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Android 15 could bring better third-party camera apps to Galaxy phones

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While Android is more open than iOS and iPadOS, there is one area where Android apps have always lagged: third-party camera apps. The Android ecosystem has struggled because third-party apps can’t access some camera features. However, that can change with Android 15, as Google has added a new feature that allows third-party camera apps to perform better while recording videos.

Third-party camera apps on Android can now record smoother videos using Camera2 API

Almost all Android smartphones use the Camera2 API to capture images and videos. This API offers extensions used by smartphone brands to third-party camera app developers. In Android 14, the Camera2 API has five extensions: Auto, Bokeh, Face Retouch, HDR, and Night. However, not all smartphone brands use all these extensions. For example, Samsung has used all these extensions for the cameras on its phones, but Google has only used the Night extension. Moreover, these extensions are only used for camera previews and the capture of still images. They can’t be used for recording videos.

Android 15 Camera2 API Eyes Free Videography Extension Developer Settings

With Android 15, Google is adding a new Camera2 extension called Eyes Free Videography (spotted by Mishaal Rahman). As its name suggests, this extension can be used to record videos. This API “aims to lock and stabilize a given region or object of interest” and could point to electronic image stabilization for videos. Third-party camera apps that use the Camera2 API (like Snapchat) can use this extension to record smoother videos.

While basic stabilization is already offered to third-party camera apps, advanced EIS implemented by Android smartphone brands is locked or changes from one brand/model to another. So, it is tough for third-party app developers to offer the same performance on smartphones from different brands. This new Eyes Free Videography extension should bring better video stabilization on most Android phones.

The story continues after the video below, where you can watch some advanced video recording features implemented by Samsung on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Hopefully, Android smartphone brands like Samsung and Xiaomi will use this new extension in their camera apps. If they do, third-party camera apps on Android will be able to offer similar-quality video recording, which should narrow the gap with third-party camera apps on iOS and iPadOS.

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Galaxy Buds 3 clear regulatory hurdle on its way to July launch

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Not even four months have gone by since Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 lineup at its first Unpacked event of 2024, but excitement is already building up for the company’s next big event and the products that will be announced on the occasion.

Samsung will hold its second Unpacked event of the year in Paris, France on July 10, as we revealed in our exclusive report recently. In addition to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung is expected to unveil its first smart ring along with new smartwatches and earbuds at the event.

Samsung is actually working on two new earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and the former has now cleared one of the many regulatory hurdles new products face on their way to the market.

Story continues after the video

The Galaxy Buds 3 picked up a certification from Brazilian authority Anatel, confirming that the earbuds will launch in the country. Of course, not that it needed confirmation in the first place, as Brazil is one of the biggest markets for Samsung.

If you were hoping for some details on what the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will offer, you will be disappointed. There isn’t a lot of information available about these earbuds and what upgrades they will bring over the Galaxy Buds 2 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. We are hoping for a few improvements, but whether our wishes will come true remains to be seen.

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Galaxy S24 was the third best-selling phone in Japan

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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S24 series in January 2024 and launched the flagship smartphones in most countries around the globe the same month. However, in Japan, the company launched those devices only last month (on 11 April 2024). It hasn’t even been a month since then and the Galaxy S24 has already become the third-best-selling smartphone in the country.

The Galaxy S24 was the third highest-selling smartphone from NTT Docomo in Japan in April 2024. The Galaxy S24 Ultra came in the fifth position. Since the company hasn’t launched the Galaxy S24+ in Japan, it’s not on the network carrier’s list of highest-selling smartphones. In case you are wondering which were the first and the second highest-selling phones there, those were the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 15 respectively.

Reportedly, Galaxy AI played an important role in the sales of the Galaxy S24 series in Japan, which isn’t surprising at all considering how amazing the AI-powered features it offers are. Considering the sales number in the first month of launch, the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra have the potential to become the highest-selling smartphones in the country in the coming months.

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Samsung Galaxy users in India can now install Google Wallet app

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Last updated: May 8th, 2024 at 14:49 UTC+02:00

The popular Google Wallet app is now available in India. In classic Google fashion, though, it doesn’t have all the features available in other countries. Google isn’t replacing Google Pay with Google Wallet, and both apps will continue to co-exist.

