Renders of the next Galaxy Note phone from Samsung not only come with the details of the design shift but also a name shift. Samsung will reportedly call the next Note device Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to make the Galaxy S and Note series phones align with the nomenclature.
According to leaks from French site Nowhereelse.fr the Galaxy Note 7 will apparently measure 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm and will also be available in an Edge variant which will replace the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus for 2016.
The renders which the site claims are true, show off a USB Type-C port which falls in line with many of the rumors in the past.
It is no secret that Samsung is working on a smartphone with a foldable display which it will launch in 2017. The Galaxy X is the name chosen for this phone, which will juggle between a large and a small display unit without any major damage to the smartphone mechanism.
Manufacturing as a whole tends to stay away from moving parts in mobile handsets and portable devices. The more you knock these around the more prone to damage they become. Even most modern laptop hinges succumb to the weight of opening and closing several times a day. Samsung, however, claims that their new technology will not only revolutionize the smartphone segment but all segments on the way up to foldable television display that could be tucked away while not in use.
Samsung is expected to launch 5 handsets next year which will tie in with their flagship segment. The Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge, the Galaxy Note 7 and Note 7 Edge and the Galaxy X which will give the edge a new name.
Why fold a smartphone you would ask? A foldable display could mean the ability to carry a large phone/tablet without needing a lot of room to. The large screen would fold and fit in the pocket easily and will also remove the need for a secondary “tablet”.
While Samsung is always switching up their launch times, the exact launch period of the “Galaxy X” is unknown. But if it does launch in 2017, the industry may soon rush to catch up. On the flipside it could end up being one of these: and literally no one will care.
Samsung has today announced the Samsung Galaxy J5 (6) and J7 (6) for India. The company had previously launched the phones in other markets including Korea and China, however in India they have been launched for prices much lower than their overseas siblings.
The Galaxy J5 (6) has been launched in India for a price of Rs. 13990 and the Galaxy J7 (6) for Rs. 15990. The are several differences in the phones including battery, screen and the chipsets that power them. You can get more details on the handsets here.
The boxes of the J5 and J7 2016 variant are similar and have the 4G branding on them meaning that they are primarily followups of the the popular J series from 2015. Inside you will get the following:
Handset
Wall Charger
USB Cable
Earphones
Battery
User Manual
Both phones now have a metal frame which improves the build and feel of the Galaxy J5 (6) and J7 (6). The back panels on both the phones have also been switched up for brushed metal finish, while they remain to be plastic in material, this new look adds a matte finish and good grip in the hand. The back panel also becomes less prone to fingerprints.
The phones now come with impressive f1.9 aperture cameras which is basically the same aperture on last years flagship Galaxy S6, so Samsung is trifling down specs quite quickly onto newer handsets. The rear camera shoots 13 MP stills and full HD video on both phones and the front camera shoot 5MP stills.
Both the J5 and J7 for 2016 have dual sim card capabilities, with 4G speeds where supported and 128 GB expandability via Micro SD cards. Both have 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. The J5 is running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 whereas the J7 is based on a Exynos 7780 Chipset
The handsets are running on Android 6, Marshmallow, which makes them extremely responsive and snappy. The UI is still Touchwiz laden and full of Samsung’s Apps which will eventually trouble people. However, apps can be disabled which is a good thing.
Samsung has just launched the new Galaxy J5 (6) and Galaxy J7 (6) in India. These are revisions to popular Galaxy j5 and J7 from last year which did really well for the company. The new phones add a whole host of features although many may argue with the specs being not up to requirements.
Samsung Galaxy J5 2016
The phone features a 5.2 inch display with a 1280 x 720p resolution and a Super AMOLED display. The Galaxy J5 (6) runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset along with 2 Gigabyte of RAM and 16 Gigabyte of storage out of which 11 Gigabyte will be available to the user. The J5 (6) will also accept 128 GB microSD cards.
