TechPression

Category: Samsung

  • Samsung, others violate Kenyan laws

    Samsung, others violate Kenyan laws

    Phone manufacturers like Samsung have refused to comply with regulations set forth by Kenya’s information and communications technology (ICT) regulator, the Communications Authority (CA).

    In 2018, the CA released detailed rules outlining the required capabilities and technical criteria for mobile devices imported into Kenya.

    These rules apply to a wide variety of electronic gadgets, such as smartphones, feature phones, portable gadgets, gadgets installed in vehicles, RF interface cards, and modems. It is important to note that the standards applied to more than only the aforementioned gadgets.

    Read also: Samsung forbids staff from using AI chatbots

    The regulator has not taken adequate action, and phone manufacturers continue to ignore these rules. There is no trace of the recommendations on the regulatory agency’s website. 

    Currently, customers in Kenya and other countries are buying gadgets without the necessary accessories listed in the document, making the lack of enforcement all the more troublesome.

    Guidelines specify that “a mobile cellular device shall be equipped with a wired or wireless earpiece facility.” However, wired or wireless headsets are not included with most officially offered devices in Kenya.

    More On The Violation 

    Phones without accompanying charging bricks are being sold in violation of local law, which raises even another difficult problem. It is required by law that “the AC Adaptor for a mobile cellular device shall be fitted with a suitable and appropriate power supply cord and mains plug that meets the standards established by the regulatory body in charge of electricity in Kenya.” In 2020, Apple introduced the iPhone 12 series, which paved the way for other firms like Samsung to sell phones like the S23 lineup and certain A-series devices without a charger.

    Manufacturers of mobile devices have stated that financial and ecological considerations are the main reasons for this exclusion. 

    They state that one of their environmental priorities is to reduce waste, specifically packaging waste and electronic trash. The biggest reason, though, appears to be financial, as cutting out accessories like chargers and headphones can save firms billions of dollars.

    Phone manufacturers also earn money from users by selling them additional accessories. The wireless earbud fad was launched by Apple, but many other companies have since joined in.

    Taking headphones out of the box forces buyers to spend more on wireless earbuds, while leaving charging bricks out of the package forces them to buy additional fast-charging accessories. Despite any potential negative effects on the environment, manufacturers stand to gain from the surge in demand for complementary products.

    Thankfully, some companies still include accessories like charging bricks, cords, and headphones with their handsets. These include Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like BBK Electronics (OPPO, vivo, and others), Transsion (TECNO, Infinix, and itel), and Xiaomi. 

    We’re crossing our fingers that these companies will buck the industry standard and keep consumer convenience a top priority by providing these necessities in their products.

  • Samsung Reduces Memory Chip Output During Economic Slowdown 

    Samsung Reduces Memory Chip Output During Economic Slowdown 

    Samsung Electronics has revealed plans to reduce memory chip production after projecting a 96% decline in quarterly operating profit. 

    The South Korean electronics behemoth disclosed this on Friday as it reported its lowest profit statistics since 2009, forecasting more declines in memory chip sales globally.

    According to the corporation, sales have declined significantly due to a slowing global economy and lower demand following Covid.

    When demand for consumer gadgets spiked during the pandemic, smartphone and personal computer manufacturers stocked up on chips while other consumers made alternate purchases to use at home. Rising inflation has caused buyers to cut back on purchases, prompting the corporation to run down stocks as it has experienced shortages in recent years.

    Read also: Samsung’s Flex Hybrid pushes foldable phone

    Cutting to a meaningful low

    While Samsung did not specify by how much it would cut down chip production, it however said the cut would be “meaningful”.

    “We are lowering the production of memory chips by a meaningful level, especially that of products with supply secured,” the company said in a statement.

    Although cutting short-term production, Samsung said it was still making long-term investments in infrastructure and research to secure needed clean rooms for chip production and expand its technological lead.

    Having previously flagged capital spending similar to the 53.1 trillion won investment in 2022, Samsung did not say how its 2023 investment plans would be affected by the new development.

    The announcement is the latest sign that deteriorating global economic conditions are hitting chip makers like Samsung and SK Hynix, which have enjoyed years of record-breaking profits on furious chip demands.

