Category: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A10e Gets FCC Certification, Launch Imminent

Korean technology giant Samsung launched the current smartphones in the Galaxy A lineup back in the month of February. These devices include the Galaxy A10, Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50. The aforementioned handsets represented a change in strategy by the company to counter the ever-expanding stronghold of Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi, Honor and Realme in the Indian smartphone market. Now, according to reports, Samsung is planning to launch a new device in the lineup. A handset, purported to be the Galaxy A10e has passed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which suggests its announcement is imminent.

Galaxy A10e

The Galaxy A10e will be the latest budget offering from Samsung. The model number of the device in the FCC filings has been revealed to be SM-102U. Since the Galaxy A10 has the model number SM-105F and SM-105G, the Galaxy A10e is expected to be watered down variant of the previously launched handset. Reports claim the upcoming device will be powered by a 3000 mAh battery which is considerably smaller than the 3400 mAh cell found in its sibling. It has been leaked to run on the MediaTek Helio P22 SoC. The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and the IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU. For memory and storage, the Galaxy A10e might have 2GB of RAM on board.

Samsung Galaxy A20

Also read: Apple Sends Out Invites For WWDC 2019, iOS 13 To Be Unveiled On June 3

Since the Galaxy A10 launched featuring a single rear and front camera; it is convenient to believe the Galaxy A10e may also sport the same setup, albeit a different resolution for optics. The upcoming smartphone is expected to have a 6.2 inch IPS LCD display like its sibling with an Infinity V style notch on top. While the design of the handset is not known, it may be constructed entirely out of polycarbonate with a glossy finish on the rear panel. This design characteristic is reminiscent of what Samsung has implemented in the current Galaxy A lineup. Since the device has passed the mandatory FCC certification, its launch seems imminent. Unfortunately, no information about the pricing of the Galaxy A10e is available, but it is expected to be priced under Rs. 10,000 when launched in India.

May 23, 2019
Samsung Launches 10000 mAh Power Bank With Wireless Charging Support

Samsung in an efforts to bring its Wireless charging technology to the mainstream market has launched two new accessories in its wireless products lineup. Users can charge their Samsung Galaxy smartphones and other Qi-certified devices seamlessly. Supporting the company’s other line up of wireless devices, the new Wireless Power Bank and Wireless Duo Pad are capable of charging the Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Watch.

With Samsung leaning towards making wireless charging more accessible and practical in the everyday life of its consumers. By taking away the ‘Gimmick’ that has initially surrounded this feature. It serves to make wireless charging an industry norm. Samsungs move on making devices from other brands compatible along with their wireless products makes wireless charging a universally accessible tool.

Features of Samsung’s Wireless Power Bank:

– Samsung’s design for a truly portable and wireless experience, encased in aluminium for a sturdy yet slim build.
– A hearty 10,000mAh capacity that can charge two devices at a go, with one being wireless and one wired charging.
– Samsung’s trademark Adaptive Fast Charging and Quick Charge 2.0 is available in both and wired and wireless charging.
– Dimensions: 149.93 x 70.8 x 15.09 mm; Weight: 234g
– Fast Wired Charging (AFC, QC2.0 max.15W), Wireless Charging Output (FAST CHARGE, Qi, Galaxy Watch)
– Backwards compatible with older Samsung S series as well as the Note series. Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch range and all Qi certified devices from other brands are also being supported with the power bank.

Features of Wireless Charger Duo Pad:

– Samsung claims that the Duo Pad charges Galaxy S10 devices up to 30 minutes faster than previous iterations.
– Capable of charging multiple devices with its dual charging pads, for e.g, a Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Watch at the same time.
– Dimensions: 195 x 18.05 x 92 mm, Weight: 168g
– Directly compatible with other Qi certified Products
– Charge up to 2 devices simultaneously, with Quick Charge 2.0 and Quick Charge 1.0, Qi, SmartWatch Charging.

Price and Availability

Also Read: Google Stored Passwords In An Unsecured Manner For 14 Years On G Suite

The Samsung Wireless Charger Duo Pad launched with black and white coloured variants priced at Rs.5,999. Similarly, the Wireless Power Bank launched with silver and pink variants and is priced at Rs. 3,699.
Both products are available on online stores, such as Flipkart and Amazon, as well as certified Samsung affiliated stores.

