Showing posts with label Samsung. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samsung. Show all posts

Project Zero - The Galaxy S6 has emerged




Last month, Samsung decided they were going to start from scratch on their next iteration of the Galaxy S Series, and it seems they have already started. Samsung isn't kidding, and they have gone with the perfect codename: Project Zero.

SamMobile has a suprising amount of information regarding this device already, and it includes a QHD display, a 64-bit processor, and what could possibly be the biggest camera on a Samsung device to date. SamMobile has also included all the model numbers of the upcoming smartphones as well.The expected specs, along with what has been leaked can be seen below.

Specifications:
Dimensions N/A
Weight N/A
Display Size to be determined (1440 x 2560) | N/A ppi
Camera 16-20 megapixels (rear) | 5 megapixels (front)
Hardware 2.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 - octa-core
Battery 3000+ mAh
RAM 3-4 GB
Storage 32/64/128 GB
Operating System Android 5.0 Lollipop
Durability Waterproof/dust resistant - N/A

  • Zero-F US - VERIZON SM-G920V_NA_VZW
  • Zero US - AT&T SM-G925A_NA_ATT
  • Zero EUR - OPEN SM-G925F_EUR_XX
  • Zero-F CA (Canada) - BELL MOBILITY SM-G920W8_NA_BMC
  • Zero-F US - SPRINT PCS SM-G920P_NA_SPR
  • Zero CA - BELL MOBILITY SM-G925W8_NA_BMC
  • Zero US - VERIZON SM-G925V_NA_VZW
  • Zero-F - EUR OPEN SM-G920F_EUR_XX
  • Zero US - T-MOBILE (US) SM-G925T_NA_TMB
  • Zero US - SPRINT PCS SM-G925P_NA_SPR
  • Zero US - US CELLULAR SM-G925R4_NA_USC
  • Zero-F US - AT&T SM-G920A_NA_ATT
  • Zero-F US - US CELLULAR SM-G920R4_NA_USC
  • Zero-F US - T-MOBILE (US) SM-G920T_NA_TMB‏

If Samsung adopted Motorola's methodology, would Samsung devices sell better?


Everyone knows the name of Samsung's user interface that is heavily layered over Android... and it is TouchWiz. Before we get started, I just want to say that I am a longtime Samsung user, previously owning the Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Note 3, and most recently the Note 4. Everyone knows, that TouchWiz, while it looks somewhat visually appealing (in some cases), is not the best thing for performance. So the question is, if Samsung went the way of Motorola, minimized UI interference, put out updates as soon as possible, would Samsung become more appealing?

Motorola on their latest devices have all been near-stock Android. There isn't any major design changes to the notification panel, settings, or skin overlays, and the only added features to the device, are Motorola apps. It's relatively unnoticeable. 

Profits have been falling for quite some time now for Samsung and this year, Samsung took a big step to try and reverse that trend. Samsung has always been stubborn about changing their devices to meet consumer demands, however they started making phones with what everyone wanted: metal frames. While the devices received praise for their design, it hasn't changed their profit outlook so it's time to continue making changes. 

I have always had a love-hate relationship with the Galaxy line-up. On one hand, they always have the latest hardware such as processors, big batteries, and great cameras. On the other hand, fluidity of moving throughout the phone, switching between apps, going to the multitasking menu, or even pressing the home button to go to the homescreen has always been slightly sluggish. 

For example, I thought the Note 4 was blazing fast after I picked it up. I had not the slightest problem with the performance due to the fact that the latest hardware picked up the slack of the TouchWiz UI. This to me, is the best performing device that Samsung has put out to date by a large margin. However, that all changed once I picked up a Nexus 5.


The Galaxy Note 4 has a Snapdragon 805 processor and 3 GB of RAM, whereas the Nexus 5 has a Snapdragon 800 processor with 2 GB of RAM, not to mention the device is year old. I installed the Android 5.0 Lollipop developer preview on my Nexus 5, and was blown away by the performance. Granted, Lollipop is designed to maximize performance and be faster than KitKat, I was still surprised by how drastic the difference was between the Nexus 5 and the Note 4. 

This got me thinking. If Samsung were to minimize their UI's footprint, would they be more successful? Would it encourage people to give Samsung's products another chance? Let us know what you think and if Samsung should change their approach of software development when it comes to their phones.


I'm going to end with this: If they were to put out a Google Play Edition Galaxy Note 4, I would pick that up in a second!



