Category: Samsung

Samsung Introduces W2014 Flip Phone Powered By Snapdragon 800

Samsung has launched yet another flip phone for the Chinese market, this time powered by the beastly Snapdragon 800 processor. The W2014 has been officially revealed today after leaking last month.

As GSMArena reports, the W2014 has a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor under the hood, along with 2GB RAM, 32GB internal memory (with microSD card slot), 13 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, 1900mAh battery and Android 4.3.

The W2014 has dual displays, just like the Galaxy Golden, with a 3.7-inch 800×480 resolution Super AMOLED panel on either side of the flip.

There’s a slim chance that a few more Asian countries might get it as well.

November 2, 2013
Is Your Phone Eligible To Android 4.4 KiKat? Check here!
Everyone of us are aware, but if in case anyone missed it out, Google just launched its flagship Nexus 5 in the markets globally. The device is coming soon in India and is already given a price tag of 28999 INR for the 16 GB model.

Nexus 5 features the latest Android operating system 4.4 KitKat, its the first device to run this version of the OS. However, after the official launch other phone makers are working hard to give there users a great experience with the latest software update. Here is a list of Smartphones which will soon get the latest Android update soon:
- Samsung Galaxy S4 will get the latest Android update soon.
- HTC One Play Edition will get the update withing 15 days,
- Whereas, the standard HTC One is said to get the update in 90 days
- Nexus 4
- Nexus 7
- Nexus 10
- Sony Xperia Z1 might get the update as per the latest tweet.
These are the devices which are likely to get the update soon, while there could be some more. We will keep you updated with the news for getting your smartphone a taste of Kitkat!
November 2, 2013
Report: Samsung Galaxy Nexus Will Not Get Android 4.4 KitKat

Shortly after announcing the upcoming availability of the first smartphone to ship with Android 4.4 KitKat operating system out of the box, the Nexus 4, Google updated its FAQs for various devices.

Among them, Samsung Galaxy Nexus stands out due to the fact that it’s one of the few Galaxy devices that doesn’t get the Android 4.4 KitKat updates.

According to Google, “Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which first launched two years ago, falls outside of the 18-month update window when Google and others traditionally update devices.”

Android 4.4 KitKat has been designed to run smoothly even on devices with 512 MB of RAM confirms so it’s obviously not about the hardware. The end of the update cycle for the Galaxy Nexus seems to be all about Google saving a few bucks on development costs.

Keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus runs a Texas Instruments OMAP processor, and TI isn’t really in the mobile game anymore. Can be difficult to support a device when the chipset manufacturer isn’t really around. This is tough news to swallow for many of you, but the phone is now two years old.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy Nexus was a breakthrough device for Android, heralding in the “Ice Cream Sandwich” age with a strong focus on design.

Google has confirmed that Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Developer Editions will receive an Android 4.4 KitKat update in the coming weeks.

November 1, 2013
Samsung Tops J.D. Power Tablet Customer Satisfaction Survey, Beats Apple

J.D. Power and Associates is an American-based marketing information services firm that’s highly regarded for its research on customer satisfaction. Apple loves to quote their surveys, and does so at media events and on earnings calls.

But this is one report Tim Cook and company are probably not going to be mentioning. In J.D. Power’s latest tablet customer satisfaction survey, Apple was bested by Samsung on overall satisfaction and in particular areas like device cost.

“Samsung showed particularly strong improvement in the cost factor (25-point increase),” the firm said in a statement. “Apple ranks second scoring 833 and performs particularly well in performance and ease of operation.”

Apple scored 5 out of 5 stars for Overall Satisfaction, Performance, Ease of Use, Physical Design, and Tablet Features, as shown in the chart below. For Cost, apple scored 2 out of 5. In comparison, Samsung scored a 5, 3, 3, 5, 4, and 4 in those same categories, losing to Apple on four of categories, tying in one, and winning on the sixth, Cost.

