Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, the foldable smartphone from the South Korean giant that was launched a couple of years back, has finally received a new update in the United States that enabled a much-awaited feature on the device.

The company has rolled out a new update for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 smartphone in the United States that has enabled eSIM functionality. Along with that, it also brings support for DSDS, which stands for Dual SIM Dual Standby.

As per the report, Samsung has rolled out firmware build F916USQU2HVF1 for the carrier-locked model of the Galaxy Z Fold 2, while the unlocked model has got F916U1UEU2HVF4 update that brings both the new features.

Along with the eSIM functionality and DSDS support, the June update also comes with some additional features for the camera department, such as auto framing in the camera app and video calls, as well as improved Night portrait photography.

Some users of the carrier-locked model have already started receiving the July 2022 update, so there’s a possibility that some of the users may not get the June update and directly get the new July update, which will bring these new features to the phone.

RELATED: 

• Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Spotted On FCC Website, 25W Fast Charging Tipped
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 reportedly claimed to arrive with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 50MP ISOCELL GN3 camera
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Gets NBTC Certified, Launch Imminent
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 with model name SM-F936U certified by FCC
• Samsung continues to dominate global smartphone market with a 23.4% market share

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 gets eSIM and Dual SIM Dual Standby support in the US appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold2 in September 2020. The company’s second flagship foldable smartphone debuted for $1,999.99 in the US. Now, seven months after its release, the firm has announced a permanent price cut on this handset along with a referral program.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 has been on sale at a discounted price tag multiple times since its launch. Bu this is the first-ever official price drop by Samsung. The South Korean tech giant has reduced the device’s MSRP by $200.

Hence, the Galaxy Z Fold2 is now retailing in the US for $1,799.99. The new price is applicable to both unlocked and carrier variants (Verizon, AT&T). Also, it is worth noting that, unlike regular smartphones, Samsung’s foldable phones (Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Fold2) come with a 100-day return policy.

Further, alongside the price drop, Samsung has also announced a referral program for the Galaxy Z series. Any existing Galaxy Z Series customer can share a referral code to someone looking to buy a Samsung foldable handset.

By using the code, the new buyer can snag a $100 discount. On the other hand, the referrer gets a $100 credit, which can be used on Samsung’s online store. Hence, interested customers can get the Galaxy Z Fold2 for as low as $1,699.99 in the US.

RELATED:

• Xiaomi Mi MIX Fold has a Snapdragon 888 chip, liquid lens, and a 5020mAh battery that charges at 67W
• Over 5.1 million foldable and rollable phones expected in 2021 from 8 different brands: DSCC
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip2 battery capacity revealed through multiple certifications
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G gets its first permanent price drop in the US

(Via)

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 gets its first-ever permanent price cut in the US appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi just released its first foldable phone and it is under the Mi Mix series which made a wonderful comeback. We are talking about the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold, which adopts the same form factor as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. That is exactly the reason why we decided to publish a comparison between these two foldable phones. Did Xiaomi release a foldable superior to the king of foldable phones or the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is still the best choice? This specs comparison will help you find out.

Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Fold 2

Design

As mentioned in the intro, the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 share the same form factor: unlike the recent Huawei Mate X2, they come with a foldable display placed internally and a secondary traditional and non-foldable display placed externally, in case you want to use them as normal phones. I personally prefer the design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 due to its more elegant camera module. Further, it has a more compact and thinner body. It is even a lighter phone. On the other hand, the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold offers bigger displays: both the foldable screen and the external display have wider diagonals. Further, the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold comes in an additional ceramic version built with better materials.

Display

Talking about the displays, these devices come with similar specifications and both feature excellent AMOLED panels. Despite it is a Xiaomi phone, the display of the Mi Mix Fold is made by Samsung. In both cases, you get foldable AMOLED panels with 2K resolutions, HDR10+ certification. But on the paper, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is superior thanks to its 120 Hz refresh rate, while Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold has a standard 60 Hz refresh rate. If we talk about the external non-foldable displays, then Mi Mix Fold wins: it has a 6.52-inch external panel which, unlike the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, features a 90 Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and the HDR10+ certification.