Nokia launches Here Maps Beta for Android Devices


As promised earlier, the Finnish giant Nokia has released Here Maps Beta for all Samsung Galaxy and Gear devices to offer “true” offline navigation and an alternative to Google’s pre-loaded Maps. The Maps will work on all Android devices running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and above.

The new HERE navigation app for Android beta can be downloaded from the company’s site. Notably, the app is not available on the Google Play store and it has to be side-loaded on compatible Android smartphones. The beta app works just fine on Android handset with ICS 4.0 or higher, though Nokia recommends 1GB of RAM and 4 to 6-inches screen size for best experience.

So what makes Nokia HERE stand out from other major GPS navigation solutions? While many of the features are the same, Nokia’s HERE has the advantage of offering up the ability to download maps for entire regions (countries, continents, etc) for offline mode viewing and doesn’t require any data connection, means users can explore the map and navigate around a city without spending a penny.

Nokia is still working on some fixes and bugs in the app and recommends HERE for Android beta users to not use cache cleaner apps if they want to use voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation. The company has also shared entire step by step tutorial to install the app, head over at the source link.
HERE features true offline navigation with interactive maps and turn-by-turn voice guidance; offers free offline maps in over 200 countries, public transport maps and directions for over 800 cities in over 40 countries with offline support; live traffic information for more than 40 countries; journey planning on beta.here.com; map personalisation with Collections of favourite places, and the Glympse location sharing feature.

Download the apk file from Here.

Samsung announces new Chromebook 2

Samsung's most recent Chromebooks are among some of the better made out there. But its higher end fare—like the HD 13-inch Chromebook 2—is a little expensive. The new 11-inch version scales down that nice design into a more budget $250 package.



The 11-inch Chromebook 2 has the same faux-leather back that Samsung's become so fond of, paired with a 720p screen, and a frame that actually has internal metal reinforcement around its edges for added durability. Inside, the new 11-inch Chromebook 2 runs an Intel Celeron processor instead of Samsung's own Exynos. Which is promising, since Exynos chips tend to be better suited for phones or tablets, and have left previous Chromebooks reeling.

The performance, though, still leaves a lot to be desired. Typing websites into the URL bar was constantly laggy, and while the Chromebook never lost any of what I typed—text would only show up after an irritating delay. That, and the Chromebook totally joked under more intensive WebGL tests. Choppy framerates all over the place.

Samsung 5G Connection!

We have all heard about 3G and 4G, and as of now 4G is the fastest wireless connection...or is it? Let's welcome the next generation, the 5G. Although it's not really a thing yet, that didn't stop Samsung from this idea. Still in the prototype stage, more changes will be made before it is officially released before the masses are able to use it. It's crazy, but it is also amazing. Samsung was able to get a peak speed of 950 MB per second which is already mind-blowing. This was made possible by a high-frequency 28 GHz signal used. The only downfall is that higher frequency means shorter range. Samsung found its way around that with what they call "Hybrid Adaptive Array Technology" which boosts the range of the signal.

 

Watch the video as Samsung makes a live demo of their insane speed!

Are you looking forward to this technology or 4G speed is enough?
Let us know on the comments below.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 cracks 48,000 on the AnTuTu Benchmark

The Galaxy Note 4 has shown up on the AnTuTu Benchmark scale with a massive score. The Galaxy Note 4 sporting the Snapdragon 805 processor that is clocked at 2.7 GHz and 3 GB of RAM came in at a score of 48,285. This is considerably higher than its predecessor the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Note 3.

The Note 4 is one of the most highly-anticipated devices of the year, due to its massive specs and new design. The Note 4 will ship with a metal chassis for the first time, a 16 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, and a 2K display (1440 x 2560).

Do you plan on picking up the Galaxy Note 4? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or comment below!


Smartphone debate: Metal vs. Plastic

One of the hottest debates surrounding smartphones in the past few years have been whether phone manufacturers should have their devices come in metal or plastic. It all comes down to premium vs. cheap feel. Consumers pay hundreds of dollars for smartphones, and they want the biggest bang for their buck; which most people will say is a phone that comes with metal in the form factor.

As of late, it seemed as if this debate was all over. HTC, Samsung, and of course Apple, three of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in the world, have been pushing devices with a premium feel and metal form-factor. Apple has long been the king of premium devices with their metal-framed iPhone series, leading the charge in premium design. HTC has been a strong proponent of premium devices, and they have done a wonderful job with the One series. Samsung has been the latest to jump on premium bandwagon, by first debuting the metal-framed Galaxy Alpha, and more recently the highly-anticipated metal-framed Galaxy Note 4.


