Every year, whenever Apple does something for the new iPhone, the process is the same. Android fans mock Apple, followed by Android brands releasing new Android phone that copy whatever Apple did. This has been going on for a few years already, so we decided to list the 4 Shameless Times That Android Copied Apple's Ridiculous Features (when they didn't need to).

Before we start, this article is merely presenting facts and is not meant to bash anyone. If you happen to be a fanboy of the brands mentioned here or work there, take a chill pill and just read this piece of history in the smartphone industry. The ranking is not in any particular order either, so here we go!

Starting with the most recent one, Apple actually removed the charger plug in the iPhone 12 series retail boxes. We all know how that went... The company's reason was to make its products more sustainable and environmental-friendly. This is because smaller boxes mean reduced carbon footprint. Although some users were alright with this, many felt that it was a ridiculous move.

Before the first flagship of the year was released (you know I know lah), there were also rumours that a Korean tech giant would remove charger plugs. Lo and behold, it really happened, and the reason was also to "save the environment". Xiaomi jumped on the bandwagon not long after, with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun insisting that he wasn't copying anyone. Allegedly, he already had the idea 6 years ago when he saw that chargers were not being used after Xiaomi moved to a new office.

The iPhone's first notch made an appearance on the iPhone X back in 2017 during Apple's 10th anniversary back then. To refresh your memory, the reason the notch was introduced was to maximise the screen-to-body ratio of the iPhone. To do this, the Touch ID was replaced with the Face ID, which is located on the notch, alongside the front camera, LED flash, and other sensors for face unlocking.

Remember this advertisement? And guess which one was everyone's preferred method lol

It didn't take long for people and Android brands to make fun of Apple's notch. However, brands started introducing their own notch designs, which now come in different shapes and sizes. They even have fancy names like Water Drop Notch (lol). These days, you either see a notch or a cutout for the front camera, which really sticks out on the front display. It can sometimes interfere with the virtual buttons for mobile games too.

So far, only a few brands have not followed suit. This includes the recent Sony Xperia series and gaming smartphones such as the ASUS ROG series, Black Shark series, and the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel. But honestly, even if they just wanted to max out the screen ratio, there's no need to add a small notch or cut-out just for the front camera.

Going further back, Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone audio jack in 2016 beginning with the iPhone 7 series. They claimed that it took "courage" to do so and they were right in some aspects. By becoming the first to do so, they showed that they were brave enough to let people bash them for it. On the flip side, removing the audio jack allowed Apple to make the iPhone fully water-resistant. This feature has become the standard since then.

Can you guess which smartphone is which?

Fortunately, not all Android phones are getting rid of the audio jack (yet), with only the premium and flagship phones doing so. If anything, budget and mid-range, as well as gaming phones still retain the audio jack. It's nice of them to do so, but we think it's an inevitable step in the future. Speaking of removing the audio jack port...

To solve the lack of the audio jack port, Apple included a 3.5mm audio jack converter inside the box, so it wasn't too bad. However, that's a thing of a past. The introduction of the Apple AirPods also appeared in 2016, the company's first wireless earphones. It took quite a long time for other brands to do their own spin, but now it is impossible to ignore how it has become the trend to release TWS earbuds.

According to MKBHD, there's a reason "Why Everyone is Copying AirPods". A year after its launch, the AirPods became the world's best-selling wireless earbuds globally. How much did they make? Well, from its debut until early 2020, Apple reportedly made approximately USD 8 billion. Keep in mind that the figure does not include the latest AirPods Pro. So from a business point of view - why wouldn't Android brands want that piece of pie?

Can you guess which wireless earbuds are these?

While we don't have any problems with that, the annoying thing is that the other companies tend to copy the AirPods' design. Most of them look identical, to the point that US Authorities mistook the OnePlus Buds for AirPods counterfeit products and seized them at an airport. On top of that, most brands are trying to sell the "low latency" feature (which is apparently good for mobile gaming), but it's only a gimmick. For countries with weaker currencies, having to spend on wireless earbuds is a problem, as they can be expensive for most consumers.

That's all we have for now - the features (or lack thereof) of Apple products that Android brands like to mock, but copy it anyway. Looking back at this history, we are sure that this situation will happen again. In fact, Apple is probably on a mission to manufacture a portless iPhone for real (just look at all the evidence above). But anyway, what's your take? Let us know in the comments below. Stay safe and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


An updated A.I. Game Mode is also inside the vivo V9

We mentioned this a lot of times in our selfie smartphone reviews - people usually look down on that kind of devices because it focuses on having good cameras just for selfies. They are not wrong, though, as selfie smartphones are becoming more cheaper, it sacrifices the hardware performance for gaming. But apparently, not for the vivo V9 as vivo Malaysia has once again given us a sneak peek of Updated A.I. Game Mode feature.

According to the information given, the A.I. Game Mode has a Background Call that allows you to stay away from incoming calls when you're gaming. That means that if someone is trying to call you, you won't get interrupted by it, this applies to incoming message alerts too. On top of that, there is also a new Picture-in-Picture included from the feature, you just need to slide down the display with three fingers and then choose the supporting apps to appear in the floating window.

Since the V9 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 on board, the phone should handle gaming capabilities just fine. We are just four days away from the reveal in Malaysia so stay tuned for our coverage at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A8 launched officialy in Malaysia for RM1888

No surprises yesterday as Samsung launched their latest and greatest addition to the Galaxy A range of smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy A8 for RM1888. Featuring a mix of midrange and flagship tech specs and functions such as a fingerprint sensor, 16MP ISOCELL rear camera, 5MP wide f/1.9 aperture front camera (yep, the one from the Galaxy S6 series) and a midrange 2GB of RAM. Our first impressions of Samsung's thinnest smartphone (5.9mm at it's thinnest point) is that it certainly feels premium and not as large as the 5.7-inch display might suggest. According to Samsung, this is because of even thinner bezels than before while keeping the size compact. Check out our tech spec comparisons below but feel free to use our tech spec comparison tool to compare the Galaxy A8 against any smartphone you can think of. In any case, the Samsung Galaxy A8 is available in black, gold and white at all authorized stores. As part of the launch festivities, Samsung had Juliana Evans as their brand ambassador on hand to give away autographs.


Samsung Galaxy A8 officially announced as 5.9mm thin

After what seems to be all the details leaked, Samsung's thinnest smartphone yet, the Samsung Galaxy A8 has officially been announced. While it isn't the world's thinnest smartphone, at 5.9mm thin it is the thinnest Samsung smartphone around. Like other Galaxy A smartphones it maintains a full metal frame with a mix of midrange to high-end tech specs. For the high-end features you can expect a 16MP ISOCELL rear camera, 5MP front camera with wide f/1.9 aperture, fingerprint sensor and 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display. The midrange tech specs include a 1.5Ghz octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage + microSD support, 3050 mAh battery and Android 5.1 Lollipop. While there are no official Malaysia release dates, leaks indicate that the Galaxy A8 will be going for RM1888. This price range and features places it in direct competition with other metal frame, fingerprint sensor packing smartphones so stay tuned for our tech spec comparison soon.


Samsung Galaxy A80 | Watch Active | Buds BlackPink Edition pre-order is now live for RM3899

We have been talking about the BlackPink edition for quite some time now, and in August this month, Samsung Malaysia Electronics will officially be bringing in the Samsung Galaxy A80 | Watch Active | Buds BlackPink Edition for all the BlackPink fans in Malaysia for RM3899.

As a limited edition offer for the fans, there are only 300 bundles available and pre-order have started already until 4 August 2019. Stocks are quite limited and you can only get it at Samsung's online partners Lazada and Shopee exclusively. We know what you are thinking, RM3899 is quite pricey but this also includes a Watch Active and Ear Buds in BlackPink skin. Alternatively, if you're on a budget you can also opt for the Galaxy A80 + BlackPink Special Edition package + Galaxy Fit for RM2499 only. This bundle includes a BlackPink charging stand and a phone cover.

For more information on the special bundle, as well as its terms and conditions, you may visit Samsung's official page right here to check it out. Stay tuned for more Samsung news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A80 pre-order price leaked in Malaysia at RM2499

It seems that a few local distributors have started taking pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy A80, starting from the price of RM2499. DirectD has stated on their Facebook post, that the pre-ordered devices should arrive on 13 July 2019. Factory Mobile, on the other hand, did not mention any arrival date.

The Samsung Galaxy A80 is the first device by Samsung, to come equipped with a camera that is able to flip itself to the front when taking a selfie. That being said, the smartphone in question does not feature any form of display notch at the front which gives it a much cleaner look.

In terms of the tech specs, the Samsung Galaxy A80 comes fitted with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, 6.7-inch FHD+ display and a 3700mAh non-removable battery. As for the image sensors, the device comes with a 48MP + 8MP + TOF sensor housed in a motorised pop-up flip camera housing.

Would you be interested in owning Samsung’s first motorised pop-up flip camera? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.

Check out our hands-on video of the Samsung Galaxy A80


Samsung Galaxy A80 revealed with a triple sliding and rotating camera with Snapdragon 730

As announced earlier, the once entry-level tier Galaxy J series are now being replaced by the Galaxy A series which explains why we are seeing so many models this year. That said, Samsung has also just announced the latest entry which is the Samsung Galaxy A80 (which we previously thought was the Samsung Galaxy A90) along with the Samsung Galaxy A70 making an appearance.

The Galaxy A80 will be available on 29 May 2019 globally, so it should arrive in Malaysia on the same date. No news yet where exactly it will be made available but we assume that it will be at all authorized resellers and online channels such as the official Samsung stores at Shopee and Lazada.

With the emphasis on having wide-angle lenses and big batteries with fast charging technology, the Galaxy A80 features a triple camera configuration consisting of 48MP + 8MP + ToF cameras. There's no front camera, that's because the camera is able to slide up and rotate to the front, turning into a selfie camera. Its' battery is just 3700mAh but the Super Fast Charge is 25W. Below are some of the hands-on pictures with tech specs and features:

Check out that true infinity display. Mmm!!

