Tag: Samsung

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Canadian Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 Android 12 update hits January 18, S21 series December update rolling out now

If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy S21 series device, you should finally be receiving the smartphone’s December security update. According to Rogers’ and Telus’ update schedule, the update went out yesterday, January 11th.

Even if you’re not with Telus or Rogers, as long as your device is Canadian, it likely means you’ll be getting the update very soon.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, A52 5G and the S20 series will get the Android 12 update on January 18th, according to the Rogers and Telus update schedules. 

I received the Z Fold 3 Android 12 update on January 5th. After looking into it more, the Z Fold 3 model I was given to review by Samsung Canada is American — that’s why I received the patch.

At the time, MobileSyrup reached out to Samsung Canada for further information but, unfortunately, didn’t receive an update from the company.

One UI 4.0 adds new theming options, a refreshed keyboard and new privacy settings. Further, more emojis, GIFs and stickers are available directly from your keyboard, and new home screen icons, menus, buttons, and backgrounds.

Samsung says that it’s also adding new privacy and security features to its devices with One UI 4.0. For example, you’ll be notified when an app attempts to access your camera or microphones.

If you purchase Samsung’s new Galaxy S21 FE, the phone will sport Android 12/One UI 4.0 pre-loaded.

Source: Rogers, Telus Update schedule 

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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE now available at several Canadian carriers

Source: https://www.samsung.com/ca/smartphones/galaxy-s21-5g/galaxy-s21-fe-5g/

Samsung has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fan Edition (FE) earlier this month and now the phone is available at some Canadian carriers. We’ve compiled a list of carriers offering the phone and some details about pricing, which you can view below.

Before we get into it, it’s important to mention that the base model S21 FE costs $949.99 outright in Canada — it’s worth keeping that number in mind when comparing to carrier prices, which are often inflated by comparison. It’s also worth doing the math and comparing the various price options because some are better than others.

Koodo

  • Tab Plus: $158 down, $33/mo Tab charge ($950 total over two years)
  • Tab Mid: $590 down, $15/mo Tab charge ($950 total over two years)
  • Tab Basic: $710 down, $10/mo Tab charge ($950 total over two years)
  • Outright price: $1,175

It’s worth noting that all of Koodo’s Tab options include a $225 “Tab Bonus,”  which just so happens to be the difference between Koodo’s $1,175 outright price and Samsung’s $950 actual price for the S21 FE. Koodo plans start at $50/mo, or $25/mo if you choose Tab Basic.

Check out Koodo’s website for more information.

Telus

Vancouver-based national telecom Telus has the Galaxy S21 FE available with its ‘Bring-It-Back’ program. Bring-It-Back reduces the monthly financing cost if customers agree to return the phone to Telus or pay back the Bring-It-Back amount ($240 for the S21 FE) after 24 months.

  • Bring-It-Back: $0 down, $25/mo financing ($600 total over two years plus $240 Bring-It-Back amount if customers choose to keep the phone)
  • Regular: $0 down, $39.58/mo financing ($949.92 total over two years)
  • Outright: $1,175

Both the Bring-It-Back and Regular options include a $225 “Easy Payment Bonus Discount,” which just so happens to be the difference between Telus’ $1,175 outright price and Samsung’s $950 actual price for the S21 FE. Telus’ plans start at $80/mo.

You can learn more about the S21 FE on Telus’ website.

Rogers

Rogers also has the Galaxy S21 FE available for $0 down and $25/mo financing with the company’s ‘Upfront Edge’ program (its take on a device return option). Rogers has slightly different math than Telus, however:

  • Upfront Edge: $0 down, $25/mo financing (regular $34.30/mo financing, includes $350 Upfront Edge amount and $9.30/mo promotional credit) – 24 month total is $600, plus $350 if you want to keep the phone.
  • Regular: $0 down, $39.58/mo financing (regular $48.88/mo financing) – 24 month total is $949.92
  • Outright: $1,173

It’s worth noting the usual $48.88/mo price works out to $1,173.12 total over two years, matching Rogers’ outright price of $1,173. In other words, you’d be better off taking the “discounted” financing price because you’d end up paying the same over two years as you would buying the phone outright from Samsung directly. Rogers’ plans start at $80/mo.

Learn more about the S21 FE on Rogers’ website.

Fido

  • $150 down, $33.34/mo financing (regular $42.63) – $950.16 total over two years ($1,173.12 with the regular price)
  • Outright: $1,173

Rogers flanker brand Fido also includes a $9.29/mo promotional credit to the financing cost of the S21 FE, bringing the total cost down to $950.16 instead of the more expensive $1,173.12. Again, best to make a purchase with this discount added, otherwise you end up paying more than you would getting the phone outright from Samsung.