This issue has been rekindled due to a problem some new iPhone users are posting about. It seems that the iPhone 6 Plus, being as big and thin as it is, is prone to bending slightly while in the users pocket. This was confirmed by Unbox Therapy as they put the iPhone 6 Plus through a bend test and compared it to the Galaxy Note 3. We will include the two videos for you to see below.






Since this is a newly reported problem, bend-tests haven't thoroughly been done before; unlike drop-tests, scratch-tests, etc. With devices getting bigger and coming with more 'premium' materials as of late, we expect this to become a standard test.

With the Galaxy Note 3 holding up especially well to extensive force, it shows that while plastic may not be the most 'premium' material to go with, it is indeed more flexible, and up to the rigors of bending. It makes us wonder what results the upcoming Galaxy Note 4 will generate.

The Galaxy Note 4 has close to the same dimensions of the Apple iPhone 6 Plus, however it is quite thicker. The Note 4 comes in at 8.5 mm whereas the 6 Plus comes in at 7.1 mm. We'll have to wait for the release, but if Samsung's new device holds up better than the iPhone 6 Plus, they will definitely market and exploit Apple's 'defect'.

So this brings up the age-old question. Plastic or metal? Does this video make you want to stay away from metal devices or is the premium feel worth the risk? Is the flexibility and strength of plastic worth the peace of mind, knowing your device is very unlikely to bend?  Let us know in the comment section below, on Twitter, or on Facebook!

Samsung Galaxy Alpha is confirmed for AT&T: September 26

According to SamMobile, the Galaxy Alpha will be headed to America. As of today, it is only known that it will be added to AT&T's phone lineup. AT&T posted the 'Just Alpha' video on their YouTube timeline to welcome the premium device to their lineup.


The Americanized version of the Alpha will ship with mostly the same specs; it will have a 4.7 inch 720p display, 32 GB of storage, 2 GB of RAM, and a 12 megapixel rear camera. The one difference is it will come with the Snapdragon 801 chipset that is clocked at 2.5 GHz instead of the Exynos chipset that comes in the international version.

It will be available on AT&T starting September 26th for $199.99 on-contract and $612.99 off-contract. The off-contract plan would come in at $25.55 per month.  It will be available in black, white, and gold.

Now that the premium Galaxy Alpha is coming to America, do you plan on picking it up? Let us know!

An infographic that SamsungTomorrow posted on the Galaxy Alpha can be seen below.

GALAXY ALPHA INFOGRAPHIC

Galaxy Note 4 pre-orders start tomorrow; Launches October 17 [updated]

note 4 2
Samsung has officially announced the release date of the Galaxy Note 4. The device will be up for pre-orders starting tomorrow and will come in  two colors; Frost White and Charcoal Black. It will be available on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

The Note 4 comes with beefier specs than its predecessor, sporting a 5.7 inch QHD display (1440 x 2560) that comes with 515 ppi, the all new Snapdragon 805 processor clocked at 2.7 GHz, a bigger 16 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization (a first for Samsung) and a slightly bigger, 3220 mAh battery. The entire spec list can be seen below.

Screen size: 5.7"
Resolution: 1440 x 2560 (515 ppi)
Weight: 176 g
Dimensions: 6.04 x 3.09 x .33 inches
Camera: (rear) 16 megapixels (OIS) - (front) 3.7 megapixels
Hardware: 2.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor 
Battery: 3220 mAh
RAM: 3 GB
Storage: 32 GB expandable
Debut: September 3, 2014

Release date: October 17, 2014

Pre-orders will start tomorrow (September 19) for AT&T and Verizon, whereas T-Mobile pre-orders will start September 24. Pricing can be seen below for each carrier (minus sprint).


  • AT&T: $0 down, $34.42 monthly for 24 months, $299.99 with two-year agreement, or $825.99 full retail.
  • Sprint: $0 down, $30 monthly for 24 months. $720 full retail.
  • T-Mobile: $0 down, $31.24 monthly for 24 months. $749.99 full retail.
  • Verizon: $299.99 with two-year agreement.


Are you planning on pre-ordering the all new Galaxy Note 4? Let us know!

Samsung is next inline to feature a 'Selfie' smartphone: Galaxy Grand Prime leaked

As of late, smartphone manufacturers have been finding every way to invade the market and be successful. The term 'selfie' has made it big and has officially been added to the Oxford Dictionary in August of 2013. With an estimated 1 million selfies taken a day, according to the USA Today,

 It seems as if every smartphone manufacturer is taking a shot at the 'selfie' market. Some of those include Sony with the Xperia C3 and Nokia with the Lumia 730. Both of which feature a front-facing 5 megapixel shooter.