The right side of the smartphone - the left is left buttonless

The bottom has the type-c port, speaker grills and SIM slot

A closer look at the selfie camera mode. Pretty interesting pop up!

3 colour options: Phantom Black, Angel Gold and Ghost White

Here's how the phone looks with the selfie camera up in all its glory

The global release date for the Samsung Galaxy A80

Of course, the camera retracts itself once you've exited the selfie camera mode. You can also simply press down on the camera to stow it away but that isn't recommended as it may affect the motorized parts. We have to say that the Galaxy A80 certainly looks unique as a Samsung Galaxy device, but it isn't the first time a smartphone has had a motorized rotating camera that flips to the front and back (although, it could be the first that slides up). What do you think? Are you interested in the Galaxy A80? Stay tuned and keep up with the latest smartphone releases on TechNave.com!


Samsung Galaxy A80 to be featured on Malaysia's First Instagram Reality Show - Ultimate BLACKPINK Fan Challenge

Do you remember back in April, when Samsung introduced the Galaxy A80? It was supposed to be "available" on 29 May 2019 but that didn't happen and we were wondering what happened. While we are still waiting, Samsung Malaysia finally gave us an update and it will be featured as Malaysia's first Instagram reality show, the Ultimate BlackPink fan.

So what's the reality show about? Well, Samsung Malaysia has chosen four local influencers - Chan Wei Keat, Shawn Gan, Arwind Kumar and Sean Lee for a series of challenges around Kuala Lumpur to see who's really the Ultimate BlackPink fan. Throughout the challenge, the influencers will have to make use of the Galaxy A80 phone, possible the rotating camera that was showcased two months ago.

The winner of the reality show will be determined by votes, and get this, the voters will stand a chance to win a pair of Galaxy Buds for free and other exciting prizes by simply voting. It's that easy, the reality show will start today at 1.30PM (14 June 2019) and all you have to do is go over to Samsung Malaysia's Instagram page @samsungmalaysia for more information!

For more information on the Ultimate BLACKPINK Fan Challenge, you can check out the official webpage right here. Have fun!


Samsung Galaxy A80 will officially launch on 12 July 2019 for RM2499

In just an hour ago (and counting), Samsung Malaysia has just confirmed the alleged pre-order price of the Samsung Galaxy A80 that was unveiled in Thailand a few months ago. According to its Facebook and Twitter page, the device will cost RM2499 and will be launched on 12 July 2019 officially.

Just to refresh your memory, the Galaxy A80 is Samsung's fullview 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with no notches and Infinity-O cutouts for the front camera. In fact, there's no front camera at all because it's relying on the rotating triple rear camera which consists 48MP + 8MP (ultrawide) + ToF sensors. On top of that, the new mid-range tier device packs a Snapdragon 730 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 3700mAh battery (w/ 25W Super Fast Charge technology), an in-display fingerprint scanner and more.

For the colour options, we think all three models - Phantom Black, Angel Gold and Ghost White will make their way on Malaysia shores. But what do you think of the device? Let's discuss and stay tuned for more Samsung news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A80 with sliding and rotating triple camera may be priced at ~RM2500 in Malaysia

The much anticipated Samsung Galaxy A80 with its interesting pop up and swivel camera is finally making its way to the market in selected regions including Malaysia. The device is one of Samsung’s most interesting innovations - a triple rear camera setup which slides up and swivels that turns into the selfie camera as well. It is reported that the Malaysian price for the smartphone is RM2500.

For its tech specs, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 730 chipset, 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage, a 6.7 inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display, an in-display fingerprint reader and a 3700mAh battery capacity with 25W Super Fast Charge. As for the interesting camera setup, it comes with 48MP + 8MP (ultrawide) + ToF sensors. Design-wise, you can find this device in three colours: Phantom Black, Angel Gold and Ghost White.

As no official announcement has been made by Samsung Malaysia in regards to the Malaysia release date and Malaysia price, do take this article with a pint-sized amount of salt. What do you think of the Samsung Galaxy A80’s price? Do you think it's worth the money? Keep up with the latest Samsung news on TechNave.com!

A closer look at how the cameras look on the back and front


Samsung Galaxy A82 5G tech specs leaks

The Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2 had launched in South Korea on 13 April, there was a rumour mentioned that the Galaxy A82 5G might be the rebranded version of it.

According to sources, there is a promo leak of the Galaxy A82 5G that was posted by Max Weinbach. The video showed that the device might come with decent battery life, fast charging, IP rating, and camera features. On top of that, if it is the rebrand version of the Galaxy Quantum 2 and the tech specs could be similar.

Samsung Galaxy A82 5G, the worst kept Samsung A-series secret pic.twitter.com/14y3Yei6nk

The device may feature a Snapdragon 800 series chipset, 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. As for the camera, it could sport a 10MP selfie snapper and a triple rear camera which are 64MP (main camera) + 12MP (ultra-wide lens), 2MP (macro sensor). Besides that, the device might be powered by a 4500mAh battery and support 25W fast charging.

Well, these are just leaks, why not just take them with a pinch of salt and don't be serious about it. Just sit back, relax, and wait for the official announcement. What tech specs do you wish the device to feature? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned for more tech news on TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A82 expected to have 64MP Sony IMX686 sensor

Just this week, Samsung launch the Galaxy A32, A52, and A72 smartphones. That's a lot of mid-range devices to launch in one go, but the company has more in the works. Rumours of a Galaxy A82 have been popping up and now we have some news about its camera specs.

According to GalaxyClub (in Dutch), the Samsung Galaxy A82 will feature a 64MP main camera. Interestingly, Samsung will use Sony's IMX686 image sensor, instead of its own ISOCELL sensors. However, there are no details on how the cameras would work yet. Previously, it was rumoured that the device could feature an interesting dual-slider mechanism.

Concept render of the dual-slider mechanism by LetsGoDigital

In terms of specs, the Galaxy A82 is expected to come with a Snapdragon 855+ chipset, 6GB of RAM, and at least 128GB of storage. This chipset lacks 5G support, but it's speculated that Samsung could include a separate 5G modem inside. Besides that, it's speculated that the price of the phone would be between RM2500 to RM2900.

Considering that Samsung hasn't even hinted at the device, it could be a while before it's officially launched. For now, we'll keep an eye out for more updates about it, so leave your comments below and stay tuned to TechNave!


AnTuTu crowns HTC U11 as the best performing smartphone of May 2017

Surprised? We are too. HTC U11 is now the fastest smartphone in the world according to AnTuTu’s list from May 2017. The U11 has overtaken the Apple iPhone 7 Plus spot with an average score of 180,079 to 174,299, followed by Xiaomi Mi 6 at 172,494, and Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ with 172,368 and 172,359 respectively.

According to AnTuTu, they reported that the iPhone 7 got over taken by the Mi 6 and the Galaxy S8 series. This is to be expected since the iPhone 7 series are 10 months old now and software updates are reportedly making the devices a bit slow (not all are experiencing it, though). Sources also say that the performance gap between iOS and Android are slowly narrowing down over the years, this can be attributed to the efficiency and power from the Android’s internal components.

So what do you think? Do you agree with the list? Which Android phone do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more nerdy news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A82 spotted on Geekbench, could be using Snapdragon 855 chipset

It's been 2 years since the Samsung Galaxy A80 was released and we just spotted the Galaxy A82 (SM-A826S) appearing on Geekbench. The device might sport a Snapdragon 855 chipset, 6GB of RAM, and run on Android 11 out of the box.

On top of that, the device chipset is 'msmnile' which is known as the Snapdragon 855, the flagship predecessor of the current Snapdragon 888. Earlier, the company had been using the flagship chipset for a few years for newer devices. For example, the Galaxy F62 is now using the Exynos 9825 chipset which powered the Galaxy Note10.

The Samsung Galaxy A82 spotted on Geekbench

Besides that, the Snapdragon 855 doesn't support 5G connectivity but according to earlier reports, it says the device might have 5G support. If true, we think that this device could have a separate 5G modem like other 5G smartphones powered by the same processor.

Do you think the Galaxy A82 will have 5G support? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stay tuned for more tech news on TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A8s equipped with the Infinity-O with in-display camera and 3 triple rear camera

Samsung has beaten everyone to the punch by releasing the Samsung Galaxy A8s, the world’s first in-display camera, which is known as the Infinity-O display. Other than that, the phone will also come with a triple camera setup in the rear as well. Samsung also introduced the new and improved Bixby personal assistant which sounds more natural and responsive. In terms of the colour options, the Samsung Galaxy A8s comes in Silver, Black, Blue as well as a special Pink/Blue Gradient.

As for the tech specs, the device will come equipped with the Snapdragon 710 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, 24MP + 10MP + 5MP rear camera, 24MP front-facing selfie camera, 6.39-inch display is it is powered by a 3400mAh non-removable battery. As for now, Samsung has yet to announce the price Samsung Galaxy A8s for now. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates on the subject.

Snapdragon 710 and 8GB + 128GB memory configuration


Samsung Galaxy A8s may have the Infinity-O display instead of the Infinity-U

Yesterday, leaks surfaced showing “leaked photos” of the front panel of the Samsung Galaxy A8s sporting the Infinity-U notch. Now, new leaks have surfaced and this time they are realistic renders of the device. The 3D renders shows off the concept of the smartphone but instead of the Infinity-U display like we initially thought it would be, it had on the Infinity-O.

From what we can see in the concept renders, the device has extremely slim bezels on the sides of the phone and a slightly thicker bezel at the bottom. The camera is located on the top left side of the phone, peeking out through a tiny O shape on the screen itself. The slim bezels combined with the Infinity-O display gives the phone a pretty large screen to body percentage, likely over 90%, and gives the device an almost full and unhindered display.

