Galaxy S7 to Feature Pressure-Sensitive Display Similar to 3D Touch
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge due early next year will feature a pressure-sensitive display that functions similarly to 3D Touch on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The next-generation Android-based smartphones will reportedly also feature high-speed USB-C ports that provide up to a full day’s charge in under 30 minutes, and improved cameras that are optimized for low-light photography.
The report claims the Galaxy S7 will look similar to the Galaxy S6, but the rear-facing camera is said to be flush with the back of the device. The handset may also feature a retina scanner for new biometric features involving a user’s eyes.
The Wall Street Journal says the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will launch in the U.S. in March, possibly around the time Apple introduces the so-called “iPhone 6c” and next-generation Apple Watch. Samsung is expected to announce the new devices around the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona in late February.
Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge would compete with the rumored “iPhone 7,” which could ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of an all-in-one Lightning connector alongside a faster A10 chip, new Intel LTE modem and possibly thinner design. Apple’s next flagship smartphones will likely be released next September.
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WSJ: Galaxy S7 to go on sale in March, with pressure-sensitive screen, USB Type C, and microSD
The Wall Street Journal has a blockbuster report this morning that reveals a lot of details about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S7.
The report cites “people familiar with the matter” and offers information on the Galaxy S7’s design, features, and even release date. As a caveat, the sources warn that, with three months to go to the release of the device, some things can change. The report is unusually rich in details, as stories like this go, so let’s dive right in and analyze them.
Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
Despite rumors of Plus versions being in the works, the report only mentions two models: the regular, flat-screened Galaxy S7 and the curved-screened Galaxy S7 Edge.
Pressure sensitive screen
According to the WSJ’s sources, the biggest new feature of the Galaxy S7 and its curved companion, the Galaxy S7 Edge, will be a pressure sensitive display that will work a lot like the 3D Touch feature available on the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
It’s not mentioned in the report, but Synaptics could be the company behind this pressure sensitive solution. The touch solutions developer recently announced ClearForce, a pressure sensing technology that will become available in smartphones from early 2016.
Type C port – fast charging
The Galaxy S7 will come with a Type C port, as seen on the latest Nexus generation. Reportedly, the device will draw a “full day’s charge in under 30 minutes and in some cases significantly faster than that.” For comparison, the Nexus 5X requires about 1.5 hours to charge up to 100%. It’s not clear what a “full day’s charge” means, but it sounds like Samsung may be able to one up competitors in this crucial area.
Small design changes compared to last year
The Galaxy S7 and the S7 Edge will be relatively similar to their predecessors. The devices won’t be “major departures” and the changes will be “less striking” compared to the revolution brought by the S6 this year.
The microSD slot is returning to the Galaxy S7 only
One of the people tipping WSJ off said that a microSD card slot will “likely” be available on the Galaxy S7. Only the flat model is explicitly said to get this feature, so the S7 Edge will probably be missing it.
See also: Best Android phones (December 2015)
Retina scanner?
Samsung is allegedly “considering” equipping certain versions of the Galaxy S7 with a retina scanner. No details are offered on this feature, but the wording implies that it’s similar to ZTE’s Eyeprint ID feature, found on devices like Blade S6 or Grand S3. Not to be confused with an iris scanner, this feature uses the front facing camera to analyze the unique pattern of the fine blood vessels from the user’s retina. You can see it in action here.
Camera: improved low-light performance and flush with the body
The camera on the Galaxy S7 will reportedly bring an improvement in low-light photography, which remains the weakness of mobile cameras across the industry. The camera module will be flush with the body of the S7, claims the report. If that’s accurate, Samsung found a way to offer a high-quality modern camera without the bulge we’ve seen on many flagship phones this year.
Launch and release date
Finally, the sources say the Galaxy S7 will be launched in the United States in mid-March. The actual launch is “expected” to happen around MWC, which is scheduled for February 22-25 in Barcelona. There were several rumors that implied that Samsung would launch the S7 and S7 Edge earlier than usual, but if this report is accurate, it will be business as usual.
See also: Samsung Galaxy S7 rumor roundup: release date, price, specs, features
So, there you have it – a ton of info on the hottest device of early 2016. While there’s still room for changes, this report is very plausible. Let us know your thoughts!