Close window

A new leak shows that Samsung is now entering the 'selfie' smartphone ring, with the Galaxy Grand Prime. The Grand Prime won't have specs to write home about, but it will be more than sufficient enough to get your selfie taken. The Grand Prime will sport a Snapdragon 400 processor, 1 GB of RAM, and a 5 inch 720p screen. This phone is expected to be released in Vietnam and other Asian markets.

Close window

Close window

Via GSMArena
Source

Samsung compares the Galaxy Note 4 to the Galaxy Note 3 [infographic]

Samsung Tomorrow has put out another infographic, this one details their new Note 4 device and also compares it to its predecessor. If you had questioned why should you upgrade from your current Note 3 to the Note 4, Samsung lists a few reasons why. The infographic can be seen below.

[Infographic] The main features of the Galaxy Note 4

New Galaxy Note 4 specs have leaked


A new leak of the specifications on the upcoming Galaxy Note 4 have popped up on the internet, courtesy of an Indonesian retailer. They have put up a spec page on their website regarding the new Samsung phablet.

  • 5.7-inch 2560x1440 Super AMOLED display
  • 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 or octa-core Exynos 5433
  • 16 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 32GB of storage
  • microSD slot with support for cards up to 128GB
  • Android 4.4.3

  • It seems as Samsung well retain the same 16 megapixel camera while adding OIS. Previously it was reported Samsung would drop it down to 12 megapixels to add the OIS. 

    Another key feature is the expected 4GB of RAM. Rumors originally speculated that it would retain the 3GB of RAM found on the Note 3, but that is not the case. The Note 4 we will be the first phone to feature this much virtual memory. 

    Samsung is going the extra mile to distance itself from Apple, and these specs will definitely help. When September 3rd rolls around, this will be one of the most powerful phones to ever hit the market. 

    How will Apple react to Samsung?

    In the world of smartphones, two of the biggest names that come to mind are Apple and Samsung. This rivalry all started when Samsung started producing the Galaxy series to rival the iPhone. Apple was content with sticking to their guns. until Samsung debuted the Galaxy S2, and it became an instant hit; that was when everyone knew we had a a major fight on our hands... and it wasn't going to be easy.


    At the time of 2010, Apple was on top of the smartphone world. Almost 50% of smartphones in circulation were an iPhone. There wasn't a single challenger. Apple wasn't going to mess with their winning formula, and who could blame them? As long as the competitors were in their rearview mirror, they didn't have a care in the world... until the S2 came out.

    Black iPhone 4 Samsung Galaxy S II.png

    The consumers are the biggest beneficiaries of good competition, and that is exactly  what Samsung and Apple has been providing. The success of the S2 cause Apple to rethink things, and step up their game. A little more than five months later, Apple released one of their most popular phones to date, the iPhone 4s. The 4s not only came with better specs than the original iPhone 4 - dual-core A5 processor vs single core A4 processor, but it came with revolutionary software.

    Apple sent the iPhone 4s into the history books by partnering it with a voice-command app title Siri. Siri was born on October 4, 2011 when it was officially released as a beta to iPhone 4s users. Siri was the first of its kind. It didn't matter how accurate it was, it was a brand new innovation. Over time, it continued to improve, and actually provided assistance to daily tasks such as texting friends, calling people, changing schedules, setting alarms, etc. Apple's Siri sparked responses from competitors, such as Google's 'Google Now' and Microsoft's 'Cortana'. Apple new it had to try something new, and it raised the bar.

    IPhone 4S No shadow.pngSamsung Galaxy S III.png

    In 2012, Samsung released one of the best Android phones ever seen to date. The Galaxy S3 had it all. It came with a 4.7 inch vivid display,  2GB of ram, and the latest Krait dual-core processor. To date, this phone has sold over 50 million devices, topping the S2. After the release of the S3, Apple was feeling the heat again, until the iconic iPhone 5 was released. Apple had something new up its sleeve, but it wasn't another Siri. For the first time ever, Apple jumped up from a standard 3.5 inch display, to a 4 inch display. It also came with a better processor than its predecessor, coming with the Apple A6 chip.