Fido plans start at $50/mo for the S21 FE.

You can learn more on Fido’s website.

Bell

  • Regular: $0 down, $39.58/mo financing (regular $48.92/mo)
  • Outright: $1,174

Bell, surprisingly, did not list any device return pricing for the Galaxy S21 FE. As for the ‘Regular’ pricing, the carrier included a “discount” that reduced the price to match Samsung’s outright price. With the $39.58/mo cost, customers will pay $949.92 over 24 months, which bell advertises as savings of $224.08 compared to buying the device outright.

However, unlike the other carriers, Bell’s website includes a slider that lets customers reduce the monthly financing fee by increasing the upfront cost. For example, adding a $360 down payment drops the monthly financing cost to $24.58/mo.

Bell’s plans start at $80/mo.

You can learn more here.

Virgin Plus

Bell flanker brand Virgin Plus offers nearly identical pricing on the S21 FE to what Fido has:

  • Regular: $150 down, $33.34/mo financing ($950.16 over two years)
  • Outright: $1,174

Similar to Bell, Virgin has an option for customers to add a down payment of up to $720 for the phone, reducing the monthly financing cost accordingly.

Virgin’s plans start at $52/mo for the S21 FE.

You can learn more on Virgin’s website.

Freedom Mobile

Shaw-owned Freedom mobile has the Galaxy S21 FE available through its MyTab program and with a ‘TradeUp’ credit, which reduces the monthly cost of the phone if customers agree to return the phone to Freedom or pay back the TradeUp credit after two years.

  • MyTab: $0 down, $35/mo Tab on a $60/mo phone plan ($840 over two years)
  • MyTab with TradeUp: $0 down, $20/mo Tab on a $60/mo phone plan ($480 over two years plus $360 TradeUp credit if you keep the phone)
  • Outright: $1,128

You can learn more on Freedom’s website.

Shaw Mobile

Shaw Mobile also has the Galaxy S21 FE available for the following prices:

  • $0 down, $47/mo MyTab price on a $25/mo Unlimited plan ($1,128 over two years)
  • Outright: $1,228

It’s worth noting that phone and plan pricing at Shaw Mobile depends on which level of Shaw home internet you subscribe to. For example, the same plan as mentioned up top for customers that don’t have Shaw internet would cost $85/mo and the phone $38/mo.

You can learn more here.

Vidéotron

Vidéotron also has the S21 FE available with either regular monthly payments or the ‘Take-back’ program, which offers a monthly discount if customers return the phone after 24 months:

  • Regular: $0 down, $39.50/mo ($948 over two years)
  • Take-back: $0 down, $25.75/mo ($618 over two years plus $330 Take-back credit if you want to keep the phone)

You’ll also need a minimum $50/mo plan to go along with the phone. You can learn more here.

Eastlink

  • easyTab: $0 down, $40/mo for 24 months ($960 over two years)
  • Outright: $960

Plans start at $50/mo. Learn more on EastLink’s website.

SaskTel

  • Plus Pricing (save on device): $0 down, $20.83/mo with two-year Voice & Data plan ($499.92 over two years)
  • Plus Pricing (save on plan): $0 down, $39.58/mo with two-year Voice & Data plan ($949.92)
  • Two-year Voice & Data term: $499.99 upfront
  • Outright: $949.99

SaskTel’s primary option for buying a phone is ‘Plus Pricing,’ which lets customers get a phone for $0 upfront with any eligible two-year Voice & Data plan. However, the carrier offers Plus Pricing in two flavours — one with a discounted phone price and one with a $20/mo discount on your plan. If you’re going with SaskTel, it’s worth taking the time to figure out whether you benefit more from the flat $20/mo plan discount or the reduced phone price.

You can learn more here.

Image credit: Samsung

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Samsung might unveil the Galaxy S22 series on February 8

Samsung could launch its upcoming Galaxy S22 series at an Unpacked event on February 8th, according to South Korea’s Digital Daily.

A Samsung representation reportedly told the publication that “we have confirmed that the event will be held on February 8, and we are discussing the timing of invitations to be sent out at the end of January.”

In Canada, the S22 series will likely sport the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, feature have up to 12GB of RAM, and offer a substantial battery. The S22 Ultra will reportedly feature four cameras, with a top-of-the-line 108-megapixel primary shooter and what Samsung calls a “Super Clear Lens,” which is rumoured to improve low-light videos.

Additionally, the S22 Ultra will work with the company’s S Pen stylus and sport a design that looks like a combination of Samsung’s Note 20 Ultra and the S21 Ultra.