    Samsung’s profits in January-March are expected to decline to $455m, a 14-year low, the company said in a regulatory filing, pointing to “continuing weak demand for IT products that have aggravated the performances of all sectors”.

    Samsung saw profits fall by nearly 70 percent in the final quarter of 2022, which was blamed on headwinds including Russia’s war in Ukraine and high inflation.

    Samsung Plans to make Semiconductor chips more Efficient

    Samsung’s chip loss record

    Samsung’s latest record shows the lowest profit for any quarter in 14 years as its operating profit fell to 600 billion won ($455.5 million) in January-March, from 14.12 trillion won a year earlier.

    Analysts have estimated that first-quarter profit fell short of 873 billion won Refinitiv SmartEstimate, its chip division, is likely to report a record loss of 2.1 trillion won ($1.6 billion), according to an average of analyst forecasts and post another 2 trillion won loss in the current quarter, a major divergence for what had been Samsung’s most important cash cow, generating about half of its profits in better years.

    Samsung Group is the biggest of the family-run conglomerates that hold significance over South Korea’s economy, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the gross domestic product (GDP). 

    Investors are hopeful of a market recovery in the semiconductor industry as Analysts said Samsung’s production cut might improve its performance slightly in the current quarter and could also cement or hasten the rebound of memory chip prices. The company is due to release detailed earnings, including divisional breakdowns, later this month.

  • Samsung Launches Galaxy A14 in Nigeria

    Samsung Launches Galaxy A14 in Nigeria

    In Nigeria, Samsung, one of the top manufacturers of electronics and mobile gadgets, unveiled the brand-new Galaxy A14. The cell phone is outfitted with the most recent advancements in technology that have come to be known as Galaxy smartphone features.

    The most recent model of Samsung’s Galaxy A series has a big display, a superior camera, and all the tools required to keep an active internet connection.

    Because of its connectivity and configuration, it offers absolutely remarkable performance, giving its consumers an amazing overall shopping experience at a fantastic price.

    Due to its extraordinary qualities, this is made feasible.

    Read also: Samsung Galaxy S2, 46 other phones won’t access WhatsApp in 2023

    Unique Features of Samsung’s New Release

    The Galaxy A14’s camera deck is honed and polished and has the tried-and-true design identity that distinguishes Samsung handsets.

    The inclusion of the flat, linear camera housing, which merges in nicely with the uni-body frame, completes the visually pleasing silhouette.

    The phone’s back cover has a laser design and comes in a range of gorgeous hues, including bright green, black, and silver1.

    The Galaxy A14’s display has been improved to be broader and sharper, and it now sports a 6.6-inch FHD+ big display2 with high resolution that offers an immersive viewing experience.

    This model outperforms the Galaxy A13, which has a 6.5-inch HD+ display as its predecessor.

    The incredible triple-lens camera, which is supported by the upgraded selfie camera 3, ensures that each and every picture is captured with all of its incredible details. Both the main camera, which has a resolution of 50 megapixels and the front-facing camera, which has a resolution of 13 megapixels, allowing you to take high-quality pictures of yourself.

    With 4 gigabytes of memory and either 64 or 128 gigabytes of storage, you’ll have plenty of space to store even more of the things you love. Because of the large amount of virtual memory and storage that can be expanded on the Galaxy A14, you will be able to run more applications and save more of your favorite things. Simply sliding in a microSD card4 allows for up to one terabyte of additional storage, which can be used to save additional photos, videos, music, and documents.

    Once a moment has passed in life, it will never happen again; the battery in the Galaxy A14 works nonstop to ensure that you are able to savor each and every one of those irreplaceable moments. Because of its larger 5000 mAh capacity and longer lasting battery5, you can unquestionably get more out of life.

    Samsung’s Flex Hybrid pushes foldable phone

    More About Samsung

    Samsung is a company based in South Korea that is currently one of the largest producers of electronic devices in the world. Appliances, digital media devices, semiconductors, memory chips, and integrated systems are just some of the many different kinds of electronics that Samsung specializes in producing for consumers and businesses alike.