WSJ: Samsung’s Galaxy S7 will have a pressure-sensitive display
Nine months is a long time in the smartphone industry, so it should come as no surprise that Samsung is already preparing to launch the next iteration of its flagship smartphone. While the Korean smartphone maker may still be a few months away from showing us what’s new, the Wall Street Journal has already caught wind of some of the features we can expect to see in the Galaxy S7. According to reporters, Samsung will include a “pressure-sensitive display and a new high-speed charging port” in its new devices, which are slated to launch in March.
The company is reportedly considering the inclusion of a retina scanner in some versions of its new flagship, although that is not yet set in stone. Like the Galaxy S6, Samsung will debut two models: the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.
With the inclusion of a pressure-sensitive display, Samsung looks set to follow Apple, which is already touting “3D Touch” functionality. With a USB Type-C port, the Galaxy S7 will charge significantly faster, with sources telling the Wall Street Journal that devices will “allow for a full day’s charge in under 30 minutes and in some cases significantly faster than that.” An improved camera is also said to be coming — one that that performs better in low-light and sits flat on the back of the device (the Galaxy S6 accommodated a small bump).
Overall, it doesn’t appear that the Galaxy S7 family will differ that much from last year’s models. However, Samsung’s new smartphone chief will hope that he can gauge demand better than his predecessor and avoid making too many (or too few) of its popular handsets. We can expect the Galaxy S7 family to make its debut in or around Mobile World Congress, which opens on February 22nd, with the handsets going on sale a couple of weeks later. The quick launch is said to be deliberate: Samsung doesn’t want to let any of its rivals steal a march this time around.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Android Authority this week – December 13, 2015
Android fans, this week Android 6.0.1 started rolling out to Nexus devices; alleged CAD renders of the Galaxy S7 leaked out; Marshmallow updates became available for a number of devices; we spotted a credible image of the Xiaomi Mi 5; the Pixel C rolled out to mixed reviews; first rumors about HTC’s next flagship surfaced; and Google released updates to many of its apps.
Inside AA HQ
Across media, December is the time of silly year-end lists and recaps. In the tech blogosphere, December is when we wrap up and look back at the best devices that launched over the past twelve months. We wanted to do something a little different this year, and that’s how we came up with the idea of Best of Android.
Best of Android is where we put the best devices available right now through a series of in-depth comparisons. For this inaugural edition, we picked the Xperia Z5 Premium, Nexus 6P, Moto X Force, LG V10, Galaxy Note 5 and BlackBerry Priv. Through the week, we brought you in-depth looks at which phone is the best in terms of display, audio, performance, battery, and camera. Later today, we will have a close look at the UX, and tomorrow we will wrap the series and announce the overall winner.
We hope that Best of Android 2015 will become a recurring series on Android Authority, even if it was not perfect. The first edition has been a real learning experience, and we already know how to make the 2016 installment better. Feel free to tell us what you think!
Another series that’s concluding this week is our holiday guide collection, where we offer techie gift ideas for all budgets.
- Best tech gifts under $50
- Best tech gifts under $100
- Best tech gifts under $250
- Best tech gifts under $500
What do you think was the best Android phone of the year? Vote in our Reader’s Choice poll and you can win the device that gets the most votes!
We’re giving away 3 Blu Pure XL smartphones! Sign up for our international giveaway!
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Feature: What makes a great Android app UI? The devil is in the details!
- Review: Bailey reviews Lenovo’s little Yoga Tab 3 8-inch.
- Rumor roundup: Crazy about the Galaxy S7? All the rumors and reports are here.
- Feature: Invites for the OnePlus 2 are gone, but what’s next for OnePlus?
- Comparison: Is there a new king of affordable handsets? BLU Life One X vs Moto G (2015)
- Review: Lanh reviews the excellent Meizu Pro 5
Top news of the week
Android 6.0.1 has arrived
- Android 6.0.1 arriving on Nexus devices today, includes new emoji
- Android 6.0.1 factory images arrive for Nexus devices
- Android 6.0.1 adds power button camera shortcut and next alarm DND mode
- Google releases Android 6.0.1 factory images and binaries for the Pixel C
Marshmallow updates
- Android 6.0 appears for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in Hungary
- Galaxy Note 4 with Android 6.0 Marshmallow video posted on YouTube
- HTC One M9 and A9 to get Marshmallow updates this month
- Marshmallow heading to the Moto E 2015 after all, but not in the US
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow headed to Moto X Pure Edition on Verizon, Sprint and U.S. Cellular (Update: AT&T too!)