The J5 is a dual sim phone, with 4g capabilities on both SIMs. The handset also features the popular data saving mode, which is more enhanced according to Samsung and features better data and battery management. The battery on the J5 for 2016 is a 3100 mAh battery.
The cameras on both the J series phone shave been upped with an aperture of f1.9 which will be appreciated and will offer better low light performance. The rear camera is a 13 MP shooter where-as the front camera will capture 5MP stills. Video is limited to 1080p.
Samsung Galaxy J7 2016
The Galaxy J7 for 2016 is a bigger brother of the J5 seen above it features a 5.5 inch Super AMOLED display with a 1280 x 720p resolution. You will get the Exynos 7870 chipset, 2 Gigabyte of RAM and 16 Gigabyte of storage out of which 11 Gigabyte will be available to the user. The J7 (6) will also accept 128 GB microSD cards. The J7 features a larger 3300 mAh battery and the same camera setup as the J5 (6).
The J7 (6) too is a $G capable phone with dual-SIM capabilities. Both phones run Android 6 and feature Samsung touchwiz style user interface with Samsung and Microsoft apps preloaded.
The phones feature a more robust metal construction, for the frame which adds rigidity and premium feel, while keeping the removable back panel and battery intact in the Samsung traditional fashion.
The Phones go on sale at midnight on Flipkart, we will keep you posted with the links.
Samsung is not letting go of Tizen or the Z series handsets easily, and that may not be a bad thing. Samsung had first released the Samsung Z1 and skipped the Z2 to launch the Samsung Z3 last year.
It appears that this ultra-budget handset, the Samsung Z2, is ready to make an appearance after all. According to import data listing, Samsung is importing a handset with the model number SM-Z200F, with a screen size of 4 inches for a price of approximately Rs. 3400.
Rumors in the past have pegged this phone to have a unique design and construction, along with a 960 x 540 pixels resolution display and a 2000 mAh battery. The phone is also expected to be a dual-SIM phone.
While Tizen penetration is nowhere near what Samsung expected it to be, it looks like the company is not going to give up on it yet. With the recent leaks of the Gear Fit 2 restarting people’s interest. This Tizen 3 based Z2 may be a decent ultra-budget option for those in need. Although, it is a little difficult to guess what final price the handset will launch at, a rough calculation of the SM-G600F seen in the data above which is for Rs 6782 but launched for Rs. 9990. We can expect the Samsung Z2 to launch for Rs 4490 or in that region.
Samsung’s previously unheard series the Galaxy C is now picking up steam, with the name popping up in benchmarks, the C series seems to be the promise of an all metal phone returning to Samsung’s stable.
The leak shows a previously unseen phone which has the design of the iPhone 6s and the camera placement of the HTC 10. The handset is said to be running on either the Snapdragon 615 or Snapdragon 617 and Adreno 405 graphics it will also have 4 GB of RAM and a 16 MP main camera along with a 8 MP front camera.
it is a little difficult to understand how samsung wants to place these phones, with already many options available from the company in the mid segment, and the Galaxy A series targeting the Mid-high segment, Samsung may just create competition for itself. The main intention is to take on the large influx of handsets from Chinese manufacturers that offer metal builds and good specs.
Samsung is expected to release the Note 6 earlier than usual to eat up some of the market share of the upcoming Apple iPhone 7. Usually launched end-August or early September the Note 6 is expected to have a June-July launch in 2016. Samsung Galaxy Note 6’s configuration were leaked out again on Weibo.
The smartphone is expected to outdo expectations of the consumers by adding 6 GB of RAM and 256 GB of onboard storage, a storage option that analysts claim will be available in the iPhone 7.
Samsung is apparently also working on two variants of the Note 6 one with the Snapdragon 823, which is a beefier version of the Snapdragon 820, for the US markets. The other one will have the Exynos 8890 chipset and will launch in markets like India, Korea and China.