A triple camera setup with LED flash is featured on the back of the 3D renders. Also on the back of the phone is the fingerprint scanner. The back is speculated to be made of glass, which may allow it to utilize wireless charging as well as give the smartphone a premium look and feel. So far, no tech specs of the device have been released but there are rumours going around that Samsung is releasing a smartphone equipped with the Snapdragon 710 early next year, which may be pointing to the Samsung Galaxy A8s.

Another device that Samsung has been working on is the Samsung Galaxy M series which is expected to replace the entry level J series smartphones. On AnTuTu, the Samsung Galaxy M2 specification appeared with the model number SM-M20SF appeared on the benchmark app.

While most entry level phones only carry a HD+ display, the Samsung Galaxy M2 seems to have on a FHD+ display with a 2340 x 1080 resolution. In addition, the device is shown to be utilizing the the Exynos 7885 chipset alongside the Mali 371 GPU, 3GB RAM, and 32GB of storage, which we hope is expandable when it releases in the future. The device runs on the Oreo 8.1. The tech specs of the Samsung Galaxy M2 does look pretty solid for an entry level phone and could definitely give other entry level brands a run for its money if the price is right.

Speaking of phone releases, the Samsung Galaxy S10 is only a few months away from its speculated announcement. The phone has been part of the rumour mill for quite awhile now and here’s another speculation about the upcoming device. The device may be rocking a ceramic back.

It is likely the reason why the Korean giant chose to utilize ceramic for their upcoming devices it due to the fact that ceramic is a lot more hardy than glass and is a lot more scratch resistant. The material also achieves polish and shine better than glass. In addition, ceramic allows for wireless charging.

From what we have heard, only the curved 5.8 inch and the top 6.44 inch curved models of the smartphone will be utilizing ceramic for the rears of those devices. The 5.8 inch rumoured flat screen might be having a glass back instead. In addition, the 5G version of the Samsung Galaxy S10 might also have a ceramic back but the announcement for this version of the phone may come a little later. The devices looks to only come in two colours at first, which is Black and White. However, with other reports mentioning that the Samsung Galaxy S10 might have many colour options, it may be likely that those colour options may only be limited to the flat screen version of the device.

Please do read this article with a hint of skepticism as these are all rumours for now. With all these different innovations from Samsung, would it be likely that the Korean could beat out other competitors next year? For more news on Samsung, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A8s may have the Infinity-U notch

Samsung recently announced their latest additions of smartphones and among them was the Samsung Galaxy A8s. Leaks of the device’s front panel have surfaced, showing that the Samsung Galaxy A8s may be the first notched phone from the Korean giant.

During SDC 2018, Samsung unveiled their latest Infinity displays which includes the Infinity-V, Infinity-U and Infinity-O. By the looks of the notch on photos of said leak, the Samsung Galaxy A8s might be sporting the Infinity-U notch. Interestingly, the notch on the device looks smaller than most smartphones out in the market right now which gives the device a bigger screen to body ratio.

Besides that, the smartphone is rumoured to be equipped with the Snapdragon 660 chipset but there are other speculations mentioning that the phone may have different variants with the Snapdragon 670 or Snapdragon 675 with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. In addition, the phone may be sporting a rear triple camera setup.

In other news, Samsung plans on re-introducing the flat displays to their flagship models. The last time the flat display was seen, it was on the Samsung Galaxy S7. The flat display will be an option for the 5.8 inch base model of the Samsung Galaxy S10. There will also be other variants of the device which are the curved 5.8 inch base model and the highest specification model of the phone will come with a 6.2 inch curved display.

The next generation of OLED screens from the company is dubbed M9 and it is reported that Samsung has been working with new chemical companies to create the red, green and blue subparticles for the screen. However, do read this article with skepticism as the information are just rumours for now. So what do you think of the changes coming to Samsung’s upcoming phones? For more Samsung news, make sure to hit up TechNave.com!


Samsung Galaxy A8s with Infinity O display coming on 10 December 2018?

A teaser image of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A8s has appeared not only seemingly confirming that it will have an Infinity O display (all screen except for a hole for the selfie camera in the top left corner) but also that it will be coming on 10 December 2018 in Beijing. Apart from the date and location, the teaser also has a Chinese text which translates into “insight into the future”, hinting that Infinity O displays could be coming in future Samsung Galaxy devices, maybe even next year’s Galaxy S10 series.

No confirmed tech specs or features just yet but the Galaxy A8s could have a Snapdragon 710 chipset, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and the 6.39-inch Infinity O display from BOE. Since it is one of the A series we also expect triple rear cameras perhaps in a 25MP + 5MP + 10MP setup with a 24MP front camera and 3400 mAh battery. Rumours indicate that there may be no 3.5mm audio jack, indicating that this is a USB Type C only smartphone.

No Malaysia release dates or pricing details either, but we'll let you know as soon as we do, so stay tuned to TechNave.com. Would you want an almost all display smartphone? Would you mind that small hole for the selfie camera in the top left corner? Discuss on our Facebook Page, who knows, perhaps some brands might be listening in.


Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) hands-on video

Today, we got to explore the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) more. Aside from the big three features that includes the 6-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, large 5000mAh battery and greater storage with additional 256GB of external memory; it also has some other interesting features as well. The smartphone is now available for RM1999 (GST included) in all across Samsung Experience Stores and authorised dealers starting today. Check out our hands-on video below and stay tuned for our future review!


Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) review - A 6-inch powerhouse flagship by any other name

Initially priced at RM1999 the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) tops the midrange Galaxy A6 or Galaxy A (2016) range with a 6-inch display, a thin metal frame and 2.5D glass front and back. However, the flagship-features don't stop there as there is NFC, a fast phase detection rear camera, fingerprint sensor and more. Is the Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) actually a flagship smartphone in a metal frame midrange body? We find out in the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) review below.

The Samsung Galaxy A (2016) series features a metal frame design with a more or less flat back. The side metal frame is chamfered from the front and back while the sides have a slightly indented groove for a fairly comfortable grip. The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) maintains these features exactly with a 2.5D glass covered front and back and super slim bezels to keep the 6-inch full HD display as compact as possible.

Still the same Samsung Galaxy A (2016) metal frame design on the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

Not to say that it doesn’t look good, but because it maintains that design language so closely, the Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) does feel rather generic in a midrange sort of way. That being said, build quality is top notch as usual from Samsung. At 210g, the phone feels quite solid and hefty while the slim bezels make it seem smaller than most 6-inch display smartphones. The top and bottom bezels are slim as as well with barely enough space for the fingerprint-sensor enabled home button.

There is a dual-SIM slot for the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

Unlike most 6-inchers, the Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) does not focus entirely on the display. Instead, in terms of features it offers nearly all the tech specs that a flagship smartphone would. This includes 4GB RAM, a full HD display, dual SIM 4G LTE, a fingerprint sensor, NFC and more but you can see the full list below.

Tech specs on the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

Like all Samsung Galaxy smartphones it comes with plenty of extra apps (bloatware) and Samsung's TouchWiz interface. You also get access to all the vouchers in the Galaxy Life app but Samsung have also included a driving feature called S Bike Mode perhaps to be used with the Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) as a mounted display on your superbike. According to Samsung Malaysia you also get a free 64GB Samsung EVO microSD for a total of 96GB of storage (32GB + 64GB).

The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) features an S Bike Mode and Fingerprint security

Camera features on the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

Front camera features for the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

The Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) offers up AnTuTu benchmark scores of 62173 and high scores in 3DMark and Epic Citadel. Gaming performance is on par with the Apple iPhone 6S and Galaxy S7 edge as we got blazing nitro fire effects and swirling jumps on high visual quality settings in Asphalt 8: Airborne with no lags at all. The Galaxy A9 Pro does get hot though, but for some reason, the heat is mostly centered on the metal frame, so instead of your fingers holding the back or the screen, your palms may get hot instead. Nothing you can’t solve with a good silicone or other heat resistive material casing, but it would have been nice if Samsung included it in the package.

AnTuTu scores for the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) are near flagship level

Very high 3DMark scores for the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

You can now play ultra-smooth, lag free Asphalt 8: Airborne with all the special effects on the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)

As expected of the 6-inch full HD display, watching movies is very nice with bright colours and details. The fingerprint sensor feels a lot faster than the one on the S7 edge and more accurate, but this is more of a feeling as we’re not sure whether Samsung have actually updated that particular hardware. Call, WiFi and 4G LTE quality are all top-notch but it isn't compatible with Yes 4G LTE. Battery life is about 1 day and a half on normal to medium usage and just a little bit more than a day for a heavy user like myself, still, more than enough to last a working day usually. It takes about 2 hours to charge 100%.

The camera is very smooth. Panorama mode stitching has virtually no lag however if you were to compare it with the S7 edge side by side, you can see a slight autofocus lag. Other camera processing takes little to no time at all though and you should get fairly good pictures with clear details and vivid colours while the OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) kept my shaky hands from making the shots blurry. Low-light shots are quite detailed unless of course you shoot in total darkness.

16MP, auto ~ see all the details in this close-up shot?

16MP, Greyscale ~ pretty good details even underneath the staircase

8MP, Auto ~ capture all your little details even with the front camera

If you’re looking for flagship performance but don’t particularly care about flagship design, then the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) is definitely one of the smartphones you should consider. The powerhouse gaming performance should also equal powerful work performance as well, especially those looking for a bigger screen and fingerprint sensor security. It is a shame there isn't any S-Pen support but the larger battery should guarantee a bit more than a full working day for most working professionals.

While initially priced at RM1999, our current price listings have it going as low as RM1699 making it a good match for other 6-inch powerhouse phablets like the Huawei Mate 8 (currently priced as low as RM1599). It may not pack in the latest tech specs or hardware like the ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra but it does offer a good Samsung Galaxy phablet for those gamers and performance users out there.


Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) unboxing video shows what else you get for RM1999

Following up on the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) hands-on video we've done a short unboxing video as well. Priced at RM1999 the Galaxy A9 Pro offers tech specs that include a 6-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display and a large 5000mAh battery. Check out what else comes in the box with the Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) in our unboxing video below:


Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro granted international certification

Back in March, the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was revealed in China for 3599 Yuan (around RM2188) and it has now been granted certification by WiFi Alliance to a Samsung SM-A910F, which is believed to be an international version of the pre-existing (SM-A9100) model. To recap the specifications, it features:

With WiFi Alliance's certification, it has indicated that a launch will come soon to South East Asia market. It's also possible that the international version might pack an Exynos chipset instead of a Snapdragon, seeing how most of the Samsung smartphones are using that in Malaysia. Meanwhile, pre-orders for the A9 Pro has begun in Poland so Europe will also soon receive the device.

Although there's no word on Malaysia's pricing and availability, we will definitely keep an eye on this one as the Galaxy A series is quite popular with Malaysians. Stay tuned for more news at Technave.com!


Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro international version received another certification

At the end of last month, we reported that the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (SM-A910F) got a WiFi Alliance's certification which means that it will release an international version soon. How soon? Might be sooner than you think, since it just got a Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) certification hinting a launch.

That being said, even though that seems to be the case, Malaysia is one of those countries that is one of the last to get the latest gadgets. No price nor availability are out yet, and it seems that Europe would be one of the first continents to get device according to a rumour since the pre-order has already started.

To recap the tech-specs, it's said that the device will sport an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage + microSD, 6-inch display (fHD, 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution), 16MP rear camera + 8MP front camera, 5000 mAh battery and Android 6.0.1 + Samsung TouchWiz UX.

We will continue to keep you all in the loop, so stay tuned for more news at Technave.com!


AnTuTu listing reveals Lenovo Legion's score and confirms a Snapdragon 865+ chipset

If you haven't been keeping up with the Lenovo Legion gaming smartphone news, you should know that the device will be releasing soon in July this month. While there's no exact date given yet, AnTuTu has just showcased the gaming device's score from its benchmark testing.

From the listing and under the model number, L79031, the Lenovo Legion managed to score up to 648,871 points which is most impressive. For the record, the latest highest score on AnTuTu is 608049 points from the OPPO Find X2 Pro and we think the ROG Phone 3 will have a similar score as well. How the Lenovo Legion can get such a high score is thanks to the Snapdragon 865+ chipset which will be announced soon.

For the tech geeks, the Snapdragon 865+ chipset features an Adreno 650 graphics, alongside an octa-core SoC which consists of a 3.09GHz Kryo 585 Prime CPU (1x), 2.42GHz Kryo 585 Gold (3x) and 1.8GHz Kryo 585 Silver CPU (4x). Besides that, the AnTuTu list also revealed that the Lenovo Legion has 16GB of RAM, 512GB UFS 3.1 storage, 144Hz display and Android 10 out of the box.

The Lenovo Legion gaming smartphone will definitely be one of the devices to look out for this month. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech gadget news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro now official for RM1999 with 6-inch display, 5000mAh battery and mega storage

Samsung Malaysia Electronics today is proud to announce the release of the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016), the latest 2016 Galaxy A Series addition comes with a huge 6-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, large 5000mAh battery and greater storage with additional 256GB of external memory. Coming in black, white and gold, the smartphone is now available for RM1999 (GST included) in all across Samsung Experience Stores and authorised dealers starting today. Below is the official specifications:

Ideal for users who frequently watch videos or browse the internet for the hippest cafés for their weekend brunch, and not forgetting whose passion is reading your favourite e-book on a smartphone is now both easy on the eyes and easy to carry around. To celebrate the Galaxy A9 Pro’s arrival in Malaysia, Samsung Malaysia Electronics is throwing in a FREE 64GB microSD card for every purchase, adding massive capacity for up to 16000 photos (based on average size of 4MB per picture).

“Urban millennials today are a fun-loving, exuberant and practical lot. They keep up with trends, catch the latest entertainment, and constantly seek for bold adventures to create excitement into the usual daily living. That is what our new Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) is here to do – to complement their lifestyles and to make it whole lot more fun by offering them the very essence of what makes a smartphone, life’s best companion,” said Mr Lee Jui Siang, Vice President, IT & Mobile Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

For more product information, please visit their website to check it out and stay tuned for more news at Technave.com!


Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro with 4GB RAM outed in China for 3599 RMB (RM2188)

The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro has officially made it, with an official listing in China for 3599 RMB (RM2188). The largest of the Samsung Galaxy A (2016) series, it packs in a 6-inch fHD display but retains the same look and feel as the other Galaxy A (2016) smartphones like the Galaxy A5 (2016) and Galaxy A7 (2016). No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it should reach local third-party sellers before arriving officially in Malaysia.


Samsung Galaxy A9 Star and Galaxy A9 Lite reportedly to come into Malaysia

Just last week alone, Samsung Electronics was on a roll releasing multiple Galaxy variants. Now we have some reports that the Galaxy A9 Star and Galaxy A9 Lite are coming up next and Malaysia happens to be part of the first wave to get it.

According to sources, the Galaxy A9 Star is a big one featuring a 6.28-inch AMOLED screen panel and has a 3700mAh battery pack inside. Even the camera sensors are big, with the front camera using a 24MP sensor while the dual rear camera set is using a pair of 24MP + 16MP sensors. Other than that, it runs on Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and has 4GB + 64GB memory.

As for the Galaxy A9 Lite, there isn't much information on the tech-specs but we do have some model shots, which doesn't look very different for a Galaxy phone. The Galaxy A9 Lite will have a black, gray and blue model option.

Besides Malaysia, the duo Galaxy A9 Star phones will also be available in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. Stay tuned for more Samsung news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy A9 officially announced with 4000 mAh battery and 6-inch display

After months of teasing, the Samsung Galaxy A9 finally got its official announcement for China. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but like the other Samsung Galaxy A (2016) smartphones, it will have a rounded metal frame and glass back. Check out the tech specs below:

We expect the A9 to go for below RM2K around RM1.8K to RM1.6K but since Samsung Malaysia haven't made any major announcements, we expect to see the Samsung Galaxy A9 and it's A (2016) siblings next year in 2016. In related news, Samsung are reportedly going to focus on the budget segment next year, so the Galaxy A (2016) series look like a good start. Hopefully they'll slash prices accordingly as these days, flagship pricing starts from around RM1.7K already.


Samsung Galaxy A9 shows how well it performs, gets 73592 on AnTuTu

Barely a few days after the announcement and already there are benchmarks of the recently announced Samsung Galaxy A9. Featuring a midrange Snapdragon 652 processor with a larger 6-inch Super AMOLED full HD display, the Galaxy A9 scored 73592 on AnTuTu. This is very respectable score despite it not being the highest (the Huawei Mate 8 for example is scored at 92746). As usual, no news yet about a Malaysia release date or pricing details for the Galaxy A9 but we're still estimating early next year in January or February 2016.


Samsung Galaxy A90 may be released 3700mAh battery capacity and speakers behind display

Less than a week away from the Samsung Galaxy A90 and more leaks about the smartphone’s features have surfaced online. This time it is from Weibo user Martian-V, who claims that the device may be released with SDM7150 chipset and speakers behind the display!

Other tech specs such as the RAM and internal storage have not been revealed yet but it is expected to see the device be released in different versions. In terms of camera, the device may come with 48MP + 8MP + ToF sensors. According to a leaked video, the device is expected to be released with a pop up rotating camera and doubles as both the selfie and rear camera. Also, it may also be released with a huge 6.7 inch screen.

Weibo user Martian V leaks more details about Galaxy A90https://t.co/AfO4j7AB8A pic.twitter.com/FVQEyvKdw2

In addition, what makes this device even more interesting is the fact that the speakers will be embedded behind the screen, similar to the vivo APEX 2019. We had known for awhile that Samsung has been working on this technology and it is very exciting to see it live in action. Due to that, perhaps we can finally see a true infinity display from them. What do you think? Catch up on the latest Samsung news and updates on TechNave.com!


Samsung Galaxy A90 may be the cheapest 5G smartphone to come out by this year

The Samsung Galaxy A90 has been rumoured to be out soon and with some pretty impressive features. The device may come with a full screen display, a pop up selfie camera, the Snapdragon 855 chipset and 5G support. These features scream flagship but isn’t the A series Samsung’s mid-range line?

From renders, the pop up camera is placed top and center of the device. The notchless device comes with skinny bezels and a slight chin at the bottom. The back comes equipped with a triple rear camera setup with no rear mounted fingerprint reader as it may be released with an in-display fingerprint scanner.

Tech-specs wise, it is rumoured that the device may be powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset, a 6.7 inch display and the X50 modem. If rumours ring true that the smartphone will be released this year, the A90 may likely be the cheapest 5G device out in 2019. Reports claim that the A90 may be released in the 4th quarter of 2019. Does this mean we’ll be getting this smartphone with flagship specs in a mid-range price? Keep up with the latest Samsung news on TechNave.com!


Samsung Galaxy A90 may come with a huge 6.73 inch screen with true infinity display

We’re less than a month away from the Samsung Galaxy A90 launch on the 10th of April. The phone has been speculated to have some pretty impressive features and it is said that the device may be released with a 6.73 inch screen and 25W fast charging, according to popular Twitter leaker, @OnLeaks.

In addition to the huge display, the screen might also be sporting a true, unobstructed infinity display as the A90 has been rumoured to have a pop up selfie camera. The bezels that come with the device may be 1.2mm in size and 3.6mm for the chin. Besides that, we may be seeing a 25W fast charger on the A90, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. A 3610mAh battery capacity might just be found on the device which will pair pretty nicely with the fast charger.