    The name Samsung comes from the Korean word for “three stars.” The founder of Samsung, Lee Byung-chull, had a vision for his company to become powerful and everlasting like the stars in the sky, so he chose that name for the company.

    As a subsidiary of Samsung Group, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., simply referred to as Samsung, is a manufacturer of consumer electronics, information technology, mobile communications, and device solutions.

    Although Samsung is not Android in the strictest sense, many people and publications still refer to Samsung smartphones as Android smartphones. This is due to the fact that Samsung smartphones are able to run Android applications and can run the Android operating system. There are smartphones manufactured by Samsung that run Windows phones.

    With the release of the Galaxy A14 by Samsung, Nigerians would have no location-based barrier to accessing their favourite Samsung brand.

  • A guide to buying the right Smartphone

    A guide to buying the right Smartphone

    We both recognize the importance of smartphones in everyday life. Working from home, gaining access to crucial data, and engaging with coworkers are more productive.

    These tools have allowed people who couldn’t previously use technology to have access to it. Using accessibility capabilities like voice recognition, screen readers, and magnifiers, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can use smartphones just like everyone else. No matter where you are in the globe, staying in touch with loved ones is simple with the help of apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.

    However, the market offers so many options that finding the right smartphone can be challenging. It’s not only about getting the latest phone with the best camera. To get the most for your money, consider various criteria.

    Read also: How To Use Your Smartphone as a CCTV Camera Without Internet

    Here are the things to consider before choosing the right Smartphone

    We’ll cover smartphone basics to help you buy. These tips will help you choose a smartphone, whether you’re a technophile or a casual user.

    What is its processor?

    The processor is without a doubt one of the most crucial things to take into account when deciding which smartphone to purchase. Your phone will function efficiently, process information rapidly, and offer a seamless user experience if it has a high-quality processor. Your smartphone may lag or freeze without a strong CPU, making it annoying and challenging to operate.

    You can multitask with ease while playing games, streaming videos, and switching between programs on a quick desktop. Thus, a good processor is necessary for a fantastic smartphone experience. Don’t compromise on performance; invest in a smartphone with a strong processor for quick response times, seamless multitasking, and a fantastic user experience.

    Guidelines

    Casual users: A mid-range processor like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 series or the MediaTek Helio G series should be adequate for consumers who primarily use their phone for online browsing, social media, messaging, and light gaming. On your smartphone, these processors deliver respectable performance for routine tasks.

    Power users:  A flagship desktop like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series or the Samsung Exynos 2100 would be a fantastic choice for consumers who routinely use demanding apps like video editing software, top-tier gaming, or AR/VR apps. These Desktops offer top-of-the-line performance and can handle demanding workloads without slowing down.

    Budget-conscious buyers:  While looking for a smartphone, those on a tight budget should focus on models with mobile processors from the MediaTek Helio A or P series or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 series. Despite being less potent than mid-range or flagship single-core processors, these ones are nevertheless capable of handling simple jobs and light gaming without any problems.

    Battery-minded users: For those who prioritize battery life over performance, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 700 series and MediaTek Dimensity series processors are viable possibilities. These CPUs are designed to be energy-efficient, allowing them to give an excellent performance while conserving battery life.

    Photographers: For photo and video enthusiasts, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series or Samsung Exynos 2100 CPUs are good choices. These image-processing devices can handle high-resolution photographs and films without lag.

     

    Do you like its phone screen?

    We utilize our smartphones’ displays for movies, gaming, and social media. An excellent display may offer an immersive and engaging experience. The display’s brightness, color accuracy, resolution, and size influence a smartphone’s quality. Thus, don’t ignore the display while buying a phone. You’ll never regret buying a gadget with a fantastic display.

    Guidelines

    Casual Users: IPS phones are good for casual users who text, browse social media, and watch videos. 

    These displays offer good color reproduction and viewing angles at a lower cost compared to other display types. 

    Gamers: OLED or AMOLED smartphones offer rapid response times and smooth images. Gamer-friendly panels include quicker refresh rates, shorter input lag, and deeper blacks. 

    Photographers: Use an OLED or AMOLED smartphone for color fidelity. These panels provide superior color accuracy and deeper blacks for photo processing. 