Galaxy S7 hot rumors
- Is this the Samsung Galaxy S7 – First alleged CAD images leak
- Galaxy S7 Plus: Rumored 6-inch phablet CAD video render leaks
Is this the Xiaomi Mi 5?
Pixel C controversy
- Google’s Pixel C now available for $499 from the Google Store
- Pixel C team fields Reddit’s questions, fails to answer the important ones
- Evidence says the Pixel C wasn’t designed to be an Android device
HTC Perfume
Google apps updates
- Google Photos gets shared albums in latest update
- Google Drive update makes searching for files faster and easier
- Google Wallet now lets you send money over text messages
- Google Play Music family plan arriving this week for $14.99 per month
- Google Drive adds actionable notifications for file sharing
- Google Now On Tap update unleashes instant screen sharing
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Here are the videos you don’t want to miss this week – December 12, 2015
If you’re interested in mobile technology in the slightest, you’ve probably been asked the question “What’s the best Android smartphone you can buy?” Of course, there’s no correct answer – no smartphone is perfect, and not every mobile device can take care of everyone’s needs. To help answer this question, we’ve just introduced our Best of Android series, which pits the best smartphones on the market against each other in hopes to find out which one is the best in a particular category. You can find all of the videos we’ve posted so far, and be sure to stay tuned over the next few days while we bring you more comparisons and our results roundup video.
And that’s not all. We also managed to bring you full reviews of the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, Meizu Pro 5 and Lenovo Yoga Tab 3. We’ve also published our full comparison of the Nexus 5X and the OnePlus X, as well as a few other great videos.
So without any further ado, here are all the Android-related videos you don’t want to miss this week.
Best of Android 2015
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We’re comparing the best smartphones from Google, Motorola, BlackBerry, Sony, LG and Samsung in our Best of Android series. So far we’ve published our display, audio, performance, battery and camera tests, and we still have UX and the big results roundup videos on their way. Interested in seeing what’s the best Android phone out there? Follow the links attached below to get the full comparisons.
- Best of Android 2015: Display
- Best of Android 2015: Audio
- Best of Android 2015: Performance
- Best of Android 2015: Battery
- Best of Android 2015: Camera
Reviews
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium review
The “world’s first 4K smartphone” is finally here, and we’ve just published our full review of the new device. Is a 4K display worth it? How does it affect the phone’s battery life? We find that out, and more, in our full review of the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium.
Meizu Pro 5 review
The Meizu Pro 5 might be the best flagship smartphone to ever come from the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, but does it come with any caveats? Don’t miss Lanh’s full review of the Pro 5 from Meizu.
Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 review
Last week we brought you our full review of the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro, and now it’s time to take a look at the tablet’s more affordable brother, the Yoga Tab 3. Is it worth the money? Check out Bailey’s full review to learn more.
Battle of the high-end, affordable flagships
OnePlus X vs Nexus 5X
If you don’t have a ton of money to spend on a new smartphone, that’s okay. The budget-friendly tier of smartphones have been getting really good lately, with a ton of options on the market to choose from. We just recently compared the latest smartphones from Google and OnePlus against each other in hopes to find out which one comes out on top. Check out Krystal’s full comparison of the OnePlus X and the Nexus 5X.
Android Apps Weekly
Take VR photos yourself, The Room 3, goodbye forever Songza – you don’t want to miss the latest episode of Joe’s Android Apps Weekly show!
Fresh from the rumor mill
Samsung Galaxy S7 rumor roundup
It’s that time of year again! No, I’m not talking about the holidays. I’m talking about new Samsung flagship rumors, of course! We’ve already seen a boatload of rumors and bits of speculation floating around the web, so we found it important to put them all in one place. Bogdan’s full rumor roundup is attached below, and you can check out Jayce’s video overview above.
