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Samsung - page 17

Smartphones covered in camera lenses will change everything

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multi-camera smartphones
Take a picture or nine with this smartphone prototype from Light.
Photo: Light via Photo Rumors

Mobile phone photography has been through a mostly meaningless megapixel war. Now on to the next battle – the smartphone with the most cameras.

Apple, true to its playbook, will watch while other companies fire opening salvos with smartphones packing three or more lenses.

Samsung rushing out folding smartphone to be the first to market

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This early prototype Samsung foldable phone suggests how the Galaxy X might look.
This concept folding phone is from years ago, but still suggests what Samsung may be planning.
Screenshot: Samsung

There’s a race on to introduce the world’s first folding smartphone, and Samsung appears committed to winning. The head of its mobile division says his company will unveil a foldable phone before the end of this year.

Other companies racing to introduce rival foldable devices include Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo. Apple is being more deliberative.

Apple places risky bet on sole iPhone chip provider

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Apple A12 replaces A11 Bionic
TSMC beat out Samsung and Intel to make Apple's A11 Bionic processor, and will apparently be the sole producer of its replacements.
Photo: iFixit

TSMC has produced every iPhone processor for several years, and is reportedly going to continue to be Apple’s sole source for chips.

Apple generally prefers to get components from multiple sources, but apparently no company — not even Samsung or Intel — can compete with TSMC. That makes the two companies very dependent on each other.

Photo fakery in smartphone ads shows genius of ‘Shot on iPhone’

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Shot on iPhone
A picture and three words are advertising gold.
Photo courtesy of Jen Pollack Bianco

Within a week’s time, two of the Apple’s biggest rivals got caught using misleading photos in ad campaigns that promoted the quality of their smartphones’ built-in cameras.

The embarrassing screwups of Samsung and Huawei showcase the simple brilliance of Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign.

iPhone X notch might be on endangered list

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Apple Watch
The iPhone X notch isn't the "deal breaker" so many thought it would be, but the screen cutout could be replaced with an under-display camera in 2019.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The first camera that can be embedded under a phone’s display might launch next year. If this comes to pass, it would remove the need for the screen cutout in the iPhone and many rival Android models.

It’s no secret that companies are trying to develop in-display cameras. The promise that one will be on the market in 2019 comes from an unnamed source.

Busted! Samsung uses stock photos as proof of camera quality

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Samung tweets
Samsung Brazil said it accidentally used stock photos when trying to show off on Twitter the camera of the Galaxy A8.
Photo: Feliperas/Twitter

When Apple wants to show off the camera quality of its latest iPhone, it mines social media for user photos by searching the hashtag “Shot on iPhone.” Apple then has plenty of actual iPhone images it then licenses for advertising.

But when Samsung tried to tout the camera of the Galaxy A8 in a recent Twitter campaign, it used stock photos most likely shot with DSLR cameras.

Samsung can’t believe Apple Pencil doesn’t work with iPhone

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A new Samsung ad makes a good point about the Apple Pencil.
A new Samsung ad makes a good point about the Apple Pencil, but is also makes some untrue statements.
Screenshot: Samsung

Samsung continues its “Ingenious” negative marketing campaign against the iPhone. The latest ad shows a customer confused that the Apple Pencil can’t be used on the iPhone.

While Samsung’s ad makes a point that quite a few iPhone users agree with, another statement made is more than a bit deceptive.

Take a look at the ad:

Samsung’s AirPower knockoff might be ready to ship before Apple’s

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Samsung is knocking off the AirPower.
Samsung is knocking off the AirPower.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung might finally beat Apple at its own game when it comes to wireless charging.

During its Galaxy Note 9 keynote today, Samsung revealed that it has created a knockoff version of Apple’s AirPower charging mat. Even though Apple revealed AirPower last year its release is nowhere in site while Samsung is ready to pounce on the opportunity to ship first.

Samsung preps rivals for Apple Watch and HomePod

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Samsung Watch and Samsung Home go up against Apple equivalents.
Samsung Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Home go up against Apple equivalents.
Photo: Samsung

Along with its newest smartphone, Samsung just unveiled two more products designed to take on some of Apple’s. The Galaxy Watch isn’t the Korean company’s first Apple Watch competitor, but this is the first time it’s unveiled a HomePod rival.

