Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 will come to C Spire
C Spire today announced that the newly unveiled Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 will be available on its network soon.
The carrier didn’t offer any concrete details beyond that. The devices are set to launch in North America and other regions on August 21, so that be the presumed date when the two devices will be available on C Spire as well.
C Spire says they will offer more details on pricing and availability for its customers in the coming days.
If you missed out on all the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5, we’ve put together plenty of content to assist our readers in making a wise purchase decision!
We’ll be sure to keep you all updated regarding Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 availability and pricing on C Spire once the carrier offers more concrete details!
source: PR Newswire
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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 versus LG G4
Samsung yesterday announced the Galaxy Note 5, not focusing so much on the hardware side of things, but refining an elegant design that forms to your hand. That said, hardware-wise, it features almost identical specifications to the Note 4, however, Samsung is no longer offering microSD card support in many of its devices, leaving many consumers left wanting.
Many are looking at simply purchasing an LG G4 or waiting for LG’s next flagship to fill that void. Just how well does the Galaxy Note 5 stack up against the LG G4, though? Is it a worthy competitor?
Hit the break to find out!
Design
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 sizes in at 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm and weighs a meager 151 grams. You’ll find it has the standard button layout–volume rocker on the left side of the device, power button on the right side, microUSB port on the bottom right next to the S-Pen slot. Interestingly, Samsung actually chose to put the SIM card tray on the very top of the device.
Samsung took on a unique Galaxy S6-like design with the Note 5, offering a metal unibody with an elegant glass back. It might be slippery at times, but gives the smartphone a much-needed premium vibe to properly differentiate itself from predecessors.
The LG G4’s features similar dimensions at 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8mm and weighs in at 155 grams. It has a unique button layout with the volume rocker and power button placed on the back of the device right under the camera.
The LG G4 doesn’t nearly have the premium feel of the Galaxy Note 5, however, its unique in its own way, despite the plastic body.
Winner: Galaxy Note 5
Display
The Galaxy Note 5 is equipped with a rich and vibrant 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display. It has a massive pixel density of 518ppi with an edge-to-edge panel.
The LG G4 has a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS LCD display. Equipped with a pixel density of 538ppi, right next to the Galaxy Note 5, this is one of the most gorgeous screens your going to get on a smartphone.
Winner: It’s a tie, as it comes down to the preferences for the rich and vibrant colors of the Super AMOLED panel or the more realistic colors of the LCD display.
Hardware
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 features the company’s standard Exynos 7420 Octa-core chip, sporting a quad-core 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 processor and quad-core 2.1GHz Cortex-A57 CPU. It has 4GB of RAM, a Mali-T760MP8 GPU, 32/64GB of internal storage, a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
The LG G4 is running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 chipset, with a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 processor. Equipped with 3GB of RAM, an Adreno 418 GPU, 32GB of internal storage, a 16-megapixel camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, this is one of the fastest performing smartphones you can get your hands on.
Winner: It’s a tie – the Galaxy Note 5 wins for sheer processing power and more RAM, but the LG G4 also wins in that it has plenty of expandable storage via microSD card support.
Battery
The Galaxy Note 5 is equipped with a 3,000mAh battery with fast charging times up to a meager 90 minutes. It also has fast wireless charging, bringing the device from dead to full in under 120 minutes.
The LG G4 has a similar 3,000mAh battery, and is equipped with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology, allowing for similar fast charging capabilities. It, however, does not have fast wireless charging, just your standard optional Qi charging capabilities.
Winner: It’s a tie, as wireless charging isn’t widely adopted to offer a practical benefit.
Software
The Galaxy Note 5 is running the latest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz UI atop of Android 5.1.1. It comes with a bevy of extra features, including some additions Samsung brought to the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5, such as live streaming to YouTube from the camera app and more.
It also comes with an arsenal of S-Pen productivity features, such as easy note taking, multi-window options, and more.
The LG G4 is running LG’s UX 4.0 interface atop of Android 5.1.1. Much like TouchWiz, UX comes with a lot of handy features, such as QuickMemo+, a built-in File Manager, a bevy of camera options, and much more.
Winner: The Galaxy Note 5, thanks to its S-Pen capabilities.
Availability and Price
The Galaxy Note 5 will be available on August 21, however, the device is up for pre-order for around $249 on a new two-year contract. You can also find it for around $15 – $35/mo on a payment plan. Pricing varies quite a bit, as it’s different depending on the carrier or retailer you buy it from.
The LG G4 is available to purchase will usually cost you $199 on a new two-year contract or $699 outright. However, there are payment plans available ranging from $15 – $35/mo.
Winner: The LG G4 is the clear winner as far as lower price points go.
Wrap Up
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is a gorgeous device packing top of the line hardware. Unfortunately, there’s a small crowd upset over the lack of microSD card support, making the LG G4 the perfect option for that focus group.