Specs & Software

Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold is the most powerful foldable phone ever made: it is powered by the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform paired with up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of native storage (UFS 3.1). The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes with the weaker (but still flagship-class) Snapdragon 865+, which sits in the middle between Snapdragon 865 and 870. It offers a max of 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage. Despite Mi Mix Fold just went official it is still based on Android 10, just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. But the latter has already been upgraded to Android 11.

Camera

It is still too early to establish which is the best camera phone here. The Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold comes with a 108 MP main camera, an 8 MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and a 13 MP ultrawide sensor, as well as a new Surge C1 proprietary image co-processor. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has three 12 MP cameras with dual OIS (unlike the Mi Mix Fold), 2x optical zoom and an ultrawide sensor. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is definitely better when it comes to the front cameras.

• Read More: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 features ‘Anti-Erosion Waterproof Coating’ to protect internal components: Report

Battery

Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold has a bigger battery and, with its standard refresh rate, it should last more than Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 in most scenarios. It also supports the fastest charging technology with a power of 67W. But you should consider that Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 supports wireless charging and reverse charging, while Mi Mix Fold does not.

Price

Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold made its debut in China with a €1300/$1530 starting price, while Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 launched in the country with a €2200/$2585 listing price. Despite the Mi Mix Fold is a newly-announced foldable phone and Galaxy Z Fold 2 is not, it is not superior to Samsung’s offering in every aspect. It has better hardware and a bigger battery, but with the Galaxy Z Fold 2, you get wireless charging and a better internal display. Which one would you pick?

Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: PRO and CONS

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

PRO

• More compact
• Wireless charging
• Wider availability
• eSIM support

CONS

• Inferior hardware

Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold

PRO

• Better hardware
• Bigger internal display
• Better external display
• Bigger battery
• Faster charging

CONS

• No wireless charging

The post Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Fold 2: Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

When Samsung first introduced its first foldable smartphone — Galaxy Fold, the company had to recall the units and delay the launch after learning about issues related to the display. The company made some changes and relaunched the device.

Later, when the South Korean giant launched the Galaxy Z Fold 2, it further improved the mechanism and the built-in screen protector was tucked inside the bezels so that the users won’t accidentally remove it.

The company is offering an extra protective layer on top of the display, which can be removed by the users if they want. But many users decided to keep it given that the company recommends visiting the Samsung Store for safe removal.

But now, some of the users of Galaxy Z Fold 2 are complaining on Reddit and other forums (via SamMobile) about the foldable smartphone‘s protector layer bubbling up around the crease. While the reason behind this issue is not known, it’s safe to assume that the issue is likely related to the fold/unfold mechanism.

EDITOR’S PICK: Redmi K40 to reportedly launch later this month while the Redmi K40 Pro coming in Q1 2021

For the bubbling effect, there needs to be a gap for the air to seep through between the display and the protective layer from somewhere. It’s possible that numerous fold and unfold actions could have lead to a gap, allowing air to pass through.

To solve the issue, the user can simply remove the protective layer from the top as the issue isn’t related to the screen itself or hardware. There are also several options available as a replacement for the protective film.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy M12 Geekbench listing reveals Exynos 850 and Android 11

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 users are complaining about screen protector bubbling appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung has released the latest Android security patches for some of its devices, well ahead of the official publication by Google in the Android Security Bulletin. This latest update reflects the changing approach of the tech giant in providing timely monthly updates for its devices. Samsung previously has not had a stellar record specifically in relation to providing regular security updates to its wide array of devices. However, the company has been working hard to change this narrative over the past few months, with a noticeable improvement in its update schedule.

The affected smartphone models include the Galaxy S20 lineup, the Galaxy S20 FE, and the Galaxy S9. The company has also released similar updates for the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy XCover Pro.

The update for most of the models are available in many parts of the world, with countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe already covered. Ultimately, the aim is to provide these security patches to the global market in a timely fashion and with minimal effort by the user.