Samsung Galaxy S7 – first alleged CAD images leak
It wouldn’t be rumor season without some leaked images. Could these be the first CAD images of the Samsung Galaxy S7? Be sure to check out Matthew’s full post and Jayce’s video overview for more info.
iOS and Android are both great. Here are some reasons to consider switching to Android.
I know I am going to get my fair share of hate emails and comments from this post, but I beg you try to keep an open mind when reading through this article. I understand that the whole Apple iOS versus Google Android debate is a heated topic for many, and expect comments on both sides of the fence. Let’s try to keep the comments civil.
I am going to do my best to explain why Android is a great alternative to iOS and try to avoid the whole Android is better than iOS debate as best as I can. I think both platforms are successful and by no means are Google or Apple struggling for cash. Monetarily you can say both are pretty darn successful. Apple is worth more money based on market value, but Google has more market share. I know that I will have a decent amount of bias towards Android, since I do use Android as my primary platform, and I also write for a website called AndroidGuys.
But it is in my nature to look at all things with an open mind: I am a scientist at a biotech in San Diego, and it is my job to investigate and offer answers with actual information to back it up. Any good scientist uses the Scientific Method to ask questions, investigate, acquire knowledge, and to use evidence to develop conclusions based on results. Once a conclusion is developed it is my job to test it and to prove it.
In my immediate family we are split 50/50 in what mobile software we use. My father uses an iPhone 6S+ and my older brother uses an iPhone 6 at my recommendation. Both of them started with the Apple iPhone, and are the type who prefer to stick with what works and to stay within one ecosystem. iPhone’s have great cameras, software, design, build, customer support and more. Just because I use Android doesn’t mean I force it on my own family.
My mother uses a Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and I use a a wide variety of Android devices like the Nexus 6P, 5X, Asus Zenfone 2 and the Doogee F5. My older sister uses an iPhone 5S, and she also uses an Android LG G2 too. So even in my own family, we are split 50/50 on what platform we use.
My devices
So let’s put the debate of what is better behind us. Let’s just take a look at Android and why it is a good alternative to iOS.
Let’s start with the most important factor: Price
iPhone 6S 4.7″ 16GB – $649
iPhone 6S+ 5.5″ 16GB – $749
Whether you buy an iPhone on a 0% financing plan, two-year contract, or in full, you’re going to pay a heck of a lot of money. Because Apple is the only company who makes the iPhone, the price stays relatively unchanged throughout the course of its one-year life cycle. Apple owns a monopoly on its products and can charge accordingly. It’s quite rare to see any technological device hold its value so well, but the iPhone does it regardless. And it even has incredible resale value. Apple controls its mobile market share by not making iOS accessible to other manufacturers.
Samsung Galaxy S6 5.1″ 32GB – $679.99
Samsung Galaxy Note 5.7″ 32GB – $699.99
Nexus 6P 5.7″ 32GB – $499.99
Nexus 5X 5.2″ 16GB – $379.99
There are dozens of Android device manufacturers. There are so many that I can’t even find an accurate count on the web. I listed the biggest Android device manufacturer in Samsung, and I also listed Google’s pure Android Nexus devices. Android phones can be expensive too. It’s difficult to do a direct comparison to iPhones, because the Samsung S6 line has been out since the Spring, while the iPhone 6S and Note 5 line have only been out since the Fall. Internal hardware varies greatly from device to device too.
The prices for the Galaxy line devices are clearly almost identical to the iPhone, with the Galaxy devices offering more base storage than the iPhone. Google’s own Nexus devices are $180-300 cheaper than the iPhone which means you can save money with pure Android devices. On top of the initial MSRP savings, Android prices drop much faster, but at the same time have terrible resale value. Overall, the upfront fees can be much cheaper when buying an Android device.
Letv 1s 5.5″ 32GB – $238
Nuu Mobile Z8 5.5″ 16GB – $249.99
Nu Mobile Z8
Who? Who the heck is Letv and Nuu Mobile? I know you have heard of Motorola, but the Letv 1s and the Nuu Mobile Z8 are example devices that come unlocked with fantastic features. They also run the same Android software that the more expensive devices like the Note 5 and S line run. You haven’t heard of Letv because they are focused on the Chinese market.Nuu Mobile is a up and coming Android device manufacturer with a small budget and can’t afford to blast advertisements around the world.