    Outdoor Users: Choose a smartphone with high brightness and outside visibility if you use it in bright sunshine.  OLED and AMOLED displays have superior brightness and contrast ratios; however, certain high-end LCD panels are also good for outdoor viewing. 

    Content creators: A smartphone with a Quad HD or 4K display is ideal for editing videos and photos on the road. While editing, these monitors offer greater screen space and crisper photos.

     

    How long does a battery last?

    Battery life is crucial when purchasing a smartphone. A powerful phone that dies midday is useless.  A long-lasting battery is crucial for everyone who uses their phone for business, communication, or leisure. A smartphone with a long battery life lets you watch films, play games, surf the web, and take pictures without charging. A phone with a long battery life can save you money by eliminating the need for charging cases and other batteries. If you want your smartphone to be ready when you need it, buy a device with a long battery life.

    Guidelines  

    Casual Users: If you mostly use your phone for messaging, checking social media, and calling, a smartphone with a 3000mAh to 4000mAh battery should last all day. 

    Heavy Users: For gaming, streaming, and other resource-intensive operations, a smartphone with a battery capacity of 4000mAh to 5000mAh or more is advised. Fast-charging smartphones are also useful for rapid top-ups. 

    Business Users:  If you use your phone for work-related duties like emailing, video conferencing, and document editing, a 4000mAh to 5000mAh smartphone is advised. A removable battery phone lets you replace the battery when it runs low. 

    Outdoor Users: If you frequently use your phone in regions without power, a smartphone with a 5000 mAh battery is advised. Power-saving phones also extend battery life. 

    Travelers: A smartphone with a 4000mAh to 5000mAh battery is recommended for regular travellers who use their phone for navigation, translation, and other travel chores. Wireless charging lets you charge your phone anywhere.

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    How much storage do you need?

    Consider what a smartphone can accomplish and how much it stores in terms of photos, videos, music, and apps.  Storage first, right? “You’re out of storage space” after installing a vital app?

    Low storage slows your phone. A phone needs enough storage to be effective. Don’t skimp on stockpiling when buying your next smartphone.

    Suggestions

    Light users: If you mostly use your phone for calling, texting, accessing social media, and occasionally shooting photos, 32GB of storage should be sufficient. 

    Average users: If you frequently browse, stream videos, play games, and take photographs and videos on your phone, then 64GB or 128GB of storage would be appropriate. 

    Heavy users: If you often save huge games, high-resolution images, videos, music, and other files on your phone, 256GB or more storage space is advised. Those who routinely record 4K videos should utilize this as well because they use a lot of storage.

    Several smartphones support microSD card storage expansion. You can choose a lower storage capacity and upgrade it later if your phone supports this functionality.

     

    How secure is this smartphone?

    In today’s digital age, where cyber-attacks and data breaches are becoming more frequent, choosing a secure smartphone ensures that your personal information, such as passwords, bank account details, and social media accounts, are protected from unauthorised access by hackers or malware. Therefore, it’s crucial to invest in a phone that offers the latest security features, such as biometric authentication, encryption, and regular security updates, to ensure your data remains safe and secure.

    Guideline


    Watch for  Basic security measures like setting a password or PIN, enabling two-factor authentication for important accounts, and updating the device and apps should be considered.

    Higher security is recommended for work-related activities and storing sensitive data like customer data, business plans, and financial information. In addition to setting a strong password or PIN and enabling two-factor authentication, they should use a secure messaging app, install antivirus software, and enable remote wipe in case the device is lost or stolen. 

    Extra precautions should be taken for high-security activities like online banking or cryptocurrency transactions. 

    Use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection. Avoid public Wi-Fi and use a password manager to create and store unique passwords for all your accounts. 

    To restrict children’s access to inappropriate content, apps, and features, look for parental controls.

  • Samsung Galaxy S2, 46 other phones won’t access WhatsApp in 2023

    Samsung Galaxy S2, 46 other phones won’t access WhatsApp in 2023

    Samsung Galaxy S2 and 46 other smartphones won’t be able to access WhatsApp’s software anymore, according to WhatsApp.