The update for the Galaxy Note 10 series (version N97xFXXS6DTK8) is rolling out in Europe presently, while other regions of the world will follow shortly. Similarly, the Galaxy XCover Pro can also be updated in Europe – the update includes the Android security patches for December 2020.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy XCover Pro users should download the update on their devices by going to the Software update section in the device settings. In case the update is not available on the device yet, you can download the firmware package from Samsung’s update server using tools like Samloader and install it manually using a Windows computer. (via)

UP NEXT: Oppo X 2021 unveiled as the world’s first smartphone concept with an extending display

The post Latest update for the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Note 10, and XCover Pro brings December 2020 security patches appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in September, the next iteration of the company’s Fold series. That aside, the company is also innovating various concepts of foldable displays through its patents. Now, a tip suggests that the company could also be working to get the foldable devices affordable to the masses.

The latest tip comes from DSCC’s Ross Young who says(via AH) that there’s no information regarding Galaxy Z Fold Lite anymore. This is in response to an older tweet that said Samsung could be working on multiple foldables including a Fold ‘Lite’ version. However, Ross says that he is hearing info about a Galaxy Z Flip Lite smartphone.

That’s surprising considering early rumors didn’t spoil anything about a ‘Lite’ version of the clamshell phone. But emphasized more on the Z Fold Lite. In fact, the latter was even mentioned in the recent rumors under the naming Galaxy Z Fold FE. Anyway, Ross goes on to say that the Galaxy Z Flip Lite will adopt the UTG(Ultra-Thin-Glass) like the predecessor.

We don't hear about Z Fold Lite anymore but we are hearing about Z Flip Lite with UTG…

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) November 18, 2020

If we recall, Samsung introduced the UTG technology with the Galaxy Z Flip back in February. Accordingly, it replaces the CPI(Colorless Polyimide) and promises more durability and scratch resistance. After this, Samsung has never looked back at the cost-cutting CPI solution. In fact, it has included the extra UTG layer on the Z Fold 2 as well. That said, it is very appreciative of Samsung not to compromise a cheaper foldable phone.

This is because Ross has replied to the user on Twitter agreeing that the Galaxy Z Flip Lite will be a cheaper foldable smartphone. And apparently, Samsung will make many of them to drive sales. Having said that, there is no information on the specs and launch date of the device.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if Samsung brings both the affordable Z Fold Lite or just the Z Flip Lite to the masses. In any case, if previous reports are true, we won’t see a ‘Lite’ version of the Z Flip anytime soon as the Z Flip 2 itself is likely postponed to Summer 2021.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy A50s has started receiving One UI 2.5 update

The post Samsung could be working on a ‘Lite’ version of Galaxy Z Flip clamshell phone appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple announced its new iPhone 12 series smartphones a few days ago and along with that, the company revealed a few new features for the devices as well and one of them is the new MagSafe charging accessories.

For those who are unaware, the MagSafe charging feature is a magnetic attachment system for different accessories that can be snapped right onto the back of the iPhone 12. There are a bunch of different use-cases and accessories, including wallets and chargers.

While Apple says that the feature is limited to the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models, new reports claim that some Andriod smartphones are also compatible with this new MagSafe feature from Apple.

The reports claim that Google Pixel 5, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 smartphones, are also working with the MagSafe charger from Apple. A report from Android Police says that Galaxy Z Fold 2 has magnets in its hinge and the side which connects to and holds the MagSafe charger in place.

EDITOR’S PICK: Apple is lobbying the US government for tax breaks to boost local chipset production

It’s noteworthy that while the MagSafe charger is capable of providing fast wireless charging up to 15W to the newly launched iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, the Pixel 5 only supports 12W wireless charging.

The MagSafe Charger is just a Qi wireless charger so it is compatible with any smartphone that supports Qi wireless charging but the highlight is the magnetic connection, which is not going to work with every device.

Apart from the MagSafe Charger, Apple has launched a few other MagSafe accessories, including Case, Leather Wallet, and more. The company has also revealed that third-party accessories are coming, confirming that Belkin is already working on a couple of options which also includes a car mount.

UP NEXT: Redmi General Manager teases the Redmi K30S which is tipped to be cheaper than the K30 Ultra

The post Apple iPhone 12’s MagSafe charger works with some Android smartphones appeared first on Gizmochina.