    IPhone 5.pngSamsung Galaxy S4.svg

    A year later in 2013, Samsung fought back with their first 1080p smartphone in the Galaxy series, the Galaxy S4. While some looked at it as an updated Galaxy S3, it truly brought new game to the smartphone market. The S4 came with a great 5 inch display, huge battery, and a handful of new but bizarre features (the Smart view collection). The S4 was packed with features and a brand new Snapdragon 600 processor. The phone was very quick, and gave Apple a run for their money.



    Many thought the next rebuttal to the new Galaxy device was going to the Apple iPhone 6. While it was rumored that the next phone would be the iPhone 6, Apple had different plans; they took it right out of their own book. Instead of fabricating an entirely new device, Apple just updated its previous most popular smartphone. What came forward was the iPhone 5s. It featured the fastest Apple processor to date, the A7 chip, and it came with a revolutionary fingerprint scanner. While this wasn't on the same innovation level as Siri, it definitely contributed to Apple's success.

    The front face of the gold version of the iPhone 5SSamsung Galaxy S5.png
    Once again, Apple's success caused a chain-reaction in the market. In 2014, Samsung's latest smartphone, the Galaxy S5, came with a fingerprint scanner. Although it wasn't as crisp as the one found on the iPhone 5s, it was a step towards fighting back. Samsung stuck to what they know, and that is continue to increase screen and battery size. The S5 came with a screen that was .1 inches bigger in roughly the same chassis, while delivering a bigger battery. While this wasn't anything huge, it was still a great device. One of the top one's of the year so far. 

    That brings us to today, where we are waiting on Apple's retaliation to the Galaxy S5. The iPhone 6 will be debuted on September 9, 2014, but we don't know all the details, just speculations. Rumors have it coming with a nice-sized 4.7 inch display, an all new A8 processor, and maybe even scratch-resistant glass. While these things are great for Apple, they must have another trick up their sleeve. Apple does have a history of just increasing the screen size and adding a bigger processor, but they also have a track record of being one of the most innovative smartphone manufacturers.

    Only time well tell, and if Apple does bring something unexpected to the fight, it will contribute to their success and put them back on track to their 2010 domination. If all Apple delivers is a bigger screen with a new processor, their profit margins could slow down. What Apple will show up this September when the iPhone 6 is released? We will soon find out. Only 26 more days to go.

    Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news we don't post on the website!

    Samsung Galaxy Alpha officially announced





    The highly-anticipated debut for Samsung's upcoming Apple iPhone 6 competitor, the Galaxy Alpha, has officially been announced. Samsung is taking a new approach to one of their smartphones; that is going with mid-grade specs with premium build quality. Samsung has always received flak for making high-end phones that didn't come with the high-end feel. The Galaxy Alpha is supposed to change all of that.

    Lifestyle and Product

    Usually in Samsung's marketing, they always advertise how powerful their phones are. This time things are different. For the Alpha, the specs are in their rearview mirror, and up front we have the high-quality materials. Samsung's profits have been on the decline for sometime now, and they haven't done anything radical enough to stop it, until now.

    Key Features

    While changing the build quality doesn't sound too radical, for Samsung it is. They have been a plastic first manufacturer since day one. Thing problem is, a good amount of consumers want the best bang for their buck. They are paying over $600 for a phone, and they want the best of the best. Unfortunately, with Samsung phones, you get the high-end specs, but not the build quality of popular devices, such as the Apple iPhone and the HTC One M8.

    Today, the Galaxy Alpha showed up on the UK version of Samsung's website, and this is what they had to say: "The Galaxy Alpha is more than just smart inside. It’s the first Samsung Galaxy smartphone with a high-quality metal frame and luxury look and feel." It is one of the thinnest phones on the market now, coming in at just 6.7mm. The Galaxy S5 is 8.1mm and the iPhone 5s is 7.6mm. It is a full 17% thinner than the S5 or 12% than the iPhone 5s.

    If you are looking to get your hands on the very first Galaxy phone to feature a metal chassis, you better not be living stateside. As of now, the Alpha is only available overseas. We will continue to update you on the Alpha, and if it and when it will become available to the U.S.

    Here is an updated spec-chart for the Galaxy Alpha.

    Screen size: 4.7"
    Resolution: 720 x 1280 (312 ppi)
    Camera: 12 megapixels (rear) - 2. megapixels (front)
    Hardware: Exynos 5 - octa-core
    Battery: 1860 mAh
    RAM: 2GB
    Storage: 32GB
    Water resistant: No
    Features: Heart-rate monitor, fingerprint scanner, metal chassis
    Expected debut: August 13, 2014
    Release date: September 2014

    You can view the website here.