May 22, 2019
Samsung Galaxy S11 Codename Leaked Online, Unique Design Expected

World’s most selling smartphone OEM Samsung launched its latest flagships, the Galaxy S10 series back in the month of February. The company is known for refreshing its flagship lineup twice a year, once in the first quarter of the year with the Galaxy S series; and the Note series in the second half. While details about the Note 10 have just started to trickle (1,2,3), a renowned and trustworthy leaker of Samsung products has shared the codename of the purported Samsung Galaxy S11 which is expected to release next year. The handset is allegedly called “Picasso”.

Galaxy S11 Codename

Galaxy S11 R & D code: Picasso pic.twitter.com/AOtMq61Rou
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) May 19, 2019

Like mentioned above, the upcoming Galaxy S11 flagship smartphone from Samsung is claimed to be codenamed “Picasso”. If not known, Pablo Picasso was a famous Spanish artist in the 20th century who is known for many sculptures and paintings like Guernica made in the year 1937. While the leak doesn’t mention anything other than the code by which the device is referred to as inside the company’s Research & Development team; it is speculated the name is related to the handset’s design. Samsung already made a big leap in the deisgn department with the Galaxy S10 series. The company implemented the hole punch display and is credited with bringing it to the mainstream market. The upcoming Galaxy S11 may also be a revolutionary step in terms of design.

Samsung Galaxy S10+

Also read: Google Releases Data Showing The Importance Of Recovery Phone Numbers

The codename “Picasso” of the Samsung Galaxy S11 seems plausible; because previous leaks of the Galaxy Note 10 revealed it has the codename “Da Vinci”. This is an ode to Leonardo Da Vinci who was an Italian artist best known for his painting “Mona Lisa”. So, the sudden interest of the company in history’s best artists does give a hint that the next Galaxy flagships will be (literally) a work of art.

May 20, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Fold Ready To Launch Next Month

The revolutionary Galaxy Fold was first unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked Event in February 2019, and being the first one of its kind in the market, it had a lot riding on its shoulders. After an issue with the smartphone’s display came to light, the company recalled multiple review units and postponed the initial launch date for the same (26 April, 2019). However, as per latest reports, Samsung has overcome the hurdles that it previously faced and will re-launch the device next month.

Reports state that the South Korean company will test out the updated Galaxy Fold models with three US mobile carriers in the month of June. Furthermore, launch date in the same month will be confirmed by Samsung itself in the upcoming days. This will be a relieving piece of news for those who had pre-booked the smartphone and wanted to get their hands on the Galaxy Fold earlier than other consumers.

Issues In The Galaxy Fold

The first reports of the underlying issues with the Galaxy Fold’s display surfaced around 17 April 2019. Thereafter, many noted reviewers had stepped forward and reported that the inner display of the foldable device has stopped working. The major cause for the issue was later found out to the removal of the outer screen protector over the inside display. The South Korean company had bundled instructions along with the device indicating that the removal of the screen protector can lead to malfunction in the display. However, some devices still faced the same issue even without the removal of the screen protector.

Also Read: Full Specifications Of The Huawei P20 Lite (2019) Leak

Reportedly, some reviewers also pointed out the handset’s susceptibility to dust and debris owing to the gap in the hinge at the bottom of the smartphone. To fix the aforementioned issues, Samsung is speculated to introduce a protective plastic coating under the device’s frame, making it really difficult for a regular user to peel it off and cause screen issues. Also, the hinge gap will be reduced in order to make it less vulnerable to foreign material. Hopefully, the company’s attempt at fixing the problems will be fruitful. Noteworthy, even after the re-launch of the Galaxy Fold, it will still be the first foldable smartphone in the market, holding it’s edge over other brands.

May 20, 2019
Samsung Galaxy M40 With Punch Hole Display To Launch In India In June

Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy M lineup of smartphones in India which are sold exclusively via online channels. The devices in the lineup are packed with worthy features and carry a lucrative price tag. Accrediting to which, they have been warmly welcomed by the Indian consumers. The current lineup of Galaxy M smartphones includes the Galaxy M10, the Galaxy M20 and the Galaxy M30. Previously, Samsung was reported to add a more premium device in the lineup which will carry the Galaxy M40 moniker. Fresh reports claim that the anticipated device will launch in the month of June in India at an expected price of Rs 25,000.

