Tag: Samsung

  • Samsung Galaxy S27, Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8 Hit by Shortage

    Samsung Galaxy S27, Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8 Hit by Shortage

    Key Takeaway

    – Samsung may use a Chinese BOE display in its Galaxy S series for the first time.
    – Component shortages (DRAM, memory) are forcing compromises on the Galaxy S27 base model.
    – Camera upgrades for the Galaxy S27 are likely limited to the Ultra/Pro models.
    – Upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 will face unavoidable price increases.
    – Supply chain issues are driven by AI data center expansion and consumer demand for memory.

    Samsung Might Use BOE Displays in Future Galaxy Phones

    Just a few weeks ago, a previously almost unthinkable piece of news broke: For the first time, Samsung may install a BOE display from China — rather than one from its own factories — in one of its Galaxy S-series flagship models. Whether this will actually transpire remains to be seen, but it certainly aligns with recent news from the supply chain, shared by Korean blogger Yeux1122. He states that global shortage of various components, particularly DRAM and memory, is already forcing Samsung to make compromises in the development of the Galaxy S27 generation.

    Galaxy S27 Base Model Display and Camera Changes

    Specifically, the feature set of the Galaxy S27 base model has apparently been put on ice, at least regarding the display. Other industry sources report that a camera upgrade, like the one expected on the Galaxy S27 Ultra or the new Galaxy S27 Pro, is very unlikely for the most affordable Galaxy S27 model. At the very least, there are no indications of this in the supply chain. So it currently looks as though the two most expensive Galaxy S27 models will mostly benefit from new components.

    Foldable Galaxy Models Also Affected by Shortages

    Moreover, the Samsung foldables launching in July will also suffer from the shortage of essential components, primarily caused by the expansion of AI data centers as well as the consumers interested in them. European and Asian sales channels have privately expressed pessimism regarding the expected sales prices of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Price increases, at least for the higher-end storage options, are reportedly unavoidable, even if there are attractive pre-order deals and trade-in offers for older hardware at launch.

     

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  • Samsung Next-Gen Foldables & Smartwatches Hinted at FCC

    Samsung Next-Gen Foldables & Smartwatches Hinted at FCC

    Key Takeaway

    – Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra have received FCC certification.
    – Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm and 44mm) and Watch Ultra 2 also certified.
    – Model numbers indicate device types: F9xx = Fold, F7xx = Flip, LXX = Watch.
    – FCC certification suggests a launch is on schedule for July Unpacked event.
    – Galaxy Z Fold 8 “wide” and Watch 9 Classic are absent from FCC listings, casting doubt on US availability.

    According to a recent FCC listing in the US, the official database of electronic devices approved by the Federal Communications Commission, several of Samsung’s next-gen foldable phones and smartwatches have obtained the necessary certification required for commercial launch. These include:

    • SM-F776U: Anticipated to launch as the Galaxy Z Flip 8.
    • SM-F976U: Anticipated to launch as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
    • SM-L340 and SM-L345: Likely the 40mm Galaxy Watch 9, in Wi-Fi and cellular versions, respectively.
    • SM-L350 and SM-L355: Likely the 44mm Galaxy Watch 9, in Wi-Fi and cellular versions, respectively.
    • SM-L715: Likely the cellular variant of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

    How these model numbers are deciphered

    For readers who are wondering how the aforementioned devices are inferred from the model numbering, Phonearena provides a good overview. For example, Samsung’s book-style Fold phones typically use SM-F9xx numbers, while the Flip phones typically use SM-F7xx numbers. As for the Samsung Galaxy Watches, these have used model numbers beginning with SM-LXX for several generations now.

    What the FCC listing indicates about launch timeline

    Electronic devices only make it into FCC records when they are approaching commercial launch, so these filings suggest Samsung’s launch is proceeding on schedule. Notably absent from FCC listings, however, are the SM-F971U (Galaxy Z Fold 8 “wide” foldable) and the SM-L510/SM-L515 (Galaxy Watch 9 Classic). While this doesn’t rule out a US launch, it does cast some doubt on their availability alongside the core Fold and Flip lines. Either way, clarity is expected at Samsung’s Unpacked launch event on July 22 in London.