Apple dominates smartwatch sales, so Samsung faces an uphill battle. Amazon has the lead in smartspeakers though, and Apple has shown it’s not an easy market to break into.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 prepares to face the 2018 iPhones

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The Galaxy Note 9 will have to face not just the iPhone X, but also the models Apple will launch next month.
The Galaxy Note 9 will have to stand up to not only the iPhone X, but also the models Apple will launch next month.
Photo: Apple/Samsung/MobileFun

This spring’s Galaxy S9 hasn’t sold all that well, so Samsung is pinning its hopes on the Galaxy Note 9, just announced this morning.

This 6.4-inch Android device will have to compete with the iPhone X, and also the new smartphones Apple will introduce in a few weeks. Let’s see how it compares.

Fortnite beta lands on Android, but only for Samsung users

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Fortnite on Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Get Fortnite on your Samsung today.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Epic Games has finally delivered its first Fortnite beta for Android.

Fans have been waiting to get their hands on the game since it made its debut on iOS back in March. You’ll need one of a handful of Samsung devices to download Fortnite today.

$1,000 iPhone X just the start of rising smartphone prices

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iPhone X laying down
I wanted a Galaxy S10, but I'm stuck with iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s bet on a $1,000 smartphone has paid off in a big way, and that’s bad news for iPhone fans.

As the iPhone X continues to be Apple’s best-selling smartphone, analysts warn that it will encourage even higher price tags year after year. You can expect this year’s iPhone lineup to be even more expensive, and you won’t save much by shopping elsewhere.

Fortnite leak confirms Android users’ worst fears

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Fortnite Wingman Starter Pack
Yes, you'll need a Samsung to play Fortnite for Android.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite Battle Royale will be exclusive to Samsung devices when it finally comes to Android, a new leak has confirmed.

The upcoming Galaxy Note 9 or a second Samsung device will be required to play the game initially. Even if you happen to obtain the Fortnite package for Android, it won’t run on your handset until Samsung’s exclusive deal comes to an end.

It’s not yet clear exactly how long that will last.

Samsung spills Galaxy Note 9 early in YouTube video

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Samsung leaks Galaxy Note 9 early
The Note 9 looks good in blue.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s answer to the iPhone X is scheduled to arrive later this month, and thanks to one keen employee, we already know what it will look like.

Samsung New Zealand posted the official Galaxy Note 9 introduction video to YouTube weeks early. It reveals the “super powerful” handset’s design and a number of key features, including an improved S Pen.

Apple’s Android rivals are going all-in on folding phones in 2019

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This early prototype Samsung foldable phone suggests how the Galaxy X might look.
This prototype Samsung folding phone could be a harbinger of many, many to follow.
Screenshot: Samsung

At least four big smartphone makers are reportedly prepping foldable models for 2019. This radical new design could reinvigorate the slowing phone market, hence the widespread interest.

But Apple is a notable holdout. This means it could end up being the only top 5 phone maker not releasing a foldable phone next year.

iPad’s hot streak shows no sign of cooling

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2018 iPad and Apple Pencil
The 9.7-inch iPad released this fall helped keep Apple on top of the tablet market.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

There was a time the glory days of the iPad seemed over. Sales declined quarter after quarter. Then the iPad Pro line debuted, and now Apple has seen six straight quarters of increasing tablet shipments.

That’s not true for rival device makers. Samsung tablets haven’t experienced a quarterly shipment increase since at least 2016.  

Samsung takes on iPad Pro with Galaxy Tab S4

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The Galaxy Tab S4 is clearly designed to take on the 10.5-inch iPad Pro.
The Galaxy Tab S4 is clearly designed to take on the 10.5-inch iPad Pro. So we compared the two.
Screenshot: Samsung

Samsung just unveiled the first high-end Android tablet in years: With a 10.5-inch screen and a $649.99 price, the Galaxy Tab S4 takes aim squarely at the iPad Pro. As with Apple’s tablet, there’s an optional keyboard ($150) to turn this Android model into a 2-in-1 laptop.

We compare the two to highlight the differences.