Royole just launched the successor of the world’s first foldable phone: FlexPai 2. This year, Royole did not beat Samsung by launching its foldable before the Korean giant, but it launched the most affordable foldable phone of the year which can turn into a tablet. That is why we think it is very interesting to compare it with the other last-gen foldable phones. A lot of people are saying that the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 does not have any rival: is it true? Let’s discover it together in this comparison between Galaxy Z Fold 2, Royole FlexPai 2, and Huawei Mate Xs.

Royole FlexPai 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Huawei Mate Xs

Design

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a different form factor from Royole FlexPai 2 and Huawei Mate Xs. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a foldable display placed internally, while in the external part of the phone there is a classic smartphone-like display. The Huawei Mate Xs and the Royole FlexPai 2 have foldable displays placed externally which can split into two different external displays (one on the front and one on the back) while the smartphone is folded.

Display

The best display in terms of image quality belongs to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: despite being a plastic OLED panel, the handset has the HDR10+ certification and a 120 Hz refresh rate, which you do not get on Royole FlexPai 2 and Huawei Mate Xs. But when the smartphone is folded, you will have to use an HD+ screen with a standard refresh rate. On the other hand, you get two external displays with Huawei Mate Xs and Royole FlexPai 2 by folding the main foldable display, but the image quality is inferior.

Hardware/Software

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a superior phone even when it comes to the hardware department. It packs a stronger Snapdragon 865+ chipset paired with 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of UFS 3.1 native storage. The silver medal goes to the FlexPai 2 by Royole which is fueled by the Snapdragon 865 mobile platform paired with up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512 GB of UFS 3.0 internal storage. Huawei Mate Xs is weaker with its Kirin 990 5G chipset and just 8 GB of RAM. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has the best software and Samsung guarantees longer software support (3 years). Unfortunately, Huawei Mate Xs lacks Google Mobile Services, so you do not get Google apps out of the box, replaced by Huawei Mobile Services.

Camera

The Huawei Mate Xs has the most advanced camera setup, including a 40 MP main sensor, an 8 MP telephoto sensor with OIS and 3x optical zoom, a 16 MP ultrawide lens, and a TOF 3D sensor. But you should not underestimate Royole FlexPai 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: they are still great camera phones. Unfortunately, we still can not give you a definitive verdict about the camera performance of these three devices because Royole FlexPai 2 just went official and there was no time to test its camera capabilities.

Battery

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, Huawei Mate Xs, and Royole FlexPai 2 have similar battery capacities and similar components, so the differences between battery life will be marginal. The Huawei Mate Xs support way faster charging, but it lacks wireless charging, while you get wireless charging and reverse charging on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.

Price

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is priced at about €2000/$2350 globally, Huawei Mate Xs costs €2600/$3000, and Royole FlexPai costs less than €1300/$1500 in China (still not available globally). At the end of the day, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 wins the comparison because of its better display, more advanced hardware department, and reverse/wireless charging capabilities. But not everyone might like its form factor.

• Read More: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 launched in China, starts at ¥16,999 (~$2,483)

Royole FlexPai 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Huawei Mate Xs: PRO and CONS

Huawei Mate Xs

PROS

• External foldable display
• Great cameras
• Wide display
• Very fast charging

CONS

• No GMS

Royole FlexPai 2

PROS

• External foldable display
• Good price
• Nice cameras
• Useful external display
• Up to 12/512 GB

CONS

• Not a mainstream manufacturer

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

PROS

• Best hardware
• Multiple displays
• Wireless charging
• More cameras

CONS

• Internal foldable display

The post Royole FlexPai 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Huawei Mate Xs: Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy Z Fold 2 foldable smartphone in China. The phone was first on September 1 for the US, UK and European markets.  The second-generation Galaxy Fold will retail fo 16,999 yuan (~$2483) in China. The company also unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 2 Thom Browne edition which will go on sale for 27,199 yuan (~$3972). Here is a recap of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 specs, including the China-specific details.