    We are still giving away a OnePlus One, all you have to do is like our Facebook or follow our Twitter

    Galaxy Alpha: Latest News

    With the Galaxy S5 sales not being as high as originally projected, Samsung knows that it is has to put it all on the line this fall to take on Apple and the iPhone 6. They are doing just that with their Galaxy Note 4, but they also have something else up their sleeve. Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy Alpha, a premium version of the S series. The reason this phone is making headlines is because it will take a step back in screen size with a 4.7" display and come with a metal chassis. Along with this, it will have 720p resolution.

    It seems as though Samsung has made their version of the iPhone 6. A premium phone with a metal chassiss and a medium sized screen. Samsung has always been about making bigger displays, but it still lags behind Apple's sales. Producing a phone with the same build quality and size as the iPhone 6 is a great step in taking them head on. Below you can see a picture of the suspected Galaxy Alpha.


     Courtesy of Tinh tế

    Follow us on Twitter @PhoneProbe

    iPhone 6 vs Galaxy Note 4: Who will come out on top?



    As we approach the anticipated release of both the iPhone 6 and the Galaxy Note 4, the biggest battle in mobile phone history is upon us. Rumors are swirling more and more, leaving us wondering "Who will come out on top?" Apple plans to release their brand new iPhone with the biggest screen in their mobile phone history, while their adversary Samsung plans to release their phablet, the Galaxy Note 4 which is confirmed to have a QHD display and a metal chassis. One thing that we have learned from this battle already, Samsung and Apple love to hate each other. They also love to take each others ideas that are successful (Apple with the bigger screen and Samsung with the metal chassis). Both companies will move millions of devices, but only one manufacturer will come out on top.

    iPhone 6: The iPhone 6 is expected to break a first for Apple, and come with a massive screen in Apple's standards. 4.7" have become the safe ground for smartphone manufacturers, it's not too small, yet it isn't too big. Apple has been conservative over the years with their phones because "why mess with what sells?" Now that iPhone's are considered the smallest phones by today's standards, Apple is calling for a change. They have already upped the original iPhone from a 3.5" screen to a 4" screen.

    Along with a bigger screen, the iPhone 6 is coming with a new type of screen we haven't seen on a smartphone yet. Apple is going with a sapphire crystal glass composite that resists scratches more than a standard Gorilla Glass screen. The home button and the camera lens on the iPhone 5S is already composed of solid sapphire crystal that is extremely hard to scratch. This will definitely a huge selling point for the smartphone king.

    Galaxy Note 4: The Galaxy Note 4 is also expected to break multiple firsts for Samsung, and come with a QHD display and a retina scanner and metal chassis. Samsung has always had vivid displays since the Galaxy S2 became a mainstay on the Android market. The Galaxy S4 was the first Samsung phone with a 1080p display and came with a massive 441 ppi. The kings in display are at it again making their resolution for the Note 4 for be an enormous 2560x1440 or 515 ppi. While they added a fingerprint to the S5, the were already trailing behind Apple.

    To combat the iPhone head on, Samsung is also reported to be making their first device with a metal chassis. It is reported that Galaxy Note 4 will have at least one model with a metal design, but what market gets that is yet to be known. If this phone is released to the American market, this could be even a bigger feature than the QHD display.


    Battle: While both phones are coming with new features, yet to be seen on the smartphone market, only one can win. Apple and Samsung have taken aim at one each other multiple times in the past and this will be no different. Apple has always remained on top, but Samsung has been catching up. Apple has kept the premium design a major feature of their devices while Samsung has been pushing displays over design. This September they will collide.

    Surely Apple's .7" jump will be hugely successful, but it is missing one thing: 1080p resolution. The one thing Apple hasn't gotten right is not adding full 1080p resolution to their phones and it is trailing their competitors Google, HTC, Samsung, and Sony. While their phones have been made up of metal and glass for the premium feel, it hasn't had the premium screen. This is could be Apple's falling point with their new flagship device. Samsung will definitely take aim at that and continue to brag about their vivid displays, even more so than ever with a QHD display.

    The Galaxy Note 3 was one of Samsung's most popular phones ever. It showed by outselling it's S4 counterpart. The reason it was so successful was the 5.7" 1080p screen. While the Galaxy Note 4's huge selling point will be the QHD display with the same 5.7" screen, it might bow down to the iPhone 6 unless it comes with a premium design. Many critics have griped about Samsung's unwillingness to use metal in their design and their sales trailing behind Apple are a major reason for that.

