Alleged model numbers and first camera sample surface for Galaxy S5
A list of model numbers for the Samsung Galaxy S5 variants have emerged, giving anxious fans just a little bit more to chew on. If you’re the type of person who likes to dig through every little detail for upcoming devices then this ought to help you get your fix.
Assuming these are accurate –and we think they are– model numbers, we can maybe look for more bits to surface. You know, stuff like benchmarks and other fun leaks.
- SM-G9006V_CHN_CHN (China)
- SM-G9008V_CHN_ZM (China)
- SM-G9009D_CHN_CTC (China)
- SM-G900A_NA_ATT (AT&T)
- SM-G900D_JPN_DCM (Japan)
- SM-G900F_EUR_XX (Open Europe)
- SM-G900H_EUR_XX (Open Europe)
- SM-G900I_SEA_XSA (Asia)
- SM-G900J_JPN_KDI (Japan)
- SM-G900K_KOR_KTC (Korea)
- SM-G900L_KOR_LGC (Korea)
- SM-G900M_LA_VF (Vodafone)
- SM-G900P_NA_SPR (Sprint)
- SM-G900R4_NA_USC (US Cellular)
- SM-G900S_KOR_SKC (Korea)
- SM-G900T_NA_TMB (T-Mobile)
- SM-G900V_NA_VZW (Verizon)
- SM-G900W8_NA_BMC (BMC)
It’s not exactly the most exciting stuff, but we are also looking at what’s being billed as the first Galaxy S5 (Verizon) photo sample. While evleaks suggests it points to a 16-megapixel experience, it may also end up at 21-megapixels.
The original image’s 5,312×2,988 pixel count works out to a 16:9 aspect ratio, but as Unwired View reminds us, the full height of a sensor is not used. When adjusting for a 4:3 ratio the image turns out to be roughly 21-megapixels. Incidentally, this resolution has been rumored for the Galaxy S5 a time or two.
The post Alleged model numbers and first camera sample surface for Galaxy S5 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[RUMOUR] Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 to be completely different to its predecessor, to be announced in March or April
While very few people can argue that the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch looked quite stunning compared to its smartwatch competition, even fewer can argue that it was a success. Poor battery life and mind-boggling compatibility oversights, among other things, have seen the wearable device relegated to the growing heap of has-been smartwatches. Unsurprisingly, Samsung wants a do-over of the smartwatch and ZDNet Korea is reporting that an industry source has said that the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 will be an entirely different design and will aim to utilize a flexible OLED screen.
I don’t know if this is the same ‘flexible’ screen that ended up in the Samsung Galaxy Round, but I would be cautious with this rumour’s use of the term. Whatever the screen turns out to be, the source also claims that the smartwatch will be debuted at a Samsung event in London in either March or April. Let’s hope for their sake that Samsung does away with the inconvenient compatibility restrictions they put on the original Galaxy Gear at the very least.
What do you think about Samsung’s decision to completely redesign the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2? What did you think of the original Galaxy Gear? Let us know your 2 cents in the comments below.
Source: ZDNet Korea via Android Ice Cream Sandwich
Samsung opening 60 more brick-and-mortar stores across Europe
Nothing says that you’re a heavyweight tech brand like your own store, a flagship retail location that screams your brand from every wall and window. Samsung’s got a few of these already, but now it’s on a mission to conquer the shopping malls of Europe. The Korean giant has signed a deal with Carphone Warehouse, where the latter will open and operate 60 Samsung-branded shops within the next three months. Some of the locations will be new and the rest will be re-branded CPW stores, but either way — Samsung’s brand is about to get a lot more visible.
Via: The Verge
Source: Carphone Warehouse
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 now available to pre-order in the UK for £649
Brits won’t have to wait long to (barely) get their hands on Samsung’s Galaxy Note Pro 12.2. A WiFi-only version of the massive tablet is now available for pre-order in the UK at an equally large price of £649 ($1,076), with shipments due to start on February 4th. That’s certainly expensive compared to what many are used to paying for Android devices, although Samsung is tossing in a free gamepad to sweeten the deal. As for cellular models or an American launch, the company isn’t talking just yet — however, we won’t be shocked if either of them comes relatively soon.
Via: Phone Arena
Source: Samsung (1), (2)
Samsung confirms QHD AMOLED display, also working on UHD
It seems like yesterday when the Samsung Galaxy S4 was introduced, an amazing smartphone with a lot of capabilities. And now, the Mobile World Congress is just around the corner, and word is on the street that Samsung will unveil the Samsung Galaxy S5 at the mega event. We have heard a lot about it, like it will have a QHD display, 4GB RAM, an IRIS scanner and what not. But that’s all rumor, how about something solid?
Yesterday at the Semiconductor and Display Technology Road-map Seminar 2014, Samsung revealed that they are working on a smartphone with AMOLED QHD (2560 x 1440) (psst, Galaxy S5) but that’s not it, they are also working on UHD AMOLED (3480 x 2160) display for future smartphones. A smartphone with such display, probably a dream of every Android fan, right?
Although, let’s enjoy the 4K display first, alright Samsung? We really hope to see the S5 at the MWC next month, what are your thoughts? Tell us about it in the comment box below.