Galaxy M40 Features

According to the source, the upcoming Galaxy M40 will be kitted with the Snapdragon 675 SoC which is also present on devices like the Galaxy A70 and the Redmi Note 7 Pro. Distinctly, this is the first time that a Galaxy M smartphone will be kitted with a Qualcomm chipset as the previously launched devices feature Exynos SoCs which are manufactured in-house by Samsung.

Noteworthy, the Galaxy M40 is reported to have a punch hole display like the flagship grade Galaxy S10. Similar to the Galaxy M30, the future device will also have a triple rear camera setup. The source did not provide any specific details about the camera sensors but they are predicted to have similar sensors to that of the M30. The camera setup of the former consists of a standard sensor, an ultra wide sensor and a depth sensor.

Also Read: Xiaomi Wants You To Buy Phones From A Vending Machine

Staple to the Galaxy M lineup, the Galaxy M40 will also pack a large battery. Leaks from the past claim that it will be powered by a mammoth 5,000 mAh battery which is likely to support fast charging. More details about the device are expected to surface as Samsung officially talks about it in the near future.

May 13, 2019
Samsung Is Once Again The Number One Premium Smartphone Maker In India
Samsung is currently the number one smartphone manufacturer in the world. Clearly, the company also has a very strong grip in the densely populated Indian mobile phone market. Even though the largest smartphone maker in India is Xioami, Samsung has held the top spot in the premium smartphone segment. But, for the last three quarters, the company lost its title to the Chinese smartphone maker, OnePlus which rode to the top on back of the OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T.

A fresh report published by Counterpoint research reveals the newly launched Galaxy S10 lineup has helped the company regain its pole position. For starters, Counterpoint is a market research company dedicated to delivering intelligence on technology trends across the globe. According to the report, the top three premium brands including Samsung, OnePlus and Apple accounted for 90 per cent of the premium segment shipments in Q1 of 2019 as compared to 95 per cent in Q1 of 2018.

The report states the remaining 10% of the stake is shared companies like Huawei which have gained traction based on the Mate and P Series of smartphones. It also highlights that Apple is also striving to stop its decline which is primarily due to excessive pricing. On the brighter side, as the company starts local assembly of certain iPhone models which is expected to happen soon, it will be relieved of the 20% import duty that the Indian government collects for each unit.

The Counterpoint report exhibits if Apple passes on some of the price benefits to the consumers, it is expected to see a significant rise in its sale. The top selling premium smartphones in the Q1 2019 are as follows:
- OnePlus 6T : 26%
- Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus: 16 %
- Samsung Galaxy S10: 12 %
Also Read: Realme X With 8 GB RAM Spotted On Geekbench

Samsung has certainly managed to race ahead of the competition in the Q1, however, it will be interesting to see what the results are like once the highly anticipated OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro launch. The said devices are set to launch on the 14th of May.
May 10, 2019
Samsung Galaxy A20

The Samsung Galaxy A20 was unveiled in India on April 5, 2019, and it features a 6.4 inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1560 x 720 px. The device runs on the Exynos 7885 chipset, comprising of an Octa-core CPU and Mali G71 MP2 GPU. The smartphone has a 13MP primary camera with a secondary ultrawide 5MP camera. For selfies, the Galaxy A20 has an 8MP (f/2.0) camera. It is available in three colours: Blue, Black, and Red.

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May 9, 2019
Samsung Patents A Rectangular Foldable Device With Large Flexible Display

Samsung is known for innovating with its smartphones in order to provide a better user experience. The company became the first one to launch a foldable smartphone in the market, which is the Galaxy Fold. Previously, a smartphone with dual display panels was patented by the South Korean organization. In March 2019, Samsung was granted a patent for a device which had a spring mechanism for the foldable display. As per latest reports, the company has patented a rectangular display device can be conveniently folded.

About The Patent

The patent was granted to Samsung and published on May 7 2019 in the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) and the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) database. It clearly depicts a device that has one large single flexible display. When the device is unfolded, it reveals an elongated tablet-sized panel which has 3 folding creases, indicating the lines around which the smartphone has to be folded. Once it is folded, the resulting device has a screen on all the four sides.

Users can choose what to display at each face of the folded display. For instance, one side can showcase the time and date, whereas the other side can display the incoming notifications. Furthermore, such a design can be very handy at meetings, where the user can simply unfold the device to convert it into a tablet to convey necessary information to multiple people at the same time.