Other than that, we have no further information about the device. However, since there has been no official announcements yet, make sure to take the information with a grain of salt. So what are you expecting to see on the Samsung Galaxy A90? To keep up with the latest updates on the Samsung Galaxy A90, make sure to follow TechNave.com!


Samsung Galaxy A90 may have a sliding and rotating camera system

We can all safely assume that everyone hates #Notchville. Many brands are finding innovative ways to remove the notch and Samsung may be bringing back an interesting way to do so. The Samsung Galaxy A90 may feature a sliding and rotating mechanism for their cameras, according to popular leaker @OnLeaks on Twitter.

This innovative way eliminates the need for a selfie camera in the front as the camera in the back may just slide up and rotate to the front, becoming a selfie a camera. This is somewhat of a hybrid between the OPPO Find X and OPPO N1. There are other rumours mentioning that it might just be a rotating pop up camera altogether.

According to new and yet unconfirmed but seemingly reliable source, #Samsung #GalaxyA90 will come with a sliding and rotating camera system (kinda mix between Oppo Find X and Oppo N1 systems) which allows the camera to be used as front and rear camera depending its position... pic.twitter.com/A6NBRzFFvK

It isn’t surprising that Samsung may implement this on the Galaxy A series as this series has been known to carry the most interesting smartphone innovations in the market. So far, no tech specs or other features have been revealed about the device. This does raise a few questions, though. First, how delicate is the mechanism and will it break easy? Two, will it be a dust trap like the OPPO Find X? Three, will we be getting a full infinite display out of this?

The OPPO Find X and OPPO N1. Samsung may just draw inspiration from these two!

We may just be seeing the Samsung Galaxy A90 announced in Q2 this year. Make sure you take this article with some salt as this is just a speculated leak so far. What do you think? Yay or nay? The best Samsung news can be found here on TechNave.com so make sure you stay tuned!


Samsung Galaxy A91 could come with the Snapdragon 855 chipset and 48MP main camera

Based on a statement by sammobile.com, the Samsung Galaxy A91 could come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 chipset as well as up to a 48MP main camera. Other than that, the main camera is also accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide image sensor as well as a 32MP front-facing selfie camera.

In terms of the battery, we can expect it to come equipped with a 4500mAh which supports 45W fast charging that would most likely be sold separately. Just like the Galaxy Note 10, the Galaxy A91 will have an in-display optical fingerprint scanner and no 3.5mm headphone jack.

With all that said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt as there was no official statement by Samsung on the smartphone in question. In addition to that, there is also no information on the Malaysia release date as well as local pricing for now.

Would you be interested in getting the Samsung Galaxy A91 as soon as it is available in Malaysia? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


AnTuTu's top 10 Android phones in Oct 2021

These days, new Android smartphones are popping up every other month or so. This makes some consumers curious as to which flagship device can deliver the best performance. Well, AnTuTu tracks these numbers so let's take a look at the latest ones.

In its October 2021 report, you can see that the top 3 are all dominated by gaming smartphones - the Nubia Red Magic 6 Pro, ROG Phone 5, and realme GT. That makes sense, as these devices have chipsets with boosted CPU frequencies for that increase in performance. This is followed by top flagship models like the iQOO 7, the OnePlus 9 Pro, and the Xiaomi 11i.

As you can see, all top 10 devices feature the Snapdragon 888 chipset. In other words, there are no MediaTek and Samsung chipsets that can beat Qualcomm's flagship chipset in CPU or GPU performance. That could change with the Samsung Exynos 2200, which could launch next week. But Qualcomm will also be launching its next-gen Snapdragon 898 chipset later this month, so it could still maintain its top position.

Now, while the Snapdragon 888 is indeed a powerful chipset, many phones using it have heat issues. That's why some consider the Snapdragon 870 chipset a better alternative, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Samsung Galaxy A91 looks like the Galaxy S10 according to leaked images

News and leaks of upcoming Samsung products have been rife in the last few weeks and it's not about to end yet. Now, a new leak showing off the design of what's reportedly the Galaxy A91 has appeared. And if you're thinking it looks familiar, you're not wrong.

From what we can see in the video, the Galaxy A91 looks similar to the Galaxy S10 and renders of the Galaxy S11 that we've seen before. It has the same cameras at the rear set in a rectangle block, as well as a punch-hole cutout for its front camera. This could mean that the devices will indeed feature similar designs.

Some tech specs for the Galaxy A91 were also reported recently. It's expected to be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The main camera setup at the back is supposed to be a 48MP combo, though whether it's a triple or quad camera setup has yet to be confirmed.

Would you be interested in the Galaxy A91 when it launches in Malaysia? Come and let us know on our Facebook page. Also, stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech news.


Samsung Galaxy ATIV SE leaked, probably just for US markets

We've always liked metal-clad Samsung smartphones, perhaps because most Samsung smartphones are made from plastic, but it seems that they may soon come out with a refresh of the Samsung ATIV S. Asides from being one of the few Samsung smartphones with a metal backside it is also one of the few Windows Phone 8 smartphones from Samsung as well. Leaked by master leaker @evleaks, the new Samsung ATIV SE looks to retain the same brushed metal backside as before but has some upgraded tech specs as well. These tech specs include Windows Phone 8.1 and 4G LTE along with a full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution screen. So far, it looks to be just a Verizon-only phone, so it probably won't have a Malaysia release date or pricing here. Still, stay tuned for the latest updates.[Source]


Samsung Galaxy Ace Review

The Samsung Galaxy Ace comes hot on the heels of the sock-evaporating, super stunning Samsung Galaxy S2. However with a different shape and decidedly down-sized specs, it’s clearly not for the same type of audience. Is it worth a look with the HTC Wildfire S around the corner? Let’s find out.

Samsung Galaxy Ace - Design and build quality:

It’s a plastic, Fisher-Price version of the iPhone 4, with identical curved edges, black bezel and metal bands around the side, plus a clicky home button -  though it being Android, you’ll find touch sensitive menu and back buttons on either side of it as well.We can’t say we’re loving the sense of deja vu the Samsung Galaxy Ace’s case will give you, but it is at least rock solid, with USB and 3.5mm audio ports on the top as they should be, plus a conveniently placed microSD card slot so you can switch out memory without having to pull the battery out.

The Samsung Galaxy Ace’s screen is a 3.5-inch capacitive panel with a 320×480 resolution, which sounds sharp enough, until you consider the fact that Android phones have had screens this sharp since 2008. As such, our complaints about the HTC Wildfire S’s screens are true: reading text and websites could be easier on the eye, but if you’re upgrading to this resolution, not downgrading, you won’t notice.There’s almost something to be said for trying to grab last year’s Samsung Galaxy S phone in its place: you’ll find the price difference isn’t so great now, and its sharper 800×480 Super AMOLED panel vastly out performs the LCD screen on the Ace, with superior colour production and viewing angles.

The Samsung Galaxy Ace is all about providing a low price entry point into the Android experience, from the countless apps and games to Google’s impressive suite of services, such as Gmail and Google Maps (with free turn by turn navigation). Hardware is only part of the picture however: Samsung’s tried to make the Ace stand out with ease of use and intuitive software as well.

Samsung’s tweaks to the Android OS are largely benevolent: the Galaxy Ace comes with the superb Swype keyboard pre-installed, and easily merges your Facebook and Twitter contacts with your phonebook. And really high end games aside, the 800MHz CPU is up to the challenge of multitasking and web browsing.

A smartphone wouldn’t be a smartphone without 3G, Wi-Fi and GPS all on-board and the Samsung Galaxy Ace comes with all three, natch. Interestingly, while HTC saw fit to remove its own DLNA media streaming app from the Wildfire S, Samsung’s (superior) solution, allShare, is still included on this model, and it’s just the ticket for sending music and standard definition video around your home network. You can also share your 3G connection as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, free of charge – a handy option to have for anyone who’s struggled with dodgy coffee shop wireless.

The Galaxy Ace comes armed with one of the better five megapixel cameras we’ve tried of late, and even avoids the typical pitfall of massive blowout when the flash is deployed. That is for stills at least: the QVGA (320×240) video shot at a stuttery 15 frames per second is far behind the curve.

While Samsung’s top end Android phones are the very best phones for video on the market right now, the Samsung Galaxy Ace is blessed with none of their codec support. All you’ve got are the basic formats that all Android phones handle (essentially MP4 and MP3). For anything else, you’ll have to turn to third party media players on the Android Market and hope the 800MHz CPU is up to the challenge. Oh, and Flash video streaming isn’t supported.

While the Samsung Galaxy S 2 comes stuffed with exclusive apps and “hubs”, some good, some bad, all you get on the Galaxy Ace is the aforementioned allShare app and the dull ThinkFree Office – rather pointless now a native Google Docs app is available. There’s also Samsung’s own Apps download store, which hilariously includes just one Weather App, and really ought to be put to sleep.Of course, you’ve also got the hundreds of thousands of apps on the Android Market – that should be more than enough for even the most ADD of smartphone addicts.

Samsung Galaxy Ace - Call quality/battery life:

While skinny phones have been impressing us of late with their impressive call quality, the Samsung Galaxy Ace can’t quite muster the same sonic skills, delivering a rather raspy sound when the volume’s ramped up. We’ve got better news to report on the battery life: we found the Galaxy Ace ran for a full two days on a charge, even with GPS and Google sync on. That’s a rare achievement for an Android mobile – and definitely one of the best reasons to seek this phone out.

While the HTC Wildfire S is the more attractive mid-range phone, the Galaxy Ace does at least offer a superior screen and slightly speedier performance – factors every bit as crucial as an aluminium unibody chassis.