    The update was made available by the service through its help center, which stated that impacted devices “may not have the most recent security updates or may lack the necessary functionality to run WhatsApp.”

    WhatsApp discontinues support for some devices annually. Other IT platforms do this. They quit supporting operating systems for the oldest and least-used devices.

    You will receive a direct notification from WhatsApp and “several reminders to upgrade” if your Android or iPhone is one of the mentioned devices.

    Read also: Samsung Unveils Foldables Galaxy Series

    “Devices and software change frequently, so we continuously assess which operating systems we support and make upgrades,” WhatsApp added.

    “Every year, we, like other technology businesses, look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest people currently using them to decide what to quit supporting.

    These smartphones may also lack the most recent security patches or the functionality required to operate WhatsApp.”

    List of phones affected: From January 1, 2023, the following phones will no longer be able to use WhatsApp:

    • iPhone 5
    • iPhone 5c
    • Archos 53 platinum
    • Grand S Flex ZTE
    • Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
    • HTC Desire 500
    • Huawei Ascend D
    • Huawei Ascend D1
    • Huawei Ascend D2
    • Huawei Ascend G740
    • Huawei Ascend Mate
    • Huawei Ascend P1
    • Quad XL
    • Lenovo A820
    • LG Enact
    • LG Lucid 2
    • LG Optimus 4X HD
    • LG Optimus F3
    • LG Optimus F3Q
    • LG Optimus F5
    • LG Optimus F6
    • LG Optimus F7
    • LG Optimus L2 II
    • LG Optimus L3 II
    • LG Optimus L3 II Dual
    • LG Optimus L4 II
    • LG Optimus L4 II Dual
    • LG Optimus L5
    • LG Optimus L5 Dual
    • LG Optimus L5 II
    • LG Optimus L7
    • LG Optimus L7 II
    • LG Optimus L7 II Dual
    • LG Optimus Nitro HD
    • Memo: ZTE V956
    • Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
    • Samsung Galaxy Core
    • Samsung Galaxy S2
    • Samsung Galaxy S3 mini
    • Samsung Galaxy Trend II
    • Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
    • Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
    • Sony Xperia Arc S
    • Sony Xperia Miro
    • Sony Xperia Neo L
    • Wiko Cink Five
    • Wiko Darknight ZT

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    Deadline for those devices

    As we start a new year in 2023, some smartphone users may want to upgrade. “And to keep up with the latest technological advances, we routinely stop supporting older operating systems so that we can put our resources into maintaining the latest ones,” says WhatsApp.

  • Hubert H. Lee is Samsung’s new Head of MX design team

    Hubert H. Lee is Samsung’s new Head of MX design team

    Hubert H. Lee will lead Samsung’s MX (Mobile Experience) team as the new executive vice president, according to reports.

    Most recently, Lee served as Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz China, bringing over two decades of design and leadership experience to Samsung.

    During his time at Mercedes-Benz, Lee was widely recognized for his exceptional management of the company’s design teams in both the United States and China.

    To create Galaxy devices like the S Series, Z Series, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Watch, and more, Lee will now be in charge of Samsung’s MX Design Team. His originality and foresight will contribute to Galaxy’s aesthetic direction, strengthening the platform’s recognizable design philosophy.

    Read also: Samsung Unveils Foldables Galaxy Series

    “I am excited to join a company that is on the bleeding edge of mobile innovation and lead the team responsible for creating new mobile experiences through the art of design,” said Hubert H. Lee, who was hired by Samsung. “Samsung is known for building some of the world’s most beautiful products with designs that have transformed the mobile industry.”

    An Overview of MX Design

    In the late 1960s, engineers in the UK gathered for computer-aided road design conferences, where they discussed ways to enhance the BIPS program. From these meetings, MX was born (which used templates to design roads). Gordon Craine of Durham County Council, Jeff Houlton of West Sussex County Council, and Eric Malcolmson of Northamptonshire County Council, three active Civil Engineers, conceived the idea for string modelling. 