Samsung is loading the Note 6 up with a 4200 mAh battery which is rated for two days use. Reports are also pointing to a Edge variant as in the case of the Note 4 (Note Edge) to add a more premium Note 6 to the lineup much like the Galaxy s7 and S7 Edge. These also may coincide with rumours that Galaxy S7 Edge Plus may actually be launched alongside the Galaxy Note 6, and that the “edge variant” may just as well be the larger S7 Edge plus.
Samsung has already proved that it is listening to the consumers with the Galaxy S7 by allowing microSD and dual sim capabilities. The Note ^ will also feature a similar setup along with IP68 Rating to make it water resistant, just like its younger siblings the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.
A lot of new Smartphones are headed to India this month, and with the market going ablaze with all the options, here are some things you should know about the new launches.
While many other phones may launch, These seem to be the peoples choice at the moment.
Moto G4 and G4 Plus
Now Lenovo owned Moto is all set to launch their next gen G4 and G4 Plus on 17th May while a lot is not know about the handsets, it is clear that Moto is pushing its smartphones hard. The G4 is expected to come with a fingerprint scanner and various other improvements on performance display and camera. The G4 Plus is expected to be a big brother of the G4 with possibly a larger display.
Yu 5330
While the actual name of this handset is unknown, the Yu 5330 has leaked and CEO Rahul Sharma was seen breaking “Flag Ships” in a video. If we put it together, the company wants to make a “Flagship Breaker” Smartphone. However the specs and leaks do not pit it as a flagship smartphone.
Lenovo Zuk Z1
Lenovo’s online only brand ZUk is creating some buzz in India, the Zuk Z1. The phone comes with a metal frame with a display of 5.5 inches IPS screen and 1080p resolution, while the phone itself measures 8.9mm thick and comes with a 4,100mAh battery with a 2.5A charger. Its is expected to be launched under Rs. 20000 on 10th May.
OnePlus Three
This year OnePlus decided to keep things on the down low as their #hype campaign last year left a lot of people disappointed. Reports are mentioning two models of the OnePlus 3 one with 4GB of RAM + 32GB of storage and one with 6GB of RAM + 64GB of storage. A price of CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 20,400) is quoted for the base model of the OnePlus pointing towards a roughly Rs. 24000-25000 launch price in markets like India. While it is expected to launch end May we are not sure when it will come to India. Hopefully, at the same time as the rest of the world.
Samsung Galaxy J5 and J7 2016
Samsung is launching the J5 and the J7 in India, the 2016 variant. While we are working on relevant videos, let us tell you that the handsets will have Snapdragon chipsets and many improvements which were requested by users. Samsung has taken a user centric approach this year and that might be a good thing.Samsung will launch both phones on 9th May.
Micromax Canvas 6
The Indian company which has not been faring well in the market, is trying to regain ground with the launch of several new handsets and a company redesign. Expected to launch sometime next week, the Canvas 6 has a Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 and a 5.5 inch Full HD display. You will get 32 GB storage and 3 GB RAM along with expandability and dual SIM.
Which smartphone will you be waiting for and why? Let us know below.
Samsung has launched the J5 and J7 in the home country of South Korea and in China. This time however, the handsets feature a metal frame and improved design and specifications.
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) features a 5.2-inch 720p Super AMOLED display and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. A 1.2 Ghz quad-core processor powers the device, along with 16 GB of internal storage, and microSD expansion slot. It also has a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front facing camera. The Galaxy J5 will come with a 3,100 mAh removable battery.
The Samsung Galaxy J7 has a 5.5-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display an runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It’s powered by 1.6 Ghz quad-core chip and 2 GB of RAM. I 16 GB of internal storage, microSD expansion slot for up to 128 GB support.13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front facing camera It packs in a larger 3,300 mAh removable battery.
Samsung is working to launch these handsets in India soon, and will boast many of the data saving and graphics features, that were a huge hit last year. Both the J5 and J7 have cameras with f1.9 aperture which will truly improve low light camera performance for these phones.
