Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 gets FCC certification
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is the latest to get FCC certification in the US. The phone, model name SM-F936U, comes with Qualcomm’s Smart Transmit feature for improved uplink.
As you’d expect, the Galaxy Z Fold4 will support all sorts of networks, from lowly 2G all the way to mmWave 5G. Wi-Fi will be updated with ax support. The FCC report also suggests that the Fold4 will support an S Pen, like its predecessor.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is expected alongside the Galaxy Z Flip4 on August 10 according to latest reports. It will be powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 with 12GB of RAM. An up to 1TB of storage is rumored, while the battery is expected to be 4,400mAh.
Other rumors, suggest a less-pronounced crease, possible wider and shorter body, and better cameras.
From Gsmarena
Apple and Meta headsets to feature Samsung’s MicroOLED display
Apple and Meta have been reported asking Samsung Display to produce a MicroOLED display for their upcoming AR/VR headsets. On the other hand, the South Korean manufacturer has avoided making this screen technology due to expected low profitability.
The information shared by The Elec shows that not only are Apple and Meta willing to pay for a MicroOLED panel on their headsets but Samsung Display’s parent company, Samsung Electronics, also wants to use this technology.
As explained by the publication, the MicroOLED panel uses organic materials that are deposited on a silicon substrate instead of a glass one. This technology is meant for AR/VR devices
Up to now, Samsung Display had a few research staff working on MicroOLED and didn’t pay much attention to it, sources said. This is because AR and VR headset market is currently very small while the display panel used are much smaller than those in smartphones.
Apple is expected to launch its headset late next year with MicroOLED technology. As of now, LG Display is planning to place an order for equipment needed to manufacture MicroOLED panels for Apple.
Rumors so far believe Apple will use the M2 chip for its upcoming headset that will mix AR and VR capabilities. For the future, the company is also readying AR Glasses as well as a second generation for its Mixed Reality headset.
From 9to5Mac
Samsung lists Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 pro on its website
Samsung is making preparations for the inevitable launch of its upcoming Galaxy Watch 5 series, and support pages for three variants are now up on the company’s official websites in Belgium, Norway, and Denmark.
The model numbers now revealed by the official support pages match our expectations. The 40mm and 44mm Galaxy Watch 5 variants carry model numbers SM-R905F and SM-R915F, respectively. The third variant, known as the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, is listed under model number SM-R925F. (via @rquandt)
All three Galaxy Watch 5 variants in Wi-Fi-only and LTE flavors have also been approved by the FCC in mid-June.
From Sammobile
Xiaomi confirms that the Redmi K50i is powered by the Dimensity 8100 chipset
The Redmi K50i is set to launch in India on July 20 (Wednesday next week), in the mean time the company has been posting teasers about the phone. The latest confirms that it will be powered by the Dimensity 8100 chipset.
The Twitter account for Redmi India is all-in on promoting the K50i and even MediaTek India’s Twitter got in on the action. A few days ago Xiaomi posted the AnTuTu score of the phone – 822,274. Note that the scores are cherry-picked, some 888 handsets score higher, as do the iPhone 13 series with the A15 chipset. Check the current AnTuTu rankings here.
From Gsmarena
Red Magic 7S and 7S Pro unveiled with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipsets
The Red Magic 7 series was unveiled in February with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 power. Today the gaming brand announced an “S” refresh, which (predictably) makes the jump to Qualcomm’s revamped flagship chip.
The Red Magic 7S starts at CNY 4,000 for the 8/128GB model (that converts to $600/€590/₹47,500), the 12/256GB one is CNY 4,800. Add CNY 100 on top of that if you want the Deuterium Transparent Edition. The 16/512GB model is available only in Deuterium trim for CNY 5,500.
The Red Magic 7S Pro starts at CNY 5,200 for the 12/256GB model ($775/€765/₹61,500). Two Deuterium transparent versions are available (Black and White), which are CNY 100 more. Again, the 16/512GB memory configuration is available with the Deuterium design only. The 18GB/1TB version is coming later at CNY 7,500.
Red Magic teased that the 7S Pro is “coming soon” to the international market (the vanilla model is not, seemingly). For the 7-series that happened in April, a couple of months after the launch in China. By the way, the launch prices are effectively the same as the original series, accounting for the lack of a 12/128GB version of the 7S Pro. The 7 Pro cost $800/£680/€800 for a 16/256GB unit went it went global.