    Samsung Plans to make Semiconductor chips more Efficient

    Gordon Craine claims that in 1970, at a Computer Science Society panel conference in Maidstone, Kent, the group met at a local pub. They decided that the cross section over straightforward stretches of the road wasn’t what they needed, but rather the ability to build kerb lines in more complicated regions. Someone sketched his plan on a beer mat. What ended up on the beer mat was the first software design specification for what would become MX.

    In 1971, the three successfully pitched the idea to their respective County Engineers of working together remotely on a suite of programs that 6speak to a central database. MOSS (Modeling of Surfaces with Strings) is a new software program that defines each characteristic of a road or survey as a separate item called a string. A set of strings specified a surface. Thus, it was around this time that the idea of surface modeling for roads was conceived. 

  • Samsung Plans to make Semiconductor chips more Efficient

    Samsung Plans to make Semiconductor chips more Efficient

    Samsung Foundry, one of the largest semiconductor chip manufacturing companies, reveals that it will strive to make semiconductor chips smaller, quicker, and more power-efficient. This was disclosed during the Samsung Foundry Forum 2022 event. The company also announced its plans to produce 2nm and 1.4 nm chips.

    Prior to this, the companies leading chip is the 3nm chip. Samsung Foundry started the mass production of the world’s first 3nm chips (SF3E) featuring GAA (Gate All Around) technology months ago. GAA is an overhaul of the basic transistor design, which only happens once in a few years. The company promises massive improvements in power efficiency with the help of this technology. Samsung plans to introduce second-generation 3nm semiconductor chips (SF3) by 2024.

    Compared to the first generation of 3nm chips, the company’s second generation chips will feature 20 smaller transistors, resulting in smaller and more power-efficient CPUs for devices such as smartphones, personal computers, cloud servers, and wearable electronics. Using the SF3P+ method, Samsung hopes to enhance its 3nm transistor manufacturing technology and enter mass production by 2025.

    Read also: Samsung Unveils Foldables Galaxy Series

    The company has stated that it will start the production of 2nm chips by 2025. At this time, the South Korean company will examine the issue of chip-backside power supply. Typically, just one side of a semiconductor chip is used to power transistors and facilitate communication between them. With the new backside power delivery technology, communication and power delivery are divided into opposite sides of a chip. As a result, the chip’s total performance is enhanced.

    The company plans to implement its innovative ideas in 2027

    In addition to its existing semiconductor production plans, Samsung Foundry has introduced the 1.4nm or SF1.4 node. In 2027, the company plans to start manufacturing its 1.4nm devices in volume. There are also initiatives in progress to advance the business’ existing 2.5D/3D heterogeneous integration packaging methodology.

    According to Dr Si-young Choi, Samsung Electronics’ president and head of the Foundry Business, 2027 will be a pivotal year for the company. The company plans to mass-produce 1.4nm chips, raise its advanced nodes production capacity by a factor of three, and expand its non-mobile (e.g., high-performance computing and automotive) foundry portfolio by 50 per cent.

    He continues, given that 3nm semiconductors are currently being manufactured at scale. It seems unlikely that Samsung would fail to meet its 2025 and 2027 targets. “To ensure the targets are met, resources must be allocated, and “foundry platforms customized for each application” must be developed. Moving ahead, Samsung will prioritize the construction of cleanrooms as part of its “Shell-First” strategy for its foundry operations. The fab equipment to fill them is still in the process, and the method will remain adaptable so Samsung can quickly pivot to meet the needs of various markets”.

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    Samsung focuses on automotive and 5G/6G communication markets

    The automotive, HPC or High-Performance Computing, Internet of Things, and 5G industries are forecast to account for half of the South Korean company’s semiconductor demand. Manufacturing chips for the automotive and HPC markets will leverage the company’s improved 4nm technologies. It presently manufactures 28nm eNVM chips for its automotive customers but aspires to provide 14nm eNVM solutions by 2024 and 8nm eNVM solutions in the not-too-distant future.

    Samsung currently produces 8nm RF, or Radio Frequency, chips for the telecommunications industry and is developing 5nm RF chips that may be released soon. The “cleanrooms” are something the firm is considering for its semiconductor production facilities. It will be simpler for the business to keep fab equipment and access it during times of high demand if it is separated into these divisions.