If you’re just an everyday user, the Galaxy Note 5 will no doubt fit your needs perfectly. But if you want a little more customization and some more freedom as far as storage goes, the LG G4 might be the device up your alley.
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Latest ruling from court turns back Samsung appeal in Apple lawsuit
Last month Samsung received some backing from major tech companies like Google, HP and Facebook in their ongoing patent lawsuit with Apple. The companies were hoping to help bolster Samsung’s case before the U.S. appellate court that too much emphasis was being placed on patents that constitute a tiny fraction of the whole when it comes to a smartphone. The argument is an important one to Samsung as they try to limit the damages owed to Apple that resulted from a court case in which it was ruled that Samsung had violated some of Apple’s patents. The appeals court has rejected this latest argument from Samsung.
A final ruling on the amount that Samsung owes to Apple is still pending before the district court. When Apple originally won the court case, they were awarded closet o $1 Billion in damages. Since then, Samsung has been whittling away at that amount through a series of appeals. The current potential payment owed sits at $548 million.
source: BBC
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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 color comparison
Yesterday Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 to the world, giving us a new member of the Note family that takes obvious inspiration from its little brother, the Samsung Galaxy S6. We’ve already brought you a number of features and videos showcasing the new Note 5 and the Edge+, but now it’s time to jump in and take a quick look at how each of the new colors compare.
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Samsung’s most familiar colors do make a return here, so let’s start by focusing on those. Yes, we are talking about black sapphire and pearl white, the two most common colors in the Samsung ecosystem.
Just like with the Galaxy S6, all the Note 5 colors have a translucent look but the black and white colors do help hide the fingerprints better than most. It’s also worth noting that both of these colors won’t like you see your reflections quite the same as you will with the next two colors.
Up next we have gold platinum, a color that was first introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S6. The gold platinum makes this phone look quite different as it has very different sheen to it, but its translucency does make the reflections on the back very prominent. The color is also very prone to fingerprints, which may or may not be a dealbreaker depending on your personal preferences.
Finally we have titanium silver, a brand new color to Samsung that is being introduced with both the Note 5 and Edge+. The titanium silver is a nice compromise between black and white, but this color is still just a little bit too reflective for my own tastes. If you prefer matte colors like I do, this one probably won’t be what you’re looking for, though the color is admittedly very attractive.
Really all the phones look pretty great regardless of the color you choose, perfectly complimenting the metallic frame and glass body design of the Note 5. Bottom-line, it will just come down to which color most speaks to you.
Which is your favorite, and why? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
Samsung SM-G9198 flip phone officially announced in China, packing Snapdragon 808
Last month TEENA, essentially the Chinese version of the FCC, revealed information on a new Samsung flip phone that was powered by Android and offered fairly high-end specs. Now it’s official.
Dubbed the Samsung SM-G9198, the new flip phone is powered by a Snapdragon 808, a curious move considering Samsung has been less reliant on Qualcomm and more dependent on its own in-house Exynos chips as of late. Other specs include 2GB RAM, 1 16MP rear cam, a 6MP front cam, 16GB storage with microSD, a dual 3.9-inch Super AMOLED displays with a resolution of 1280 x 768. There’s also a 2020 mAh battery which is said to last 189 hours of standby.
For those who follow the Android world closely, you probably know this is far from the only smart flip phone on the market with both LG and Samsung known for creating a number of these for Korea, China, and other Asian territories were flip phones still have a strong following. What makes the SM-G9198 stand out, however, is the specs.
Most (but not all) of the smart flip phones out there have been aimed at the entry-level market with pretty uninspiring specs to go with it, but that’s not the case here. In many ways, the phone all the power you’d expect from a high-end device, and at the very least is at higher-midrange level. The battery in here is also pretty massive for the specs, and the camera is likely the same as we’ve seen on other recent Samsung flagships.
Samsung’s latest flagships
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Odds are this phone will never make its way outside of Asia, but if it did, would any of our readers ever consider it? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Galaxy Tab A coming to T-Mobile on Aug. 19th
Samsung’s budget-friendly Galaxy Tab A has been available in the U.S. for a few months now. That is, only the Wi-Fi version of the tablet. You’ve been out of luck if you’ve wanted one that works with your on-the-go lifestyle.
But now a carrier (or Un-carrier) is finally stepping up to the plate. Smushed in with its Note 5 and S6 Edge+ press release, T-Mobile stated that a data plan-compatible Galaxy Tab A will be available on Aug. 19th.
Only, it’s not said which size of the Galaxy Tab A that will be. The tablet originally came in two sizes, 8.0″ and 9.7″. However, T-Mobile’s pricing may give a clue, with a full retail price of $319.99. The Tab A 9.7″ was originally priced at $300, so it would make sense that T-Mobile is talking about the larger tablet.
