Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Mini Confirmed

While there have been plenty of rumours about the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Mini going about, we finally have confirmation that it will actually be produced. From Lee Keon Hyok, Senior Vice President at Samsung Electronics who talked to BusinessWeek recently, the quote goes like this, “the Galaxy S 4 doesn’t come out until late April. It’s fast, has a big, bright screen, and will probably be another huge hit for Samsung, as will the S4 mini that will go on sale soon after”.Earlier Bloomberg was also credited with a similar slip of the tongue and while Bloomberg's credibility is very high it also helps that we get confirmation straight from Samsung itself. You can read earlier Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Mini rumours here and here or check out an estimated tech specs sheet at Mobile Mega Mall here. This quote from Samsung also confirms when we'll probably see the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV in the flesh despite preregistration going on throughout the world which including Malaysia as well.


Android Wear 2.0: Which smartwatches will be getting it?

Android Wear 2.0, which was supposed to be released in Q4 2016, was delayed, and is now finally seeing the light of the day. The first smartwatches to run it, would be the just-unveiled LG Watch Sport and Watch Style. Of course, they would not be the only models getting this update as it is also making its way into older smartwatches.

Now, if you’re one of the previous-generation Android Wear Smartwatch users, you must be wondering, “Would this new update arrive on my wrists?”. Well, the answer is, Yes, but only to certain devices. Google has, Thankfully, provided the full list of supported devices that will be getting the Android Wear 2.0 update once it becomes available for your smartwatch. Here are the shortlisted smartwatches:

It does look like some of the Android Wear smartwatches will be missing out on this update though, with devices such as the first generation of both the Asus Zenwatch and Moto 360 missing from the list. Do note that, while your smartwatch might be included in the supported update list, the new software would not hit all of them at once, and it may take quite a while for it to make its way to every single watch out there. Well, at least, we now know that Android Wear 2.0 is finally on its way. Can’t wait for more developments on smart wearables.


Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV NFC only works with New TecTiles 2

The Samsung Galaxy S4 brings with many new additional features and functions. While NFC isn't new and has been available on the Samsung Galaxy SIII, Samsung recently revealed that the previous programmable NFC sticker TecTiles doesn't work with the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV. So if you've been using this a lot (and have TecTile stickers all over the place) don't be surprised if your new Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV doesn't seem to work with them. This is because Samsung have released a new TecTiles 2 version. This news isn't such a big thing for Malaysia where not many people actually use it but for the tech savvy it could be the explanation for why your new smartphone isn't working as you well as the previous one.

To find out if you're using TecTiles 1 and need to get new TecTiles 2, place your Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV smartphone over the TecTile tag. If the Samsung TecTile screen shows up with an error message "This tag is not supported" it means you need to go and replace your TecTiles. TecTile 2 tags should be available for retail soon and shouldn't cost much more than what the original TecTile 1 tags cost. For those of you who are interested in using TecTiles check out the video below:


Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Pre-orders Begin but Malaysia Coming Later!

Samsung has finally released confirmed dates as to when the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV will be released in the United Kingdom with these dates being 25 and 26 April 2013. UK retailers have since opened up Pre-order registration for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV starting from £629.95 (RM2962.44) without any SIM (meaning there isn't any data plan or service contract). The smartphone is available in both 'Black Mist' and 'White Frost'.So far, data plans involving the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV and UK retailers pre-order packages include contracts starting from £32 to £41 (RM150.48 to RM192.81) per month and upfront payments of £99.99 (RM470.22) and above. Amazon also has similar pre-order packages with both colours on sale. SIM free versions on Amazon are also £600 (RM2821.59) and above with a higher premium on the white coloured Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV. No news yet on pre-order packages for Malaysia and other South East Asian countries, but the prices listed here should probably reflect on the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV price in Malaysia as expecting after 26 April 2013. For a refresher of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV tech specs at Mobile Mega Mall, click here.


Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Review

The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV comes in Black Mist and White Frost

Every time I do a flagship smartphone review I always compare it with the Pomegranate phone (which was a fake/hoax). This review about the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is no different. The only difference here, is that in some ways the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV may actually beat the Pomegranate phone. Read on and find out how.

Building upon the record sales-breaking design of the Samsung Galaxy SIII, the Samsung Galaxy S4 looks exactly like it. It has the same Polycarbonate (plastic) shell, the same rounded corners, the same look and feel. Just this time around, Samsung have somehow managed to squeeze in more screen space, make it thinner, lighter and have a bigger capacity battery.

The same Polycarbonate chasis but the textured back makes for a more comfortable grip

The textured back and slightly more contoured shape makes it a lot more comfortable to hold than the Samsung Galaxy S III. The 5-inch Super AMOLED delivers stunning 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution images at any angle and even works well in direct sunlight, but if you don't like the standard AMOLED oversaturated look, it does have the option to turn it off. The new Corning Gorilla Glass 3 does an excellent job at scratch-proofing, even better than the Samsung Galaxy S III.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Super AMOLED screen has the highest 441 ppi (pixel per inch) in the market

Coming in both Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 and Samsung Exynos 5 Octa flavours, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV beats out almost all of its competitors in hardware performance. It has NFC, LTE support, a 13MP autofocus rear camera, a 2MP front camera, can record 1080p 30fps on both cameras at once and a host of other S themed tools that make the overall experience as rich as any Apple iPhone.

The Air View lets you control without touching

While it doesn't have any S-Pen support the Air View lets you hover your finger over the screen and act like a mouse cursor, making the S-Pen redundant. The total list of S Apps is very long, and while most are rather gimicky many are quite useful.  The S Translator in particular translates languages on the fly just like the Pomegranate phone. These S Apps also let you control your phone with a wave of your hand, dictate text and do voice commands, remove unwanted objects from your pictures and they anticipate your next move as smartly as those in an iPhone 5, if not better. The speaker is good and loud while the 13MP rear camera is one of the best in the market, providing crystal clear images and blindingly bright flash. However, while you do get 1080p 30fps video recording, the viewfinder space is actually smaller than the Samsung Galaxy S III. In terms of pure outright performance, it will play and run any app in the market and won't lag for anything. Thanks to its Bluetooth 4.0 support and HDMI capable MHL 2.0 port you can hook it up to your HDTV and a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to do anything your computer can do. Battery life is just a bit better though, perhaps because of all the more powerful hardware. Click here for a more complete tech spec sheet comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 / S IV and the Samsung Galaxy S III.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is about as complete a 'life companion' as any smartphone. While Samsung isn't far off from calling it an evolution of the Samsung Galaxy S III, it doesn't do much in terms of the design, which is what many people look for in a smartphone. While it outperforms practically any smartphone around, if you didn't like the Samsung Galaxy S III because of its design then you won't like the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV regardless of how powerful it is. However, if you loved the Samsung Galaxy S III but thought it could use a bit more power, then the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is perfect for you. If you don't care that much about the design then get the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV as well, as it should beat out every other smartphone where it counts the most; performance and features and it will continue do so for quite some time yet.


Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV Telco Plan Comparison

Practically all of the major telcos have already come out with their bundle plans for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV. While not totally unexpected, all of them are offering the Non-LTE enabled Exynos 5 Octa powered Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV or I9500. The estimated RRP for this model is at RM2199. According to some telcos the LTE-enabled version or I9505 is coming soon, perhaps to be offered with a suitable LTE bundle plan.

The first Pre-order bundle plan for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV came from DiGi which is listed in the table below:

The DiGi bundle plans have rebates for the DG Smart Plan 58 and DG Smart Plan 88 of RM10 and RM20 respectively while the DG Smart Plan 148 does not. However, the DG Smart Plan 148 provides the largest amount of Data and freebies along with the lowest rates.

U Mobile came next with their Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV bundle plans. For more details check out the table below:

This time around, U Mobile also included a special U Plus plan. It does offer generous savings and the same RM899 price as the U Premium plan but this plan is conditional in that you need to be a long-time U Mobile postpaid customer to qualify. The U Plus plan also does not appear in the standard Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV bundle plans on the U Mobile site.

Maxis was the next to come up with their Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV plans as detailed in the table below:

In this round Maxis added on an extra 12 months contract for all the bundle plans involved. Strangely enough, the bundle plan with the lowest subsidized price of RM1149 does not have the highest Data quota and there are certain conditions to be met before you can get this price. These conditions include that it is Exclusive for Online offers (which provides an RM100 rebate from the normal price of RM1249) and is only available for new Maxis Line subscriptions.

As usual, Celcom was the last, but not the least to offer their Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV bundle plans. Check out their details in the table below:

As you can see, Celcom added on even more flexibility by offering 12 months, 18 months and 24 months contracts for multiple plans. Of note was the additional mPro Plus plan which provided a much lower monthly fee but raised the general Call and SMS rates while maintaining the same top 5GB Data Quota as the high-end Celcom First Elite bundle plan. It was also the only Celcom bundle plan to provide freebies. At RM1388 it was also just a bit higher than the lowest subsidized price of RM1338.

A complete comparison of the lowest subsidized price on the highest-end bundle plans for each telco is shown in the table below:

Do check out other Celcom, Maxis, U Mobile and DiGi plans or go to their respective Celcom, Maxis, U Mobile and DiGi sites for more information.


Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV getting US delays, Malaysia too?

There is no doubt about it, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV has got to be one of the most popular and in-demand smartphones around. Users in the US are clamoring for it just as much as users over here in Malaysia. Unfortunately there is such a thing as demand outstripping supply, which has been blamed for the recent delays of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV in the US.Already, some US carriers such as T-Mobile are moving the pre-order campaign from 24 April 2013 to 29 April 2013. Sprint is also moving the sales start from 27 April 2013 to a later but still unnamed date. According to these carriers, online pre-orders will be filled first before other orders can be processed. Other carriers such as Verizon have pushed the release date all the way to 30 May 2013.So far, the Malaysia launch date looks to still be in place but those looking to get a new Samsung Galaxy S4 and who haven't pre-ordered it may be in for a good wait before supply replenishes.


Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV iFixit Teardown Findings

The folks at iFixit just love tearing down smartphones and this was no different for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV when it officially came out. After a brief tear down they discovered that the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV:

With an iFixit score of 8 out of 10 the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is very easy to repair. To put this in perspective the Apple iPhone 5 got an iFixit score of 7 out of 10 while the near unrepairable HTC One has an iFixit score of 1 out of 10. This means if you drop and damage your Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV it should be relatively easy and affordable to repair. While the removable battery isn't something new, do remember that the HTC One and Apple iPhone 5 both don't have a removable battery, so if you're starting to have charging issues you can replace the battery on the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV but won't be able to do so by yourself with the HTC One or the Apple iPhone 5.


Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV officially launching in Malaysia! Updated Launch Locations

It's finally official. The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is going to be officially launched in Malaysia on 27 April 2013 at a still 'secret' location. Thankfully, Malaysia is one of the countries to get the first roll-out of Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV smartphones. Still no news on pricing but all things considered you should probably prepare around RM2200 as all of the Malaysian Telcos we've seen have the RRP for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV at RM2199.

UPDATE: Samsung have revealed the location of the launchings as below:

For now, please enjoy all of the videos about the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV to date:


Samsung Galaxy S4, S3 and Note II will support Galaxy Gear smartwatch by end of 2013

Samsung have confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch will soon be compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S III smartphones. The news comes courtesy of Lee Young-hee, Executive Vice President for Marketing of Samsung who stated that the S4 would be compatible by end of October 2013. The Note II and Galaxy S III on the other hand will be compatible by end of December. This compatibility hinges on the smartphones getting their Android 4.3 updates which will then enable the Bluetooth 4.0 LE support required by the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch to work. As mentioned earlier, the Samsung Galaxy Gear has an RRP of RM999 in Malaysia although it can be acquired for free as a combo deal with certain local telcos. In related news, Samsung will be working on apps or a user experience to make the Gear smartwatch pop more as they acknowledge that the smartwatch "lacks something special".


Samsung Galaxy S4 Updates: More Space and World's First TCO Certification

Space has been a major issue with the Samsung Galaxy S4 since day 1 of it's release. This is mainly because while the smartphone technically comes with 16GB worth of storage users only get access to about 8.8GB. Samsung have since announced that they may release an update clearing up more space on the internal storage but have not specified how or when they might do so. In any case it could be something to watch for in the next firmware update of the Samsung Galaxy S4.

In related news, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was also the first smartphone to get a TCO eco-friendly certification. The TCO certification is an award given by TCO Development for sustainability for IT products. The award was given not just for the Samsung Galaxy S4's recycled packaging but also because it was shown to be free of hazardous materials such as beryllium, mercury and nickel. This makes it much easier to recycle the Samsung Galaxy S4 later on.


Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom: Tech specs and Sample image

While Samsung have already come out with their Galaxy Camera they still intend to stick a more powerful camera sensor on one of their smartphones like Nokia's EOS and Sony's Honami. Upping the sensor megapixels to 16MP from the current standard of 13MP, the new cameraphone from Samsung will most likely be called the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, making it a variant of the current flagship Samsung Galaxy S4. Other tech specs rumoured to come out for the Zoom include:

In more recent reports, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom may actually be a bit more compact as rumours indicate that rather than a Samsung Galaxy S4 variant it may instead be a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini variant. Industry watchers expect it to be announced in early June. While it's existance has been confirmed by the Bluetooth certification body it doesn't mean that it wouldn't be a 2nd-gen Galaxy Camera.

A sample image taken using the Zoom has appeared and the Exif data contained in the image confirms that, the model name for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is SM-C101. The cameraphone packs in 24mm focal length with a diagonal sensor size of 1/2.5-inch and has a variable aperture with the widest aperture at F2.97. Check out the photo and Exif data for yourself below:


Android Wear 2.0 upgrades revealed at Google I/O 2016

David Singleton from Google presenting the Android Wear 2.0

In other news during Google I/O 2016 event earlier today in the USA, Google has also revealed Android Wear 2.0 with several important smartwatch upgrades aimed to make the user's wearable experience to the next level. Presented by David Singleton, below are some of the upgrades from the new upcoming version:

As usual, Android Wear 2.0 can be access through both Android and iOS. But overall, the new Android Wear 2.0 can do just fine alone without a smartphone around which is nice. Android Wear 2.0 is said to arrive later this fall, after Android N is released.

Stay tuned for more I/O 2016 updates later on at Technave.com!


Samsung Galaxy S4 and S4 mini Black Editions offer black and leather class

Samsung recently announced Black Editions for their Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 mini smartphones. While both smartphones have come in black before, the Black Edition version adds on a black artificial leather backside instead of the usual plastic casing for both smartphones. Tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Black Edition match up with that of the Samsung Galaxy S4 4G LTE or i9505 which includes a 1.9gHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor. The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini Black Edition uses the same 1.7GHz dual-core processor and is priced at RUB16000 (RM1500). The Galaxy S4 Black Edition is going for RUB23000 (RM2100). Both smartphones will be introduced in Russia first with a roll-out to other markets like Malaysia happening afterwards.


Samsung Galaxy S4 mini La Fleur edition officially announced

Samsung's La Fleur Collection of smartphones and tablets is aimed at the trendy modern women with various floral patterns on the casings. The latest addition to this collection is the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini La Fleur Edition which was officially announced recently. Going for a patterned red look with chrome sides the smartphone looks like a smartphone in red cheongsam which could go great with a matching outfit for the coming New Year. Tech specs for the smartphone include a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display and 8MP rear camera. Priced from EUR417 (RM1878) the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini La Fleur Edition will be available from January 2014 with a Malaysia release date sometime afterwards.


Samsung Galaxy S4 mini coming in Scarlet Dawn, Bronze Autumn and Blue Iceberg

The recently released Samsung Galaxy S4 mini will apparently arrive in three new colours. These include the usually thematically named Scarlet Dawn, Bronze Autumn and Blue Iceberg, which basically means red, brown and blue. Check out the pics of the mini in all three colours below. Unfortunately, there isn't any mention when these colours will be available but the official announcement should be soon.


Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5: Total Destruction!

While we've seen any number of drop tests between the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5, we've never seen how much punishment each device can actually take. The video below shows just that, putting both smartphones through total destruction tests to see just how tough and durable each smartphone is. The results may surprise you, especially considering that one is made from a supposedly tougher aluminum unibody, while another is mostly premium plastic. Granted, the Samsung Galaxy S4 does have Gorilla Glass 3 but this is only good for screen related tests.


Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note 2: Battle of the Samsung Flagships

Samsung are arguably the current king of the heap in many smartphone markets, but if you're already a Samsung convert, then which Samsung Flagship model smartphone or phablet should you pick up? This time around, we answer this question and see how the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV, Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note II match up. The one page tech specs comparison can be seen here.

The Samsung Galaxy S III is by far the oldest model in the bunch for this round of comparisons followed by the Samsung Galaxy Note II. The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV on the other has yet to be officially released here in Malaysia although quite a few reviewers have had the chance to take a crack at it. While both the Samsung Galaxy S III and S4 / S IV fall under the smartphone category, the Samsung Galaxy Note II is technically a phablet or phone tablet, so this comparison isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison. Still, it should cover most of your concerns on which Samsung Flagship model suits you best.

The Samsung Galaxy S III has the best price but oldest tech

The price in Malaysia for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV still hasn't been disclosed but many are estimating it to cost around RM2400 and below on contract or around RM2699 without any data plan contract. The Samsung Galaxy Note II on the other hand used to go for an RRP of RM2299 without contract but this has since dropped to around RM1750 and lower on contract (the U Mobile deal for example offers a subsidized price of RM899). Being the oldest model, the Samsung Galaxy S III used to retail at around the same price but has since dropped down to about RM1499 without contract. Under the Maxis Talkmore48 + 1GB data plan deal it is perhaps the most affordable at RM599.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV has the best design and screen

Since they are all Samsung devices, they all generally look the same and are built using the same polycarbonate plastic chassis. However, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV definitely looks better than the Galaxy S III thanks to its narrower bezels and larger screen. It fits better in the hand too. The Samsung Galaxy SIII still looks better than the Samsung Galaxy Note II which is just a larger version of the Galaxy S III but in terms of UI the Note II looks better. While all of them use Super AMOLED screens, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is the only one that offers 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution. The colours on the S4's 5.0-inch screen are also better balanced compared to the oversaturated look on the Note II and Galaxy S III. Both the Note II and Galxy S III feature 720 x 1280 pixel density screens but since the 4.8-inch screen on the Galaxy S III is smaller than the Note II's 5.5-inch screen, it has a higher ppi of 306 pixels per inch. Thanks to the Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the Galaxy S4 is also tougher than the other two which use Corning Gorilla Glass 2.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is better than the Galaxy S III and Note II in almost every way. It has a better Exynos 5 Octa or Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, a 13MP autofocus camera with dual video call, a much better PowerVR SGX 544MP3 graphics chip and it has one of the longest list of Galaxy S features available. By contrast the Note II matches up better to the Galaxy S4 as it also has a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, LTE support and 2GB of RAM but apart from this and it's screen it is virtually identical to the Galaxy S III. Granted the Note II does have a much larger battery and a few more S features thanks to its awesome S pen but everything else is more or less the same. There is only one area where both the Note II and Galaxy S III outdo the Galaxy S4 and that is in terms of radio support, which the Galaxy S4 doesn't have.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV scores about 27000 and above in the AnTuTu benchmark while the Samsung Galaxy S III gets a score of 16301 and above. The Samsung Galaxy Note II outdoes the Galaxy S III with an AnTuTu score of 17531. In terms of battery life, the Note II easily wins this test thanks to its larger 3100 mAh battery but the Galaxy S III surprisingly edges out the Galaxy S4, perhaps because the Galaxy S4 has a larger screen and more powerful processor.