Samsung tablets received 835 points on a 1,000 scale, with Apple (833), Amazon (826) and Asus (821) right behind it. This is commendable, seeing as in its April study, J.D. Power’s survey ranked Samsung under the study average, with a score of 822, while Apple took the top spot with 836. The surveyors from the marketing firm also note that Samsung is the only manufacturer to have improved in all five areas that are being examined since the last study. These include performance, ease of operation, styling and design, features and cost.

November 1, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Dot, Circle and Square in Daily Life

Samsung has recently announced its flagship and the latest addition to the Note series, the Galaxy Note 3 is available in the market for around 46,000 INR. The device is undoubtedly packed with some great features but what we are going to talk about is the latest S-Pen features which Samsung proudly likes to talk about as the Dot, Circle and Square.

Simply pull out the S-Pen and place it over the screen and tap the button on the pen, you will get a air command window which will have five options:

Action Memo – The Dot feature is useful for taking quick notes, easily to jot down numbers and email addresses, but the great thing is that this feature can help you to link things down, you just type an address and you can directly open maps for navigation for that address or simply jot down a number link it and call directly. Watch our video to get an idea of how this can be beneficial in your daily life.

Scrapbook – Basically a mobile Evernote Web Clipper, this allows you to grab pieces of web page — text or photo — and save it in various notebooks. It can be of great use in our daily life, if your are surfing the internet and you find something interesting that your friends should know about you can simply take out the S-Pen and make a circle around the stuff you want to share and the Note 3 will do rest of the magic for you. The Circle will link the page with what you selected and once the person receives it at the other end they will be able to land to the page you selected. You can check out our video above to see how is this helpful in the daily routine.

Screen Write – Full screen memos with annotations anywhere during any app.

S Finder – Finds content that you have saved with scrapbooker or with S Note, also searches online.

Pen Window – The Square feature allows users to open a separate app in a window size of your choosing, overlaid on top of another app. This feature can be your best friend at times, it is fairly simple to make calculation no matter what you are doing on the phone. You just have to take the S-Pen out and make square of your desired size, you will get a window of the same size giving you some option like Calculator, YouTube, Phone, Whatapp and alot more. Check out our video for a daily life demonstration on this feature.

October 28, 2013
Samsung Competes With Apple, Prices Galaxy Golden Flip Phone At Rs. 51900

Ever since Apple’s got the idea to launch an iPhone in the Golden color, we have seen many phones opting the Gold color to name few, the HTC One and even the Galaxy S4.

Today Samsung has announced a new phone in the Indian market, Samsung Galaxy Golden Flip Phone is now available in the leading stores. Flipkart is taking pre-orders for the smartphone at a price of Rs. 49,900. The look alike of this phone was first launched in the Korean market in August this year and is now available in India probably at the right time, Diwali!

The company claims the device is made to give an easy to use and operate experience. It comes with ‘Easy Mode’, which comes with large fonts and icons and enables the users to access and search apps quickly. It also highlights certain features on the device like favorite apps and easy settings. Another feature is the ‘Hidden Receiver’ that allows users to take calls without opening the folder.

Commenting on the launch, Vineet Taneja, Country Head, Samsung Mobiles and IT said, “At Samsung, we are committed to making lives easier and smarter for our customers and GALAXY Golden does exactly that. With its innovative dual display and premium golden finish, GALAXY Golden brings together the best of touch and type experience on a smartphone. This specially crafted device is aimed at consumers seeking seamless integration of stunning classic design and functionality to make their lives more efficient.”

The Samsung Galaxy Golden features two screens both are 3.7 inch Super AMOLED displays, on the inside and the outside of the top-half. The phone is powered by a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The Golden Flip Phone has a 1.5 GB of RAM and 16 GB of inbuilt storage which can be expanded upto 64 GB. Galaxy Golden features a 8 MP primary camera along with a 1.9 MP front facing camera. The device has a 1820 mAh battery and connectivity option include Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth.