The Phones have been launched for KRW 290,000 (around $255 / Rs 14000) and KRW 363,000 (around $320 / Rs 20000) however they are expected to be priced lower in India.
Rumors are pegging the release of the Note 6 and the Galaxy S7 Edge Plus earlier than its usual IFA launch for July 2016. The segment defining Note series that still comes with a stylus may launch at the time Samsung launched the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus along with a successor of the same.
One of the smartphones pegged for July will feature a large 5.8 inch Edge display, much like the S7 edge and will come with Android N on board. Soon after which most Samsung flagships will start to get their own builds/ upgrades of Android N. The Other will feature the same size, however with a flat display.
There is also talk of a 4000 mAh battery, which may not be such a problems thanks to the large size. The processors seem to be the same as well, according to the tip, with no major changes under the hood. However, the Note 6 for the US market will get Snapdragon 823.
Both the devices will feature the same cameras already found in the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, along with features like a fingerprint sensor and an iris scanner. While the latter does not seem very likely.
Samsung has launched the Galaxy J3 2016 edition in India today with some improvements over the past years model.
The new J3 6 has a 5-inch HD (720×1280 pixels) Super AMOLED display. The handset is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and has 1.5GB of RAM.
With 8GB of inbuilt storage which can be expanded via microSD card (up to 128GB). The Galaxy J3 6 still runs on Lollipop and has the Samsung Touchwiz Style UI on it. Launched for a price of Rs. 8990 the J6 is expected to compete in the lower than 10k spectrum where presently the Chinese players are shining.
As far as optics are concerned the J3 (6) features an 8 + 5 MP camera combination and is 4G capable along with a 2600 mAh battery.
Another feature of the phone is the “S-Bike” Mode which will allow users to tap a NFC sticker to enable a Do-Not-Disturb mode of sorts. Designed for Bikers, this mode will allow users to play Pre-Recorded messages like “I’m riding at the moment, I’ll call you back later”
Samsung has not had its secrets well kept this year, with the S7 and S7 edge facing several leaks, it looks like the company has been not so careful in keeping the lid on the Galaxy S7 Active, which shows up in their update of the Samsung Level App.
Tagged in the image below, is the mention of the S7 Active. A phone that probably makes no sense unless you want a rough and tough S7. Since the new flagships already have water resistance.
They phone should have the same innards as the S7 pair, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and 4 GB of RAM including the new cameras which seem to be a sheer joy to use. You should also get higher drop protection and better water resistance.
This could be an error made by, let us assume, an intern, who may not be getting a full-time job. Or it could provide a smart marketing placement.
India’s festival of color and water is just around the corner. While we would seriously advocate that you do not waste water and play a dry Holi. For those still willing to go all out, the smartphone is one of the biggest victims of an accident on and around the festival of Holi.
Imagine your phone gets struck by a water and color filled balloon, and moments later it is time to go hunting for a new one.
While every smartphone should now feature some kind of waterproofing, many companies do not agree with us. So if you plan on playing Rambo on Holi try the following smartphones guaranteed to last through the water filled festival. Zip lock bags and plastic wrapped phones are soon to be a thing of the past.
Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge
The latest and greatest flagship from Samsung is actually now iP68 rated, means that it will mostly survive if immersed for up to 30 minutes or 1.5 meters under (water). The glass and metal should also prevent it from easily getting colored by Holi colors, however, industrial dyes and the infamous gold men may be instrumental in helping you change the color of your handset from say black to Gold.
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
Apple’s latest releases, to everyone’s surprise, do indeed feature a water resistant body. Though not rated or officially announced by Apple. This secretive water resistance was Apple’s way of reducing servicing costs and general user appreciation. Tested out by many people including us, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, turns out to be more resilient than Samsung’s latest and greatest S7 and S7 Edge. Offering up the same all metal design, the iPhone should fare well in colored water as long as you don’t have some serious stainers.