If you had to pick a winner, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV remains our best choice mainly because it outperforms all the rest, has the most and best features and is probably the smartphone to futureproof you against buying another smartphone for another 2-3 years. If you must choose between the Samsung Galaxy Note II and S III and don't care about the screen size, then the Note II is the better choice. Newer features and better performance with support for newer technologies along with S Pen support make the Note II a better bet. In a different battle with less worthy smartphones the Samsung Galaxy S III could probably hold it's ground and win but against it's two newer successors it places 3rd in our Samsung Flagship smartphone battle. Still, if your needs are very little and you don't mind being tied to Maxis for two years, the RM599 deal for the Galaxy S III is very tempting, especially for someone currently using an obsolete phone.


Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z vs HTC One vs Apple iPhone 5 Battery Tests

Ever wondered which smartphone would last the longest or have the longest battery life? Well, it isn't just you as some testers from UK have put the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z, HTC One, Apple iPhone 5, Google Nexus 4, BlackBerry Z10 and Nokia Lumia 920 through a number of battery tests for call time, internet usage and charging time. The results may shock you but do check out the results:


Samsung Galaxy S5 Active officially announced for AT&T in US

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active has been officially announced for the AT&T telco in the US. While it does look different from the Samsung Galaxy S5 with it's rugged looking backside and physical buttons below the touchscreen display, it turns out that it carries the same IP67 water and dust resistance certification as the Galaxy S5. Tech specs and features for the Samsung Galaxy S5 active include a 2.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 11GB storage, 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution, 16MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 2800 mAh battery and Android 4.4.2. While there is a military theme going on, we can't confirm that it actually has military grade shock proofing and since it is made for AT&T there's practically no hope that we'll see it appear in Malaysia any time soon.[Source]


Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Gear 2 and Gear Fit now officially available in Malaysia

Samsung Malaysia recently made it official, that their flagship smartphone the Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch and Samsung Gear Fit smartband are now currently available in Malaysia. While retail pricing for the three devices have been set at RM2399 for the Samsung Galaxy S5, RM899 for the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 and RM599 for the Samsung Gear Fit, they can be bought at discounted prices through local telco deals and at all Samsung Experience stores, authorized sellers and distributors. For a complete breakdown of the available Samsung Galaxy S5 local telco deals from Celcom, Maxis, DiGi and U Mobile feel free to check out our Samsung Galaxy S5 plan comparison tool. Check out the videos of the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Gear 2 and Gear Fit below for a refresher:

The Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 and Gear Fit highlight video


Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A officially announced for Korea

Samsung does it again with the release of the more powerful LTE-A powered Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A. Having done the exact same thing with the previous Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE+, the newly announced Galaxy S5 LTE-A is the more powerful version of the flagship smartphone with tech specs that include a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM, 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution, 16MP ISOCELL camera, fingerprint sensor, hearbeat monitor, LTE-A support and 2800 mAh battery. The smartphone is still IP 67 certified for dust and water resistance but doesn't hit the top speed of 300Mbps for LTE-A. Instead, it goes for just 225 Mbps which is still blazingly fast compared to the rest of us.

By now, those who remembered the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE+ will be heaving sighs of relief and waiting in line for the Galaxy S5 LTE-A. Those who didn't will probably rage about it a bit. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S5 LTE-A is likely meant for just South Korea so there probably won't be any Malaysia release dates. The smartphone also does not have any metal backside, which could mean that this isn't the Samsung Galaxy F smartphone you've been waiting for.[Source]


Samsung Galaxy S5 Malaysia Release Date and Specs

Samsung Malaysia recently made it official, that their flagship smartphone the Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch and Samsung Gear Fit smartband are now currently available in Malaysia. While retail pricing for the three devices have been set at RM2399 for the Samsung Galaxy S5, RM899 for the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 and RM599 for the Samsung Gear Fit, they can be bought at discounted prices through local telco deals and at all Samsung Experience stores, authorized sellers and distributors. For a complete breakdown of the available Samsung Galaxy S5 local telco deals from Celcom, Maxis, DiGi and U Mobile feel free to check out our Samsung Galaxy S5 plan comparison tool.

Samsung Malaysia has announced that they will be offering special gifts for 55 fans who purchase the Samsung Galaxy S5 during the 11 April 2014 launch this Friday. In addition to these special gifts and the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone at RM2399, Samsung will also be selling the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch at RM899 and the Samsung Gear Fit smartband at RM599. This 1-day promotion will be available at:

Samsung Malaysia has recently indicated that their latest Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone is coming to Malaysia as soon as 27 March 2014. This follows the teasers done by all the major telcos in Malaysia like DiGi, Celcom and Maxis and it is also ahead of the 11 April 2014 international roll-out date. While there aren't any other details, we expect the Samsung Galaxy S5 to be launched simultaneously by all three major telcos either on the same date or a day or so afterwards. We're expecting a rather big launch for each telco with big deals for the first-comers and early birds so keep 27 March 2014 and the days after open on your calendar. While there isn't any official pricing just yet, some local sites are estimating that it could go for RM2399.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has recently been officially announced. So far, the latest in the long range of Samsung Galaxy S series flagship smartphones manages to retain more or less the same design as before except for a more perforated backside but manages to offer up a number of interesting tech specs and features nonetheless. Malaysia release dates for the Samsung Galaxy S5 are expected on or after 11 March 2014 with Malaysia pricing expected to be about $600 (RM1969). Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted, but for now, check out the Samsung Galaxy S5 tech specs below:


Android Webview's latest update could be the reason why your apps keep crashing

If you're an Android user and noticed that some of the apps are not performing well as they used to, this might be the thing that you need to blame. According to the source, the latest Android Webview update is causing troubles to the users as they face frequent crashes while using some apps.

It looks like the latest update contains a bug and there's no official fix at the moment. For your information, Android Webview is used for displaying webpages among the apps such as Gmail. Google’s Workspace Status Dashboard has also confirmed that service disruptions have been registered for Gmail especially on 23 March.

For now, the temporary fix can be done by uninstalling the latest update through Google Play Store. Google has also released a statement regarding the matter by claiming that "they are aware of an issue with Webview causing some apps on Android to crash and are currently working to fully validate the scope and a fix is in progress."

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


Samsung Galaxy S5 also has baby monitor feature built-in

On top of some impressive tech specs and new hardware features the Samsung Galaxy S5 apparently has a baby monitor feature built-in. Unlike a typical 'S' app the feature can be found under the Hearing sub-menu. If your child cries the Galaxy S5 will vibrate, which seems rather redundant at first. However, the function is supposed to be used in tandem with the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch which makes more sense for those parents who sleep in separate bedrooms from their children or who tend to sleep through the loudest of noises regardless.


Samsung Galaxy S5 battery life benchmarked

The Samsung Galaxy S5 upped the battery to 2800 mAh from 2600 mAh but also added on a whole bunch of upgraded tech specs and hardware as well. Many have been wondering how that would affect battery life for Samsung's latest smartphone. Thankfully, battery life benchmarks have been done with some pretty good results. While it doesn't take the top spot in all categories, it does offer more than 7 hours of continuous usage along with 10 hours of just browsing. Check out the other benchmark results for yourself below:


Samsung Galaxy S5 battery life benchmarked again

The more tests the better, especially if it is something as subjective as battery life, which is why we've got this battery life test for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Covering Talk time, Web Browsing and Video playback, the Galaxy S5 does surprisingly well despite having a much brighter screen than before. This includes continuous talk time of more than 21 hours with 3G enabled along with 9 hours and 36 minutes of web browsing. In terms of battery tech specs, the Galaxy S5 does have a slightly larger 2800 mAh battery resulting in video playback of 11 hours. If you really need to save battery life Samsung have included many power saving features like the Ultra Power Saving mode, which basically turns your Galaxy S5 into an e-ink smartphone with little to no connectivity. Check out the graphs for yourself below:


Samsung Galaxy S5 concept render appears with curved screen and extreme tech specs

Quite a few people are looking forward to the Samsung Galaxy S5, including those who can create a reasonable concept render. This concept render of the Samsung Galaxy S5 appeared from the folks at O2 Guru TV sporting a curved screen from top to bottom, much like the LG G Flex. While this looks pretty and all, what is really interesting are the tech specs coming with the concept render. These Samsung Galaxy S5 tech specs include:

Most of these tech specs and features actually look achievable although we can't help but wish for some form of anti-shake or OIS for the camera. Granted, the concept render and tech specs are all just hopeful wishes (many of which are based on other rumours), but time has proven that once in a while the big manufacturers do listen or we wouldn't get wireless lens like the Sony QX100 and QX10 now would we? For now, check out the full concept render video below:


Samsung Galaxy S5 concept render looks like a HTC One

We've seen quite a few Samsung Galaxy S5 concept renders, including one with a curved screen, but there are of course many designers in the world with variously different opinions. One of the latest to surface is a concept render for the Samsung Galaxy S5 that not only features a metal unibody design but looks like a combination of a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a HTC One. This concept render comes courtesy of Hasan Kaymak who has created other concept renders before. In addition to the smartphone render, he has also added on how he'd see TouchWiz 5 looking like, which to us looks like it's borrowing the flat look from iOS 7. While it does look nice, we find it rather unlikely that Samsung would go in that direction, but do enjoy the pictures below:


Samsung Galaxy S5 goes for a 1 meter dive

While it wasn't the first water-proof smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S5 does carry one of the higher water-resistant certifications around. Featuring an IP67 certification this is higher than some Sony Xperia smartphones, which originally started the trend, however, the official certification states that it can survive for up to 30 minutes under water at a depth of 1 meter. Wanting to test this out, Mobile-Review have dunked the Samsung Galaxy S5 in a 1 meter deep aquarium for a little bit more than 10 minutes. During that time the smartphone not only maintained a connection with the Galaxy Gear smartwatch it was paired with, it also received calls with no visible problems. Coming out of the water it also seemed just fine, proving that yes, you can bring the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the pool next time. Like other water-resistant smartphones, the key here is to make sure that all the seals have been placed tightly and neatly as you can still brick a water-proof smartphone if you don't seal it properly. Check out the video for yourself.


