over 20-30 minutes for an email to come through even though it has come through on other Android devices (and before you ask, it’s not related to my internet connection).
The last key issue with the 5.1.1 update is the fingerprint sensor performance; before the update, it worked pretty much flawlessly for me but since the update, it’s hit and miss whether it recognises my fingerprint and the no match error message is becoming ever more frequent. When adding a new fingerprint, I’ve found that occasionally it doesn’t recognise that a finger has been placed on the reader and even wiping the home button (as the handset suggests) doesn’t improve this.
That being said, the Android 5.1.1 Update has delivered an interesting fix – since the update, the network antenna appears to be a lot stronger. As we covered in our Best for 4G testing, the Galaxy S6 Edge had issues with holding onto a connection and delivering fast speeds but the latest update improves the antenna strength, with coverage and reliability appearing to be a lot better.
Sadly, this is one positive in a swarm of negatives regarding the Android 5.1.1 update and given it took a while for the handset to gain 5.1.1, it’s possible we’ll be waiting a while for fixes.
Battery Life
While the unreliability and instability of the handset since the Android 5.1.1 update is partially manageable, the knock on effect on the battery life is certainly not. As we’ve covered, the handset regularly delivered 14 to 18 hours’ battery life with around 4 hours’ screen on time at launch but sadly, this is a thing of the past.
Recommended: Galaxy S6 Edge battery life review – 28 days later
Believed to be delivering fixes and improvements in the battery life, the Android 5.1.1 update has introduced considerable battery drain; before the update the handset could usually handle around 10 to 12 hours of heavy usage including considerable usage of the camera but as I write this, I’ve now had to charge my phone twice since taking it off charge this morning. In just under 17 hours, it has drained to below 10 percent twice and when using it for a lot of camera shooting in Vienna, 70 percent of the battery was drained in just 2 hours and 57 minutes.
The lack of removable battery means this is actually a major problem for Samsung and looking at feedback on the update on social media, it’s clear that the issue is not local. In fact, I have seen many users report considerable battery drain since the update (including some rather prominent members of our own industry), which should definitely be a concern for Samsung.
Rather than rely on the battery holding out for a normal working day, I’ve had to resort to carrying a portable Quick Charge 2.0 battery pack to ensure I’ve got enough juice for a day, which is unlikely with the handset in its current state. The marked reduction in battery life is definitely a shame as anyone buying the handset with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop pre-installed will believe this to be an accurate reflection of the handset, which is definitely not the case.
Specifications
As a reminder, here’s a list of the key Galaxy S6 Edge specs:
| Display | 5.1-inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 resolution, 577 ppi |
| Processor | Exynos 7420 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32/64/128 GB |
| Camera | 16 MP rear camera with OIS 5 MP front-facing camera with 90 degree wide angle lens |
| Connectivity | WiFi a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS + GLONASS |
| Networks | LTE cat 6 300/50 |
| Battery | 2,600 mAh Fast charging WPC and PMA-compatible wireless charging |
| Software | Android 5.0 Lollipop |
| Dimensions | 142.1 x 70.1 x 7.0 mm 132 grams |
| Colors | Black, white, gold, green |
Wrap up
Wrapping up, I was certainly very impressed with the Galaxy S6 Edge during my first month with the handset but a couple of months later, the handset has certainly lost some of its appeal. Yes, the handset looks fantastic and still stands out, but the software experience has definitely impacted my opinion of this handset. This should be a big concern for Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy S6/Edge vs
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
For Samsung, it’s certainly worrying especially as the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus are both likely to launch next month running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, and some of these issue may remain (although hopefully not). As part of the handset’s Q&A process, we’d hope that Samsung uncovers any software issues and resolve them before releasing new handsets on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.
In order to ensure that a software issue does not impact on perception of what is otherwise a very good smartphone, Samsung needs to deliver a fix and promptly. At the moment, millions of customers use the Galaxy S6 Edge, but if it doesn’t fix the issues in the latest update, many of these customers may not use Samsung devices in the future.
As for me personally, my next step is to perform (another) hard reset of my Galaxy S6 Edge in the hope it fixes the issues. If it does, great. If it doesn’t, I’ll need to take a long look at what my next smartphone is. The Galaxy Note 5 will definitely appeal – the lack of S Pen means I probably won’t go for the S6 Edge Plus – but I may opt for another brand. I guess we’ll see!
Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge prices fall in Europe
Samsung has officially cut the prices of its Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in parts of Europe, offering discounts of up to €150 off the launch price. The news doesn’t come as a complete surprise, as just last week Samsung announced that it would be tactically adjusting the price of its latest flagship smartphones.