MotoG (gen 3) and Moto X Play
Motorola has been adding water resistant coatings on their devices for a while, while not fully rugged they would help the phone survive spills of coffee or accidental drops in puddles. The Moto G gen 3 was a whole new breed from Motorola, with an IPX7 rating the phone is water resistant for up to 1 Meter and for a total of 30 minutes. The body is made from plastic, which may not do too well with colors, though. On the plus side, the back panel is cheap and easily replaceable. The X Play offers up a water resistant coating too though it may not survive dunking like the Moto G, however, may be less prone to color accidents or damage.
Sony Xperia Z5, Z5 Premium, Z5 Compact
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
With dual IP68 and IP65 ratings, the Xperia phones from Sony are no stranger to water. The revolution by far has ben led by the Japenese manufacturer who has led the water resistance category smartphones for a while.
With glass on both sides and a glossy metal bezel, the Xperia Z5 series is very resistant to color and water. As a matter of fact, the number 5 in the IP65 stands for resistance from water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction. Reminds you of a certain subject of this story doesn’t it.
HTC Desire Eye
With a whole lot of optical capability, the HTC Desire Eye makes our list. Although this complete plastic phone may not do so well with colors the HTC Desire Eye has serious cameras on the front and the back. With an IPX7 certification just like the Moto G, the phone will survive for 30 minutes under 1 m of water guaranteed.
Of course there are many other phones and gadgets that would easily survive the onset of Holi. Have any favorites add them to the list below.
VR technology which has gained traction amongst users in the last couple of months looks set to be breaking barriers and becoming a truly social hub for activities in the coming days. Facebook-owned Oculus has decided to shift its focus towards making our VR experience in the coming days more social with the addition of a number of features such as the addition of social games and social elements to viewing videos while using the Gear VR.
The Gear VR, which was launched on 21st January here in India and is available for free with all S7 and S7 edge Pre-Orders, is Samsung’s VR offering that was developed in partnership with Oculus. Owners of the VR headset which is regarded as one of the best available offerings in the market, starting tomorrow, will be able to create accounts on the Oculus servers, and then get in touch with other users of the Gear VR, and also leave reviews for all apps in the Oculus Store.
Oculus wants its users to enjoy the immersive world of Virtual Reality with friends, and to help make this possible it has announced two new social heavy VR games that will allow users to go up against their friends.
First up is Social Trivia, a game that lets you and up to four friends compete in a battle of knowledge in an artificial VR environment. The second game is Herobound: Gladiators which is a multiplayer adventure game. The game lets you take the VR gaming experience to another level and sees the user Band together with up to four people to conquer goblins and demons in arena battlefields. The game also allows for integrated voice chat to talk and strategize in real time for an unmatched co-op experience.
For users who would rather stay away from games, Facebook’s Oculus has announced host of other features that sees it bring to the platform with the help of Oculus Video the functionality to personalize your 360-degree video feed based on the pages and people you follow on Facebook. It has revealed that in the coming weeks, users will be able to connect and react to their favorite Facebook 360 videos directly in virtual reality.
And, if that’s still not good enough to get you excited, Oculus is adding the functionality to create private VR chat rooms with friends which let you watch Vimeo and Twich streams with them in a Virtual Reality environment.
Oculus’ efforts to push for social VR does not end there as it has also communicated to developers that it wants to “drive deeper social connections” and hence later this month “will release new tools for developers that make it even easier to create more incredible social VR games and apps.
Virtual Reality is the next big thing to happen to technology and every big name out there is getting into the game. Samsung, Apple, Google and many more are all working on VR technology as we speak. When it comes to virtual reality, Oculus is the name that first comes to mind. While the Oculus Rift is one of the more premium VR headsets out there, there is also the Oculus-powered Samsung Gear VR for the general masses that stands as a stepping stone into the realm of virtual reality. Here’s everything you need to know about the Samsung Gear VR.