Samsung Galaxy S5 goes through SUV and drop test

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is not only waterproof and dustproof, it is also a lot tougher than it's predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S4. Wanting to see how much tougher the Galaxy S5 is, TechSmartt took both smartphones for a drop test. Going a bit more than the usual head and waist heights, they even did a drop test at about 10 feet, all of which the Galaxy S5 did very well with. In the end, they even drove over it with an SUV. How do you think the Galaxy S5 fared afterwards? Check out the video for yourself below:


Samsung Galaxy S5 goes through extreme water tests!

After being dropped, run over and dunked into an aquarium, the Samsung Galaxy S5 goes through a number of other water tests to see how far it can go. While the first test just pushes the Galaxy S5 a bit more than the IP67 certification states (depth of 1m for 30 minutes) in a pool, the second test is a lot more extreme and involves a pair of blue jeans and a washing machine. Like all of these water-proofed devices, the key to water proofing lays in the sealing, which Samsung seem to have pulled off much better than their first Samsung Galaxy S4 Active attempt. Check out the video for yourself below:


Samsung Galaxy S5 mini officially announced with heart rate monitor, fingerprint sensor and IP67

Samsung recently announced the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini. Confirming many of the rumoured tech specs and features, the new mini version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 will have IP67 water and dust resistance certification, a heart rate monitor and fingerprint scanner. It will retain the same perforated backside and chrome siding while other notable tech specs and features also include:

While there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing it is expected to come from July 2014 onwards and be available in Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue and Copper Gold.


Samsung Galaxy S5 reference design appears

There have been quite a lot of concept renders already for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 but a new one has come up nonetheless. This render comes from Sonny Dickson who isn't a designer but is more well-known for being a serial leaker of smartphones. He recently posted this render with the message that it was a design reference for the Samsung Galaxy S5. The design looks nothing like the previous Samsung smartphone patent, but then it also looks very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S4. While he didn't mention any tech specs or features, the design does offer measurements with the "design reference" measuring 141.7mm x 72.5mm x 8.2mm, making it larger and thicker than the Samsung Galaxy S4, which could be to make way for a bigger screen and battery. With the Samsung Galaxy S5 set to be unveiled in just another week or so, we won't have to wait long to find out how it will really look. [Source]


Android apps now on beta for Windows 11 via Amazon Appstore

Did you manage to get Windows 11 on your PC yet? If you did, you might be starting to wonder how to get more use out of it. One of Microsoft's plans is to get native Android support on Windows 11, and now we have some official updates on that.

According to Microsoft, Windows Insiders will get to test Android apps on Windows 11 starting today. Specifically, users from the US who are signed up to Microsoft's Windows Insider Program can access selected Android apps via the Amazon Appstore. Now you can play mobile games on your PC, read Kindle books, and more from your PC.

You can read Kindle books via the Kindle app on Windows 11

Fortunately, there's a tentative workaround even if you're not in the US. First, you'll need to be in the Windows Insider Program Beta Channel. Next, go to your Windows control panel and switch your 'Region' to "United States". Finally, you need a US-based Amazon account. Microsoft also listed other details in its "Getting Started" guide, so check that out if you're interested.

Mind you, we can't guarantee that it'll work if you're not in the US. But if it worked, do share your experience with us in the comments below! Also, stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Samsung Galaxy S6 Pre-MWC rumor roundup

We are just a few hours away from the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 flagship smartphone which is probably the most anticipated phone of the year. It is said that under its project zero initiative Samsung will rebuild the new flagship device from scratch. Recent leaks confirm this news as the S6 was spotted in a number of images online. The alleged pictures of the S6 reveal that Samsung has seriously stepped up its design in the new phone. According to the pictures, the device will have a metal frame and a glass panel both on the front and the back. Unlike predecessors, the back will be non-removable and there will be no memory card slot. Instead, it is rumored that the Galaxy S6 could come with a 128GB flash storage that was recently announced by Samsung. The new storage is said to be 2.7 times faster at random data reads as compared to regular flash storage and its sequential speeds are in line with that of SSDs. In the software area too, Samsung will streamline the user experience with reportedly less bloatware. The overall UI will be like the Nexus Vanilla Android experience. A recent report also revealed the full list of apps that will come pre-installed on the S6. They are as follows: S Voice, S Health, Facebook, WhatsApp (download link), Microsoft One Drive, Microsoft One Note, Skype, All Google apps, Galaxy Apps. The company will officially announce the Galaxy S6 today, but a Dutch carrier has already made the device available for pre-order on-contract for free at EUR 44 per month. We will be covering MWC 2015, so stay tuned for more updates.


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge coming to Malaysia on 2 April 2015, check out all the videos

Samsung Electronics Malaysia recently sent out invites for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge for 2 April 2015. Featuring a new glass and metal body, the Galaxy S6 features tech specs that include a 64-bit 2.1GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB / 64GB / 128GB storage, 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution (577 ppi), a 16MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and smart OIS, 5MP front camera and 2550 mAh battery. The Galaxy S6 Edge on the other hand is the only smartphone in the world with a dual-edge bended display. Tech specs are equally high-end with a  64-bit 1.8GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB/64GB/128GB storage, a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 2K resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 4, a 16MP f/1.9 aperture rear camera and 5MP front camera. Neither offers IPx7 water proofing, but both look simply stunning. No Malaysia pricing details yet, but the Galaxy S6 is expected to cost around $650 (RM2359) while the Galaxy S6 Edge cost $750 (RM2722) or so. Check out all the videos so far below:


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge coming to Maxis, Celcom and DiGi soon

With the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge launch date all but finalized for 2 April 2015, Maxis, Celcom and DiGi have come out with teasers for these devices. For Maxis, asides from a teaser image they also announced that the 1st 1000 buyers will get a free wireless charger and screen protector worth RM280 along with the chance to buy the Emerald Green coloured version. Stocks of this colour are limited and it certainly makes the Galaxy S6 Edge look more striking. Celcom and DiGi have been less specific about what is coming with their plans or bundles and have just come out with a teaser image each saying that the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are coming soon.


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge have solid Enterprise features with KNOX

While most of the smartphone consumers in Malaysia are anxiously awaiting the upcoming announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in Malaysia this 2 April 2015, Samsung Malaysia would like all it's enterprise users to know that these two devices also offer some of the best enterprise-level security features as well. While this is partly due to the software and hardware architecture built-into the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge (like the fingerprint sensor), most of this enterprise-level security is provided for by the Samsung KNOX end-to-end mobile security platform which has also been integrated with both devices. Secure enough for government use the Samsung KNOX platform offers real-time protection all the time including malware monitoring and OS-level protection. In addition the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge offer the latest 64-bit 14nm fabricated processors with improved battery life, faster charging and built-in wireless charging for both PMA and WPC standards. Both devices also come with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4 for better scratch resistance. The latest Samsung KNOX release is KNOX 2.4 with new features that includes integration with Samsung wearable devices, enterprise billing and Enterprise ID integration for wearable device login. The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are expected to be announced for Malaysia with Samsung KNOX built in on 2 April 2015.


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge launched in Malaysia for RM2599 and RM3099

From left to right, Lee Jui Siang, Vice President, Mobile, IT and Digital Imaging, Samsung Malaysia Electronics and Lee Sang Hoon, President of Samsung Malaysia Electronics proudly presents the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, now available in Malaysia

Samsung Malaysia have just launched the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge today at RM2599 and RM3099 respectively with said pricing inclusive of the 6% GST but just for the 32GB storage version. Samsung has started from scratch for the two devices, offering a thin and solid yet rounded metal frame for the Galaxy S6 and curved dual-edge side screen for the Galaxy S6 edge. Tech specs and features for the Galaxy S6 include a 64-bit 2.1GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB / 64GB / 128GB storage, 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution (577 ppi), a 16MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and smart OIS, 5MP front camera and 2550 mAh battery. The Galaxy S6 edge on the other hand offers a 64-bit 1.8GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB/64GB/128GB storage, a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 2K resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 4, a 16MP f/1.9 aperture rear camera and 5MP front camera. Both will be available on pre-order in Malaysia from 3 April 2015 to 12 April 2015 at www.Samsung.com/my and retail on 17 April 2015. Early-bird buyers may get a free wireless charger but stocks are limited. In addition to the above, the two smartphones also have a personalized pick-up service with free servicing during the warranty period, so if something goes wrong, Samsung will come and pick it up. Check out the hands-on photos below:

Pretties with the pretty Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones

The Samsung Galaxy S6 uses a thin but rounded metal frame that we can't help but notice is very similar to the Apple iPhone 6 right down to the plastic bands where the antenna are supposed to be. It still maintains Samsung design cues with the home button-cum-swipe-fingerprint scanner but it definitely does not look like your average Samsung smartphone anymore. For the most part it fits very comfortably in the hand but the glass front and back are fingerprint magnets. Samsung have removed the IPx7 water and dust resistance certification that was available in the Galaxy S5 but the Galaxy S6 is splash resistant, so it can take the rain somewhat. The Samsung Galaxy S6 will be available in black sapphire, blue topaz, gold platinum and white pearl.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 has a solid metal frame and flat glass covered front and back

The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge features a curved dual-edge bended display that is the same size and resolution as the Galaxy S6 but gives the impression of an edge-to-edge bezel free smartphone. The side grips are certainly sharp but feel about the same as other ultra-thin smartphones with metal frames. The curved edges offer similar functionality as the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, but only one edge can be used at a time, which sort of defeats the purpose of having two edges. Again, there is no IPx7 water resistance but the curved screen does seem to offer it better overall drop and shock resistance either due to the bended nature of the glass or the layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 4 which has been designed to withstand drops better. The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge will be available in black sapphire, green emerald, gold platinum and white pearl. Maxis has claimed exclusive rights of the green emerald Galaxy S6 Edge but this is just due to limited stocks as the current batch has been snapped up by Maxis.