To recap the specs, we’re looking at a 4:3 LCD display with 1024 x 768 resolution, quad-core Snapdragon 410 SoC, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB on-board storage (expandable), 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras, 6,000mAh battery, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. Bear in mind, T-Mobile may alter the specs in this updated model.
As usual, you’ll also have a payment plan option. The offer will be “$0 down and $13.34/23 months + $13.17 for 24th month”. T-Mobile says that Simple Choice customers can add a data plan to the tablet for just $10 month (matching their existing data limit, but only up to 5GB a month).
Are any T-Mobile users interested in this tablet now, or is it too late?
The post Galaxy Tab A coming to T-Mobile on Aug. 19th appeared first on AndroidGuys.
OtterBox reveals its range of cases for Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+
So, you watched Samsung’s Unpacked event yesterday and decided to pre-order a Galaxy Note 5 (not in Europe of course) or the Galaxy S6 Edge+. What about when you get your hands on it, how will you protect the metal and glass constructed smartphones from life’s everyday knocks and scratches? Luckily, OtterBox has some options for you to choose from.
Dealing with the Galaxy S6 Edge+ first, you can choose from OtterBox’s slim and sleek Symmetry Series that has a raised beveled edge that helps keep the display safe from drops and scratches without interfering with the functionality of the dual-edge display. The Symmetry Series comes in a variety of color options and a price tag of $49.95. It is also available for the Note 5.
If you would like a case that is more rugged for the Note 5, You can choose OtterBox’s heavy duty Defender Series. As you can see from the image above, it’s quite a bit more substantial than the Symmetry Series. The Defender case offers three layers of protection for the Note 5, consisting of a polycarbonate shell to guard against drops and knocks, an outer cover that helps disperse the shock from being dropped or knocked, and finally a built-in screen protector to prevent scratches. The Defender Series case is available in a variety of color schemes and will set you back $69.90.
Finally, if you want something that offers a level of protection in-between the Symmetry and Defender Series of cases, OtterBox have the Commuter Series, a slim-ish case with two layers of protection. Much like the Defender case, it has an inner layer that absorbs shock with an outer shell that absorbs the impact from falling. It costs $49.90 and is also available in a bunch of color options. You can get a better look at OtterBox’s offerings right here.
Source: PRNewsWire
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Samsung Galaxy Note 5: what it packs and what it lacks
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is going to be one of the most sought after handsets of 2015. It reached the market with high anticipation and made every fanboy go nuts. We spent some good time playing with it and even compared it to its main competitors. The dust has now settled, so it’s time to take a look back at the phone and see if it’s really what you want.
In this post we will focus on the things that make the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 special, as well as the lacking elements that could have made it an outstanding phone. Let’s start with what the phone is missing, shall we?
What the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 lacks
An identity
This may sound a bit harsh, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is just a larger copy of the Galaxy S6… with curves on the back. Samsung’s Note series has always differentiated itself from the Galaxy S line-up in many ways, but this is not the case this time around.
For starters, Galaxy Note handsets are always much more specced out than their smaller counterparts. The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Note 5 both have a Samsung Exynos 7420 processor, they sport the same camera, pack very similar software and all other specs are very closely related.
Furthermore, the designs are pretty much identical, save for the larger size, back curves and S-Pen slot on the Galaxy Note 5. This was done on purpose, as Samsung is trying to move to a more premium build and better looks. The issue here is the are way too closely related, in every way. All other Notes looked significantly different from their Galaxy brethren, even if they were based on the smaller handsets.
A microSD card slot
Samsung devices have always been characterized by their storage flexibility, allowing you to use microSD cards while most other manufacturers took those rights away. Samsung did away with expandable storage when they released the Galaxy S6. And since the Note 5 is based on the S6, the same applies to the new phablet. No more microSD card slot for you!
A 128 GB storage option
Let’s touch base on this while we are on the topic of storage. What’s up with Samsung only giving us 32 GB and 64 GB memory options? Yes, 64 GB is plenty of room for most people, but not for everyone. If they won’t give us expandable storage, we should have at least gotten more choices. Samsung’s main competitor is Apple, and the iPhone 6 Plus has a 128 GB option (just let that sink in). Not only that, but the Galaxy S6 devices also have 128 GB options!
A removable battery
Here’s another feature Samsung used to be famous for and they killed with their latest flagships. Removable batteries are important to many of us. The ability to carry multiple batteries and swap them on-the-go changes your whole experience! Battery life becomes much less of an issue. Not to mention, once that battery gets old you don’t have to jump through hurdles just to install a new one.
An IR blaster
This one may seem like a gimmick to some, but once you can replace your remote control with your smartphone, you really can’t go back. Some phones out there sport IR blasters, allowing them to control TVs, sound systems, cable boxes, stereos and more. I love using the LG G4 to control my entertainment system. Smart devices are great, and they will discard the need for infrared technology at some point, but we haven’t reached that milestone just yet. Please, give us them IR blasters!