The Samsung Galaxy Golden should be available in the shops nearby you, the phone is priced at 51900 INR which seems overpriced for a phone with these specifications, while the price high could be because of the two 3.7 inches Super AMOLED displays.

Press Release

Samsung Launches the Exquisitely Crafted GALAXY Golden phone

Premium folder design with dual screen and golden finish to add to Diwali festivities

New Delhi, October 28, 2013: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital technologies, today announced the launch of GALAXY Golden – a premium flip phone with a golden coloured accent. GALAXY Golden is specially designed for discerning consumers seeking innovation, stylish design and convenience.

GALAXY Golden sports a differentiated premium folder design that provides users a unique touch and type smartphone experience. The phone is equipped with two 3.7” slim Super AMOLED screens to provide greater flexibility and convenience to the users. While the outer screen enables the users to expeditiously make and receive calls, flipping the phone open brings up the inner screen and a large 3×4 keypad with big and bold keys to help users operate the phone with greater ease. GALAXY Golden is a stunning looking smartphone with its rich black casing accentuated with an elegant golden finish. The back cover offers a smooth textured finish which gives the phone a premium feel and makes it easy to grip.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Vineet Taneja, Country Head, Samsung Mobiles & IT, said, “At Samsung, we are committed to making lives easier and smarter for our customers and GALAXY Golden does exactly that. With its innovative dual display and premium golden finish, GALAXY Golden brings together the best of touch and type experience on a smartphone. This specially crafted device is aimed at consumers seeking seamless integration of stunning classic design and functionality to make their lives more efficient.”

The innovative design is aimed at making the phone easy to use and operate. It comes with ‘Easy Mode’, which comes with large fonts and icons and enables the users to access and search apps quickly. It also highlights certain features on the device like favourite apps and easy settings, which makes it even simpler to use the phone. Another interesting feature is the ‘Hidden Receiver’that allows users to take calls without opening the folder and provides high quality sound in noisy areas.

GALAXY Golden scores very well on the performance front. Powered by 1.7GHz dual-core processor coupled with 1.5GB RAM, the smartphone provides exceptional performance, smoother transitions and faster web browsing. It is based on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system enabling faster multitasking and easier applications management. It comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera that allows the users to capture rich and stunning images. It also sports a 1.9-megapixel front camera and comes with 16GB internal memory. On the connectivity front, the GALAXY Golden comes with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS/AGPS.

The GALAXY Golden is available at all leading retail stores at Rs. 51,900/-.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 270,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

October 28, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Round Gets Its First Advertisement: Video

Samsung recently launched Galaxy Round in Korea, the curved display phone is said to be only available in the Korean market , atleast for now.

The Samsung Galaxy round was earlier displayed through images and a not so clear video which showed everyone a tilt effect of the phone. However, Samsung Mobile Korea today released the first advertisement for the Samsung Galaxy Round, the 32 seconds clip shows various objects along with the device itself. It seems that Samsung is trying to relate these by conveying a message that everything around us is curved so why not the phone ? You can check out the Samsung Galaxy Round Video above.

The Samsung Galaxy Round is powered by a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 Quad-core processor with a Snapdragon 800 Chipset (the much awaited chipset for ‘Samsung’ devices in India) and an Adreno 330 GPU. The device sports a 13 MP camera at the back along with LED Flash and a 2 MP front camera. The 13 MP rear camera does videos at 2160p @30fps and 1080p @60fps.

The Galaxy Round is available in the Korean market and is launched in the luxury brown color for now. The device measures 151.1 x 79.6 x 7.9 mm and weighs 154 grams. If we talk about the connectivity option on the Galaxy Round, we will again see something very similar to what we saw on the Galaxy Note 3 as the images of the Galaxy Round clearly shows the USB 3.0 port.