And just because these devices are cheaper, doesn’t mean they lack in hardware.
Letv 1s
Main Features:
Display: 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 FHD Screen
CPU: MTK6795 64bit Octa Core 2.2GHz
System: Android 5.0
RAM + ROM: 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM
Camera: Dual Cameras, front camera 5.0MP camera, back camera 13.0MP
Nuu Mobile Z8 5.5″
Main Features:
Display: 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 FHD Screen
CPU: 1.7 GHz Octa-Core Processor, MediaTek MTK6752 64-bit
System: Android 5.0
RAM + ROM: 2GB RAM + 16GB ROM
Camera: Dual Cameras, front camera 8.0MP camera, back camera 13.0MP
Android software is easy to use, is secure, can be customized, and Google apps are loaded with features
Again, I’m not here to argue that Android is better than iOS. Both email, text, make phone calls, browse the web, play videos and music, and take pictures incredibly well. There is no arguing that both platforms do the basics with ease.
The iPhone just works. I know it does. But that doesn’t mean Android devices don’t work. Many of us, me included, got started with iOS. I bought the first iPhone on the day it was released and waited in line for every subsequent release until the iPhone 5. I made the switch to Android when I took the time to evaluate the software with an open mind. Android is as safe as iOS and iOS is as safe as Android. Both Apple and Google make security the top priority for their software. Don’t buy into all of the misinformation out there about one being safer than the other.
The other sad truth is no software is bug free. Both Android and iOS have their fair share of bugs which is the reason why they release updates.
Google Search
Just “Google” it. Google’s search tools are so powerful that many of us have swapped the word “search” for the company name Google. The dominance of Google search is so overwhelming that the name Google has become a verb. We don’t say just Apple it, Yahoo it, or Microsoft it. Many of us say just “Google” it because Google has become synonymous with searching and researching unknowns. It like calling tissue “Kleenex”, lip balm “Chapstick”, or cotton swap “Q-Tips”.
Google owns the market share when it comes to searching, and Google Search is native to Android devices making it a super powerful tool. Yes you can download Google Search software onto iOS devices, but there are benefits to being native. You can “Google” directly from any screen on an Android device, while it constantly keeps you up to date on weather, stock prices, news, parking location and more through Google Now.
Google Photos
Arguably the best feature about Google Photos is that you have unlimited storage for FREE. Once backed up, you can access your photos from anywhere you have an internet connection and a web browser. You no longer need to worry about saving your most precious memories on back-up hard drives with Google Photos.
Here are some other great features taken directly from the app landing page:
VISUAL SEARCH
Your photos are now searchable by the places and things that appear in them. Looking for that fish taco you ate in Hawaii? Just search “food in Hawaii” to find it – no tagging required.
FREE UP SPACE ON YOUR DEVICE
Never worry about running out of space on your phone again. In Settings, just tap “Free up device storage” – photos that are safely backed up will be removed from your device’s storage, but will still be available in Google Photos.
BRING PHOTOS TO LIFE
Enjoy automatically created montage movies, interactive stories, collages, animations, panoramas, and more from your photos. Or you can easily create them yourself – just tap +.
SHARED ALBUMS
Get everyone’s photos and videos in one place, across iOS, Android, and the web. Privately sharing all the photos you took – and getting the ones you didn’t – has never been easier.
Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive
Google has its own answer for word processing, spreadsheet editing, presentation building, file storage and collaboration all for the price of nothing. Most of us learned how to use these tools using Microsoft Office, but Google created its own powerful tools and they are native to Android as well. Just like with Google Photos, all Google Docs are accessible from tablets to smartphones to desktops. And Google Docs is also compatible with Microsoft file types, while offering almost all of the same powerful features.
An alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides offers a great and free way to make presentations.
Google Docs is an online word processor that lets you create and format text documents and collaborate with other people in real time.
Google Sheets is a web-based spreadsheet application that allows you to store and organize different types of information, much like Microsoft Excel.