Design, Features, and Compatibility
Samsung launched the Gear VR headset in India last month at a price of Rs 8,200. The headset is currently being offered for free on pre-orders for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. The headset features a large touchpad for control. It weighs about 318 grams and measures 201.9×116.4×92.6mm. The Gear VR comes with an impressive field of view of 96 degrees and houses back, volume, and focus adjustment wheel button for controls.
The Gear VR also packs sensors such as gyro, accelerometer, and proximity, and the device will support Micro-USB charging. The Gear VR comes with soft, flexible cushioning material, and also features adjustable straps for ease use of use.The Gear VR Headset will also support 360-degree videos.
The Gear VR Headset features a wide interface, ergonomic design, and a large touchpad. Gear VR promises convenient and accurate control to enjoy games and videos. At the launch, the company stressed that Gear VR Headset works seamlessly with high-end Galaxy smartphones including the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and the new Galaxy S7 series.
Applications
The Gear VR got a major media boost few months ago with Netflix, Hulu and Twitch among the few new services made available for the headset. The Netflix app, for example, creates a virtual living room for the viewer to watch in. The virtual television in front of you will have the Netflix UI on the screen. You simply look to move the cursor and tap the touchpad on the side of the Gear VR to make your selection. And since Netflix is now in India, streaming movies never sounded this good!
The Netflix Experience
As the Gear VR is still a work in progress, applications and uses are still limited. As of February 2016, here are 185 Apps available for the Gear VR on the Oculus Store. Apart from media entertainment, the Gear VR also offers an entirely new gaming experience. After all, virtual reality is all about immersing the user completely in a virtual world for a 360-degree experience.
Notable games include Herobound: First Steps, Ikarus, Dreadhalls, Esper and Proton Pulse. “The new games include “Social Trivia” and “Herobound: Gladiators,” Oculus says. Social Trivia pits you against friends or strangers in a battle of knowledge while Herobound: Gladiators lets you band together in groups of four to battle goblins and demons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4vhtpa8JRA
Furthermore, Oculus is ready to get Gear VR owners a lot more social. Starting today, Gear VR owners will get to set up their own social profiles and connect with other Gear VR friends by searching their Oculus username or real name. You will then be able to kick back and watch movies together and engage with each other in social games.
You also may be aware that Facebook started 360-degree videos a while ago that lets users navigate the video for a complete 360-degree view. With the Samsung Gear VR, you’ll now be able to connect your Facebook account to “Like” and share 360-degree videos from inside it. From next week, Oculus will let users sign into Facebook and get a personalised news feed based on people and pages they follow.
With this, Facebook-owned Oculus is taking the first big step in bringing virtual reality and social media together.
Is There a Downside?
Perhaps the few main problems about a VR headset is that it can make you look silly, which is why users usually prefer to wear it in the confines of their homes, away from the eyes of passersby. VR headsets tend to cause headaches or nausea if worn for too long. But the Gear VR, being on the lighter side, hasn’t caused these symptoms as much as the heavier Oculus Rift has.
Nevertheless, the Gear VR is a great new product from Samsung that promises a good virtual reality experience at an affordable cost.
Samsung is looking to expand its consumer base and is looking to make the Gear VR not just a device for niche audience. It may take a while before people take to the virtual reality experience, but the future of media and gaming technology looks pretty clear. So, for those who want to experience the next season of Daredevil (which begins March 18) in virtual reality can get their hands on the Gear VR today.
The phone features a 5.2 inch display with a 1280 x 720p resolution and a Super AMOLED display. The Galaxy J5 (6) runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset along with 2 Gigabyte of RAM and 16 Gigabyte of storage out of which 11 Gigabyte will be available to the user. The J5 (6) will also accept 128 GB microSD cards.
The Samsung Galaxy J7 has a 5.5-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display an runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It’s powered by 1.6 Ghz quad-core chip and 2 GB of RAM. I 16 GB of internal storage, microSD expansion slot for up to 128 GB support.13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front facing camera It packs in a larger 3,300 mAh removable battery.