October 28, 2013
Samsung Patents Design For Another Wearable Device: Sports Glasses

A design patent registered with Korean authorities shows an electronic device in the form of spectacles. It has been categorized as a type of sports glasses.

This design is of a type with earphones integrated, allowing to take phone calls and listen to music during workouts,” according to patent filed by Samsung earlier this year. The device is supposed to connect to a smartphone and display alerts for information on the phone. The device features a lens that is either transparent or translucent, as claimed. From the images shared it seems much like the Google Glass but the Samsung device looks much on to the sporty look. A Samsung spokeswoman said the company doesn’t comment on future product plans.

After the launch of Galaxy Gear the first wearable from the company, Samsung seems to focus to bring on more of it. “For a considerable while, smartphones and wearables will co-exist,” says J.K. Shin, Galaxy Gear watch launch.

October 25, 2013
Samsung Has Sold Over 40 Million Galaxy S4 Units

Samsung has sold more than 40 Million Galaxy S4 in 6 months of its launch. Earlier, Samsung sold 38 million of its Note devices, now with the S4 company has reached a new milestone.

It sure is an achievement for the company but Samsung might have assumed this already, as the first month sales for the device itself was 10 Million units. JK Shin, did not reveal the brake down of the sales, but the S4 golden was probably not the show stealer here as it was only available in a limited market. Whereas, the company further updated the product through a firmware tweak which allowed the device to connect with the wearable Galaxy Gear.

October 24, 2013
iGyaan Gift Guide: Tablets

In this festival season if you want to spend some money on your loved ones, here we bring you the recommended list of tablets that you can gift to your near and dear ones.

BSNL Penta IS701C:

The BSNL Penta IS701C is a budget tablet which is available for 3950 INR. The device features a 7 inch Multi touch TFT screen and runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The Tablet is powered by a ARM Cortex A8 1 GHz Processor which is coupled with a 512 MB DDR3 RAM and 4 GB inbuilt memory -expandable memory upto 32 GB. The device has a 0.3 MP primary camera and it is a 3G tablet which is packed with a 3000 mAh battery.

Intex I-Buddy 7.0 Tablet:

The Intex I-Buddy 7.0 Tablet is available in WiFi only and also in calling support individually. The Wifi Only version is available for 6300 INR. The device features a 7 inch Capacitive Touch Screen and runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The Tablet is powered by a Boxchip A13 1.0 GHz Processor which is coupled with a 512 MB DDR3 RAM and 4 GB inbuilt memory -expandable memory upto 32 GB. The device has a 0.3 MP primary camera and it is a 3G via dongle tablet which is packed with a 2350 mAh battery.

iBall 6318i Tablet:

The iBall 6318i is a 7 inch tablet which is available for 5395 INR. This tablet is powered by a 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Processor and runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The device features a 2 MP primary camera and a VGA secondary camera. The Tablet is packed with a 1 GB of DDR3 RAM and 4 GB of inbuilt storage which is expandable to 32 GB, the device has a 4000 mAh battery and supports 3G via dongle.

Lenovo A2107 Tablet:

The Lenovo A2107 is a 7 inch tablet which is available for 5395 INR. This tablet is powered by a 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Processor and runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The device features a 2 MP primary camera and a VGA secondary camera. The Tablet is packed with a 1 GB of DDR2 RAM and 16 GB of inbuilt storage which is expandable to 32 GB, the device has a 3550 mAh battery.

Nexus 7 Tablet (1st and 2nd generation):

Nexus 7 1st generation is already available in the Indian market from a long time now, while the second generation Nexus 7 will supposedly be available in India by the month of November.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3:

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 T211 features a 7 inch touchscreen and is priced at 16250 INR. The device sports a 3 MP rear camera and a 1.3 MP front camera. The device is powered by a 1.2 Ghz dual core processor and has 1 GB of RAM, the tab has an expandable storage option of upto 32 GB.