Google Wallet is not as feature-rich as Samsung Wallet in India

The Google Wallet app is now available for Android smartphones in India. It can be installed on Galaxy smartphones via the Google Play Store. It allows users to carry flight boarding passes, gift cards, loyalty/membership cards, and movie tickets. However, it can not store credit or debit cards to make mobile payments via NFC, and that feature is still limited to the Google Pay app in India.

Google Wallet Android App India Features

In other countries where the Google Wallet app is available, users can store their payment methods (credit and debit cards) to make mobile payments on the go. In India, users must use two apps for their membership cards, payments, and tickets.

In comparison, Samsung Wallet is a more straightforward solution. It acts as both a virtual wallet and a mobile payment solution. It can even store boarding passes, digital car keys, login credentials, mobile ID cards, and digital documents issued by the government. Samsung Wallet links to India’s UPI payments system for quick payments and mobile transfers.

So, if you want a single app for all your shopping, spending, and travel needs, Samsung Wallet is still the app you should prefer if you have a Galaxy smartphone.



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Galaxy Enhance-X update brings new icons, updated editing suggestions

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Last updated: May 8th, 2024 at 10:53 UTC+02:00

Samsung is rolling out an update to the Galaxy Enhance-X app. It changes the app’s version from 2.0.71 to 2.0.89 and brings three changes: new icons for two editing sections, reorganized editing options, and changes to editing suggestions. Let’s take a look.

Changes to editing suggestions

When you open a picture or a video in the Galaxy Enhance-X app, it scans the content and automatically suggests the editing options that you should use with it. As you can see in the screenshots below, for the same picture, the previous version and the latest version of the app suggested different editing options. So, Samsung seems to have changed what editing suggestions the app offers. This could either be an improvement or otherwise.

New icons and reorganized editing options

With the latest update, Samsung is offering new icons for two editing sections. First is the section that offers editing suggestions and second is the section that offers editing options related to brightness and color adjustments. The refreshed icons convey what options those sections offer to users in a better way than the older ones.

Along with that, Samsung has moved the ‘Fix lens distortion’ option from the section that offers options related to image adjustment/cropping to the section that has options related to editing faces.

To update Galaxy Enhance-X to version 2.0.89, go to Galaxy Store » Menu » Updates. If the update is available for you, Galaxy Store will show it to you. In that case, you can either click the update icon beside the listing of the app or click on the Update all button at the top-right corner of the screen.

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Samsung starts Galaxy S24 One UI 7.0 development internally

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A few days ago, Google released a new beta version of Android 15, and Samsung seems to have acted upon it and started beta development of Android 15-based One UI 7.0 software internally for the Galaxy S24 series. This is the first sign that Samsung is preparing for the One UI 7.0 Beta Program for its latest flagship smartphone series.

Galaxy S24 Ultra One UI 7.0 internal development started

It has been revealed that Samsung has started internal development of One UI 7.0, which is likely based on Android 15. A new firmware that the company is internally testing for the Galaxy S24 Ultra has appeared on its servers. It bears firmware version S928BXXU2BXE2, and if you can notice, the fourth letter from the right has changed from A (in current firmware version S928BXXU1AXCB) to B, which only happens for major One UI versions.

You can see that firmware version on Samsung’s servers in the screenshot below.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra One UI 7 Test Firmware Internal

This new firmware for the Galaxy S24 Ultra has appeared for the European (EUX) region, and the development for other regions might start appearing soon on Samsung’s servers. The development of One UI 7.0 may also start for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and other high-end Galaxy devices soon.

Editor’s Note: Usually, Samsung starts internal development of a major new version of One UI as soon as Google releases the first Developer Beta version of Android. The South Korean firm has been internally testing Android 15 since the end of February 2024, and the new firmware version now visible on Samsung’s servers is a sign that the company is in beta development, and the One UI 7.0 Beta Program for the Galaxy S24 series could start in the next few months.