Samsung Galaxy Ace Style LTE announced, comes with Super AMOLED + 4G LTE + NFC

Most of the time, smartphones with Super AMOLED screens tend to be midrange or flagship level, so it came as a surprise when the Samsung Galaxy Ace Style LTE was recently announced. Apart from 4G LTE support, it also included a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED screen featuring an 800 x 480 pixel resolution. Other tech specs are rather upper entry level with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage with microSD support, a 5MP rear camera with LED flashand a 1900 mAh battery. The other notable features are 4G LTE and NFC which could signal these features coming to more entry-level smartphones in the near future. No Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but it is available in Germany for €199 (RM826). [Source]


Samsung Galaxy Alpha and Note 4 first Gorilla Glass 4 equipped smartphones

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was able to offer such a thin profile thanks to the stronger and thinner Corning Gorilla Glass 4

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 4 will reportedly be the first smartphones in the market to feature Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The latest generation of Gorilla Glass will be 2x times drop resistant as compared to the previous versions which means it can withstand drops around 80% of the time. Corning's experts studied over hundreds of broken devices to understand why the glass breaks after a fall. The results of the study indicate that over 70 percent of breakage occurs due to the surface contact with glass. In order to avoid this, the company made its latest Gorilla Glass 4 almost two times tougher. At the same time, the company managed to reduce the glass's thickness as compared to its previous generations. With this extra thin protective glass, Samsung managed to reduce the thickness of its Galaxy Alpha smartphone to just 7mm. The metal build coupled with the Gorilla Glass 4 protection makes the device sturdy and durable in spite of its thin profile. As for the tech specs, it features Samsung's Exynos 5 chipset with 4G LTE support, 4.7 inch Super AMOLED display, 13MP rear camera, 2.1MP secondary camera and 1860mAh battery. The Samsung Galaxy Alpha is available for purchase in Malaysia for RM1899 while the Galaxy Note 4 is going for RM2499.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is one of the first few smartphones in the world to offer Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection


Samsung Galaxy Alpha announced in Malaysia for RM1899

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was just launched today in Malaysia for RM1899. The super thin metal frame smartphone from Samsung is currently available in authorized Samsung Experience Stores and other retail outlets but is limited to just black or white for now. The gold and silver colours will be coming later. The Samsung Galaxy Alpha tech specs and features are as follows:

From left to right: Lawrence Wong, Alia Bastamam, Wilson Wee, Managing Director of Welfon Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, Lee Dong Yong, President of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, Karena Teo, Wak Doyok with a few models during the launch gambit.


Samsung Galaxy Alpha coming to Malaysia soon

The just announced metal frame Samsung Galaxy Alpha could well be on the way to Malaysia in record time. This comes from a listing of the SM-G850F, which is the model number for the Galaxy Alpha, at the SIRIM database. The listing shows a number of tech specs and also confirms that the model we will be getting here in Malaysia will have 4G LTE connectivity. Other recently confirmed tech specs include the fact that the 12MP rear camera uses a Samsung ISOCELL camera sensor, and therefore, should be able to deliver similar performance with the 16MP ISOCELL sensor on the Samsung Galaxy S5. We still don't have any details on the exact Malaysia release date or pricing but we expect the Malaysia release of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha to be within a month from this date based on the previous release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and Galaxy Tab S 8.4.


Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro series announced ahead of MWC 2022 with 12th Gen Intel Core Processors

As we enter the month of March soon, that also means the coming of the Mobile World Congress 2022. Tech brands would annually come and show off their latest devices and Samsung is definitely one of them. In conjunction with the event, the company unveiled two new notebooks called the Galaxy Book 2 Pro and Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360.

Starting with the Galaxy Book 2 Pro, it is packed with the latest 12th Gen Intel Core Processors (i7 and i5) with Intel Evo graphics. With these tech specs, you can tell that these notebooks are just meant for working and it also has up to 21 hours of battery life (results may vary on usage).

Coming pre-installed with Windows 11, it has some important features that are used nowadays such as having WiFi 6E, three USB Type-C ports of up to 65W, a fingerprint sensor cum power button and even 5G connectivity. The notebook is fairly compact and uses only a 13.3 or 15.6-inch AMOLED display in FHD resolution. Unfortunately, there isn't an HDMI port.

On the other hand, the Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 isn't that much different from the standard version. This notebook is a 2-in-1 PC with Intel Iris X graphics and has an extra Burgundy colour scheme option apart from Silver and Graphite. Users may choose to get a separated S-Pen stylus as well for design purposes.

There aren't any official prices and availability announced yet, but here are the available memory capacity for the notebooks.

Samsung Malaysia typically doesn't import the Galaxy Book series into Malaysia but who knows, the company may change its mind this year. But what do you think of the design? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra, Book 3 Pro & Book 3 Pro 360 unveiled with up to RTX 4070 GPUs & more

Besides the all-new Galaxy S23 series, Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Book 3 series. Compared with the predecessors, the new laptop looks sleeker, and premium, as well as has a larger touchpad. The Galaxy Book 3 series isn't coming to Malaysia, though, but here's what you need to know.

From Samsung's presentation, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra features the latest 13th Gen Intel Core H-processor. Consumers may get either the Intel Core i7 or Intel Core i9 variant, alongside an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 or 4070 GPU, up to 32GB of LPDDR5 6000MHz RAM and up to 1TB of PCIe 4.0 SSD storage.

The Galaxy Book 3 series models all have the same 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and it's the first time that Samsung integrated it into the laptop lineup. With up to 120Hz refresh rate, a 120% DCI-P3 colour volume and 3K resolution, it's very good for entertainment and video work, on paper.

Samsung seems confident that the Galaxy Book 3 series can also be used for gaming, which makes sense with the given specs. It also has a quad-speakers sound system and studio-quality mic for voice-call-over gaming and online meeting. Also, since it's a Galaxy device, having a Galaxy Book 3 model lets you connect with your Galaxy phone via phone-to-PC connectivity.

Samsung's phone-to-PC connectivity feature is an upgrade as users can use the phone like an extra device and work like a PC with the usual keyboard command functions, such as copy-and-paste and others. Media files are also automatically synced when paired and are uncompressed when transferred.

There's also a Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 for those who want a more flexible laptop, which can transform into tablet or tent mode, or the Galaxy Book 3 Pro for casual users. Moreover, users can get an extra S Pen for the Galaxy Book 3 series which is a separate accessory.

In terms of price and availability, below are the details for the Galaxy Book 3 series:

That's all, folks. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy Book 3 series renders and specs revealed

Last month, it was reported that the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 series would be unveiled with the Galaxy S23 series. The new laptops would feature high-end features and hardware, but details weren't confirmed. Now, the renders and tech specs have been revealed ahead of the launch.

Specifically, the details of two Galaxy Book 3 series models have been revealed (via Sammobile). The first one is a Galaxy Book 3 Ultra that features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. This high-end model will also come with a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. In terms of features, it will have a large 16-inch AMOLED display, Dolby Atmos support, AKG-tuned speakers, WiFi 6E support, and a 1080p webcam.

The other model is the Galaxy Book 3 360, a 2-in-1 convertible laptop with more modest specs. It comes with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, an internal Intel Iris XE GPU, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. It also shares many of its Ultra sibling's features but sports a smaller 13.3-inch AMOLED display. This display is a touchscreen, so the laptop will also support the S Pen.

Besides these two models, there should also be a Galaxy Book 3 Pro laptop and possibly a standard model. Regardless, we'll find out during the Samsung Unpacked in a few days, so stay tuned to TechNave for the reveal report!


Analyst believes Apple headset "highly likely" to be announced at WWDC 2023 after all

For years, the Apple AR/VR headset has been a subject of much speculation. Its launch date has been delayed multiple times, and a rumour in February suggested another delay. But now, a reliable source believes that we could see it by next month.

Analyst Ming-chi Kuo suggests Apple will most likely announce the Apple headset at WWDC 2023. The annual developer's conference is set to run from 5 to 9 June 2023, and should also feature other products like MacBooks. Allegedly, it will be a new 15-inch MacBook Air with the Apple M2 chip.

Besides that, Kuo provided a list of the main components to the Apple headset. The device is said to feature micro OLED displays (for the lenses) from Sony, dual processors, 12 camera modules, and an external power supply. In addition, the dual processors are expected to be the Apple M2 chip, so the headset should perform very well.

If the analyst is right, that's good news for fans who have been waiting to see this headset. Are you excited to finally see what Apple plans to do with it? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates about it.


Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 2, Galaxy Book Ion 2, and Notebook Plus 2 release: 11th-Gen Intel CPUs and Nvidia GPUs, starts from ~RM2,776

Today, Samsung has unveiled its 2021 laptop lineup with three models including the Galaxy Book Flex 2, Galaxy Book Ion 2, and Notebook Plus 2. All these new laptops come with 11th-Gen Intel Core processors for improved performance and battery life. Read on to find out what are the tech specs and features that these laptops bring!

Starting with the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 2, the laptop is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop that comes with a touchscreen display and an S Pen. It will be available in two sizes that are 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch. The Galaxy Book Flex 2 is powered by 11th-Gen Intel Core CPUs with Iris Xe integrated graphics and features PCIe 4.0 SSDs.

Other than that, the 15.6-inch version also features Nvidia’s MX450 dedicated GPU. The Galaxy Book Flex 2's price ranges from KRW 1.84 million (~RM6,765) to KRW 2.83 million (~RM10,406) and will be available in Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze. There is also a 5G model and it's available in Royal Silver with a price of KRW 2.725 million (~RM10,020) in South Korea.

Next, we have the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion 2 that is an ultra-lightweight laptop from the lineup. Like the Galaxy Book Flex 2, it also comes in two sizes that are 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch. The 13.3-inch version weighs just 970g and is 12.9mm thin. Both laptops are powered by Intel’s 11th-Gen Core processors as well, but only the 15.6-inch version offers the ability to upgrade RAM and SSD storage. The Galaxy Book Ion 2 15.6-inch can also be configured with Nvidia’s dedicated graphics. The Galaxy Book Ion 2’s price ranges from KRW 1.38 million (~RM5,074) to KRW 2.45 million (~RM9,009).