Also Read: Every One In Two Smartphones Will Have Triple Rear Cameras By 2021, Claims Report

The images in the patent exhibit that the foldable device has a power button at the front alongside the USB 2.0 port. Additionally, no technical specifications and functionalities of the device are spoken of in the patent. Considering that Samsung has applied for the patent both in Korea and America, the company may have plans to manufacture such a device in the near future.

The detailed patent can be viewed by clicking here

May 9, 2019
Samsung Introduces 64 Megapixel Camera Sensors For Smartphones

South Korean technology giant Samsung is planning to make a bigger impact on the smartphone camera market this year. On the 9th of May 2019, the company announced its upcoming 64 megapixel ISOCELL Image Sensors that will reportedly be the highest resolution sensor in a smartphone camera. As per the company, the new sensors will enable users to capture vibrant high-res images.

Samsung ISOCELL GW1 Image Sensor Features

Samsung Electronics introduced a total of two new 0.8? (micrometre) pixel image sensors. One is the 64 megapixel ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor and the other is the 48 megapixel ISOCELL Bright GM2. Samsung claims that its 0.8? (micrometre) pixel size is currently the smallest in the world, and this expansion in the lineup will also be incorporated in existing 20 megapixel sensors, all the way up to high-resolution 64 megapixel sensors.

As stated by the Executive VP of the company, Samsung’s new advanced pixel technologies will enable considerably thin devices to house top-of-the-line image sensors so as to enhance the level of photography. The South Korean company claims that its 64 megapixel image sensor features Tetracell technology (where four pixels are merged to work as one to increase light sensitivity) and the Remosiac algorithm (which is used to generate full resolution images in bright light conditions). Furthermore, the sensor is claimed to support HDR (High Dynamic Range) of up to 100 decibels.

Samsung ISOCELL GM2 Image Sensor Features

As mentioned previously, the second announcement by the company is the ISOCELL Bright GM2 48 megapixel image sensor, which adopts similar technologies to the ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor. Additionally, both the sensors sport DCG (Dual Conversion Gain), which covers the light received into an electric signal which is dependant on the illumination of the surroundings.

Also Read: Asus Zenfone 6 Case Renders Surface Online With Dual Rear Cameras

Samsung says that the ISOCELL Bright GW1 and GM2 are currently undergoing testing and will be available via mass production later in 2019. This implies that smartphones that launch in the early 2020s may boast of Samsung’s new sensors.

May 9, 2019
Samsung Still Cannot Provide A Release Date For The Galaxy Fold

Samsung unveiled the company’s first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 20, 2019. The device features two screens and is the first phone in the world to manage such a feat. The global rollout of the Galaxy Fold was scheduled on April 26 2019, but shortly before the same, some reviewers started experiencing issues with the hinge of the smartphone, which became a cause of worry for those who had pre-ordered the device. While users are were still eager for the news of any further developments from the company, Samsung has sent out emails to select customers who pre-ordered the Galaxy Fold.

The aforementioned emails affirm that a new Galaxy Fold release date cannot be provided by the company immediately. Instead, the customers who pre-ordered a unit of the smartphone will get their complete payments refunded. As per reports, the South Korean technology giant states that it’s experiencing success in the process of enhancing the design of the foldable smartphone. Samsung further added that it wants the updated Galaxy Fold to meet the high standards that customers expect from it.

Also Read: Twitter’s New Feature Lets Users Retweet With GIFs And Images

Noteworthy, Samsung says that it will have more specific shipping information to share in upcoming days, which is quite vague. Nonetheless, the company says that it is making solid progress with the Galaxy Fold’s schematics, which may be worth it for the customers who are eagerly waiting for the new date of availability. As per reports, the company will update their customers regarding the developments by May 31 2019. The customers who are interested to retain their spot even after the date mentioned above can notify Samsung regarding their decision to do so. Moreover, the customers can cancel their pre-orders anytime, but note that they won’t be able to get back on the list once they withdraw from the same.