    Conclusion: The two devices are likely to be majorly successful, just as their counterparts in the past, however this is the biggest battle either Apple or Samsung have ever seen. Apple is taking the right step by upping the display size to 4.7" and using a new sapphire crystal glass for the screen, but not adding 1080p resolution could be it's stumbling point. The Note 4's QHD display could make this the most popular Galaxy phone to date, but if it doesn't come with a premium design, it could fall even further behind Apple. Only time will tell, and this September we will see if things stay the same or we crown a new King of the smartphone market.

    Will Apple retain it's title with the new iPhone 6 or will Samsung overtake them with the Galaxy Note 4. Only time will tell.

    Follow us on Twitter @PhoneProbe

    Latest on iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4

    Galaxy Note 4: The latest news for the Galaxy Note 4 is that it will come with a Ultra Violet (UV) sensor that will be able to detect how much radiation the user will encounter. Samsung is expanding on their big 'health' push and continue to try to be more than a smartphone. With Apple's iOS focusing more on health, Samsung is trying to remain on top. The UV sensor will go along with the expected heart rate monitor and S Health on the Note 4.


    Ever since the Galaxy S4, Samsung has been trying to invade our lives with more than just being a device for contact with others, it wants us to be in contact with ourselves. With the S4, it introduced the S Heath app which helped users track their diet, calculate BMI, and it came with a pedometer. The S5 improved Ilion that with the built in heart rate monitor (even though you can download an app from the app store). They improve upon that with a UV sensor that will measure the radiation in 5 increments. Low to extreme. One wonders if there will be a level the user can set to be warned when the radiation gets to a certain point. 

    While some might welcome this gimmicky feature on the Galaxy Note 4, others will object to it. Whether or not the device will sell. Plus we're looking forward to the S6 with a blood pressure monitor (kidding). 

    iPhone 6: The iPhone 6 is expected to ship with a sapphire crystal display, and some people have gotten their hands on it for scratch tests. The one thing we have found out, is that while there might be some composite of sapphire crystal in the glass, it is not entirely sapphire. If it were to be entirely sapphire, it would actually be more rigid and prone to breaking. Along with that, it would also increase the cost of the device dramatically.



    On the iPhone 5S, the home button is actually made entirely of sapphire crystal. It is small enough to not change the cost of the device and resists breaking. Apple choose the sapphire crystal for the home button over regular glass because of the importance of keeping a clear picture for the fingerprint scanner. The last thing someone wants is to be locked out of their device because their home button is scratched. 

    The sapphire display is a welcome innovation to challenge Gorilla Glass for the top displays on the market. The question is, will Apple make this catch on? We will find out when the iPhone 6 releases this September. 

    Galaxy Note 4 Update - Possible Retina Scanner?

    As Samsung remains quiet about their upcoming release of the Galaxy Note 4, the official Samsung Exynos Twitter account remains active. Late week, they tweeted a picture stating "Security can be improved using features unique to us. That's what we envision. What would you use?" In this post was a picture displaying retina scanning for security, and what could be a mock up of the Galaxy Note 4.
    In the picture we see a very flat looking phone with extremely small bezels. While this is just speculation, the Note 4 is expected to ship with the new Exynos processor with 64-bit architecture, the first of that kind in Android. This is Samsung's response to the 64-bit A7 processor that Apple uses. 

    Samsung seems to be putting it all out on the line to battle the upcoming iPhone 6, expected to be released this September as well. These phone manufacturers have been going head to head every since the Galaxy S2 was a mainstay on the Android market, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. With the iPhone 6 catching up to the Galaxy series by making a supposed 4.7" and 5.5" iPhone 6, Samsung knows they need to add more key features to continue to expand their ground in innovation. 


    While this picture is just a mock up to show the new retina scanner Samsung is experimenting with, it causes excitement in the smartphone community. With the Galaxy Note 4 coming with a 2K display, and now a possible retina scanner, it will definitely cause a stir in the phone market. Now with less than 3 months until the anticipated release of the Galaxy Note 4, are you thinking of getting it? Is the retina scanner a must of have feature? Let us know in the comment box. I for one will be picking up the Note 4 on the release date.

    Remember to follow us on Twitter @PhoneProbe

    Galaxy S5 Review

    First takes: I am a long fan of the Galaxy series, having owned the S3, S4, and Note 3, and now the S5. The phones just keep getting better internally and externally. The S5 boasts a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 16 megapixel camera, a fingerprint scanner, and water resistance; one of the top features on this phone. The S5 adopted the more squared look the Note 3 has and it fits in the hand great for a phone with a 5.1" screen. The screen is as beautiful as always and TouchWiz is comes off more polished than ever.