Sony SGPT211IN/S:

The Sony Sony SGPT211IN/S is a foldable tablet which has a 5.5 inch screen and is priced at 15999 INR. The device runs on Android Honeycomb. The sony Sony SGPT211IN/S sports a 5 MP primary camera and a 3 MP secondary camera. The device is powered by a ARM Cortex Dual Core Processor.

Apple 16 GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi:

The Apple iPad Mini runs an a relatively older, Apple A5 chip that has a dual-core 1GHz cortex A9 processor and 512MB of RAM. The tablet sports a 7.85-inch IPS display that has a resolution of 768 x 1024 pixels (roughly 162 ppi) which was one of the biggest downers of the iPad Mini when it was announced, as it lacked a retina display. If you consider, you can actually wait for the upcoming iPads, the iPad mini retina display.

Lenovo Idea Tab S6000 Tablet:

The Lenovo Idea Tab S6000 Tablet has a 10.1 inch screen and is priced at 22499 INR. The device runs on Android 4.2 and is powered by a 1.2 Ghz processor. Lenovo Idea Tab S6000 Tablet sports a 5 MP main camera along with a VGA secondary camera.

Sony (SGPT111IN/S) Tablet S:

The Sony (SGPT111IN/S) Tablet S sports a 9.4 inch screen and is priced at 22900 INR. The device is powered by a 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Dual Core processor and runs on Android Honeycomb. It has 1 GB of RAM along with a 16 GB of inbuilt storage.

Apple 16GB iPad with Retina Display and Wi-Fi (4th Generation):

The Apple 16GB iPad with Retina Display and Wi-Fi (4th Generation) features a beautiful 9.7 inch screen and starts with a price tag of 31900 INR. The device runs on latest iOS from Apple and is powered by A6X Chip with Quad-Core Graphics. You might want to wait for the newly launched iPad Air to hit the Indian Market!

Samsung Galaxy Note 800:

Samsung Galaxy note 800 and Samsung Galaxy note 10.1 both are great value for money, the Note 800 is priced at 35490 INR which can be reasonable to some compare to 49990 INR for the newly launched Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition. Both tablets share the same screen size and the S Pen support.

Sony Xperia Z Tablet:

The Sony Xperia Z Tablet features a 10.1 inch display and is priced at 41499 INR. The device runs on Android 4.1 and is powered by a 1.5 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor. The device sports 8.1 MP and 2.2 MP primary and secondary cameras respectively.

These are few recommended tablets, there could be many others as well. If you have any tablet we missed on which you think can be a best gift and great value for money, you can leave your valuable inputs in the comment section below.

October 23, 2013
Samsung Acquires 7.4 Percent of Gorilla Glass Maker Corning

Corning has taken full control of Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co. Ltd., which is a joint venture 43 percent owned by Samsung itself. In return, the Korean company will get $1.9 billion worth of shares in Corning, which if converted, would give it a 7.4 percent stake.

Both organisations have also agreed to a deal that will see Samsung Display supplied by Corning till 2023. The company’s Gorilla Glass is used in most of the high-end smartphones and tablets, which includes products made by Samsung, Apple and even HTC. This deal might create some unwanted heat from other companies who also uses Gorilla Glass.

October 23, 2013
Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2 to Get Android 4.3 and Galaxy Gear Support Soon

After the much awaited Android update for the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, Samsung has now confirmed that both these phones will now get the Galaxy Gear support along with the Android update which will be out soon depending on what country you are in.

Recently the Android update was out for the Galaxy S4 and now it will be applied to the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. The Galaxy Gear support will not be limited only to Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 or Note 2 as the Gear support will also be available for Galaxy S4 mini, Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy Mega 5.8, Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Galaxy S4 Zoom. All these devices would be able to access the benefits of the Galaxy Gear with time. However, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy note 2 will get the earliest access to the Galaxy Gear.