A browse around some of Samsung’s official stores in Europe sees prices for the Samsung Galaxy S6 now listed at €599 for the least expensive 32GB model, a saving of €100. The Galaxy S6 Edge has seen its price reduced by a larger €150, the handset now retails for €699. Costs in the UK also appear slightly lower than at launch, with the regular S6 starting at £559, down from £599, and the Edge costing £669, down from £699.
According to Samsung’s financial statement last week, the reason for the price drop is to help sustain sales momentum throughout the rest of the year. This is likely a bid to help Samsung compete with the cheaper prices offered by some of its competitors.
As part of the plan, Samsung is also scheduled to introduce new high-end products, the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus, which will presumably fit in at prices just above the now reduced S6 models.
The price cuts don’t appear to have landed in the US just yet, but it’s a bit tougher to tell with all of the different carrier options. However, we may see further reductions following the launch of Samsung’s latest smartphones on August 13th.
China forces Samsung to allow “unwanted apps” to be deleted from Samsung handsets
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Samsung‘s bloatware apps are legendary in the Android community and the fact all these apps can’t be deleted has turned away many an Android purist. Thankfully for those people (in China at least), a consumer rights committee has been successful in forcing Samsung to allow “unwanted apps” to be deleted – Samsung says it will be providing software patches next month which make this possible. And the committee’s yardstick? The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N9008S) which allegedly had 44 pre-installed apps of which 24 could not be removed – that might not sound like much, but it all adds up. Samsung has said that this will even be allowed on their most recent devices, including the Galaxy S6.
And the committee is keen to see this solution through, saying: “If Samsung fails to meet its own promise, then the legal tussle will be continued and expanded”. I’m genuinely surprised that Samsung has backed down and conceded this battle – if all it takes is a committee of well informed individuals to make Samsung, or any company, make their bloatware removeable, then I don’t know why this hasn’t been happening more – then again, this decision only has jurisdiction in China, for now.
What do you think about the decision to make Samsung allow “unwanted apps” to be deleted? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Korea Times via SamMobile
The post China forces Samsung to allow “unwanted apps” to be deleted from Samsung handsets appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Leak again claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
We always suspected that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot, much like the Galaxy S6, but the latest leak puts yet another nail in the coffin – and by now, there are a lot of nails. Leaker @evleaks has posted a list of specs for the Samsung Noble, a name known to be the codename of the Note 5, that ends with the suggestion of “no SD” – it’s not particularly surprising seeing as Samsung has removed the microSD slot from all its recent devices, but we still held out hope for its larger brethren.
Rains->Pours. Samsung Noble (SM-N920/self-reported): Exynos 7420 SoC (4×2.1GHz+4×1.5GHz), 5.66″ 2560×1440, 4GB/32GB, 16MP/5MP, 5.1.1, no SD.
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 1, 2015
The other notable spec from @evleaks’ tweet is the processor, alleged to be a Exynos 7420 – this is the same chip as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, however we’ve been hearing conflicting rumours that the Note 5 will actually have the newer Exynos 7422. Obviously, we won’t have long to find out which of these stories are correct as the Note 5 is due for announcement on August 13th, however it does suggest the possibility of different variants for different regions, which wouldn’t be unusual.
What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 not having a microSD slot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Twitter via TalkAndroid
The post Leak again claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung: We’ll give you $200 or more for your old phone
Samsung is offering $200 or more towards the purchase of a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge for consumers who trade in their qualifying smartphones.
Although, there is a catch. The phone has to be fully functional, branded for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, or US Cellular and has to be a Galaxy S 4 or 5 or an iPhone 5 or newer in order to get the $200 offer.
The promotion lasts until 11:59:59 PM ET August 11, 2015 and is only offered to citizens of the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico who are 18 years or older.
You’ll need to buy one of the newest Galaxies by this time and upload your receipt to Samsung’s promotion website by August 18, 2015. There, you will find the instructions for the ‘Make the Six Switch’ promotion and the full terms of service, as well.
Of course, Samsung would give its deal to customers of its previous devices, namely the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5, in order to keep them within their own ecosystem. While it appears the company only extended this to iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6+ users based on the taglines and fine print, it is taking in smartphones from other manufacturers, according to this page.
I went through the process and selected two phones, the 32GB LG G3 on Verizon and the HTC One M8 on Verizon, both of them in working condition. I was offered $85.00 and $93.56, respectively, less than half than what Samsung is offering for older, functioning Galaxies and working iPhones.
It would seem that the $200 offer only stands for old Galaxy S devices starting at the S4 and old iPhones starting with the 5 that are fully functional and branded for the popular carriers listed above.
Nevertheless, if you’ve been waiting for a deal on either S6 and are willing to trade in select, now’s a good chance to get a new Galaxy, especially if you have one of the main phones listed or a new device in general.
Source: Samsung
The post Samsung: We’ll give you $200 or more for your old phone appeared first on AndroidGuys.
AIVAnet 