Lastly, Samsung has updated the Notebook Plus laptop and this new version comes with a 15.6-inch display. Other than 11th-Gen Intel Core CPUs, customers can also choose between Nvidia MX450 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti depending on needs. The laptop's price starts from KRW 755,000 (~RM2,776) to KRW 1.94 million (~RM7,134) and is available in Mystic Grey and Pure White.

For now, it is unsure when these laptops will arrive in Malaysia but we'll let you know soon if we got the news. Let us know what you think of Samsung's new laptops on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more latest tech product launches.


Samsung Galaxy Book, Galaxy Book Pro, as well as the Galaxy Book Pro 360 launched from ~RM3,547

It seems that Samsung recently unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Book, Galaxy Book Pro, as well as Galaxy Book Pro 360 laptops starting from the price of USD860 (~RM3547), USD1153 (~RM4756), and USD1605 (~RM6620) respectively. While the products mentioned will be available from 21 May 2021 onwards, there is no information on whether they will be available in the local market.

To go into detail, the Galaxy Book is equipped with a 15.6-inch display with a viewing angle of up to 170 degrees. As for the Galaxy Book Pro, it comes with largely the same specs as the Galaxy Book except it is much lighter and thinner.

Last but not least, the Galaxy book Pro 360 comes equipped with a 360-degree hinge, up to 15.6-inch touch screen, and it comes with S-Pen support. Not only that, but it also comes with features such as Quick Share, Samsung Gallery, Second Screen and more.

Unfortunately, Samsung did not fully reveal the exact tech specs of all the laptops mentioned above. What are your thoughts on the Galaxy Book series? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy Book Go release: Qualcomm SD processors with 5G connectivity, starts from ~RM1,438

Samsung has announced a new Galaxy Book Go lineup as new laptops powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon ARM-based processors. It is a trend to launch laptops with ARM-based chips nowadays after Apple set the bar with the M1-powered Macs. Therefore, could this be Samsung taking a chance against the Cupertino-based company?

The vanilla Samsung Galaxy Book Go features the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform and comes in 4G LTE and Wi-Fi-only variants. Its counterpart, Galaxy Book Go 5G, uses the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 and supports 5G connectivity with much higher performance. Other than that, both of the laptops have similar tech specs including 4/8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, up to 128GB of eUFS storage, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 ac 2×2), Dolby Atmos speakers, etc.

For the screen, the laptops use a 14-inch Full HD TFT display along with a 720p webcam placed above it. It is also worth mentioning that the laptops can be opened all the way to 180-degrees. Under the hood, they sport a 42.3 Wh battery that supports 25W fast charging over USB Type-C. For the ports, the laptops offer two USB Type-C connectors, a full-sized USB 2.0, a 3.5mm audio jack, a micro SD card slot and an optional nano-SIM card tray. The Galaxy Book Go lineup starts with the price of 349 USD (~RM1,438).

Let us know what you think about these Samsung's new laptops on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more laptop launches.


Samsung Galaxy Book series release: 11th Gen Intel Core CPU, Dolby Atmos speakers, and intelligent noise cancelling from ~RM2250

Yesterday night, Samsung held its latest Galaxy Unpacked event to unveil something most fans don't expect from the company: New laptops. There are four models - the Galaxy Book, Galaxy Book Pro, Galaxy Book Pro 360, and Galaxy Book Odyssey.

Starting with the basic model, the Galaxy Book is a 15.6-inch laptop with a hinge that lets it unfold 180-degrees. It is equipped with an 11th Gen Intel Core CPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of SSD storage. Also, it features Dolby Atmos Speakers, 65W fast-charging, and intelligent noise cancelling.

Next is the Galaxy Book Pro, which comes in 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch variants. They will come with the same basic specs as the Galaxy Book, as well as AMOLED displays, Thunderbolt 4, a Pro Keyboard, and more. It's also ultra-thin at 11.2 mm and weighs only 868g.

Then there's the Galaxy Book Pro 360, an alternate version of the Galaxy Book Pro with a 360-degree hinge. It also gets an upgraded display, as its Super AMOLED panel is a touchscreen with S-Pen support. On top of that, this model has 5G support, an enhanced cooling system, and a battery expected to deliver up to 20 hours of video playback.

Last but not least is the Galaxy Book Odyssey, Samsung's latest attempt at gaming laptops. This model comes with more powerful 11th Gen Intel Core H-Series CPUs, up to 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti GPU. This means it should be powerful enough to play most games in medium settings. Besides that, it also has Dolby Atmos speakers, 135W fast-charging, and an enhanced cooling system.

However, note that Samsung has yet to mention if the new laptops will be available here. We'll be keeping an eye out for updates on that, so stay tuned to TechNave.com! But with that said, what do you think of Samsung's new laptops? Let us know by dropping a comment below.


Samsung Galaxy Book unveiled. Windows 10 Tablet with S-Pen?

Samsung seemed to be on a roll with tablets for MWC 2017. Along with the Galaxy Tab S3, which runs on Android, they had also unveiled the Galaxy Book, which is a pair of hybrid tablet/notebook running Microsoft Windows 10.

Geared towards the productivity market, interestingly, these two new Windows-based 2-in-1 offerings also features Samsung’s S Pen system. Unlike their Android sibling, they come with the keyboard accessory out-of-the-box, making them similar devices to Microsoft’s Surface offerings. Running on the Windows 10 operating system, its offers the full desktop Microsoft Office experience for maximum productivity. Samsung now offers support for tilt detection of the S Pen in Windows 10, opening up the possibility for more precise pen inputs.

The Galaxy Book will be available in two variants, a 10.6-inch as well as a 12-inch, with differing specifications. Full specs listed below:

At this moment of writing, availability and pricing information for the Samsung Galaxy Book had not been released. Realistically speaking, seeing how Samsung has more presence in the mobile market in Malaysia, these would never see the light of day in Malaysia, however, do stay tuned with us on TechNave.com for news of availability if they do launch in Malaysia.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Malaysia release: now available for RM899

During the Galaxy Unpacked event, the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro also joined the Galaxy Z series. Priced at RM899, the new earbuds have been revealed with a compact design and many more.

For starters, the newest Galaxy Buds 2 Pro now features Hi-Fi 24bit Audio, which is said to offer a high-dynamic range and crystal-clear resolution. With the new Samsung seamless codec (SSC HiFi), quality music is enabled to transfer without a pause, and the new coaxial 2-way speaker makes those sounds richer, said Samsung.

Although the design looks more or less the same as the predecessors, the new compact, ergonomic design is 15% smaller, with a secure fit that is engineered to prevent rotation. Of course, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is present and the earbuds can now Auto Switch as a transition from your favourite TV show to taking a phone call.

For the battery life, it can last up to 18 and 29 hours with ANC on and off respectively. Other notable features include IPX7 water resistance rating, Bluetooth 5.3, and it's only compatible with Android 8.0 OS or higher with more than 1.5GB of RAM. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro will be coming in Bora Purple, Graphite and White.

Should you be interested in purchasing the Galaxy Fold 4 5G, you can use our referral code - TNGZF4VIP. It starts from today onwards until 1 September 2022 and you will be granted a 15W PD Adapter (USB-C) worth RM59 (without cable). Better hurry up while stocks last! Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review - a specialised pair of buds for Galaxy Z Flip 4/Fold 4 users

Besides making smartphones, Samsung is also known for releasing some good audio products thanks to its partnership with AKG. However, the Galaxy Buds lineup was just average (at least to me) until the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. After trying it for two weeks, I can finally say that the Galaxy Buds series quality is going somewhere but with some limitations. Let me explain.

Before I get to the audio performance, I want to talk about the design first. At first glance, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro are strikingly similar with the same outline design. Despite that, you can also tell there's a difference between the two (image below). One is glossy-looking, whereas the new Galaxy Buds Pro looks cleaner.

The Galaxy Buds Pro (left, with a casing) and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro (right)

As usual, it comes with two extra sizes of silicone ear tips as well as a USB-C cable

On the surface of the charging case and the earbuds, you can see that the texture is a matte finish. And believe it or not, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is slightly smaller than its predecessor! It's also good to know that these wireless earbuds are IPX7 water resistant, so whether it's raining or you're washing it on the water tap, there's no problem.

The review unit we received was the Graphite type, which looks solid with its matte finish. But I also imagine the White and Bora Purple would look refined. As for compatibility, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro works for both Android and iOS devices. Of course, it works best for Samsung devices, so if you don't have one, you will need to download the Galaxy Wearable app.

The main page of the Galaxy Wearable app

Here is where things get interesting, the Galaxy Wearable app is only available to download on the Google Play Store, not the Apple App Store. You can still connect the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro on your iPhone, but you would miss out on features like the touch control gestures. Also, it seems the previous Galaxy Buds Manager app has remained dormant.

In the Galaxy Wearable app, you will have the usual user interface for activating Active Noise Canceling (ANC), Ambient Sound, Touch Controls and many others. One highlighted feature is the Voice Detect which can help lower music volume automatically when you're talking to someone. Sounds useful on paper, but in practice...that's a different story. I don't really use it a lot because Voice Detect activates even when I clear my throat, thus disrupting my music leisure time.

Touch Controls (left) and other settings (right)

I mentioned before that the Touch Controls are limited on the iPhone, especially for skipping and repeating a song (Double and Triple Tap). Did Samsung intentionally do this? Perhaps, but this makes accessibility limited. Furthermore, the Double and Triple Tap is only accessible in the Galaxy Wearable app on other Android phones. It's like Samsung really wants you to use the Galaxy 2 Pro only with Samsung devices (or so it seems, more on that later).