Both edges are curved on the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge for a bezel-free look

According to Samsung, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are not just pretty but are also secure enough for businesses. Featuring Samsung KNOX, a built-in fingerprint scanner and a durable build with long lasting battery life and quick charging, Samsung are positioning both smartphones as suitable for secure business use. Samsung have said that they have no plans to bring in the 64GB or 128GB storage version of the smartphones until they see a need for it (which usually means many people buying the 32GB version) but contend that users will not miss the lack of expandable memory since there is a lot of cloud memory to go with both devices.

After sales services sound awesome, but they are just for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

Plenty of accessories to go with both the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge now available in Blue Topaz and Green Emerald for Malaysia

It seems that the strikingly blue and green coloured Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge colours are now available for Malaysians who don't want to sign up for either Celcom or Maxis to get either colour. Do note that the Blue Topaz colour remains the exclusive colour for the Galaxy S6 while the Green Emerald is only available for the Galaxy S6 edge. Tech specs and pricing are likely to remain the same as before though, with the Galaxy S6 costing RM2599 while the Galaxy S6 edge retails from RM3099, both for the 32GB storage version. Both should be available for purchase at all authorized Samsung resellers and Samsung Experience stores, and if it isn't yet just wait a while longer for stocks to arrive.


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge pre-order starts today

Right after the official launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge yesterday, the pre-order period for both devices starts today on 3 April 2015 until 12 April 2015. The pricing remains the same at RM2599 for the 32GB storage Galaxy S6 while the Galaxy S6 edge with 32GB storage will go for RM3099. As mentioned earlier, there is an early-bird prize in the form of a FREE Samsung Wireless Charger when you deposit RM300. The Samsung Wireless Charger retails separately for RM232 but do remember that stocks of this freebie are limited, so it is first come first serve. The pre-order is direct from Samsung with no additional contract but they will not deliver to your location. Instead, you will be given a choice of collection points so you can decide where to go on your own. Check out the preorder site if you're interested.


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge trade-in program discount increased to RM1200

After it's initial Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge trade-in program got widely negative criticism for rather low trade-in value, Samsung Malaysia have apparently increased the discount and added a few more trade-in options. While the highest value discount remains the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 at RM1200, now you can trade in any other smartphone not listed in the table below for RM200. The dates to do the trade-in remain the same from 9 May 2015 to 31 May 2015 at Samsung Authorised Stores though. Samsung Malaysia have made the terms and conditions clearer as well in that the trade-in device must have a functional and uncracked screen, it shouldn't be damaged or have missing buttons, it can be unlocked and still works. For more details and a list of participating stores check out the Samsung Site.


Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge trade-in program open until 31 May 2015

Samsung Malaysia have just opened up a trade-in programme for their latest Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones with 19 smartphone models to trade-in that give discounts off the existing retail price from RM95 to RM1000. Considering that the standard Galaxy S6 is priced at RM2599 while the Galaxy S6 edge retails for RM3099, this is a pretty good offer on the surface, especially as you now have the option to get the Galaxy S6 edge with 64GB storage at RM3599 and the previously unavailable Blue Topaz for the Galaxy S6 and Green Emerald for the Galaxy S6 edge. The offer is valid until 31 May 2015. Take a closer look at the trade-in table below:

A closer look at the table reveals rather limited choices from several generations ago, which is good if you haven't bought any new smartphone for the past 2 to 3 years. The most recent and most valuable trade-in at RM1000 discount is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, which is rather surprising as it is the only new smartphone amongst the whole bunch. Would we say that that's a good deal? Well, since we haven't got the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 edge for review, we can't say for sure but we did get the Galaxy Note 4 and you can check what we thought about it in our full review. You can also check out our comparison tool of the Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 edge vs Galaxy Note 4 or use it with the other models listed above. You can trade-in via any Samsung Experience store or authorized reseller and the phone model table has been determined by Brightstar Distribution Sdn Bhd.


Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ bumps up the screen size to a 5.7-inch 2K display

As expected, Samsung have unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ smartphone at the recent Galaxy Unpacked event. Bearing the same dual-curved screen on both sides the Galaxy S6 edge+ bumps up the screen size to a larger 5.7-inch 2K display. As with the Galaxy Note 5, the Galaxy S6 edge+ does not pack in a microSD slot but ups the storage options to 32GB and 64GB along with 4GB of RAM and the latest and greatest Samsung Exynos 7420 processor. Camera tech specs remain the same with a 16MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization along with a 5MP front camera with f/1.9 aperture. It also has 4G LTE Cat 9 connectivity with NFC and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) to accomodate the upcoming Samsung Pay feature. Again like the Note 5, the Galaxy S6 edge+ also packs in quick wireless charging but the wireless charger does not come bundled. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but again the Galaxy S6 edge+ will be released in the US from 21 August 2015. As such we expect the Galaxy S6 edge+ to make an appearance in Malaysia by the end of the month.


Android apps on Windows 11 requires Amazon, works on AMD and Arm-based processors

Among the many new announcements about Windows 11, one of the highlights was Android apps can be installed. But how does that work? Do you need to synchronize your smartphone to the laptop or PC? Or do you need to just sign in to your Google Play Store account? After a bit of researching, here's what we found out.

As mentioned by Microsoft, the Android apps are available on the new Microsoft Store but you will have to log in to an Amazon account first. With Microsoft and Amazon's new partnership, we aren't sure how would this apply to Malaysian users because Amazon services are not widely used here. That said, once you signed up, the Android apps should run normally and can be pinned at the Taskbar below or be included in Snap Windows Multitasking mode.

Moreover, Android apps will be able to run on both Intel CPUs as well as AMD and Arm-based processors. This is possible through Intel's own Intel Bridge technology and they believe it's important to provide this across all x86 platforms including AMD. On the other hand, Arm-based Windows 11 devices can presumably run Android apps without Intel Bridge but Microsoft didn't really dive into that.

We are looking forward to Windows 11 on our laptops and PCs very much. With the Android apps integration, it may change the way we do things in our daily lives. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ inboxing video puts everything together

The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is the latest dual curved display to come from Samsung and sports a larger 5.7-inch 2K display. It also takes a step up from previous plastic Samsungs with the Galaxy S6 edge use of metal and glass for a more premium feel. Like a few other Samsung devices before this, Samsung have since released the inboxing video for the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ where everything is put together and boxed. Check it out for yourself below:


Samsung Galaxy S6 edge inboxing video shows the smartphone assembled from scratch

There are many unboxing and tear-down videos but almost no assembling videos for the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, until now of course. Samsung have seen fit to release their own "Inboxing" video for the Galaxy S6 edge highlighting key features of the smartphone including it's curved dual-edge display, built-in wireless charging and solid metal frame set to a sound track. We found it to be rather refreshing after all the drop tests recently so do check out the video for yourself below. The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge currently retails for RM3099 but you can check out it's various other telco deals using our phone plan comparison tool.


Samsung Galaxy S6 edge with 64GB storage now available in Malaysia for RM3599

In response to the overwhelming demand for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Malaysia have announced that the 64GB storage version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is now available in Malaysia. While the 32GB storage version comes in at RM3099, the 64GB storage version goes for RM3599 (inclusive of 6% GST) and will be available in the middle of May at all Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung authorized dealers. This new version will still be available in Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and White Pearl with the Jade green version still likely available at just Maxis for now. Here's what Samsung had to say about it:

“With the 64GB storage option now available and our stellar performance in image quality rated by DxOMark, we are fulfilling many of the main requirements in terms of customers’ preference. Learning from both our achievements and missteps, we continuously push forward new technologies and innovations. Today we are proud to say, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge fulfill these qualities to offer users the ultimate experience in smartphone options.” Lee Sang Hoon, President of Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge also recently scored 86 on the overall DxOMark Mobile benchmark for smartphone image quality with a score of 86. A Photo sub-score of 88 and Video sub-score of 84 indicates that both smartphones do very well as cameraphones.