May 7, 2019
Samsung Galaxy M40 Leaked On Geekbench, To Feature The Snapdragon 675 SoC

Samsung introduced the Galaxy M series of smartphones back in the month of January this year. The devices which include the Galaxy M10, Galaxy M20 and Galaxy M30, replaced the Galaxy On lineup and are the company’s online exclusive handsets. While Samsung has not confirmed another smartphone in the series, a new device, purported to be called the Galaxy M40 was certified on the Wi-Fi Alliance website a while ago. The alleged handset has now been spotted on performance benchmarking website Geekbench. This listing reveals new details about the Galaxy M40.

Galaxy M40

As is evident from the name, the Galaxy M40 will be the elder sibling to the Galaxy M30 and the most premium smartphone in the Galaxy M lineup. The listing on Geekbench reveals a device with the model number SM-M405F, which corroborates with previous leaks. It mentions the Galaxy M40 will run on the 6150 SoC. The aforementioned name is the code name of the 10nm Snapdragon 675 SoC which is also seen in the Redmi Note 7 Pro. According to the listing, the upcoming smartphone achieved a single core score of 2350 and a multi-core score of 6410, which is in line with what the processor is capable of scoring on the benchmarking platform. Notably, the chipset consists of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 612 GPU.

Galaxy M30

Unfortunately, the Geekbench listing doesn’t reveal anything about the design of the device. Like the Galaxy M30, the upcoming handset may sport a polycarbonate design with a gradient colour pattern on the back. It is expected to have a Super AMOLED display on the front. To maximise the screen real estate, an Infinity U style waterdrop notch may also be implemented on the top of the display. For biometrics and security, the handset may include an in-display fingerprint scanner with support for face unlock technology. In terms of optics, a triple rear camera is also expected in the handset like the Galaxy M30 and Galaxy A50.

Also read: AI Reveals Why Our Eyes Are Drawn Towards Specific Shapes And Colours

Previous leaks of the Galaxy M40 confirm it will be powered by a massive 5000 mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging. The listing on Geekbench reveals the smartphone will run on the latest OneUI on top of Android 9 Pie. This is surprising considering the previous entrants in the lineup featured Android 8 Oreo out of the box. In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy M40 will have support for Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac bands and Bluetooth 5.0 on board. Even though Samsung is yet to announce the launch date of the Galaxy M40, the recent leaks suggest its launch is imminent. The official price of the smartphone will be announced at the time of the launch, however, going by its features and placement in the lineup, it is likely to be a sub Rs. 20,000 handset.

May 3, 2019
Samsung Galaxy A20 Review: A Good Alternative To The Redmi Note 7?
Samsungs latest entrant in the Galaxy A lineup of smartphones is the Galaxy A20. Priced at Rs. 12,490, it goes head to head with the likes of the Redmi Note 7 and the company’s own Galaxy M20. With a modern design and competitive specifications on paper, can the Galaxy A20 compete with the best in the segment or it is just a disappointing budget handset from the company?

We find out in our Galaxy A20 review.

Check out the Galaxy A20 on Flipkart

What’s In The Box?
- Galaxy A20
- Power Adapter
- Earphones
- SIM Card Ejector
- Quick Start Guide
- Regional Lock Guide
- Warranty Card
Build Quality & Design

One look at the Galaxy A20 and you would know Samsung has stuck to the basics while making the smartphone. The device is entirely made out of plastic with a design similar to the Galaxy A30. The front of the handset has a 6.4-inch display which has an Infinity V notch on the top and a considerable chin on the bottom.

The right side of the smartphone houses the volume rockers and the power button; while the left side remains completely empty except for the SIM card tray which also has a dedicated microSD card slot. The top of the device has a secondary noise cancellation microphone. At the bottom, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack along with the USB Type-C port and the speaker grille lined up together. The Galaxy A20 features a solid build, with a back that makes it look like glass.

Our review unit is the red coloured version, which has a glossy finish to it. The popsicle coloured back of the Galaxy A20 houses the vertical dual camera layout with the LED flash like most modern smartphones. When it is laying flat on its back, the smartphone wobbles a bit due to the slightly protruding camera bump. The device has a fingerprint reader on the back with the Samsung branding present right below it.

While the design of the Galaxy A20 is nothing new, the smartphone looks good and the red colour of our unit definitely attracts attention to it. Using a case is recommended as the back is extremely glossy and easily attracts fingerprints to it. Additionally, a case would also cover the camera bump to an extent, minimising the previously mentioned wobble.

Display

The display on the Galaxy A20 is marketed as one of the highlights of the smartphone. It has a 6.4 inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1560 x 720 px. To increase the screen real estate of the device, Samsung has used an Infinity V style notch on the top of it.