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Google Pixel 8a is here to take on the Galaxy S23 FE

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Google has launched the Pixel 8a, a trimmed-down version of the Pixel 8 and the most affordable smartphone in the Pixel 8 series. Compared to the Pixel 8, the Pixel 8a has a smaller display, inferior cameras at the front and rear, a smaller battery, and build quality that’s less rugged. Let’s take a look at what the latest phone from Google offers.

Pixel 8a features

The Pixel 8a has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. In comparison, the Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display with the same resolution and refresh rate but features the superior Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. So, not much of a downgrade there.

The phone features the Tensor G3 chipset, the same SoC that Google offers in the other two, phones in the lineup, the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. The company is offering it in two memory configurations: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage. As you might have guessed, the phone runs on Android 14.

Google Pixel 8a colors

On the imaging front, you get a dual-camera setup at the rear with wide-angle and ultrawide-angle cameras.  The wide-angle sensor has a 64MP resolution and features optical image stabilization (OIS). It misses out on the dual-pixel PDAF and laser AF that Pixel 8’s primary camera offers. As for the ultra-wide angle sensor, it has a 13MP resolution. Unfortunately, it lacks the autofocus that Pixel 8’s ultrawide-angle camera has. For selfies, you get a 13MP sensor.

The Pixel 8a packs a 4,500mAh battery and supports Qi wireless charging (there’s no info on charging speed yet). Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-FI 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB 3.2 Type-C port. The phone features stereo speakers and an under-display fingerprint scanner. It has an aluminum frame with a matte finish and features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Google is offering the Pixel 8a in four color options: Aloe, Aloe, Obsidian, and Porcelain.

What does Pixel 8a mean for Galaxy S23 FE?

In the United States, the Pixel 8a costs USD 499 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant and USD 549 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB model. In the United Kingdom, the 8GB+128GB version costs GBP 499, and the 8GB+256GB variant costs GBP 549.

That means in the UK, the Pixel 8a competes directly with the Galaxy S23 FE, which also costs GBP 499 for the base variant. Considering only specs, the Pixel 8a lacks behind the Galaxy S23 FE, as it has a smaller display and one less camera. So, in the UK, it makes more sense for you to go with the Galaxy S23 FE.

It is a totally different story in the United States though. The Galaxy S23 FE costs USD 649 there, which is much higher than what the Pixel 8a costs in the country. So, if you don’t want a larger display or a telephoto camera, the one from Google is a great choice for you. If not, look no further than the Galaxy S23 FE.

Google has started taking pre-orders for the Pixel 8a in the US and it will start selling and shipping the phone from 14 May 2024 in the country. If you pre-order the phone before 14 May 2024 from Best Buy, you will get a USD 100 gift card on the platform.

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Five improvements we want to see on the Galaxy Buds 3

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Samsung is probably the only brand that can rival Apple in terms of smart device ecosystem. One of the most critical aspects of that ecosystem these days is wireless earbuds, and Samsung already has a good lineup of Galaxy Buds.

In the coming months, it is expected to launch the Galaxy Buds 3, the successor to 2021’s Galaxy Buds 2, and there are some improvements that we want to see on the upcoming earbuds.

Longer battery life

The most significant improvement Samsung needs to bring to its standard wireless earbuds is battery life. Samsung claims the Galaxy Buds 2 can last 5 hours on a single charge with ANC turned on and 7.5 hours with ANC turned off.

Most rival brands with similarly priced earbuds offer much longer battery life: around 8 hours with ANC turned off and 10 hours with ANC activated. If Samsung can match those figures, it will be a quality-of-life upgrade for users, and they will not have to worry about battery life at all.

A better IP rating

Another quality-of-life upgrade that Galaxy Buds 3 needs is a better IP rating. The Galaxy Buds 2 has an IPX2-rated body for some water resistance, but that needs to be at least an IPX5 or IPX6 rating for better ruggedness for situations like light rain or water splashes on the beach.

Dial down on that bass or offer a real equalizer

From the original Galaxy Buds to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Samsung has almost nailed audio tuning. However, despite their dual-drive setup, the Galaxy Buds 2 doesn’t sound as good as the other Galaxy Buds in the lineup. They sound slightly soft and dark, and Samsung needs to dial down the bass a bit and improve the highs for a more enjoyable audio experience.