Samsung hasn’t officially announced the S22 event, but if the rumour above is correct the smartphone series will likely be formally revealed during roughly the same time frame as MWC 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

Image credit: @heyitsyogesh

Source: Digital Daily Via: Engadget

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Samsung Display shows off Flex G and Flex S form factors at CES 2022

Berlin, Germany- September 6.,2017., Samsung exhibition pavilion

Samsung showed off a few pretty cool prototype foldable smartphones at CES 2022. Based on what we know so far, these prototypes sport the South Korean tech giant’s Flex S and Flex G panels and come in multiple forms.

According to SamMobile, the Flex S is a tri-folding phone that can fold in and out in the form of an S. This allows for the smartphone to fold into a large tablet. The Flex G, on the other hand, is more compact. It’s also tri-folding and folds inwards so that no part of the display is visible when fully folded.

While I love using the Z Fold 3, I’m sometimes worried about the outer display since it’s always exposed. This G-shaped form factor keeps the device’s display protected when you’re not using it.

It’s important to point out that these are prototype devices, so it’s possible that this display technology may never be actually featured in a commercial Samsung smartphone. That said, the inwards tri-folding design could be pretty cool.

You can check out more news from CES 2022 here.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: SamMobile, Abhijeet Mishra (YouTube)

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Samsung Galaxy S22 dummy video makes its rounds

Canada’s own Unbox Therapy has leaked a video showcasing Samsung’s upcoming S series flagships, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22+ and S22.

While the video has been delisted from YouTube, other channels have reuploaded it and screenshots have emerged, giving us a detailed look at the South Korean company’s upcoming devices.

While not entirely new given we’ve dummy units of the S22 series in the past, Unbox Therapy’s videos corroborate those designs.

The standard Galaxy S22 and S22+ both look like last year’s S21 devices with camera bumps in the top left corner or the rear of the smartphone. On the other hand, the S22 Ultra looks like a combination of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the S21 Ultra.

Alongside the leaked video, a spec sheet has also appeared.

The leaked specs indicate that the regular S21 sports a 6.1-inch display, the plus model will offer a 6.55-inch screen and that the Ultra features a 6.8-inch screen.

While the leaked specs are likely accurate, it’s odd the S21 Ultra offers 8GB/12GB of RAM when the S21 Ultra featured 12GB/16GB of RAM, making the Ultra seem like a bit of a downgrade in a sense.

The spec sheet also states that the 108-megapixel sensor features some sort of “Super Clear Glass,” which is theorized to reduce the small bright dots that sometimes appears when taking videos at night.

WinFuture’s Roland Quandt previously shared an image of a 45W charger for the S22 Ultra, which suggests that Samsung is bringing back the Note 10+’s higher charging speeds.

It’s unclear when Samsung will launch these new S22 smartphones. It’s possible that we’ll see Samsung unveil the Galaxy S22 series as late as February at Mobile World Congress (MWC).

Source: YouTube (several channels), @xeetechcare, @rquandt Via: The Verge

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Samsung Galaxy S2 ROM lets the ancient smartphone run Android 12

Samsung’s Galaxy S2 is almost 12 years old, but back in the day, the android smartphone was considered one of the best devices around. And now, the ancient smartphone seems to be getting reinvigorated with a new ROM of Android 12.

XDA Developer forum user ‘rINanDO‘ has managed to get Android 12 running on a 1.2GHz processor and only 1GB of RAM. Typically unofficial ROMs are buggy, but this one is reportedly pretty good based on several forum users’ posts.

The following features are currently working in the ROM:

  • RIL (Phone/SMS)
  • Audio
  • Bluetooth (audio & headset)
  • Wi-Fi
  • IMEI
  • Touchkeys
  • Hardware encode/decoder
  • Display
  • DRM, for e.g. Netflix
  • Selinux enforced
  • BitGapps
  • Magisk v23.0
  • FM Radio (using Spirit2)

The functionality below isn’t working:

  • AGPS
  • Camera Video recording
  • PowerHAL
  • Live Display
  • MicroG support

Keep in mind that the Galaxy S2 is still a device that’s well over a decade old, so don’t expect the ROM actually to improve the handset’s performance in a significant way. Still, it’s fascinating to see someone put the effort into creating a ROM like this simply because they could.

Typically, I’d advise against modding your device as it would void your warranty, but given how old the Galaxy S2 is, you likely don’t have much to lose. Here are the steps to install this ROM on Samsung’s Galaxy S2.

Source: XDA Developers forums, XDA Developers

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 receives Android 12 update in Canada

Android 12 is now available on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 in Canada.

According to Rogers’ update schedule, the update is still “coming soon,” and it doesn’t even appear on the Telus update schedule; however, my unlocked Z Fold 3 on Koodo’s network just received the update.