Huawei steals Apple’s crown as No. 2 smartphone maker

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Chinese company Huawei wants the media buzz that would come with releasing the world's first foldable phone.
This is the first quarter since 2010 that Apple hasn't been in the no. 1 or 2 spots.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns / Flickr CC

Apple just smashed expectations yet again with another monster quarterly earnings report. But that’s not enough to stop Huawei from stealing Apple’s crown as the world’s second-largest smartphone maker, based on number of handsets shipped.

The figures come from analysts at IDC, who note that Apple shipped a total of 342 million iPhones in the quarter, compared to Huawei’s 54.2 million units. Market leader Samsung shipped a massive 71.5 million units during that same period.

The biggest takeaways from Apple’s dominant Q3 earnings results

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Apple is made of money.
Apple is made of money.
Photo illustration: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple beat Wall Street’s expectations today with its Q3 2018 earnings report. Even though iPhone sales were barely up 1% the company still posted better-than-expected revenues as sales of Apple Watch, services and AirPods picked up the slack leading to Apple’s best Q3 results ever.

Prices of Apple shares skyrocketed closer to the illustrious $204 mark that will make the iPhone-maker the first ever trillion dollar company once the results posted and Tim Cook seemed extremely confident and relaxed on his call with investors this afternoon. While the rest of tech stocks are starting to sink, Apple is as steady ever.

Slumping Galaxy sales lead to weak Samsung earnings

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Samsung galaxy
The Galaxy S9 isn't selling as well as expected.
Photo: Samsung

Despite releasing a series of iPhone-bashing commercials, Samsung’s own smartphone sales are beginning to decline drastically. And investors are not pleased.

Samsung posted a second-quarter earnings report Monday that put an end to its streak of record-breaking financial results. While the company’s memory chip business is doing well, sales of its flagship Galaxy S9 smartphone and display panels are slipping after the company saw huge profit growth in 2017.

Huawei could beat Samsung and Apple to a foldable phone

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Chinese company Huawei wants the media buzz that would come with releasing the world's first foldable phone.
Chinese company Huawei wants the media buzz that would come with releasing the world's first foldable phone.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

Both Samsung and Apple are reportedly working on foldable phones, but China’s Huawei could be the first to get one on the market.

Phones that can unfold to the size of small tablets have the potential to shake up the mobile device industry in the coming years.

Fortnite is coming to Android soon, but your phone won’t support it

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Fortnite iOS 14
Everyone should welcome skill-based matchmaking.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Epic Games is finally bringing Fortnite to Android this summer following its launch on iOS back in March. But don’t get too excited just yet.

New reports claim the game will be exclusive to one Samsung handset that isn’t even out yet. There’s a chance your existing device won’t support it at launch.

Samsung’s battery-sipping RAM chips could be headed for iPhone

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An improved Samsung RAM will almost certainly make future iPhone models more efficient.
An improved Samsung RAM will almost certainly make future iPhone models more efficient.
Photo: Samsung Electronics

The highlight of Samsung latest mobile RAM chip is power efficiency. The second-generation LPDDR4X uses up to 10 percent less electricity without sacrificing speed. That’s almost certainly going to benefit future iPhone models.

With batteries improving only slowly, the best way to increase the time between charges is for the phone’s components to draw less energy. Hence Samsung’s efforts to make its RAM more efficient.

Samsung ads continue to diss iPhone to distract from weak S9 sales

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Samsung's ads set at an Ingenius bar criticize the iPhone rather than praise the Galaxy S9.
Samsung's ads set at an "Ingenius" bar criticize the iPhone rather than praise the Galaxy S9.
Screenshot: Samsung

When a product isn’t doing well, one marketing strategy is to sling mud at the competition. That’s why all Samsung’s latest ads don’t focus on the Galaxy S9, but criticize the iPhone instead.

There are four new ads that target some aspect of Apple’s products, such as the notch, no microSD card slot, and a lack of on-screen multitasking.

iPhone gobbles up 8 of 10 top-selling smartphone spots for Q2

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iPhone X
iPhone X sales are still booming.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone absolutely dominated its Android competition in the United States during the second quarter or 2018.

According to the latest data from the folks at Kantar, iPhones took 8 of the top 10 spots in smartphone sales, helping iOS gain market share at Samsung and LG’s expense.