In terms of quality, the Galaxy A20 has a great display for multimedia consumption. The colours have great contrast, the blacks are deep, there are good viewing angles and the brightness outdoors is sufficient. However, due to the low resolution, the sharpness takes a backseat. The display on the Galaxy A20 is great for watching videos and playing games, although we would’ve appreciated a Full HD display in the device. Given, it competes with devices like the Redmi Note 7 that has a display panel with Full HD resolution.

Hardware & Performance

The Galaxy A20 features the Octa-core Exynos 7884 SoC, combined with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard memory. For day to day tasks, the smartphone performs well, and we faced zero lags while switching between applications with several apps running in the background. The humble amount of RAM is enough for keeping light applications in memory. Gaming, on the other hand, is another experience on the Galaxy A20.

While playing games like PUBG Mobile on the device, it surprisingly chose the medium setting by default but gave unplayable frame rates at the setting. Selecting a low graphics setting and the smooth frame rate option churned out a playable experience. While there were a few frame drops, the gameplay was stable enough, combined with the skills of the player, we were able to earn a satiable Chicken Dinner.

Another game that we tried was Need For Speed: No Limits, which is a racing game that for the larger part ran without any frame drops. The gameplay was mostly smooth and we didn’t encounter any hiccups while playing it or rather hitting into the walls due to the insufficient game skills.

There was a bug that we encountered however which exited any game or heavy application that was opened for the first few times. After opening the app for more than two times, the bug seemed to vanish automatically. After the initial few times, we did not face the issue again.

In terms of benchmarks, the Galaxy A20 scores slightly less than the smartphones in the price range. While testing the Antutu benchmark, we got a score of 95,067 which is significantly lower than the competition including the Galaxy M20 or the Redmi Note 7. In Geekbench, the device registered a single core score of 1217 points and a multi-core score of 3694 points. As is evident from the numbers, the handset should be fine for day to day usage but is not made for performance enthusiasts.

Software, UI & Multimedia

The Galaxy A20 runs on the company’s latest OneUI version 1.1 on top of the current Android 9 Pie. Like the other smartphones running the software, the Galaxy A20 offers a refined software experience. There is a native dark mode inside the settings which makes the whole UI suited for use in dimly lit environments. Notably, this setting helps in prolonging the battery backup on the smartphone.

Dark Mode on OneUI

Dark Mode on OneUI

The icons in OneUI are big and the menus easy to access and reach. Unfortunately, there is no Always On Display despite having an AMOLED panel which although is not a dealbreaker. The UI also supports gestures in addition to the conventional navigation buttons. These gestures use an upward swipe from the left to go into the multitasking menu. To go back, a swipe up from the right is required while swiping up from the centre takes you to the home screen. There is also support for Samsung Pay Mini on board, which is activated by a swipe up from the bottom of the display below the navigation buttons.

In terms of sound quality, the smartphone has a single bottom firing speaker which has decent sound output. One downside of the setup is how easy it is to block while the speaker grille while holding the device in the landscape mode. Audio output via the Bluetooth is above average which provides for a good listening experience.

Camera

The Galaxy A20 has an all new camera app that ships with the OneUI. It seems to be inspired by the camera UI of iOS and Pixel devices. All the controls are lined up within the reach of one hand. The app also uses a swipe gesture to switch between the front and the back cameras which is an appreciable feature.

Galaxy A20 Camera App

Galaxy A20 Camera App

Galaxy A20 Camera App

Video output from the rear and the front camera is locked to 30fps in 1080p resolution. There is also an option to record videos with the ultra-wide angle camera. Sadly, there is no option of switching between the different sensors while recording video.

Galaxy A20 Rear Camera

Galaxy A20 Rear Camera

Galaxy A20 Rear Camera

Galaxy A20 Rear Camera

Galaxy A20 Rear Live Focus

Galaxy A20 Rear Live Focus

The Galaxy A20 has a dual rear camera setup consisting of an f/1.9 aperture equipped 13MP sensor and an f/2.2 aperture equipped 5MP Ultra-wide sensor. Images captured in daylight have good contrast and saturation levels typical to Samsung devices. One downside of the images is the loss of detail which occurs due to an aggressive image processing.