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  • Samsung Expands Portfolio with Elon Musk Partnership

    Samsung Expands Portfolio with Elon Musk Partnership

    Key Takeaway

    – Samsung is developing fourth-generation Neuralink brain chips on a 4nm process.
    – Production has started, with initial shipments expected by first half of 2027.
    – Mass production of the chips is slated to begin by the end of 2027.
    – Samsung has replaced TSMC as the supplier for Neuralink’s next-generation chips.
    – Elon Musk’s collaboration with Samsung is ongoing, previously including Tesla’s Full Self-Driving chips.

    Samsung makes chips for smartphones, smartwatches, memory, storage, and even self-driving cars. Elon Musk seems to be liking Samsung’s innovations and, according to a new report, has recruited the Korean giant to make brain chips for his Neuralink BCI (Brain Computer Interface) company.

    Its a new partnership for brain chips

    The information comes from a Korean publication, Hankyung, citing industry sources. It claims that Samsung has been developing the fourth-generation Neuralink chips since the end of last year and has now started producing these chips, based on a 4nm process. Samsung Foundry is expected to start shipping in the first half of 2027, and if everything goes according to plan, mass production will start by the end of 2027.

    Previous collaborations and supplier changes

    Elon Musk and Samsung have been working together for a few years now. Samsung has been developing chips for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, and that seems to have been a fruitful partnership. Till the third generation of Neuralink chips, TSMC was the main supplier for the BCI company. However, it is unclear if Neuralink will continue to source chips from TSMC as well for its upcoming generation of chips.

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  • Honor X70 Pro Max Launches Ahead of X80 Pro Max

    Honor X70 Pro Max Launches Ahead of X80 Pro Max

    Key Takeaway

    – Honor X70 Pro Max silently launched with 6.79-inch OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and 6,000 nits peak brightness.
    – Powered by Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor with 8GB RAM and up to 512GB storage.
    – Features triple IP rating (IP69K, IP68, IP66) and voice-commanded water/dust ejection.
    – Massive 8,560mAh battery with 90W fast wired charging.
    – Runs MagicOS 10.0 based on Android 16, priced from ¥1,999 (~$295).

    The Honor X80 Pro Max is scheduled for releese exactly a week away from today, but the Honor X70 Pro Max has just received a silent launch. It is not clear why Honor would release one phone today and follow it up with its successor a week later, but that’s what is happening.

    Display and Performance Specifications

    The Honor X70 Pro Max has a 6.79-inch OLED display with a 2640 × 1200 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 6,000 nits. Powering the phone is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, and it is paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage. The Honor X70 Pro Max has a large circular camera island on the back that houses a 50MP f/1.8 sensor and and unspecified secondary camera, while the hole in the display is home to an 8MP f/2.0 camera.

    Durability and Connectivity Features

    The phone also has a triple IP rating (IP69K, IP68, and IP66), and with a voice command, users can eject water and dust. Additionallly it has drop resistance up to 2.5 meters, stereo speakers, an in-display fingerprint scanner, an IR blaster, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, and an advanced (Wi-Fi) antenna design that ensures strong network connection when outdoors.

    Battery, Software, and Pricing Details

    Honor ships the phone with a 8,560mAh battery capacity with support for 90W fast wired charging. The Honor X70 Pro Max runs MagicOS 10.0 based on Android 16 out of the box.

    Available in Black, green, Gold, and Purple, pricing for the Honor X70 Pro Max starts at ¥1,999 (~$295/€254) for the base model with 256GB of storage, and goes up to ¥2399 (~$354/€305) for the 512GB version.

    • Model: Honor X70 Pro Max
    • Display: 6.79-inch OLED, 2640×1200, 120Hz, 6000 nits peak
    • Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 4
    • RAM: 8GB
    • Storage: 256GB or 512GB
    • Main Camera: 50MP f/1.8 plus secondary
    • Front Camera: 8MP f/2.0
    • IP Rating: IP69K, IP68, IP66
    • Drop Resistance: 2.5 meters
    • Audio: Stereo speakers
    • Security: In-display fingerprint scanner
    • Connectivity: IR blaster, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2
    • Battery: 8,560mAh with 90W wired charging
    • Software: MagicOS 10.0, Android 16
    • Colors: Black, Green, Gold, Purple
    • Base Price: ¥1,999 (~$295/€254) for 256GB
    • Top Price: ¥2,399 (~$354/€305) for 512GB
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  • Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 Leak: Cellular Specs & Launch Date

    Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 Leak: Cellular Specs & Launch Date

    Key Takeaway

    – Galaxy Tab Active6 expected in early 2027 with 5G support.
    – Rugged design for business/industrial users is likely retained.
    – Key model number for international 5G variant: SM-X316B.
    – No details yet on specs, design, or a Pro model successor.