Samsung Galaxy S6 reinvents Samsung flagships

After years of waiting, Samsung have finally moved on from plastic to both glass and metal for their new Samsung Galaxy S6 flagship smartphone. Officially announced tonight, the new Galaxy S6 uses a rounded metal frame similar to the Lenovo Sisley with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on both front and back. Available in black, blue, gold and white, the Galaxy S6 trades in it's water proofing for a whole new design. Weighing in at 138g and measuring 6.8mm thin, the Galaxy S6 is slimmer and lighter than the Galaxy S5. Tech specs include a 64-bit 2.1GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB / 64GB / 128GB storage, 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution (577 ppi), a 16MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and smart OIS, 5MP front camera and 2550 mAh battery. While the back cover and battery are not removable nor is there any microSD slot, the bloated TouchWiz interface has been streamlined to just the important features. In addition the Galaxy S6 also supports built-in wireless charging. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it is expected in April 2015 for around $650 (RM2359).


Samsung Galaxy S6 will run Android and not Tizen, says Sundar Pichai of Google

Apart from overseeing Google's Android and Chrome developments, Sundar Pichai was also seen going about at the Mobile World Congress 2014 recently. He made a number of interesting comments, one of which is that the Samsung Galaxy S6 would be running Android and not Tizen, which is Samsung's own home-grown mobile operating system. So far, Samsung have already put Tizen in their Samsung Galaxy Gear 2, Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 Neo and Samsung Gear Fit smartwatches and smartband with a possible Samsung Tizen smartphone expected soon. According to Sundar Pichai though, there is no cause for alarm as there is supposedly no tension going on between Samsung and Google. With the Samsung Galaxy S5 only just announced recently, a year-long wait is quite a while for such a claim to stay valid, so do take this with a grain of salt.


Samsung Galaxy S7 Active goes for a drop test with Galaxy S7 in this video

Thanks to good demand for the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, we've seen the subsequent release of the Galaxy S7 here in Malaysia. However, we've never seen the rugged Samsung Galaxy S Active phones arrive here, but despite that you can see how tough the Galaxy S7 Active is in the drop test video below with the Galaxy S7 done by the guys at PhoneBuff. Suffice to say, it is tougher than it looks but do check it out for yourself.

You're ruining our block Samsung! - David Rahimi, PhoneBuff


Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is now official

After being teased online, the rugged version of the Samsung Galaxy S7 series is now on sale...in the US by AT&T. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is in essence the Samsung Galaxy S7, with a tough exterior that can withstand the elements without any complaints.

The phone shares many similar specs with the older brother, but with a bigger battery inside:

As for its ruggedness, it is IP68 certified, and comes with a shatter resistant screen to minimise any chance of the front glass breaking into a million pieces once it falls to the ground. And yes, it is the first Active smartphone with a built-in fingerprint scanner.

For now the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is exclusive for AT&T in the United States but Samsung nay just bring the phone to other market once there is sufficient interest in the rugged phone.


Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge test reveals a 16 hours underwater record?

Nowadays flagship devices on the market today are mostly water resistant capable phones or even if they're not, some of the phones can still handle water pretty well. We have seen a Samsung Galaxy S7 underwater unboxing, Nexus 6 underwater survival test and now it is time for more Samsung Galaxy S7 edge water tests, this time for approximately 16 hours by Lewis of Unbox Therapy.

Technically, the Galaxy S7 edge is IP68 rated so it should be able to handle a minimum of 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters. While we also have our own frozen Samsung Galaxy S7 edge test, check out if the Galaxy S7 edge survived below.


Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge Android Nougat 7.0 firmware leaked

If you are the owner of a Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, and is willing to live on the edge – check this news out. The new firmware for the two models have been leaked, and it is sporting the latest Android Nougat 7.0 on board. Outside of the Beta program currently running in US and UK, this is the next best thing to have the new Grace UX on your 2016 flagship phone.

As a disclaimer, this is still untested firmware, so we can’t be certain that your phone will perform as usual when using this new update. In saying that, the new update carries a lot of new improvement, as well as the new interface that was first introduced in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

We will not claim for any damage if anything were to happen to your phone while using this firmware, but if you are downloading it = share with us your comments and opinions on the new firmware and interface from Samsung. Stay tuned to TechNave for more news and info from the world of tech.


Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge get RM500 official price cut

Update: This promotion has been offcially confirmed by Samsung Malaysia. It is redeemable via mySamsung app and available at all Samsung Experience Stores and authorised dealers. The promotion is valid from today onwards till 9th April 2017.

According to Mr Anonymous the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge will have RM500 price cuts to the original pricing. This means that the new price will be as follows:

Our own unofficial listings have both devices for much lower than the official RRP, but we expect that this official price cut could see some decreases to our current lowest price listings (Galaxy S7 at RM2129 and Galaxy S7 edge at RM2399) but it is clear that it is due to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. Both Galaxy S7 phones are still very good former flagship phones though, so if you're looking to get either one, wait a bit more and see if the price cut will take any effect.

Would you be interested in getting the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge over the Galaxy S8? Discuss below and stay tuned to TechNave.com


Android apps stores are being flooded by 64 new versions of Joker malware

Malware for mobile devices have been around for a while, but the one operating system targeted the most would be Android. More importantly, there's a new wave of malware that is flooding Android app stores recently. Specifically, variants of the malware family known as 'Joker'.

According to TechSpot (via Zimperium), Android-based app stores (including Google Play Store) are targeted by apps hiding one of 64 variants of the Joker malware. These are essentially trojans that do have actual features but hide malicious codes that can do things like steal your SMS information and using it to subscribe to premium services, such as Maxis Unlimited for ringtones (yes the service still exists lol). If you want more details, you can check out Zimperium's blog post.

Flowchart describing how the Joker malware works

Google has begun cracking down on such apps on the Google Play Store, but third-party app stores may not have taken the same level of initiative. Anyway, we advise you to be careful when downloading apps and to scan them with an updated mobile anti-virus first.

Speaking of which, do you have an anti-virus app on your phone? What other cybersecurity measures do you employ to protect your devices? Do share them with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge unveiled in MWC 2016 with 4GB RAM, Dual Pixel camera and more

The Samsung Galaxy S7 (left) and Galaxy S7 edge (right)

(Disclaimer - All hands-on pictures are from PhoneArena.com)

So the day has finally come, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd's long rumoured of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge were announced as the latest additions to the Galaxy family. Designed to fit the consumer's modern digital lifestyle today, it has more advanced camera, better software functionality and connectivity to various galaxy products, services, and experiences.

“We believe in a world that is brighter, sharper, more convenient, and more fun. We strive to deliver on that vision with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge by marrying elegant design with functionality and providing a seamless mobile experience,”  said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.  “We empower consumers with technology to help them get more out of life and will continue to push the frontier of what’s possible.”

Without further ado, below are the official specifications:-

Both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge features the first Dual Pixel camera, with the new technology, both devices have brighter lens with wider aperture, and bigger pixel, a faster shutter speed and a more accurate autofocus even in low light environments. Samsung has also finally put in a panorama mode called Motion Panorama as well.

There's also a new Always-On Display, what it does is it gives users a simplified, zero touch experience where they don’t need to worry about missing a call or important notification. And as expected, their water and dust resistance is present as well.

Besides that, a new add-on for gamers by Samsung, called the Game Launcher allow gamers to manage their gaming battery consumption and minimize notifications. What's more, they can record their gaming experience or play with other gamers online.

Lastly, the Edge UX, which is a new feature only on the Galaxy S7 edge offers users to creat easy shortcuts to many functions such as email, selfie mode, panorama mode or third party applications with convenience.

(update) What's more, Samsung Malaysia plans to release the devices in Malaysia on 18 March next month. Malaysians can start pre-ordering the new Samsung smartphones on 7 March for four days (ending on 11 March) but we don't have any official word on the price tag yet. That's all we have for the new Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, stay tuned for more updated news here in Technave.


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge: An Evolutionary Journey video

Samsung has always been known as one of the best smartphone brands out there. With each of the Galaxy S series model introduced, they've won the consumer's heart. But what exactly makes their S series so great? Is it just because of the larger screen, higher spec, or better camera? So today we will take a look at the key features of every generation of the Samsung Galaxy S series to see the evolution of the latest Samsung Galaxy S7 edge into the device it is today.

If you're curious of the specifications, click either one of the links to any of the Samsung Galaxy S models to check them out:-

We also did an article form of this one, so if you prefer reading then visit this link. Stay tuned for more news and reviews at Technave.com!


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Olympics Edition coming on 7 July 2016?

Samsung recently revealed their Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Edition but at the time they did not mention when it might be released. A new teaser from Samsung has now revealed that date to be 7 July 2016. Like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition the Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Edition probably won't change much in terms of tech specs or hardware but does sport the Olympic Logo on the back and will probably come with an Olympics themed interface and apps. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but we hope it won't be as high as the Injustice Edition which went for RM4099.


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge coming to Malaysia for RM3099, save RM1000 with pre-order on 7 March

Just in case you haven't heard, Samsung Electronics updated their website yesterday with the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge pre-order on 7 March until 11 March for RM3099 (including GST). And it's not only that, other benefits of the pre-order include 20% off the RRP, a free 128GB microSD card, 1 year extended warranty and only the first 1000 customers will get to own it one day before the official launching on 18 March.

The countdown in the pre-order page has already started, so you can save the link and get yourself ready at midnight sharp on 7 March. To refresh your memory, the Galaxy S7 edge features tech specs that include an:

The Galaxy S7 edge is dated for a Malaysia release on 18 March 2016 so stay tuned for more news at Technave and keep calm for the countdown!


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge first impressions video

Samsung's latest and greatest, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge landed with a huge bang in Malaysia with it's celebrity launch but the device itself ticks all the boxes in terms of design, performance and features. Priced at RM3099, we take a quick look or first impressions video of the Galaxy S7 edge below.