The Samsung Galaxy Z fold 2  5G smartphone features a bigger display both on the inside and outside. It also comes wit an improved design as well as the latest and powerful Snapdragon 865+ chipset.

The Z Fold 2’s external screen has been upgraded from the previous 4.6 inches to an impressive 6.2 inches. The full-view aperture screen design greatly improves its usability. The improved size means the phone can be used as a complete large-screen mobile phone in the folded state.

In the unfolded state, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will become a 7.6 -inch phablet with an ultra-narrow bezel design, an area increased by 13.5% compared to the previous generation and a resolution of 2213×1689 pixels. The display also supports an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate which makes playing games more enjoyable and is covered by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus

In terms of hinges, Samsung tapped from the feedback received from the first-gen model. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 uses an invisible hinge to fit the body precisely. Its cam structure can realize multi-angle rotation stop technology and supports a new adaptive split-screen mode. In terms of screen protection, Galaxy Z Fold2 uses ultra-thin flexible glass (UTG) with significant improvement with the crease problem.

Samsung also brought more optimizations in terms of the software aspect as the phone can perform advanced functions such as multi-angle viewing, adaptive split-screen viewing, and multi-tasking operations.

The Snapdragon 865+ 5G platform onboard the smartphone is paired with 12GB LPDDR5 memory. The device also comes with a maximum of 512GB of UFS 3.1 flash memory. The processor draws juice from a 4500mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging, fast wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

The device runs Android 10 with features designed for foldable phones. Recall that Samsung has already promised that the foldable flagship will receive three OS upgrades – Android 11, Android 12, and Android 13.

For photography, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 packs five cameras. On the back is a protruding camera housing that holds a 12MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP telephoto camera with OIS, and a 12MP ultrawide angle camera. The cover screen has a centered punch hole for a 10MP f/2.2 selfie camera. The inner display also has a punch hole and the same 10MP f/2.2 selfie camera. With such an array of cameras, the phone has several camera features and enables several ways to take pictres.

Just like the Global variant, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G Thom Browne limited edition is bundled with a Galaxy Watch 3, a pair of Galaxy Buds Live and a series of customized accessories, all of which contain Thom Browne’s iconic design elements.

The Z Fold 2 5G is already on reservation in China via Samsung’s website.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra beats Huawei P40 Pro in Camera Performance with a DxOMark score of 130

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 launched in China, starts at ¥16,999 (~$2,483) appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung recently announced its next-generation foldable smartphone, dubbed as Galaxy Z Fold 2, which is now up for pre-order and is set to go on sale from 18th September. As the name indicates, the company has merged its both of its foldable smartphone lineup — Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip.

Now, a report coming from South Korea reveals that the surface hardness of the cover window on the main screen for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is similar to what we saw on the Galaxy Z Flip smartphone.

A person aware of the development claims that some of the processes for surface hardening have been changed to slightly improve the result but adds that users won’t be able to notice much difference.

However, it seems that noticeable improvements in this department could be seen with the upcoming smartphones from next year. Along with this, the smartphone also comes with Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) by Samsung, found on the Z Flip.

For those who are unaware, the South Korean giant had used polyimide (PI) screen on the first-generation Galaxy Fold smartphone. UTG, used in the current-gen device is prone to scratches but it could be improved with the next iteration. Further, Samsung has added a special protection film on top to make it more durable and improve touch sensitivity.

EDITOR’S PICK: Honor brags about its Hunter Gaming Laptop’ heat dissipation

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED cover screen with a resolution of 2260 x 816 that is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The main flexible display is a Dynamic AMOLED screen that unfolds into a 7.6-inch 2208 x 1768 pixels display with Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), having a 120Hz refresh rate.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 865 Plus processor and draws juice from a 4500mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging, fast wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

On the back, there’s a 12MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP telephoto camera with OIS, and a 12MP ultrawide angle camera. The cover screen has a centered punch hole for a 10MP f/2.2 selfie camera and the same 10MP f/2.2 selfie camera on the inner screen.