Like most modern smartphones, there is a portrait mode called Live Focus inside the camera app. The background blur is average at best, giving you results that have a decent background separation.

Galaxy A20 Wide Angle

Galaxy A20 Wide Angle

Galaxy A20 Wide Angle

An added bonus the Galaxy A20 has over its competitors is the presence of an ultra-wide sensor on the rear. While the sensor does not pack high resolution, it helps in providing a wider field of view. Switching between both the lenses is fun and we found ourselves intrigued by the secondary sensor which illustrates the versatility of this kind of camera setup.

Galaxy A20 Front Camera

Galaxy A20 Front Camera Live Focus

Galaxy A20 Front Camera

For selfies, the Galaxy A20 has an f/2.0 aperture equipped 8MP camera housed in the notch on top of the display. Images from the front camera, like the results from the rear, perform well in good lighting. However, the colours are a little washed out and the details are not properly retained. But, if you’re a casual user of the front camera, the quality should be perfectly fine for occasional usage or sharing on your favourite social media platform.

Battery and Connectivity

The Galaxy A20 is powered by a 4000 mAh battery which supports 15W charging via the bottom mounted USB Type-C port. A significant size of the cell in the smartphone, combined with a low-resolution display ensures a great battery life overall. With a light to medium usage, the battery will easily last you more than a day. The average screen on time we received in our usage was around seven hours.

In terms of connectivity, the device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth v4.2. The Galaxy A20 faced no problems latching on to a Wi-Fi signal nor did it have any trouble connecting to a pair of Bluetooth headsets. Unfortunately, as it is a budget device, there is no support for the 5Ghz network band on Wi-Fi. The call quality of the smartphone was excellent, with clear sound output through the earpiece which is housed in the notch. Even in an area where signals are generally weak, the smartphone performed admirably. Noteworthy, the Head SAR value of the Galaxy A20 is just 0.389 W/kg which is significantly lower than it’s Chinese rivals.

Other Features

The Galaxy A20 has a rear mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor and also supports the increasingly popular face unlock technology. Both of these technologies help in swiftly accessing the smartphone. The fingerprint scanner is effective in unlocking the device, but it takes a good second to do so. Face unlock, on the other hand, is a faster albeit less safe option but is useful when the handset is lying flat on a table as the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is inaccessible in this state. One more notable feature the smartphone has is the aforementioned triple card slot. The user can simultaneously insert two nano SIM cards and a microSD card which can go all the way up to 512GB.

Verdict

Galaxy A20 (Left) & Redmi Note 7 (Right)

The Galaxy A20 represents a new line of budget smartphones by Samsung and provides some competitive specs at a lucrative price. While the device is a compelling option in the price range, it still leaves a lot to be desired. With a more high-resolution display, slightly better gaming performance and a more detail-oriented camera, it would’ve made it a strong competitor to the Redmi Note 7.

If you’re in the market for a smartphone from a brand offering great service support, a great display, long lasting battery and versatile cameras, the Galaxy A20 is a good option for the price. On the other hand, if you are looking for a phone that offers the best value for money, the Redmi Note 7 might be your best bet. However, if you’re adamant on buying a Samsung device and want better performance, display and cameras, we recommend you check out the Galaxy A30 or the Galaxy M30 which cost slightly higher than the Galaxy A20 but offer great value for money.

Check out the Galaxy A20 on Flipkart

Check out the Redmi Note 7 On Flipkart
May 2, 2019
Galaxy A70 With Massive 6.7 Inch Display Now On Sale In India
On the 17th of April, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy A70 in India which is a mid range focused smartphone. Like other Galaxy A handsets, the latest device has a vivid Super AMOLED display and a large battery. Even though the smartphone was unveiled two weeks ago, it was not put for sale. To the joy of excited consumers, the device is now available for purchase in the country.

Samsung Galaxy A70 Price and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy A70 will be available via Flipkart.com, Samsung Online store, as well as conventional brick-and-mortar stores in the country. The smartphone is offered in three colour options which include Blue, Black and White. It is available in a single RAM + ROM variant for which the price is as follows:
- 6 GB RAM + 128 GB ROM – Rs 28,990
Click here to buy the Samsung Galaxy A70

Samsung Galaxy A70 Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy A70 has an elegant design with an edge to edge display on the front and ‘3D Glasstic’ gradient at the back. The front of the smartphone accommodates a massive 6.7 inch Super AMOLED display that has a resolution of 2400 x 1080 px. The front of the handset has negligible bezels on all sides and a small water drop notch is present on top of the display. For biometrics and security, it features an in-display fingerprint scanner and supports face unlock technology.