What the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 packs
That S-Pen stylus!
Without a doubt, the famous S-Pen stylus is one of the most proclaimed features in the Galaxy Note series. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 also has it, and it has been improved. The pen now uses a spring release mechanism that can be used as an anxiety soothing tool (you can click it when you are bored). Yeah, yeah – some say it’s there to help you remove the pen from the device.
Samsung has refined the Air Command menu, making it much sleeker and aesthetically pleasing. Of course, you can still use Action Memo, Smart Select, Screen Write, S-Note and more. It’s still one of the best smartphone stylus pens we have seen hit the market.
A larger battery than the S6
This one is important. Now that Samsung has done away with removable batteries, we can no longer swap them. You can also kiss those extended batteries goodbye. This became a huge issue when people started reporting lackluster battery life on the Galaxy S6. Thankfully, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is blessed by a larger 3000 mAh unit. While this is actually smaller than the Note 4’s battery, it is bigger than the S6. Considering the only difference between the GS6 is a few inches of screen, we imagine the Note 5 should provide reasonably decent battery life even if it could have been even better.
The best smartphone camera in the industry
This is one area in which the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t disappoint. It sports the same camera as the Samsung Galaxy S6, which in turn means it has the best smartphone camera in the industry. This 16 MP sensor with OIS (optical image stabilization) can produce some of the best images around, hands down. Here are some sample images from the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
A large, gorgeous screen
The screen is such an important part of the phone, and when it comes to offering a pleasant viewing experience Samsung has every single chess piece in the right place. Not only is the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 sporting a sizable 5.7-inch display, but it happens to be one gorgeous screen!
As it goes with new flagships, the Note 5 screen touts a QHD 2560x1440p resolution. In addition, this happens to be a Super AMOLED display, a technology which is known for its vivid colors and deep blacks. It may not offer the most accurate colors, but they sure are the funnest and most striking.
Most sensors and technologies you can think of
Even though the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 doesn’t sport an IR blaster, that doesn’t mean the phone is not well connected. Samsung is known for its experimental habits and they tend to be very thorough in supporting all the awesome technologies out there. This thing is as loaded as phones get!
Aside from the usual things (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.), the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 also supports NFC, fast charging, wireless charging (WPC and PMA) and LTE Cat 6. In addition, users can take advantage of a fingerprint reader and a hear rate monitor.
A beautiful design
Sure, the Note 5 may lack an identity to some degree but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a sexy beast. The Galaxy S6 is easily one of the most attractive phones of 2015, and the Note 5 (and Edge+) join its ranks with a unibody glass design that truly is a looker.
Wrapping up
So there you have it, guys. Those are all the pros and cons of having a Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Is the phone worth it? Well, that will depend on your priorities and preferences. Now that we have gone through these points, why don’t you hit the comments and tell us what you think of the Galaxy Note 5? Which of these points are important for you? Do you care much about the mentioned factors?
US court rejects Samsung’s appeal against Apple over patent fight
Samsung’s latest attempt to appeal Apple’s 2012 patent infringement victory has fallen flat. A U.S Federal Court of Appeals rejected the Korean electronics giant’s bid for reconsideration yesterday, reports the San Jose Mercury News. The original 2012 trial ended with the jury saying Samsung had infringed on some of Apple’s patents in its phone designs, and called for Samsung to pay around $1 billion dollars in damages. Subsequent court decisions eventually lowered that figure to around $548 million. Surprisingly, Samsung got some big supporters of its latest appeal, including Google, HP and Facebook. Following this latest decision, Samsung’s only option now is to get the Supreme Court to reverse the damages ruling. But given how bluntly the appeals court rejected this bid, there’s little chance of a complete reversal.
[Photo credit: Janitors/Flickr]
Filed under:
Mobile, Apple, Samsung
Source:
San Jose Mercury News
Tags: apple, ApplevSamsung, mobilepostcross, samsung
There will be no 128GB Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 models for now, Samsung says
Samsung earlier listed the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 in 128GB memory options on its website. Unfortunately, The Verge received information from Samsung saying that these listings were accidental and will be taken down soon.
That’s not to say that 128GB memory options won’t be available in the future. Samsung obviously plans to eventually offer versions with that large amount of storage, given the listings were ready to go on its website. After all, Samsung also sells 128GB versions of the Galaxy S6.
That said, 128GB memory options in the future certainly aren’t thrown out. They just make sense, considering that Samsung isn’t offering microSD card support in either of these devices.
In the meantime, it’s a disappointment for those that wanted to make up for a lack of microSD card support by buying a 128GB option. The demand for a large memory size like that is there, and we’ll be impatiently waiting until that time comes.
source: The Verge
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