    Design: Like I stated above, the more square design looks great on the S5. It is thinner than its predecessors and it comes with a new style of back cover, covered in dimples. While some criticize this feature, I personally like it a lot. It's a happy median between the Note faux leather back and the slippery plastic of the S4. On the front, Samsung has kept it's front buttons (which I find necessary for my sanity and a smartphone these days) and changed the menu button to a multitasker. I find it more convenient than double tapping the home button, so this is an impertinent. Charcoal black is standard along with white on the Galaxy series and it isn't any different with the S5. The S5 comes with an IP rating of IP67. It is completely dust proof and can be submerged under 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. This is possibly the greatest selling point of this device. The one thing Samsung got right was not sacrificing looks when making it water resistant. I strain resistant because it ISN'T WATER PROOF. Along with the water resistance, comes a cover over the charging port. At first I was a little weary of this, because of previous experiences of them falling off and being lost, but I find myself actually liking it a lot. You don't have to worry about lint, dust, and waterever else getting into your charging port and wrecking it, which has been a problem on Galaxy devices in the past. Samsung also found a way to bump up the screen size by .1" in the same size chassis as the S4.

    Design thoughts: Overall I think this is the best designed Galaxy phone in the series. People knock the plastic design, but I find that it takes impacts better and Samsung does it right by not straying from the path. The dimpled back is the perfect median and stays in the hand while not being a hindrance when being removed from the pocket.

    Overall Design: 5/5

    Performance:  Samsung has updated guts in the S5 with a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and stuck with the 2GB of RAM, same as the S4. One of the major things that I think drags Samsung down in this category, is a lot of the gimmicky features and over animated transitions. The S5 got one thing right with subtracting the eye view and that extra bloatware, however their transitions seem to lag out of the box and don't feel as fluent as it should be or as fluent as the HTC One M8. If you don't mind seeing the transitions from app to app, I recommend turning them off, it speeds things up dramatically. One positive is that I don't feel any drag on the device when multiple apps or games are open, which can be annoying constantly killing applications.

    Performance thoughts: One thing I have learned in the past with the Galaxy series is that you shouldn't expect great performance out of the box. For the average user, they probably won't notice a stutter while going through the phone. For die hard smartphone users, it's very noticeable. Make sure to remove the transitions.

    Overall Performance: 4/5

    Features: Aside from the water resistance, the S5 comes with a heart rate monitor, fingerprint scanner, and a huge 16 megapixel camera.

    The heart rate monitor isn't anything special, and isn't a great selling point on this device. Any phone with a camera and a flash can download an app from the Play Store, however it is nice that it is built in to the device. My only complaint is the consistency. I find myself readjusting my finger multiple times before I get my heart rate.

    The fingerprint scanner is in the same boat as the heart rate monitor. It is a cool feature, but not necessary. It is nice for verification on purchases, but for unlocking the device it is inconvenient and time consuming. If it was more like the iPhone where you just hold your finger over the home button, it would be better, however you have to slowly slide your finger across it.

    The camera is a typical Galaxy shooter. What it makes up for in lack of quality in night shots is megapixels. I get great photos outdoors during the day and in well lit areas indoors with amazing quality. When the click ticks over to night time, the camera has a hard time defining objects and things become fuzzy and lose quality.

    Overall Features: 4/5

    Extras: One great add on is when you are on your phone or on an app, your call doesn't take up the whole screen, it comes up at the top of the screen out of the way. While in a call, it also minimizes the call to a 1x1 square that you can move around on your screen. Identical to the new feature to be released on Android L.
    One major change that I dislike is that shortcuts on the homescreen or no longer supported. All you get is the quick shortcut to the camera. I used this a lot on my previous devices and see it as a step back as far as lock screens go.

    Conclusion: Overall the Galaxy S5 isn't a surprise, and is a quality device. If you love or hate the Galaxy series nothing has been changed in a major way so your opinions are destined to stay the same. The screen is great as always and performance is hit or miss unless you go into the developer options and remove transitions. The design is nothing out of the ordinary for Samsung, but is definitely a step up from previous models. Samsung added good features with the water resistance, but also added unnecessary features in the heart rate monitor. Nonetheless, it is my favorite phone in the Galaxy series and is a step in the right direction.

    Overall Rating: 9/10

    Remember to follow us on Twitter @PhoneProbe