Extending Galaxy Gear compatibility to more Galaxy devices reflects our deep commitment to continuing to deliver enriched mobile experiences to our consumers,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile division, Samsung Electronics. “Through a significant effort to enhance and enrich the Galaxy experience, Samsung continues to empower our users in their mobile lives and enable smart freedom with Galaxy Gear.”

Press Release

Samsung Extends Galaxy Gear Compatibility to Galaxy S III, S4, Note II, and More

October 23, 2013

Samsung provides more users with enhanced flexibility and freedom via extended Galaxy Gear compatibility

Seoul, Korea – Oct 23, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today announced that more Samsung devices will be compatible with Galaxy Gear, a perfect companion device that makes mobile communication easier and more enjoyable.

Galaxy Gear will be available for use with Galaxy S4, S III, and Note II through the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) update. The update came first to Galaxy S4 devices in Germany in October. Samsung will also extend Galaxy Gear compatibility to other GALAXY devices – including Galaxy S4 mini, S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3, and S4 zoom – through a separate software update beginning at the end of October. Software update schedules for each device will vary by country and carrier.

“Extending Galaxy Gear compatibility to more Galaxy devices reflects our deep commitment to continuing to deliver enriched mobile experiences to our consumers,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile division, Samsung Electronics. “Through a significant effort to enhance and enrich the Galaxy experience, Samsung continues to empower our users in their mobile lives and enable smart freedom with Galaxy Gear.”

Samsung Galaxy Gear
Galaxy Gear will enable Galaxy S4, S III, and Note II users to make and answer calls and view incoming messages and notifications with just a glance. For a closer look at more important messages, users can simply pick up their master device and the Smart Relay feature instantly reveals the full content. Users can also find major social apps on Samsung Apps to maintain connections to their social networks via Galaxy Gear.

With a 1.9 Megapixel camera, users can snap a visual memo by simply tapping Galaxy Gear’s screen. Photos are then easily and automatically saved in the master device’s gallery. Users can enjoy a built-in Pedometer app and use Galaxy Gear to control the music played on their master devices. Of course the device also functions like a watch, with the option to change the face with 10 different clock options and even more options available via Samsung Apps.

October 23, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition launched in India at a Price of 49990 INR

Samsung has launched the latest Galaxy Note tablet in India, the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition is priced at 49990 INR. The tablet is now available throughout India in all the stores.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition sports a 10.1 inch WQXGA display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. The Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 is powered by a 1.9 GHz quad-core and 1.3 Ghz quad-core Exynos 5 Octa processor. The device is packed with a 3GB of RAM which was seen on the Note 3, the tablet has a 32 GB inbuilt storage which is expandable via Micro SD. The Galaxy Note 10.1 features a 8 MP primary camera with BSI sensor and autofocus along with LED flash, the secondary camera on the device is a 2 MP BSI sensor. The device runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and is packed with a giant 8220 mAh battery.

The new GALAXY Note 10.1 delivers the best viewing and multitasking experiences. It is a demonstration of Samsung Mobile’s focus on constant product innovation to stay aligned with shifting consumer interests,” said Mr. Vineet Taneja, Country Head, Mobile & IT, Samsung India. “The GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) unites functionality, usage experience and mobility to make the everyday lives of consumers easier and more enjoyable.”

The device also features S Pen, and delevers features seen on Note 3 like the Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write and S Finder. The newly launched Galaxy Note 10.1 also comes pre-loaded with Samsung KNOX for enhanced security. Connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct and AllShareCast, as well as 3G/ LTE as indicated earlier.

The device is available in two color options jet black and classic white, the company has given the device the same leather look at the back as on the Note 3.

October 23, 2013

What to Buy : Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Galaxy Note 2

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was launched in India for a price of Rs. 49900 (roughly translated to “more than most can afford”) and is now available throughout India. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 features a new design over its predecessor boasting a soft-touch, leather like back, along with many hardware changes that put it right in line with many flagships out there. But, at the price at which it has launched, should you go in for the Galaxy Note 3? or should you get the Galaxy Note 2? Here is where we break it down for you.