If Samsung can’t do that, it must offer a real equalizer in the Galaxy Wearable app. Currently, the app only offers preset equalizers, and you can’t alter the individual bands.

A less glossy design

Although compact, the Galaxy Buds 2’s fit isn’t great. The earbuds’ finish is too glossy, and even a little sweat can make them slippery. The case is glossy, too, so they can get scratched more easily compared to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Galaxy Buds FE.

For a better overall design and fit, Samsung should opt for the same matte finish as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for the Galaxy Buds 3.

Improved voice call quality

The Galaxy Buds 2 are average for phone calls, and Samsung needs to step up its game. Wireless earbuds from rival brands, including Apple, Bose, Jabra, OnePlus, and Sony, are objectively better at phone call quality. This is one of those things that a brand like Samsung needs to nail.

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Samsung aims for sweet spot with wider Galaxy Z Fold 6 cover screen

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Last updated: May 7th, 2024 at 16:11 UTC+02:00

Third-party screen protectors designed for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 have emerged in a series of photos earlier today, and they seemingly confirm a couple of critical design changes.

Although the Galaxy Z Fold 6 might not look all that different from its predecessor, it does seem to employ sharper edges and flatter surfaces. A photo of a cover screen protector (via @UniverseIce) also seems to reconfirm that the eternal display does indeed have sharper corners and thinner bezels all around.

More importantly, this cover screen protector suggests that Samsung is still searching for the sweet spot when it comes to the width of the Z Fold series’ cover screen.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 to have a wider cover screen

According to this photo, the distance between the side bezels of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 screen protector is 60.2 mm. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s screen protector clocks in at a narrower 57.4mm.

Although these screen protectors might not perfectly match the dimensions of the cover screens they’re supposed to protect, these measurements suggest that Samsung might be trying to find the sweet spot.

The company may have realized that the Z Fold series’ cover screen is a bit too narrow to fully replace a standard Galaxy phone. And as a result, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 could have a slightly wider cover display than its predecessors. If that’s the case, the upcoming foldable flagship phone might be easier to use when folded.

It might not seem like much, but a few millimeters can make a big difference when you’re dealing with these types of mobile devices.

Furthermore, considering that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 might have flatter surfaces and square corners all around, the upcoming foldable flagship could feel vastly different from its predecessors, even if it might end up looking like another incremental design refresh.

Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in early July at the next Unpacked event, which should be hosted in Paris, two weeks after the Olympic 2024 Games begin.



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Samsung Galaxy F55 teaser starts in India, showcases leather back

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A few weeks ago, Samsung launched the Galaxy C55 in China. A few days later, it was revealed that the company intends to launch that phone as the Galaxy F55 in India. That information seems accurate, as Samsung has started teasing the Galaxy F55 in India, which is the Galaxy C55 with a different name.

Galaxy F55 design and pricing

Samsung has started teasing the design of the Galaxy F55 on Flipkart’s website. Images reveal a vegan leather back with a saddle-stitched pattern. The phone will be available in two colors: Apricot Crush and Raisin Black. It has three rear-facing cameras and an LED flash. Samsung claims it is the slimmest vegan leather phone of the year.

Samsung Galaxy C55 Colors

The possible pricing of the Galaxy F55 was leaked a few days ago. According to that report, the phone will be available in three RAM and storage variants: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage (INR 26,999), 8GB RAM + 256GB storage (INR 29,999), and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage (INR 32,999). Since this is the same phone, we already know all its specifications.

Leaked Galaxy F55 specifications

The Galaxy F55 could have a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ screen with Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz variable refresh rate, and 1,000 nits peak brightness. It has a 50MP selfie camera and a 50MP OIS primary rear camera, with the remaining rear cameras being an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera. The primary rear and front cameras can record 4K 30fps videos with image stabilization.

It runs Android 14 (One UI 6.1) and will get four major Android OS updates.

It is equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, 8GB/12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage, and a microSD card slot. It has GPS, a dual-SIM card slot (5G+5G), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. It has stereo speakers, an in-display fingerprint reader, a 5,000mAh battery, and 45W fast wired charging.

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