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge goes through drop, scratch and other torture tests for your entertainment

The soon to arrive in Malaysia Samsung Galaxy S7 edge certainly looks beautiful with its dual curved edge display, metal frame and glass front and back. Like all new phones, people just have to put it through the usual torture tests, including bend, burn, scratch and even a drop test with the Apple iPhone 6s Plus. The torture tests come courtesy of JerryRigEverything and EverythingApplePro but you can see the tests for yourself below:

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is expected to arrive alone in Malaysia on 18 March 2016. No Malaysia pricing details yet but we'll be there to check it out so stay tuned for all the details.


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge officially launched in Malaysia by Lee Kwang Soo for RM3099

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge got launched today with a bang by none other than Lee Kwang Soo, actor, model, Running Man and the face of the smartphone in Korea and Malaysia. Available in black, gold and silver, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge will be priced at RM3099 with the roadshows starting tomorrow. Featuring capless IP68 water resistance with its dual curved edge display, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge really looks sleek and stylish.

Here are the complete Galaxy S7 edge tech specs:

Feeling light and ultra premium the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge really looks awesome. As an extra, the first 100 to buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge before 11am got a photo and autograph with Lee Kwang Soo. The first 2000 to get the phone during the roadshow could also get the Samsung Gear VR headset for free.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge will also have a special butler service for all your after sales needs. Other juicy details revealed during the launch includes the fact that cashless Samsung Pay is expected to arrive in Malaysia in Q4 of 2016.


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge on nationwide launch for RM3099 from 18 - 22 March 2016

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is now available!

It was only yesterday that the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge was officially launched by Lee Kwang Soo as a special guest of Samsung, ever since then, fans waited for hours for today at 10am to get their hands on the pre-order they did few days ago at selected roadshow locations.

At a retail price of RM3099 (inclusive of GST) and available in Black Onyx, Silver Titanium and Gold Platinum. The first 2000 lucky customers across 7 locations nationwide who purchased the Galaxy S7 edge will receive a free Samsung Gear VR, and that's not all, Samsung is also offering a trade-up promotion for existing S series owners.

Lee Jui Siang, Vice President, IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Malaysia, passing the Galaxy S7 edge and Gear VR to Nicklas Hystad, the first person who got the devices in Malaysia

“At Samsung Electronics Malaysia, we work very hard to give Malaysians a chance to experience the phone, which brings us to our purpose of this nationwide launch. These roadshows are a chance for Samsung to bring the brand and consumers closer together, and we are very grateful for the continuous support and constant positive feedback Malaysians have given us. The turnout for the Galaxy S7 edge is beyond our expectations and we aim to continue providing everyone quality service and do our best to ensure a favourable experience for everyone.” said Lee Jui Siang.

The roadshow is already starting today until 22 March 2016, from 10am – 10pm at the following locations listed below:-


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge review - The best smartphone (yet) right now

Is there anyone who has not heard about the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge yet? Currently, it's one of the hottest smartphones in Malaysia thanks to its beautiful curved edge design, and while the RM3099 device isn't that different from its predecessor in terms of design aside from the obvious tech-specs upgrade, what makes it truly unique is its Dual Pixel camera technology (which is the main highlight), expandable memory and IP68 capless water resistance. But before we get to that, let's start with the basics first.

Like the Galaxy S6 edge, the Galaxy S7 edge also retains the dual curved screen display but only, this time, it's more comfortable to hold because holding the Galaxy S6 edge felt like holding a sword. And although it's measured 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, putting the device into your tight jeans is not a problem thanks to the design, but it feels quite delicate if you're not careful and it's also prone to get fingerprints. You can solve that easily with a protective cover casing (check out our cover casing hands-on video about it) for it, even though it'd be a shame to cover up such a beautiful smartphone from your friends and family.

The left side, power button is on the right side

In the features corner, the Galaxy S7 edge has a lot to offer. The familiar edge function returns as a convenient tool for quick app or contact access, the Always-on feature is quite useful too without having to turn on your smartphone everytime for notifications or looking at the time (it barely drains the battery too), and then there are three other functions that I think people should know which are the hand gesture detector for the camera, a game launcher, and a live broadcast feature.

Although the hand gesture detector for the camera was already featured in the Galaxy S6 edge, I was actually surprised to discover that a lot of people didn't know about the function, even the Samsung users themselves. This feature can only be used when you're taking a selfie, and it's really convenient so that you don't need to press the digital shutter, it will activate shortly after your palm holds still and a round timer will appear on the display showing the countdown, which is very useful.

Next, the game launcher is a tool that pops up when you're gaming. If you tap on it, it will show six different functions which are - muting notifications during gaming, lock recents and back keys, minimizing game, screenshot, record, and settings. The record function is really cool, quite ideal for gamers who wants to show their friends how they progress the game levels or even upload to YouTube after recording.

Speaking of YouTube, the live broadcast feature is another cool one. If you happen to be a YouTuber, you can use this and do a live broadcast event on YouTube directly, but whether it records smoothly depends more on your Telco line than the Galaxy S7 edge.

Ah, who can also forget the IP68 grade water resistant feature? In case if you're wondering how well does it do under water. Check out our liquid test video below as we experimented more than just drowning it under water, such as freezing it for research purpose.

Of course, the Galaxy S7 edge is not perfect. It still has the bloatware that almost nobody uses (the Samsung apps), but the return of the expandable storage from the Galaxy S6 series should certainly solve that issue, you can put a ton of stuff inside there as it has 200GB worth of extra space!

You can drag more than one app across the next screen

Performance wise, the Galaxy S7 edge doesn't fool around. With that kind of high-end specifications, it can perform heavy duty games such as Asphalt 8: Airborne with little trouble. The sound quality from gaming and playing songs are fairly good, putting it to maximum volume doesn't feel like the speaker was going to blow up either.

Surprisingly there weren't much heat at the back after an hour of gaming, but the battery does drain moderately fast, even for downloading and updating many apps at one go, but at least it doesn't really take a long time to charge up. That being said, when the smartphone is not used heavily; it can actually last for two days more or less even with the Always-on display turned on, as mentioned earlier.

Asphalt 8 testing, you can also see the game launcher button at the bottom left there

And now, for the main highlight that you all have been waiting for, the Dual Pixel camera technology that was installed inside the device. This is a pretty big deal because the technology is usually featured in high-end DSLR cameras, which in turn makes the autofocus better and faster. In addition, the f/1.7 aperture could capture enough light to make the colour stand out beautifully, even at night.

I had an enjoyable time using the camera and honestly, I think this is the best smartphone camera to date I've used so far. Samsung really excelled themselves there. Below are the sample unfiltered pictures:

This is the selective focus feature, creating a depth of field image

Medium shot, the room was pretty dark and it still turns out like this

Another medium shot, see how the Range Rover stand out so brightly

Another wide shot, pay attention to the beautifully shaded details of the buildings in the background

Here's how a really low light picture looks like

Suffice to say, the Galaxy S7 edge currently has the best camera I've experienced (yet) and it's probably the best reason to get one (hand gesture feature is awesome!). Another reason to have it is also mainly the game launcher and live broadcast feature, which I think is great for YouTubers who needs it, and not forgetting the Samsung fans as well who won't be disappointed. The only thing that I have to complain is the bloatware apps, but it's not that big a deal, especially with the expandable memory.

For those who has Galaxy S6 series, if you're thinking of upgrading it, you may. But only if you're the type that loves taking pictures or need those game launcher and live broadcast function. It helps that the Galaxy S7 edge is now also nearly waterproof so if there are spills on the smartphone you can just wash it off without having to worry about any caps. Otherwise, you have to fork out RM3099 which may not be wise in our current economy but if you're looking for a smartphone that has it all, then the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is your best contender. So that's something to think about, but it's still entirely up to you.

Anyway, that's what we think of the device and while you're still here, do check out our unboxing and first impression videos below. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more reviews at Technave.com!

*TechNave.com would like to thank Samsung Electronics Malaysia for providing us with the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone for this review. It allowed us to do a more in-depth review and highlight more features.


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge unboxing and cover casing video

By now, you probably have seen some people carrying the new Samsung Galaxy S7 edge around you. The RM3099 device is one of the hottest smartphones around now thanks to its beautiful curved edge design and Dual Pixel technology in the camera system, check out our unboxing and cover casing video below, as well as our first impression and liquid test video too!


Did you have a good Christmas? If you missed the shopping season, fret not because some deals and discounts are still ongoing. But to those who are hunting for smartphones, you might be thinking "what's a good phone to go for?"

Of course, making a choice is easy if you have a sufficient budget and specific requirements. For example, a clamshell foldable could be a great choice when picking a premium device for a lady. With that said, here are 4 reasons to get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.

So, why the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4? First and foremost, the design is a major factor. Thanks to its clamshell design, the Galaxy Z Flip4 has an ultra-compact body. Paired with the colours available, like Bora Purple, you'll get a portable chic-looking smartphone that many would appreciate.

Speaking of colours, Samsung Malaysia is also offering a Bespoke Edition with customisable colours. You'll get to choose the individual colours for the frame, front panel and back panel, which is pretty cool! If you like customised designs, you'll love this.

Despite its compact size, the Galaxy Z Flip4 is no slouch in tech specs. It sports a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. These core specs mean you can even comfortably play the most high-end mobile games without experiencing major lags.

Besides that, the Galaxy Z Flip4 has an improved 3700mAh battery, a solid set of AKG-tuned speakers, dual 12MP rear cameras, and a 10MP front camera.

Since we mentioned cameras, the FlexCam is another reason we'd recommend this device. Because of its flexible hinge, the Galaxy Z Flip4 can be folded at various angles. This gives you more options when taking photos or recording videos, especially since it can become its own tripod.

There's also a Flex Mode, which provides easier access to several functions in different apps. For example, you could have larger playback controls on YouTube Music. If you're curious about these two features, check out our previous article here.