Aesthetics

The Note 3 is actually slimmer and thinner than the Galaxy Note 2 despite getting a larger 5.7-inch full HD 1920 x 1080p display. The Note 3 also appears to be squarish from the front and has a slightly raised bezel, as opposed to the roundish bezel on the Galaxy Note 2.

The new leather look back panel on the Note 3 definitely adds a lot more premium appeal to the previous plastic and poorly constructed look. Which however, does not change the fact that the phone is still completely plastic, now its just plastic hidden behind faux leather-appearing plastic.

Hardware Comparison

Apart from the obvious differences in the specs, the major changes on the new Note 3 worth noting are, the aforementioned Full HD display, a new Exynos 5 chipset vs Exynos 4 on the Note 2 which offers an effective 1.9 GHz on Quad cores (with full octa-core functionality by December.). You also get 3 new temperature, humidity and gesture sensors, along with an additional gigabyte of RAM.

A 16GB bump in storage capacity makes the basic variant (and the only one available in India) a 32GB variant. A slightly larger 3200 mAh battery and 13 MP camera finish off the changes on hardware. Check out a comparative below.

Specifications	Galaxy Note 3	Galaxy Note 2
Display	5.7 inch full HD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels (386 ppi)	5.5 inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels (267 ppi)
Processor	1.9 Ghz Octa-Core(Exynos)	1.6 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A9
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Primary camera	13 MP with smart stabilization and high CRI LED flash	8 MP with image stabilization and LED flash
Video	Full HD @60fps	Full HD @30fps
Secondary camera	2 MP, Full HD	1.9 MP
RAM	3 GB	2 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB	16 GB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Infrared booster and USB 3.0	Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and USB 2.0
OS	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean	Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
Colors	Black, White and Blush Pink	Titanium Gray, Marble White, Amber Brown, Ruby Wine, Pink, Blue
Battery	3200 mAh	3100 mAh
Dimensions	151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm	151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm
Weight	168 grams	183 grams
Price	49,990	30,000

Software

Despite most attempts by the company, most of the new features of the Galaxy Note 3 will be available on the Galaxy Note 2. Including the new Action command feature which can be executed from the S Pen.

With not a lot of difference for the end user, one would consider going for the Note 2 as it would mostly achieve all the features that one would require from a smart phone with pen functionality.

The Galaxy Note 3 is the latest flagship from the company while the Galaxy Note 2 did really well in the past and offers most of the features for the Note 3 at a considerably low price. If you really need to get the most for your money’s worth, the Galaxy Note 2 is still an impressive piece of hardware with a lot going on under the hood, it is still capable of handling every app in the Google Play store, and whatever you can throw at it. If the latest is what you must get, then consider spending a lot more for the newest Note 3.

October 21, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 Gets Android 4.3 and Gets Support For Galaxy Gear

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 just got a change with the Android 4.3 update recently and now the device adds compatibility with the Galaxy Gear.

Samsung has also bundled its own Wallet app, reading mode, updates to the imaging software, as well as a new keyboard and browser. You will only get the update if you have an unlocked model of the Galaxy S4. The latest updates adds various new features and changes like: Galaxy Gear Support, Samsung KNOX Implementation, Samsung Wallet comes pre-loaded, Improved RAM management, Improved Display colour reproduction, Improved TouchWiz, New Samsung Keyboard, New Samsung Browser, New Reading Mode and New Camera firmware

The report also claimed the devices getting the Android 4.3 update were the 2013 flagship, the Galaxy S4 in October while the 2012 flagship device, the Samsung Galaxy S III was expected to get the new Android update by October end or even November. The report further revealed that the Galaxy Note 2 will also get the update to the new and last update for Jelly Bean, but that would only be by the end of November, or early December.

October 18, 2013

Category: Samsung

Press Release

Press Release

Aesthetics

Hardware Comparison

Software