There will be some accessories like the Turbo Cooler in gray and transparent for CNY 200 and the Red Magic Magnetic Cooler for CNY 300. Oh, and don’t miss the Bumblebee Transformers edition collection set 16+512G at CNY 6,500.
From Gsmarena
Samsung has become the top smartwatch brand in India
India is a very important market for Samsung. The company has been putting in a lot of effort to ensure that it remains the dominant player in the country. Samsung remains the number one smartphone vendor in India despite relentless competition.
Samsung now occupies a similar position in the country’s smartwatch market. It became the leading smartwatch vendor in India this past quarter. This is based on the latest data provided by the IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker.
Samsung accounts for a 65% volume market share in the country’s smartwatch market. It also has a 31% volume market share in the truly wireless earbuds category. These figures represent the market position as of March 2022.
From Sammobile
Samsung will reportedly ditch Exynos in favor of Qualcomm for the Galaxy S23 series
Over the last several years, Samsung has been using its own chipsets in its Galaxy line of handsets. Despite mixed results with its SoC over the years, the company has continued to use its own processors, although recently, in a more limited fashion. If a new report is to be believed, Samsung might ditch the Exynos processor completely for its upcoming Galaxy S23 line.
According to analyst Ming-chi Kuo, Qualcomm will become the sole SoC supplier for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S23 series. It appears that this might be the case because Samsung’s own next-generation SoC won’t be able to compete with Qualcomm’s SM8550 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) next-gen chipset. Over the years, Qualcomm has done an excellent job of optimizing its chips for numerous applications and platforms, while Samsung has struggled with this, especially on its smartphone hardware.
From XDA
WhatsApp could get new handy features on Android and desktop
Meta-owned WhatsApp is one of the best messaging apps available for Android devices . WhatsApp is seen constantly working or introducing several new features to the messaging platform. Not long ago, WhatsApp was spotted working on a new privacy feature that lets you hide your online status from strangers. The messaging app announced new updates last month, giving users more control over annoying group call members.
There are new beta findings discovered by WABetainfo this week, which reveal a couple of new features that WhatsApp may be working on. These new features were spotted on beta versions of the app. It is safe to assume that these features might not be instantly released with the subsequent app versions or can be dumped altogether.
That said, the first feature on the messaging platform appears to be support for captions for documents before sharing. According to the screenshots provided by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp could likely allow you to offer captions to a document before sharing it with others.
The capability had been available for sharing images for quite a while now. It looks like a similar interface is adopted with the new feature as well. The screenshot also hints that the feature is currently seen in WhatsApp beta on desktop. But, the new functionality appears suitable when rolled out to other platforms. It can make locating the shared documents easier if you remember the given caption.
WABetaInfo has spotted yet another feature that is said to be in the works. It’s the ability to report individual messages in conversations or groups. Well, this said feature is technically not new to WhatsApp on Android devices or other mobile versions of the app. But, WhatsApp Desktop users may soon be able to use it down the line. The feature is currently in development for the desktop version.
Users can report a particular message if they find it abusive or hateful. The action can be performed by clicking the drop-down menu where it sits alongside other options like a reply or forward, for instance. Reports will be forwarded to the WhatsApp moderation team.
This can be a handy feature if there are annoying businesses that often send unwanted messages to make you purchase from them.
From Android Central
iPhone sales ban in Colombia over patent infringement; more countries likely to follow
Ericsson has been seeking an iPhone sales ban in multiple countries due to 5G patent infringements, and has now succeeded in obtaining the first of these, in Colombia. The ban applies to the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPad Pro models with 5G capabilities.
Apple is of course fighting the injunction but has been accused of double standards for objecting to three separate legal tactics that it has used itself in the past …
From 9to5Mac
Viral Hoax Claims Elon Musk Was Banned From Twitter After Pulling Out of Takeover Deal
Hours after Tesla CEO Elon Musk informed Twitter that he wanted to terminate their $44 billion acquisition deal, prompting the social media network to sue, a rumor started spreading on Twitter. It goes like this: Twitter felt so betrayed that Musk was backing out of the deal that it had suspended his account. While that would certainly make for juicy internet drama, it’s just not true.
The rumor seems to have begun with a tweeted screenshot, shared by the satire and meme account @HighyieldHarry, showing that Musk’s account had been suspended. At first glance, the screenshot appears to be realistic—the user handle looks just like the @elonmusk account that regularly wreaks havoc online. In fact, if you click on the supposed Musk account in @HighyieldHarry’s tweet, it takes you to a suspended account’s page.
From Gizmodo