While I don’t have a Z Flip 3 to check for the update, Android 12 was released simultaneously on both devices in other countries. Additionally, the Z Fold 3’s update page shows images of the Z Flip 3 as well, though we’ll reach out to Samsung for confirmation.

One UI 4.0 adds new theming options, a refreshed keyboard and new privacy settings. There are also more emojis, GIFs and stickers available directly from your keyboard, and new home screen icons, menus, buttons and backgrounds.

Samsung says that it’s also adding new privacy and security features to its devices with One UI 4.0. For example, you’ll be notified when an app attempts to access your camera or microphones.

The South Korean company seemed to have quite a few issues rolling out Android 12 to its smartphones. After several delays, Canadian Samsung Galaxy S21 series devices finally received their One UI 4.0/Android 12 updates on December 7th. The expected release date was November 15th.

Samsung started rolling out the update to its third-gen foldables on December 6th in other countries but paused it and had to roll out another version of the update at the end of December.

One UI 4.0 will also be on the following devices: Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S20 FE, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, S10, S10e, S10+, Note 10, Note 10+, Z Fold 2, Z Flip, Z Flip 5G, Galaxy A82, A72, A52, A52s, A42, and Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+.

If you purchase Samsung’s new Galaxy S21 FE, the phone will sport Android 12/One UI 4.0 pre-loaded.

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Samsung’s 55-inch Odyssey Ark is even bigger than the Neo G9

As far as computer monitors go, Samsung’s new 55-inch Odyssey Ark is rather stunning looking, measuring in at slightly larger than its 39-inch Odyssey g9 monitor.

Revealed during its CES 2022 presentation, the next-gen monitor features a 16:9 display and can be used horizontally and vertically thanks to its specially designed stand. It also features a new multi-view adaptable screen to shift the screen size to the content you’re consuming, whether it’s watching movies or playing video games.

It’s a little unclear what the monitor’s specs are given Samsung’s keynote was light on details, so, unfortunately, we don’t know what the display’s resolution, what ports it features or even its refresh rate. In fact, it’s unclear if the Odyssey Ark is targeted at gamers or productivity.

Samsung says that the Ark will go on sale in the second half of 2022 in the United States. It’s unclear how much the monitor will cost or if it will release in Canada.

Earlier this week Samsung revealed a 4K version of its Odyssey Neo G9 monitor called the Odyssey Neo G8.

You can check out more news from CES 2022 here.

Image credit: Samsung 

Source: Samsung

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Samsung finally officially unveils the Galaxy S21 FE

Following an onslaught of rumours, delays and leaks, Samsung has revealed the Galaxy S21 FE.

The ‘Fan Edition’ (FE) smartphone features a 6.4-inch display with a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution with an in-display optical fingerprint scanner and a 120Hz refresh rate. While the display resolution is lower than other devices in the Galaxy S21 lineup, you still get a 120Hz refresh rate that should offer a buttery smooth scrolling and swiping. The matte plastic back of the devices comes in four colours ‘Olive,’ ‘Lavender,’ ‘Graphite’ and ‘White.’

Regarding cameras, the S21 FE features a 12-megapixel primary, 12-megapixel ultrawide, and an 8-megapixel telephoto shooter with 3x optical zoom. On the front, the device features a 32-megapixel selfie shooter.

The Galaxy S21 FE comes in two variants, including one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and the other with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Both versions of the S21 FE feature a 4,500mAh battery that offers 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. Further, the phone offers ‘Samsung Wireless Powershare,’ allowing it to charge Qi-compatible devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2.

The phone is available for pre-order on January 5th and releases on January 11th. Samsung is currently offering a pair of Galaxy Buds 2 as a pre-order bonus.

In Canada, the 6GB Galaxy S21 FE costs $949.99 and the 8GB variant retails at $1,039.99. It’s currently unclear if the smartphone will support Android 12 at launch or if the update will come at a later date. MobileSyrup has reached out to Samsung for more information. We’ll have more on the Galaxy S21 FE in the coming weeks.

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Samsung’s new Eco Remote can convert router radio waves into energy

Samsung has refreshed the solar-charging television remote it first showed off at CES 2021 with a cool new feature that allows the device to convert a router’s radio waves into energy.

While converting unused radio frequency (RF) energy into usable power for a TV remote is a novel concept, the device also still features a built-in solar panel for charging. In theory, this means that the remote will always maintain a charge.

Other features include dedicated buttons for Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video. The remote is also made with recycled materials and is available in ‘White’ and ‘Black.’

At CES 2022, Samsung also confirmed that Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now are coming to its televisions and revealed a new version of its popular The Frame TV.