Lastly, the Galaxy Z Flip4 has a cover display with various functions. First, you can customise it with photos, AR emojis, and different clock faces. You can also access Quick Settings, reply to messages, and add widgets - without having to unfold the phone!

The cover display also enables the Quick Shot feature, which lets you take selfies with the more powerful rear cameras. This means you can choose whether you want a standard or wide-angle picture. You also get previews of your selfies, which is handy if you're trying to get that perfect shot.

Well, there you go, 4 reasons to get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. Overall, Samsung's latest clamshell-styled foldable smartphone has received notable upgrades. If you're interested, check out the Samsung Malaysia website for further details.

With that said, what do you think of the Galaxy Z Flip4? Would you buy this device for yourself or a significant other? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


Android-based BlackBerry Priv confirmed

The idea of an Android-based BlackBerry smartphone or device has been circulating for quite some time but it looks like the first such device has been confirmed. Going by the name of BlackBerry Priv, the smartphone features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. While there still isn't any official announcement, it recently got confirmed by John Chen, CEO of BlackBerry with hands-on pics from @evleaks. Tech specs and features are still rumours though, but it is expected to have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, 18MP rear camera with dual LED flash and use a more secure version of Android Lollipop. Still no Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it should be coming in the next few months.


Samsung Galaxy S7 edge will come to Malaysia on 18 March

A sneak peak of the latest talk of the town, the newest addition of the Samsung Galaxy S series, the S7 edge

It's been 5 days now ever since Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge  in Barcelona, and Samsung fans in Malaysia have been wondering when will the devices be available in soon. Well, turns out it's coming real soon. As Samsung Malaysia Electronics just did an exclusive sneak peek of the new Galaxy S7 edge, which is equipped with a Dual Pixel camera technology that is usually found in high-end DSLR cameras.

Media being transported to Barcelona using the Samsung Gear VR and Samsung Galaxy S7 edge during an exclusive preview event

As explained in our deeper look at the Dual Pixel technology, the camera can now deliver brighter and sharper images, even in low light conditions thanks to brighter lens with wider F.17 aperture, bigger pixel, faster shutter speed and a more accurate autofocus even at night. What's more, the Gear VR Consumer Edition was also present during the private viewing, and attendees had the opportunity to fully immersed themselves into the cinematic virtual reality experience with the Galaxy S7 edge.

To recap the specifications, the Galaxy S7 Edge features an Exynos 8899 processor octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.6GHz Quad) + quad core (2.15GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Dual), 64 bit, 4GB RAM (LPDDR4), 32/64GB internal storage (microSD expandable up to 200GB), 5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED with 2560 X 1440 resolution, measuring in 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm and weighs 157g, Dual Pixel 12MP (F1.7 and Smart OIS) rear camera + 5MP (F1.7) front camera, supports LTE Cat.9 , NFC, MST, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, operating in the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and packs 3600 mAh battery. In addition, the device also has a fingerprint sensor, Samsung KNOX, Always-On Display, a new Game Launcher app, Edge UX, and wireless Charging that is compatible with WPC and PMA.

Guests were introduced to Samsung’s comprehensive Galaxy ecosystem with latest wearable technology, the Gear VR Consumer Edition

The Galaxy S7 edge will be available in Malaysia beginning 18 March 2016. Price wasn't revealed yet but we be sure to keep an eye on that. For more product information, please visit their official website to learn more.


Samsung Galaxy S7 goes underwater for unboxing and first impressions video

The recently revealed Samsung Galaxy S7 builds upon the winning design of the previous Galaxy S6 but now features IP68 water resistance rating higher than the IP67 water reistance of the Galaxy S5. Technically, this means you can now bring it swimming for up to 1.5 meters and 30 minutes, but T-Mobile went a step further and did an underwater unboxing and first impressions video. The video also shows some underwater hands-on action as well, but check it out for yourself below:


Samsung Galaxy S7 is now available in Malaysia (unofficially) from RM2899

We're sure quite a few Malaysians are a bit bummed that Samsung Malaysia are just bringing in the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge without the Samsung Galaxy S7. However, you can now get the Galaxy S7 from RM2899 from third-party sellers like Lazada and SatuGadgetDotCom. Quite obviously, these are AP sets with the warranty tied to the seller but SatuGadgetDotCom and similar sellers should be good for it. The full tech specs list is below but you should be able to get the Samsung Galaxy S7 in black, gold and white.


Samsung Galaxy S7 will be available in Malaysia tomorrow (29 April) for RM2699

Great news for Samsung fans! Due to the successful and highly acclaimed Samsung Galaxy S7 edge in Malaysia for the past two months, Samsung Malaysia Electronics is proud to announce the Samsung Galaxy S7 will be available starting tomorrow (29 April) at all Samsung Experience Stores and selected Maxis Stores nationwide! Inclusive of GST, it will be priced at RM2699 and comes in Black Onyx, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium. Below are the official tech-specs:

“From the beginning, it has been Samsung’s goal to deliver value and joy to our customers. When we launched the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge back in March, we were very pleased to receive an overwhelming response. Since then, many have asked about its sibling the Galaxy S7 and have expressed purchase intentions; as such, we decided that it was time to bring in the Galaxy S7,” said Lee Jui Siang, Vice President of Mobile and IT Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

Meanwhile, you can also check out our review on the Galaxy S7 edge we did this early month. For more product information, please visit www.samsung.com/my/s7.


Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus leaks new colours, Pink and official Pirates of the Caribbean edition

A possible Pink or Rose Gold edition of Samsung’s big player flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus has been spotted in an unverified leaked render.

Although only the S8 Plus version has been seen so far, it is highly likely that it will be coming for the Galaxy S8 as well. There is even talks of a cool new Amethyst version coming up but there is no way to confirm this just yet so we’ll leave these at rumour level attention.

But wait, there’s more! There is an official new colour for the S8 being launched in China right now. With a steep price of 5988CNY (Around RM3800), the extremely cool official Pirates of the Caribbean edition has been seen in the Chinese market.

The potentially limited Galaxy S8 set is reported to come with a custom engraved case, a cool buckle ring and a very attractive pre-installed Pirates theme. The phone itself may even have a very attractive limited gold and black design.

Will this limited edition model ever make port in Malaysia? We really have no way to know for now but as a big Pirates fan, I have my fingers crossed all the way to the Black Pearl.

Stay tuned to TechNave.com for any of the latest updates and tech news.


Samsung Galaxy S8/S8 Plus win EISA Best Smartphone 2017-2018 award together as their "do-it-all" devices

In contrast to some other EISA 2017-2018 award winners, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus both won the Best Smartphone EISA 2017-2018 award together for their do-it-all capabilities. While there is mention of the bezel-less Infinity Display, iris scanner and new Bixby voice assistant, there isn't any single feature that has been particularly highlighted or focused on, except perhaps that the 12MP rear camera more or less remains the same (yes, they have a better camera algorithm technology, but it is basically the same hardware). Regardless, these "formidable do-it-all" devices were also affected by the recent price drop and are available from RM2595 (Galaxy S8, RRP: RM3299) and RM2899 (Galaxy S8 Plus, RRP: RM3699).


Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus officially launched in Malaysia for RM3299 and RM3699, road show with deals + DeX + Gear VR + Gear 360 starts tomorrow

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus have been officially launched here in Malaysia for RM3299 and RM3699 respectively. With the pre-orders heading out today, the roadshows kicking off tomorrow lets you buy the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus with the Limited Edition Starter Kit (clear cover, screen protector, wireless charger stand, USB Type C cable) and a purchase-with-purchase 50% discount off the Gear VR and Gear 360. You can also drop by a Samsung experience store and trade-in your old phone for a discount with a free 5100 mAh powerbank.

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus pack in a lot of features which you can see below but the most obvious change from their Galaxy S7 edge predecessor is the wider or taller 18.5:9 aspect ratio Infinity Design front display. This means that while both phones have bigger if not equal sized Infinity displays (5.8-inch and 6.2-inch) they are still more compact in actual phone size than the Galaxy S7 edge. They will be coming in Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue and Maple Gold but for now, only the black, grey and gold are currently available.

Other stand-out features for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are a front iris scanner, face scanner, Samsung Bixby Assistant (to be activated soon) and finally a USB Type-C port (the Galaxy S7 edge was still on microUSB). For the tech heads, the new phones are using the latest 10nm fabricated processors while the usual front fingerprint sensor has been moved to the back next to the rear camera and heart rate monitor. You can check out our 2-day review with the Galaxy S8 Plus below:

Here are the tech specs for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus:


Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note 8 won't be getting Android 10

When it comes to software updates, Samsung has always been pretty consistent. Many people had hopes that the Android 10 update would be released to all Samsung devices gradually, but now it seems that the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 series (among others) won't be included in this update.

Samsung usually prioritises the release of new Android updates like Android 10 to its more premium devices, with upcoming flagships like the Galaxy S11 or Note 11 set to have it pre-loaded. According to XDA Developers, there is a release schedule that lists the devices set to get the update next year. Unfortunately, none of the Galaxy S8 or Note 8 devices were included in that list.

To be fair, the two devices were launched in 2017 with Android 7, making them quite dated by now for smartphones. Both have since gotten the Android 8 (Oreo) and Android 9 (Pie) updates but will be missing out this time. For some people, it may not be a big deal, while others could lament not getting access to new features like gesture controls, dark theme, live transcribing, and more.

Those of you with a Galaxy S8 and Note 8 series device, were you keen on the Android 10 update? Tell us what you think of Samsung's decision on our Facebook page. Also, stay tuned to TechNave.com for all your tech news.