    Samsung’s Next Rugged Tablet is Coming in a Few Years

    So the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 launched back in January 2024, it was a tough Android tablet made for rough conditions. Now, according to a new report from SamMobile, it looks like Samsung is already working on a new model to replace it. This is intresting because the Active lineup isnt really for regular consumers, its more for people who work in factories or outdoors.

    Release Date and Connectivity Details

    According to the same report, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active6 will actualy be released in early 2027, so we have a bit of a wait. The tablet will apparently have cellular connectivity, like 5G support. For international markets, the 5G version is going to carry the model number “SM-X316B,” which is a typical Samsung code.

    Specs and Design Remain a Mystery

    The specifications, the design, and other tiny details are still a secret right now. Since Samsung’s Active lineup is aimed at business and industrial users, its likely that the next model will keep that rugged design we all expect. Nobody knows if they will change the screen size or add new features though.

    Looking Back at the Galaxy Tab Active5

    For some context, the Galaxy Tab Active5 featured an 8-inch TFT display, and it had a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. The tablet was powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, which is decent for work tasks. It also had a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, which is okay for scanning barcodes or video calls.

    Rugged Features and the Pro Model

    Additional highlights of the Tab Active 5 included IP68 water and dust resistance, which means it can survive a dunk in water. It also had MIL-STD-810H certification, so it can take drops and shocks, and a removable battery which is rare these days. Notably, Samsung also offers the Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, which has a larger screen and a more powerfull chipset. However, there is currently no word on its successor yet.

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  • Galaxy Z Flip8 Exynos 2600 Regions: What to Know

    Galaxy Z Flip8 Exynos 2600 Regions: What to Know

    Key Takeaway

    – Galaxy Z Flip8 will use Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chip in South Korea and Europe, while other markets get Qualcomm Snapdragon.
    – This regional split is driven by cost-saving, as target buyers prioritize design and portability over raw performance.
    – Using the cheaper Exynos chip helps protect profit margins amid industry-wide shortages of RAM and flash memory.
    – The Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold Wide models will continue using Qualcomm Snapdragon only, maintaining separate strategies.
    – The Exynos 2600 is readily available since it’s only used in select Galaxy S26 models outside North America, China, and Japan.

    A Shift in Samsung’s Chip Plan for the Galaxy Z Flip8

    Samsung is reportedly changing its chipset strategy for the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip8. The Galaxy Z Flip8 will divide its silicon by region, unlike last year’s Galaxy Z Flip7 that shipped globally with just the Exynos 2500. However, a report from The Bell states that the Galaxy Z Flip8 will feature the in-house Exynos 2600 in South Korea and Europe, while Qualcomm Snapdragon will power the rest of the global market.

    Why Exynos is a Better Fit Here

    This change is rooted in a combination of target demographics and production costs. According to a Samsung MX division insider, buyers of the Galaxy Z Flip are likely to value the design and portability of the device over raw processing power. Since the main selling point for this Demographic is not high performance, the company is fine using its in-house chips. The Galaxy Z Fold8 and the new Galaxy Z Fold Wide, however, will remain strictly Snapdragon.

    The Financial Logic Behind the Choice

    From a business perspective, the Exynos 2600 is a calculated decision to protect profit margins. The MX division is currently contending with higher component costs due to industry-wide shortages of RAM and flash memory. Samsung is using the cheaper Exynos chip to offset these costs, which should also help its LSI and foundry businesses.

    The Exynos 2600 is also easily available, as it’s only being used in the Galaxy S26 and S26+ models outside of North America, China and Japan. Samsung is reportedly gearing up to launch the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold Wide at a rumored event on July 22.

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  • Samsung One UI 9.0 Beta 3 Rolling Out Next Week

    Samsung One UI 9.0 Beta 3 Rolling Out Next Week

    Key Takeaway

    – One UI 9.0 Beta 3 release is scheduled for next week.
    – Beta 2 focused primarily on bug fixes, with Beta 3 expected to add new features.
    – Beta 1 introduced UI refinements like a redesigned media player and reorganized Settings menus.
    – Galaxy S25 series expected to join the One UI 9.0 Beta program soon.
    – Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 will be the first devices to ship with One UI 9.0 pre-installed.