Source: GforG
The post Samsung confirms QHD AMOLED display, also working on UHD appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung’s Galaxy Grand Neo melds ultra-basic specs with a mid-size screen
Let’s say you like the idea of a big-screened Samsung smartphone, but even the Galaxy Grand 2 is too rich for your blood. Are you stuck? Not at all — the company has quietly released the Galaxy Grand Neo, a more frugal take on an already cheap handset. The new device keeps the Grand 2′s quad-core 1.2GHz processor and 8GB of expandable storage, but scales down to a 5-inch 800 x 480 display, a 5-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front shooter. Few will be blown away by the hardware, then, although there is a healthy 2,100mAh battery inside. Let’s just hope that the pricing becomes more competitive. As of this writing, the Grand Neo sells for a relatively high €260 ($355) after tax in the Netherlands; we can think of a few smartphones that offer considerably more for your money.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Via: GSM Arena, GSMinfo.nl (translated)
Source: Samsung, Belsimpel.nl (translated)
Smartphone sales may have topped 1 billion in 2013, depending on who you ask
You once had to look to the broader cellphone market to see more than a billion phones ship in one year. Well, times have changed… at least, if you ask the right analysts. IDC now estimates that smartphone shipments topped one billion for the first time in 2013. However, Strategy Analytics begs to differ — it reckons that shipments fell just short, at 990 million. Whether or not the industry hit its symbolic milestone, the roughly 40 percent increase over 2012 data shows that the smartphone market had plenty of room to grow last year. Samsung led the pack with 31.3 percent of the the market, while Apple dipped to 15.3 percent as both Samsung and Chinese manufacturers (including Huawei and Lenovo) chipped away at its second-place position.
As for what happened in the fourth quarter? Both analyst groups say that Samsung was once again the top vendor, although they note that the Korean firm’s share was largely flat at 29 percent. Not that Apple fared any better, as its record-setting iPhone shipments weren’t enough to prevent a slide to 18 percent share. Huawei, LG and Lenovo were the real victors — each of them typically gained a point or more of share in the past year. IDC chalks some of this up to the rise of very low-cost smartphones, which are quickly taking over developing markets like China and India. Companies which focus on more expensive handsets, such as Apple and Samsung, have the most to lose in these areas.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, LG, Lenovo
Source: IDC, Strategy Analytics
Samsung changes tune, a software bug did break 3rd party Compatibility
Four days ago a story spread across the web that pointed fingers at Samsung for breaking 3rd party accessory compatibility on the Note 3. The update in question was the Android 4.4 KitKat update that was pushed for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The accessory primarily in question was a flip view cover case manufactured by Spigen. Now it would seem that Samsung is fully taking responsibility.
Originally Samsung’s response to the information included this sentence:
A correlation between the Android version 4.4 and the supposed incompatibility of third-party accessories does not exist.
Just 4 days later, it would seem that they were mistaken. It is now apparent that a “software bug” is to blame for the issue and they will be issuing a software update shortly.
We have currently identified a software compatibility issue with the Galaxy Note 3 update to Android 4.4 (KitKat) and select 3rd party accessories. A software update will be available shortly. We are committed to offering a diverse and reliable mobile experience for all customers, providing continued support and solutions for any issues that arise with product updates for both Samsung manufactured and third-party accessories.
Quite the turnaround Samsung. While we would fully understand why they would and still might choose to drop some of the compatibility of 3rd party companies, it isn’t necessarily good practice to do it without warning. It has been rumored for sometime that Samsung will be utilizing a proprietary chip and license out the tech to 3rd party companies to help ensure quality and user experience control. Much like Apple does.
Regardless if there was actually a software bug, or if Samsung watched how much bad press they got from it and changed their minds, it is nice to see a resolution underway.
Source: Arstechnica
Img via Spigen
Samsung ‘Galaxy Glass’ will be launched in September?
We all love Google Glass, don’t we? It’s a great innovation by Google, and a gadget of future. Recently, we learned that Samsung will launch their very own wearable glasses, and it seems it’s getting closer. Now according to Korea Times, Samsung will launch the ‘Galaxy Glass’ in September at the IFA trade show. 
This design is of a type [of glasses] with earphones integrated, allowing [users] to take phone calls and listen to music during workouts,” the October patent filing revealed. It will have the ability to connect with smartphones and display notifications through the eyepiece, and the lens is transparent or translucent, the filing further stated.
We learned that Samsung and Google signed a global patent license agreement, hence they will have access to each other patents. Also, Samsung will have access to Google’s Glass patents, which means that we can expect the Galaxy Glass to be something like the original Glass. Back in October, Samsung also filed for a patent for wearable glasses.
If Samsung is jumping into this, I am sure we will see several other technology brands launching ‘smart glasses’ as well. What do you think about it? Tell us in the comment box below.
Source: Korea Times
The post Samsung ‘Galaxy Glass’ will be launched in September? appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Galaxy Gear 2 rumored with bendable display
Despite being the leader in its space, the Samsung Galaxy Gear has had quite a rough year. Limited functionality, incompatibility with current flagships at launch, bugs, and more have proved difficult for mainstream success. According to an unnamed industry insider, Samsung is working on a total redesign of the Galaxy Gear. Will this be Samsung’s chance to redeem itself?
The so-called Galaxy Gear 2 is said to have a flexible OLED display roughly the same size (1.63inches) with a redesign which removes unfavorable aspects of the current model.
Many are wondering if Samsung will allow compatibility with devices other than their own smartphones. How much does that matter; do you think Apple would make an “iWatch” that played well with other brands or OSes?
With 2014 set to give way to many wearable devices, Samsung’s next-gen Galaxy Gear will need to be considerably better than the current iteration. Another misstep here could be costly.
The post Galaxy Gear 2 rumored with bendable display appeared first on AndroidGuys.
AIVAnet 