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will receive three OS upgrades. Given that it’s running Android 10 out-of-the-box, updates to Android 11, Android 12, and Android 13 are promised.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 and Wireless Charging Trio officially announced

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has surface hardness similar to Galaxy Z Flip appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung, which teased its next-generation foldable smartphone named Galaxy Z Fold 2 last month along with the flagship Note20 series, has now added a new production base in Brazil for the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

However, it is being reported that the majority of the units will still be produced in the company’s factory in Gumi, South Korea. Additionally, about 20 percent of the units could be produced at the Samsung factory in Vietnam.

In an effort to diversify its production, Samsung is now adding Brazil to the mix, where it will start production of the device from next year. But the report adds that only a few thousand units will be manufactured in Brazil.

Overall, the South Korean giant is planning to manufacture around 700,000 to 800,000 units of the new foldable device by the end of this year. However, the numbers could get changed based on demand.

EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus CEO joins OPPO’s holding company as Senior VP and Chief Product Experience Officer

Samsung is now all set to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 2 smartphone featuring a 7.6-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with 1768 x 2208 pixels screen resolution and a 6.23-inch Super AMOLED HD+ display with 816 x 2260 pixels when folded.

The device will reportedly be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus SoC, along with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It will be running the Android 10 operating system out-of-the-box along with One UI on top.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is priced at 1,799 Pounds (~$2,387), a bit lower than the original price of the first Galaxy Fold, which started at 1,900 Pounds (~$2,522). The device is currently listed for pre-orders, with shipping starting from 17th September 2020.

UP NEXT: IDC: Global Smartphone Market will recover in 2022; 5G handsets will account for 50 percent in 2023

The post Samsung to start manufacturing Galaxy Z Fold 2 smartphone in Brazil appeared first on Gizmochina.

Microsoft Surface Duo and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 brought two different concepts of foldable phones to the market. The latter is better on the paper, but the former looks much more interesting for productivity and business users. Both are foldable phones but in different ways. That is exactly the reason why we decided to put them in a specs comparison. Here, we hope to let you understand which one is better for your actual needs and which is the most advanced device in terms of specifications and user experience. This will be a comparison between innovative phones, so we would like to hear your opinion about these foldable phones: if you have one, you can tell us by using the comment box below the post.

Microsoft Surface Duo vs Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 5G

Design

Here it is all about tastes. With its thinner bezels around the displays, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 offers more impressive panel designs. But the Microsoft Surface Duo does not leave any space between its two display while it is folded, it can be rotated by 360 degrees and it is a lot thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. On the other hand, it has very thick bezels around the displays, due to their 4:3 aspect ratio. This makes it look like an outdated phone. It is a very hard choice, but overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has the most innovative and futuristic design.

Display

Microsoft Surface Duo comes with two displays close to each other which can be used together and rotated by 360 degrees, while Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a unique foldable display, as well as a secondary external display for those who want to use it as a phone. The foldable display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 actually provides a better display quality thanks to its very high resolution, the HDR10+ certification, its 120 Hz refresh rate, and more. The Microsoft Surface Duo has an AMOLED display just like the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but it has no chances to compete against Samsung’s flagship in terms of display quality. So Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 wins.

Specs & Software

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has much better hardware than Microsoft Surface Duo. It is fueled by the new Snapdragon 865+ mobile platform that is the best Qualcomm’s chipset of 2020, while Microsoft Surface Duo is powered by the Snapdragon 855 which was Qualcomm’s flagship chipset in the first half of 2019. Further, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 packs 12 gigs of RAM, while Microsoft Surface Duo has just 6 GB. But when it comes to the software, the Microsoft Surface Duo makes a lot more sense. It has software and apps optimized to take full advantage of its form factor for productivity users. You can open apps side by side and a lot of them are optimized for that, as Microsoft showed in its briefing video. Further, the Microsoft Surface Duo supports the Surface Pen, while Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 does not support a pen, unlike the Samsung Galaxy Note lineup. Both Samsung and Microsoft promised three years of major upgrades for their flagships.