    Next Week Might Be the Big One for Samsung One UI 9.0 Beta

    So it looks like Samsung could be dropping the third beta version of One UI 9.0 as early as next week, at least thats what a notice posted in the Samsung Members app via the Samsung Korea community is saying. The screenshot of the notice clearly states that “The 3rd beta version is scheduled to be released next week,” giving us the most solid hint yet abuot when the next software update is comming. This was first spotted by the tipster Chanakya Shrutam (@SamSWUpdate) over on X.

    Where We Started: Beta 1 and Beta 2

    Samsung originally opened the One UI 9.0 beta program way back in early May for the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but only in a few select markets at first. People who signed up for the program got the first beta build pushed to them as an over-the-air update right away. So far, the updates have mostly been about refining features that already exist, rather then adding a ton of new stuff. Honestly, you could argue that One UI 8.5 from last year was actually a more feature-packed release then what One UI 9 is looking like so far in these early builds.

    What Was Actually New in Beta 1

    In Beta 1, we did see a few fresh additions across the user interface, like a redesigned media player that got some updated visuals and a few refreshed menu screens inside the Settings app. The settings menus were also reorganised a bit to give it a cleaner overall layout. There was also a bunch of customisation improvements, like users in the beta program can now move the volume slider around independently inside the Quick Panel, and the status bar icons and text have been made bigger for better visibility across the hole interface.

    Why Beta 3 is the One to Watch

    Apart from those few tweaks, not much has happend because Beta 2 was almost entirely focused on squashing bugs and errors that people reported after the first build. So naturally, all the attention is now on Beta 3 to bring in some actual new features and also fix the remaining bugs from the second beta. In other news, it’s also expected that the Samsung Galaxy S25 series should be the next devices to join the One UI 9 Beta program soon, but Samsung hasnt announced any official dates for that yet. In the mean time, the first devices confirmed to ship with One UI 9 out of the box will be the next gen Samsung foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Z Flip 8, at Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event.


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  • Galaxy S27 Pro to Match S27 Ultra in Another Key Area

    Galaxy S27 Pro to Match S27 Ultra in Another Key Area

    Key Takeaway

    – Galaxy S27 Pro may feature a 5,000 mAh battery, matching the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s capacity.
    – Its 6.47-inch display is slightly smaller than the Ultra, potentially offering better battery life.
    – The Pro model is rumored to share the same primary and ultra-wide sensors as the Ultra.
    – These specifications are based on leaks and are not officially confirmed.

    The Galaxy S27 Pro is shaping up to be a powerhouse, borrowing some features from the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Of course, all these specifications are only rumors at this point, but a new leak has hinted at another upgrade for the Galaxy S27 Pro, despite its smaller size compared to the Ultra. This device is suppose to give users high-end performance without the massive footprint.

    Battery Life and Display Specs

    Late last month, we learnt that the Galaxy S27 Pro will come with a 6.47-inch display. This makes it 0.2 inches larger than the Galaxy S27 and 0.2 inches smaller than the Galaxy S27 Plus. Compared to the Galaxy S27 Ultra, it is 0.4 inches smaller, but apparently, that smaller size hasn’t stopped Samsung from packing the same size battery. As per leaker kro on X, the Galaxy S27 Pro will come with a 5,000 mAh battery.

    Same Battery as the Ultra

    While the leaker doesn’t mention the Galaxy S27 Pro by name, they mention “Galaxy Pro” and a 6.5-inch screen size, which lines up with the Galaxy S27 Pro. This puts the battery capacity of the Pro model at the same level as the Galaxy S27 Ultra, also expected to come with 5,000 mAh. This should, however, translate to even better battery life than the Ultra, due to its efficiency in a smaller chassis, the phone will likely last longer on a single charge.

    Camera and Size Comparisons

    Along with the same battery capacity, the Pro model and the Ultra are also expected to come with the same new primary and ultra-wide sensors. This means the Pro wont sacrifice camera quality for size, making it a fantastic choice for photographers who prefer a compact device. Seeing as how the 6.5-inch (or 6.47-inch) Galaxy S27 Pro can come with a 5,000 mAh battery, the larger Galaxy S27 Plus should also come with at least 5,000 mAh. We’ll have to wait till February next year for official confirmation, but the leaks are looking promising for Samsung fans.