Project Fi
Project Fi is Google’s answer to cellular service. It isn’t Google’s own network – they have partnered with providers to offer its own affordable plan. Only select Nexus devices(Nexus 6, 6P and 5X) can access Project Fi, but it is a strong reason to give consideration to Android. Project Fi is still very new so this reason is highly debatable. But here are some reasons to consider it:
Project Fi is a combination of Sprint and T-Mobile
Project Fi coverage map
What’s included in the Fi Basics?
What happens if you go over your data budget?
You can bring your own number to Fi
Like any other provider, you can simply transfer your number when you sign up.
Android Wear
Wearables are taking hold in the marke,t and Android is at the forefront. Yes, Apple has its own watch too, which is great in its own right, but there is much more selection with Android. Tag Heuer, Fossil, Asus, LG, Samsung, Motorola, and Huawei are some of the major manufacturers of Android Wear devices, and the list continues to grow. With Android Wear you can monitor your activity levels, open apps, search and text using just your voice, get notifications, see the time and more.
Android Wear watches feature always-on displays, so you’ll always see important info like time, calls, and alerts. Respond to messages right from your watch, even when your phone isn’t with you.
Works with your Android phone or iPhone
Android Wear requires a phone running Android 4.3+ or iOS 8.2+. Supported features may vary between platforms. Visit g.co/wearcheck on your Android phone or iPhone to see if it’s compatible.
Android Wear is native to Android and is a great reason to consider Google’s software as an option.
You should consider Android if you don’t use it already
No I don’t work for Google, even though sometimes I wish I did. Google employees get get free food and drinks just for showing up to work! I have been to the Google campus, and they even let guests eat and drink for free. I hope Google let’s me hangout at its campus again some day in the future. It truly is an experience I will never forget.
Instead, I work for a biotech and research neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Schizophrenia, and the like. We get free coffee and tea, but I am not complaining. Nothing is more gratifying to me than working to solve unmet medical needs.
It’s my job to look at problems objectively, to ask questions, to research and to develop conclusions based on evidence.
In no way am I arguing that Android is superior to iOS, or vice versa, but I am offering reasons why you should consider Android if you are not using it now. There are fantastic devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or the Nexus 6P that offer the latest and greatest hardware, or there are fantastic alternatives like the Letv 1s or Nuu Mobile Z8 which offer great hardware for budget conscience users.
The software is also incredible and better yet, the applications Google provides are completely free to use.
If you would like to learn more, head on over to Google.com. No you don’t have to switch to Android – there are plenty of great features on iOS too.
My favorite Android commercial.
The post iOS and Android are both great. Here are some reasons to consider switching to Android. appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[Deal] AT&T goes BOGO-ish with Samsung Galaxy S6
If you are looking for a pair of smartphones as gifts this holiday season, AT&T is offering up the Samsung Galaxy S6 in a kind of buy one get one free deal. Since the deal only works by signing up for the AT&T Next program, you end up having to setup service and make payments on both phones. However, as long as you comply with the program’s requirements, AT&T will start granting credits that effectively make the second smartphone free.
For the first device, users can choose from the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6 Active or the Galaxy Note 5. Once you add one of those devices to your cart, you can add the Galaxy S6 as the second device. In addition to signing up for AT&T Next and staying with the program, consumers also have to use a service plan of at least $70 per month.
With so many people putting multiple lines on their plans, this could be a good way to control the cost a bit. Hit the source link below for more information and to start your order.
source: AT&T
Come comment on this article: [Deal] AT&T goes BOGO-ish with Samsung Galaxy S6
Get a Galaxy S6 free when you buy another Samsung phone from AT&T
A free Samsung Galaxy S6? There’s gotta be some kind of catch. Yeah, actually, there is. But let’s see what this deal looks like on paper before we get to the fine print.
Through the end of the year only, AT&T is offering a frankly jaw-dropping deal. If you buy a Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, S6 Active, or a Note 5, they’re going to give you the option to take a Galaxy S6 on the house. It’s a holiday offer that seems generous enough to put anyone in a festive mood, but this buy-one-get-one combo isn’t quite as straightforward as similarly described deals found in department stores and fireworks stands.