Camera

Microsoft Surface Duo is all but a camera phone. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 takes the crown with its 12 MP triple camera: not the best camera department out there, but way better than the single 11 MP sensor found on the Surface Duo. With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, you get an additional telephoto sensor, an ultrawide sensor, and even OIS, as well as two 10 MP front cameras (including a cover camera for the external display.

• Read More: Microsoft confirms three years of Android and security updates for Surface Duo

Battery

The 4500 mAh battery found on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 will provide a longer battery life than the Microsoft Surface Duo simply because it has a bigger capacity. Especially if you only use the external display which comes with a lower resolution and a standard refresh rate. With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, you also get faster wired charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

Price

Microsoft Surface Duo will be priced at €1181/$1399, while Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 will likely cost more than €2000. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a much better phone if we only consider the specifications. But if you need the best device for productivity, I believe that Surface Duo is a better choice for you due to its advanced software features and the Surface Pen.

Microsoft Surface Duo vs Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 5G: PRO and CONS

Microsoft Surface Duo

PRO

• Pen support
• The display rotates 360°
• eSIM
• Slimmer design
• Better software for the form factor

CONS

• Inferior hardware and camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G

PRO

• More and better cameras
• Better hardware
• Real foldable display + external display
• Bigger battery
• 5G
• Stereo speakers

CONS

• Price

The post Microsoft Surface Duo vs Samsung Galaxy Fold 2: Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

The second generation of the Galaxy Fold lineup is official: alongside the Galaxy Note 20 lineup, Samsung announced the Galaxy Z Fold 2. The new revolutionary phone gets rid of all the issues and imperfections of the previous model: is it the definitive foldable phone? In order to answer this question, we decided to compare it with the original Galaxy Fold, so that you can know what changed, what has been improved, and which are the main upgrades of the new foldable phone which can turn into a tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

Design

The form factor of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 remains exactly the same as its predecessor. We are not talking about a phone that folds to become extremely compact like the recently-unveiled Galaxy Z Flip 5G. The new Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a foldable phone which turns into a tablet. Just like the original Galaxy Fold, it has a foldable display placed internally, while a standard smartphone panel is placed externally. The foldable display of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has improved resistance compared to the Galaxy Fold, thanks to the Ultra Thin Glass technology (UTG aka the same found on the Galaxy Z Flip). Both the handsets come with a glass back and an aluminum frame like most of the flagships.

Display

Samsung put a lot of effort into the displays of the new Galaxy Z Fold 2 which are a lot better than the ones found on the vanilla Galaxy Fold. The external display is bigger: while Galaxy Fold had a very compact 4.6-inch panel including thick bezels, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a borderless 6.23-inch external display with better quality and resolution. Even the resolution of the internal display increased. Further, Samsung added the 120 Hz refresh rate, which is amazing and unexpected for a foldable panel.

Specs & Software

The original Galaxy Fold is powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset and it does not support 5G connectivity, but there is a 5G variant with 5G connectivity thanks to an external modem. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 brings 5G connectivity as well, but it has a more powerful chipset: the Snapdragon 865+ which is currently the best Qualcomm’s chipset. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 also comes with a faster UFS 3.1 internal storage (Galaxy Fold is UFS 3.0) and Android 10 out of the box (Galaxy Fold ships with Android Pie). But you should note that while Galaxy Fold has a 512 GB native storage, Galaxy Z Fold 2 offers just 256 GB and its storage can not be expanded through a micro SD.

Camera

On the paper, the original Galaxy Fold seems to sport better cameras. It has a main sensor with a variable focal aperture, as well as an additional 8 MP depth sensor for the front camera. The rest of the camera specifications are more or less the same: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 lacks a variable focal aperture (so it may shoot worse photos in low light conditions) and the 8 MP additional sensor for the front camera.

• Read More: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 features ‘Anti-Erosion Waterproof Coating’ to protect internal components: Report

Battery

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a bigger battery, but this does not mean that it will last more on a single charge. The Samsung Galaxy Fold has more efficient components and it should last more in several scenarios. It has a smaller external display with lower energy consumption, it lacks the 120 Hz refresh rate and it even lacks 5G connectivity. These three things should make it last longer. But if you avoid using 120 Hz and 5G on the Galaxy Z Fold 2, then it will naturally be the opposite in the same usage scenarios. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a faster charging technology, while Galaxy Fold has faster wireless charging. Both support reverse charging.