The Samsung Galaxy A70 is kitted with the 11nm Snapdragon 675 SoC which consists of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 612 GPU. For optics, the smartphone has a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 32MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture; combined with an 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor and a 5MP f/2.2 depth sensor. For selfies, it has an f/2.0 aperture equipped 32MP camera which is housed in the Infinity-U notch on top of the display. As previously mentioned, the device has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage which can be further expanded upto 512 GB via the dedicated microSD card slot.

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The Galaxy A70 packs a 4500 mAh battery which supports 25W fast charging via the bottom mounted USB Type-C port.The handset runs on Samsung’s OneUI which is built on top of the latest Android 9 Pie.

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May 1, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Home Mini Smart Speaker Passes Bluetooth Certification, Launch Imminent

Samsung launched its first smart speaker, the Galaxy Home alongside the Galaxy Note 9 smartphone last year. While the speaker isn’t available to buy yet, it boasts of Bixby integration and powerful sound output. Fresh leaks suggest a smaller sibling of the Galaxy Home might be on its way. Another smart speaker, named Galaxy Home Mini has just received its Bluetooth certification suggesting an imminent launch.

Galaxy Home Mini

Galaxy Home

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) speaker by Samsung with model number SM-V310 was spotted on the Bluetooth Studio website. The name mentioned in the listing is Galaxy Home Mini, which the name suggests will be the more affordable model of the regular Galaxy Home. While the website doesn’t mention more information about the device, it is revealed the speaker will support Bluetooth 4.2 standards. The Home Mini will also run the Bixby voice assistant which was introduced back in the year 2017 alongside the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

Google Home Mini

The Galaxy Home Mini smart speaker will compete against the likes of the Google Home Mini and Amazon Echo Dot. Both the latter have been available in the market for a while now and are very popular among those looking for a portable smart speaker. Additionally, while Google’s offering runs the Google Assistant, the Echo Dot features Alexa voice assistant. Both the digital assistants have been present in smartphones and speakers for a while now and offer a more refined experience than Bixby in its current state.

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As far as the pricing and availability are concerned, the recent Bluetooth certification hints the Galaxy Home Mini may be announced soon. It may be available alongside the much delayed Galaxy Home smart speaker in the following weeks. In terms of pricing, the device is expected to be priced similar to its competitors. So the Galaxy Home Mini may retail at around US$ 50 (Rs. 3,500).

April 29, 2019
Samsung Patents PlayGalaxy Game Link Service For Galaxy Devices

The year 2019 has seen a lot of developments in terms of gaming so far, with Google releasing their cloud-based game streaming service (named Stadia) and Apple following up with their own “Apple Arcade” gaming platform. Companies like Samsung don’t plan to stay behind for a long period of time. A recent patent granted to the company showed that the South Korean Technology company is working on a platform which will enable users to play online games via Galaxy devices.

About The Patent

The patent was first filed by Samsung in America with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO. The trademark included details about a service called the PlayGalaxy Link, and was finally published on April 26 in the database of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). As per reports, the patent is categorized under Class 9 and 41. While class 9 is comprised of a broad range of trademarks for scientific, cinematographic and photographic devices, Class 41 mainly covers products which cater to entertainment purposes.

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Previously in April 2019, Samsung was reported to have partnered with Finnish organization “Hatch” to launch a new 5G cloud gaming service in Korea. Furthermore, people who buy the recently launched Galaxy S10 5G get a free three-month premium Hatch subscription. This may be the new gaming service that Samsung has been working on, but nothing can be said for sure, since the trademark for the “PlayGalaxy Link” is applied for in US, not in Korea.

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Whatever the case may be, it is clear that Samsung plans to go up against American technology mega-giant Apple and it’s latest gaming service, Apple Arcade. While it is reported that Apple Arcade may be available starting this fall, Samsung may unveil its “PlayGalaxy Link” service sooner than expected. Moreover, the company is also planning to release a smartphone which will be dedicated to gaming. Reports say that such a device may be released under the Galaxy A series branding, but nothing can be confirmed as of now.

April 29, 2019