REVIEWS AND COMPARISONS OF THE GALAXY S6
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To be eligible for the offer, you have to be opening up a new line of service for the additional Galaxy S6. Both the new line of service and the service plan for the originally purchased device have to sign up for AT&T’s 24-month Next installment plan ($70/mo minimum). Furthermore, you actually still purchase the “free” Galaxy S6 – either through financing or outright – and AT&T will give you $21.67 per-month off your billing statement for the next 30 months (capping at $650), effectively refunding you the device’s cost as you go. If you terminate service at any time, you have to pay any of the unpaid remaining value of the phone back to AT&T.
So while this is still clearly a good deal for people who were already looking to purchase two new phones and add a new line of service for the next two years, this isn’t exactly an extra scoop of ice cream AT&T is doling out to get into the Christmas spirit. For some it looks like it could be a godsend, but others may want to pass. Click the button below to check out the official promo page and decide if AT&T’s two-for-one offer is right for you.
What are your thoughts on this free Galaxy S6? Potentially good deal or not your cup of tea? Let us know in the comments!
How much does it cost to repair the Samsung Galaxy Note 5?
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 has some great internals coupled with an incredible display and a solid build. However, unlike last year’s Note 4, the battery is not user-swappable. Should the battery lose a significant (more than 20%) level of capacity within the first year Samsung will replace it free of charge, but after that you’re going to have to shell out some cash, or try and replace it yourself.
So what happens if you need to replace a battery, screen, other component? How much will it cost and where should you go? Let’s take a look.
DIY Battery, Back Cover and Screen Repair
The back of the device is a piece of glass that is glued down and fairly hard to get off, however it can be done. Replacing the battery yourself will run you around $52 in supplies (including a heat gun) + the battery itself, which can be found for about $22. Popular smartphone repair site iFixit has plenty of guides on replacing various parts of the device yourself, but be aware that due to the nature of the Note 5’s build, DIY may not be the best option if you’re new to smartphone repair.
If you want to replace the screen, you have two options. If you replace the whole display, the screen and digitizer assembly is around $200 on most online retailers anyway, so it may be better just to send your device to Samsung, if you have that option available.
See also: Best Galaxy Note 5 cases & accessories
However, if the touchscreen and display still work, you may be able to get away with only replacing the front glass lens, which costs around $22 on its own, not including the supplies you’ll need (although, if you’re doing multiple repairs, the supplies will be pretty similar across all of the repairs and can be used multiple times). Finally, if you do want to replace a cracked back cover, it’ll cost about $40 for the glass cover itself.
Repair Stores or official Samsung Repair
Repair costs vary between repair shops, however it shouldn’t be more than what Samsung charges and, in most cases, it’ll be a good deal cheaper. Unfortunately it is hard to tell you an exact price, and so you’ll need to go to a local shop or call them in order to get a proper quote.
If you’d like to have Samsung repair your device, you can get a display replacement (assuming that the damage is out of warranty) for $199, the same price as the replacement on the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. Regarding the battery, Samsung’s support team stated that they “wouldn’t be able to speculate on this”, when asked how much it would cost to replace a Note 5 battery out of warranty.
However, it’s most likely not significantly higher, if at all, than the $45 Samsung charges to replace the battery on the S6/S6 Edge, seeing as the build of the devices are incredibly similar.
If you live in a few key locations in Canada or the United States, you can even head to the service center yourself and get it repaired on the same day.
Samsung details latest monthly security update, includes 24 fixes
Samsung has took to its Samsung Mobile Security Blog to offer details and information on its next round of monthly security updates. This latest update will include patches from both Samsung and Google.
Samsung this time around has includes all of the patches found in Google’s December Security Bulletin. Not only that, but the Korean tech giant has packaged in another nine fixes of its own. In total, this monthly security update will apply 24 fixes to the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, the Note 4, Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Note Edge, Tab S, and Tab S2.
Despite these monthly security updates being all about transparency, Samsung won’t be detailing some of the fixes included in order to avoid giving away unnecessary information to hackers and those who would wish to exploit devices.
These updates are rolling out right now, but some of you may not get them, as it depends heavily upon the region you’re in and the carrier you’re using. For instance, those on AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint might not get these updates for some time now, if at all.
source: Samsung
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