Price

You can actually find the Samsung Galaxy Fold for less than $1500/€1700 thanks to online street prices, while Samsung is yet to unveil the price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 (it is expected to cost €2,000 or more). At the end of the day, the original Galaxy Fold is able to provide similar camera performances and battery life to its new sibling, but the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has improved displays, hardware and build quality. These features make it a valid upgrade you should opt for.

Samsung Galaxy Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: PRO and CONS

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

PRO

• Bigger displays
• Better 5G connectivity
• Bigger battery
• Higher build quality
• 120 Hz display

CONS

• Costlier

Samsung Galaxy Fold

PRO

• More compact
• More affordable price
• More internal storage
• Potentially better cameras

CONS

• Inferior hardware

The post Samsung Galaxy Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

Details have emerged about the batteries of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G foldable smartphones. According to sources familiar with the matter, the battery packs for both models will be supplied by Samsung SDI.

The source also confirmed that the batteries for the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip were equally manufactured by Samsung’s own factory. The company reportedly manufactures the battery cells in its factory in Tianjin, China while the aspects of assembling the batteries to modules and packs as well as applying protective circuits are carried out at its factory in Vietnam.

However, Samsung SDI has been unable to meet up the supply. This reportedly led to the ceding of some of the supply for smartphones such as Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S20 series to rival LG Chem. Samsung Electronics is also using China’s ATL and BYD as battery suppliers for its Galaxy A and M series.

The decision to use Samsung SDI again for the foldable phone is mainly due to cost. The specifications of the batteries are near similar to previous foldable smartphone models so there is no need to make a new mold, which is costly.

The Galaxy Fold 2 is said to pack a twin 2275mAh and 2090mAh batteries. While the Galaxy Z Flip 5G which was announced today are said to use a 2500mAh and 704mAh battery packs but the launch details a 3300mAh battery.

The Galaxy Fold 2 is expected to be unveiled at Samsung’s Unpacked Event on August 5.

UP NEXT: India smartphone market declined by 48% in Q2 2020, Realme slipped to the fifth position

(source)

The post Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 & Z Flip 5G batteries will be supplied by Samsung SDI appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung has confirmed that the company will be holding its Galaxy Unpacked event on 5th August and unlike the previous events, this one will be a virtual one because of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will start at 10:00 AM ET and will be live-streamed on the company’s official website. While not yet confirmed, Samsung is expected to live-stream the event on its social media profiles as well.

The company has not yet confirmed what devices are getting launched at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. Samsung has said that it will be launching its “latest ecosystem of Galaxy devices designed to empower your life.”

However, it’s also certain that Samsung will be taking wraps off the Galaxy Note20 series. We are also expecting the South Korean giant to launch the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 2 foldable smartphone as well as its smartwatch named Galaxy Watch 3 at the same event.

As per the reports, there will be at least two models in the next-generation Galaxy Note series — Samsung Galaxy Note20, Note20 Ultra. Recently, renders of the Ultra variant were leaked online, giving us a clear look at what to expect in terms of design.

EDITOR’S PICK: Samsung discovers new material amorphous boron nitride that could lead the semiconductor paradigm shift

The devices could be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, with all the models supporting 5G connectivity, similar to the Galaxy S20 lineup. We are also expecting a better display and camera setup along with an improved S-Pen experience.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 will be a follow-up foldable smartphone from the company with which its two different foldable smartphone lineups will be combined into one. It is expected to have a 7.7-inch display with a punch-hole cutout on top. This one too is rumored to come powered by SD865 Plus SoC.

There are still lots of things that we don’t know about the products that Samsung has planned to launch at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. However, since the event in just a month from now, we expect to get more information as the launch date nears.

UP NEXT: Poco M2 Pro launched as a rebranded Remi Note 9 Pro with Faster Charging & Dual Tone design

The post Samsung confirms its Galaxy Unpacked event for August 5th appeared first on Gizmochina.