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  • New Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Major Battery Upgrade Rumored

    New Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Major Battery Upgrade Rumored

    Key Takeaway

    – Samsung will likely launch the Galaxy Z Fold7 in late July, with a London Unpacked event on July 22.
    – A Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra model has been certified by Bluetooth SIG, but it appears to be a direct replacement for the Galaxy Z Fold7, not a new segment.
    – Model number SM-F976 confirms the “Ultra” is essentially the Galaxy Z Fold7 successor, while SM-F971 is for a smaller Galaxy Z Fold8.
    – Rumored specs for the Fold8 Ultra include 215g weight, 5,000 mAh battery, 45W charging, and 4.1mm thickness—though thickness claims are disputed.

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Appears in Bluetooth SIG Listing

    Samsung is not expected to replace the Galaxy Z Fold7 until the end of July (curr. $1,719 on Amazon). To recap, the company will reportedly head to London on July 22 to host its next Galaxy Unpacked event. In the meantime, numerous rumours have been circulating about Samsung’s next Galaxy Z Fold releases

    Model Numbers Confirm a Replacement

    Now, one of these has turned up on the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG). Specifically, Samsung Electronics has certified the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which is rumoured to be a Galaxy Z Fold7 replacement rather than a new Galaxy Z Fold segment. The Bluetooth SIG’s listings corroborate this, albeit not directly.

    Instead, the standards organisation mentions SM-F976C, SM-F976Q and SM-F976Z model numbers. For context, Samsung assigns SM-F956 and SM-F966 to the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Fold7, respectively. Hence, SM-F976 is merely a replacement for the Galaxy Z Fold7, despite Samsung adopting ‘Ultra’ branding

    Rumored Specifications and Weight

    By contrast, SM-F971 should be the model number for the smaller Galaxy Z Fold8, which was previously thought to be called the Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is tipped to weigh 215 g with a 5,000 mAh battery and 45 W wired charging. According to Ice Universe, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra will be thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold7at 4.1 mm. Other leakers like OnLeaks dispute this claim, though.

    • Model numbers: SM-F976C, SM-F976Q, SM-F976Z
    • Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh
    • Charging speed: 45 W wired charging
    • Thickness claim: 4.1 mm (disputed)


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  • Samsung Next-Gen Fitness Tracker: Leaked Release Window

    Samsung Next-Gen Fitness Tracker: Leaked Release Window

    Key Takeaway

    – Galaxy Fit 4 expected to launch around September 2024, not at the July Unpacked event.
    – Device will likely debut alongside the Galaxy S26 FE and Galaxy Tab S12 series.
    – Galaxy Fit line offers a budget-friendly health tracker with long battery life (up to 2 weeks).
    – Lacks WearOS, Wi-Fi, LTE, microphone, speaker, and advanced health features like ECG.

    Galaxy Fit 4 Launching Later This Year, Report Claims

    Samsung took almost four years to release a follow-up to the Galaxy Fit 2. When it finally unveiled the Galaxy Fit 3 in February 2024, it didn’t launch it in the US until the next year. If the rumors going about are accurate, the wait for the Galaxy Fit 4 might not be as long, according to a new story.

    Timeline and Event Details

    Quoting anonymous informants, SamMobile has reported that the next Galaxy Fit wearable, thought to be called the Galaxy Fit 4, will be released this year. The source hasn’t disclosed any technical specifications, but it did share a timeline for its release. Apparantly, the Galaxy Fit 4 will not launch at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event, which is rumored to be scheduled for July.

    Insted, the device will be introduced a few months after that, probably around September. It is beleived to be launched along with the Galaxy S26 FE and the Galaxy Tab S12 series. This timing could position it strongly against other fitness bands on the market.

    Comparing Features and Pricing

    The Galaxy Fit range is a more affordable option compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series. It lets users monitor their health and fitness activities without spending too much money. For example, the Galaxy Fit 3 can track over 100 different exercises and sports, with automatic detection for some of them. It also includes heart rate tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring, sleep tracking, and fall detection – all for a price of $47.99.

    • Battery lasts up to two weeks on a single charge
    • Outlasts many of Samsung’s expensive Galaxy Watch models
    • Does not ship with WearOS, so users cannot install apps
    • Lacks Wi-Fi, LTE, a microphone, and a speaker
    • Missing advanced health features like ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and irregular heart rhythm alerts

    Market Position and Competitors

    When the Galaxy Watch Fit 4 finally arrives, it will be going up against rivals such as the Amazfit Bip Max, Amazfit Bip 6, and Redmi Watch 6. These competitors often offer similar health tracking capabilities at comparable price points, making the new model’s success dependant on it’s unique features and software improvements.

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