Speaking of the Touch Controls, it works flawlessly to start/pause a song, replay, and receive calls. The gesture commands are convenient, but I find the sensitivity too high. For example, a touch of my shirt when taking it off over my head can actually pause the song. Unfortunately, there is no sensitivity control. Even when I put the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro on, it would often start a song from where I last played. A friend of mine who also has the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro didn't bother installing the Galaxy Wearable app, so he wouldn't have to deal with the extra sensitive Touch Controls.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro fits quite nicely for me, network calls are smooth too

Besides the Galaxy Wearable app, another convincing piece of evidence is the 24-bit audio quality sound on the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. In layman's terms, this is great audio stuff. But once again, you can only access this only if you have the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4. This is because these phones have a new Samsung Seamless Codec. So yeah, doesn't matter if you have a Galaxy S22 series model or not, as you would only get 16-bit audio.

Since I don't have a Galaxy Z Flip 4 or a Galaxy Z Fold 4, I can't really tell you how good the 24-bit audio is. That said, I think it's something that you wouldn't really miss. Because the fact of the matter is - most casual users won't be able to tell the difference between 24-bit and 16-bit and trust me, the latter is more than good enough.

After 5 hours, the battery only went down to 82% from 100%

The high SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) microphones

There is also another minor issue with that. Since streaming music is the way to go for music lovers nowadays, 24-bit might be quite redundant for Galaxy Buds 2 Pro users. This is because the wearable is simply too good for music streaming platforms like YouTube Music and even Spotify, which support 16-bit. Only Tidal and Apple Music offer music playback in 24-bit, and both services require a paid subscription. Personally, I'm unsure if you can actually take advantage of Tidal and Apple Music for the 24-bit feature since it requires Samsung Seamless Codec.

At this point, it sounds like the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro isn't reaching its full potential. But that's not true. As I mentioned earlier, these wearables are easily the best of the bunch from the Galaxy Buds lineup. If you pay attention, you might hear some extra musical instruments you've never heard before while listening to your favourite songs.

It's perfect for the Galaxy Z Flip 4/Fold 4, but not so much for the rest

Case in point, as "noisy" as Yen by Slipknot may sound, you can hear the various background musical instruments a lot clearer. Then on Silver Landings by Mandy Moore, the cello plucking sounds are more precise. Finally, you can hear Marie Hsiao (Mree) subtly moving her chair at the end of her May song. Of course, having ANC turned on complimented the audio performance and HiFi listening experience.

So, is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro worth RM899? That really depends on you, honestly. Your ears may or may not hear much difference between 24-bit and 16-bit. But you might as well go for it if you're diving deep into the Samsung ecosystem with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or Galaxy Z Fold 4. Otherwise, there are other great options with the likes of Sony (the WF-1000XM4 and LinkBuds S) and OPPO (the Enco X2) at a similar or higher price range.

Pros - The best audio performance yet in the Galaxy Buds lineup, IPX7 water resistance rating, durable battery life, nice matte finish design

Cons - Casual users may not be able to tell the difference between 24-bit and 16-bit, extremely sensitive and limited Touch Control accessibility, 24-bit only on the Galaxy Z Flip 4/Fold4

Conclusion - Get this if you're into the Samsung ecosystem with the Galaxy Z Flip 4/Fold4

So what do you think of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro? Anything else we missed out on? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more trending tech gadget reviews at TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro's renders show the same old design

After knowing the colourways that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro will offer, we get the renders of the wireless earbuds showing a familiar design. If this were true, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro wouldn't have a makeover by sporting a similar look as its predecessor.

The renders come from reputable leakster Evan Blass. They showcase the same design language and even the positioning of the sensors. However, it's said that the new earbuds will have additional sensors on the upper part of the body, while other things remain unchanged.

Besides that, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro could also have bigger batteries. The last generation packs a 61mAh battery each, with the charging case housing a 472mAh power unit, allowing the earbuds to last up to eight hours on a single charge and up to 28 hours with the case. Therefore, the successor should provide better battery life than that.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is expected to appear alongside the next-gen Samsung Galaxy folding smartphones at the Unpacked event. Rumour has it that the event could be physical after two years of being online. Are you excited about the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro's launch? Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech gadget reports.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 entering mass production, expected to launch in July 2021

At the end of March, hints of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 in the Galaxy Wearable app. It was clear that Samsung has already begun to work on it, but no one knew when it would be out. Now, sources suggest that the new model could launch soon.

According to Roland Quandt, Samsung is starting to ramp up production for parts of the Galaxy Buds 2 (model name SM-R177). This suggests that it's entering mass production so that it could be on schedule to launch sometime in July 2021. Samsung also adjusted the prices for its older TWS models like the Galaxy Buds Live, which is usually what the company does when a new model is on the way.

New coming soon! pic.twitter.com/AoSo3ykg6W

There haven't been any details of the new Galaxy Buds 2 so far. However, a sketch of the charging case was leaked recently. Its design is closer to the one for the case of the Galaxy Buds+, rather than the more recent Galaxy Buds Live (check our review here). Besides that, it's rumoured that the Galaxy Buds 2 will be available in black, white, purple, and green colours.

Since it's a Samsung device, we can expect the usual leak sources to reveal more details in the coming weeks. Having said that, what kind of improvements are you hoping to see from the new model? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates on this.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 expected to retail in Europe for ~RM751

An increasing number of leaks on the upcoming Samsung product has been popping up in recent weeks. That's normal, as Samsung gears up for the Unpacked event on 11 August 2021. However, it looks like we're going to start seeing price leaks and the Galaxy Buds 2 is the first to be leaked.

According to WinFuture.de, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 will retail in Euro for 149.99 Euros (~RM751). That's the pricing before Europe's Value-Added Tax (VAT), which obviously doesn't apply in our region. On top of that, electronic devices tend to seem more expensive if you directly convert the Euro pricing to Ringgit Malaysia.

Of course, we do have taxes for electronics in Malaysia. But the Galaxy Buds 2 is more of a successor to the Galaxy Buds+, so we're expecting it to have a similar launch price of between RM599 to RM699. Price aside, the new model will allegedly offer active noise cancellation, ambient sound, and improved bass performance. If anything, its performance should be more on the level of the Galaxy Buds Pro (see review here).

But what are your thoughts on that? Will Samsung deliver a vastly improved product, or is this just a minor upgrade for those who don't have a pair of TWS earbuds yet? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news about this.


Analyst claims that Apple iPhone 14 will start using punch-hole cutout instead of notch

Apple has taken the move by making the iPhone 13 series' notch smaller than all the previous models. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the tech giant might shrink the FaceID notch further on the next generation of iPhones, turning it into a punch-hole cutout.

The analyst mentions that iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro will offer a big redesign by getting rid of the notch. However, it seems like the company could choose to go with something old school rather than an under-display camera. We know that it's early for some iPhone 14 rumours, but it's still exciting to know what's about to come next!

Other than that, the analyst also shared that new Pro models will be offering 48MP wide cameras. Furthermore, a 6.7-inch non-Pro iPhone is expected to complement the standard model, as the mini model is rumoured to be cancelled.

What do think about these iPhone 14 rumours? Drop a comment to let us know and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone news.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 fully revealed in unboxing video

As we've come to be used to, new info for upcoming Samsung devices continues to appear. Some renders and specs for the Galaxy Buds 2 have already been leaked before. But now, we also get to see what the new TWS model looks like from all angles.

The Mobile Central has uploaded an unboxing video of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 on YouTube, fully revealing the device before next week's launch. If it's not already obvious from previously leaked renders, the new model has a similar design to the Galaxy Buds Pro. The case itself is white in colour, but on the inside, it sports the colour you chose for the earbuds, which is olive-coloured in this video.

Anyway, the video also shows the pairing process. The Galaxy Buds 2 can be connected to a Samsung smartphone just by opening the case. But if you're pairing it for the first time, you still need to tap on the earbuds' buttons and initiate the pairing via your phone's Bluetooth settings. It then opens the Galaxy Wearable to download the settings for the new earbuds.

For a new TWS model, the Galaxy Buds 2 looks really good so far. You probably don't need to upgrade if you already have the Galaxy Buds Pro. But what do you think, would you be interested in this model? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 might already be in development based on source code

Based on a statement by androidpolice.com, it seems that a Galaxy Wearable source code hinted that Samsung could be developing the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2. While not much is known in regards to the global release date, it does give us a better idea of what to expect when it is officially available.

Other than what was mentioned, there is no news in terms of the exact details such as the design, tech specs, and pricing of the upcoming earbuds for now. That being said, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Samsung has yet to provide an official statement on the leak.

Not only that, but there’s also no news on the Malaysia release date and local pricing for now. Would you be interested in getting the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 if it were to be available in the global market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 specs leaked, battery life of up to 28 hours expected

In next week's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, one of the products expected to be launched is the Galaxy Buds 2. Some details of the new TWS earbuds have been leaked in recent weeks. But this time around, sources have found a more complete list of specs.

According to @_snoopytech_, the Galaxy Buds 2 comes with an 11mm woofer and 6.5mm tweeter in each earbud. It's also expected to have a 61mAh battery in each bud, while the charging case will have a 472mAh battery. This works up to an estimated battery life of up to 18 hours (5+13) with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled. With ANC disabled, the total battery life goes up to 28 hours (8+20).

Fun-Fact: There's a yellow version of the Buds2 that seems to be Samsung Store Exclusive https://t.co/UWlZP5O2Y0

The Galaxy Buds 2 also comes with three microphones, which helps with the ANC and Ambient Sound feature. Besides that, the new model will have IPX7 water resistance and supports Qi wireless charging. Speaking of charging, the Galaxy Buds 2 can allegedly regain 55 minutes of battery life with just 5 minutes of charging. This most likely refers to wired charging.

We can probably expect more leaks to appear before the official launch, but what do you think of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 so far? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 to offer Active Noise Cancellation and improved bass performance

In the lead up to the next Samsung Unpacked, various rumours of Samsung's upcoming devices have been leaked. One of them is the Galaxy Buds 2, which we've seen renders of recently. Now, sources have revealed a key feature for this model too.

According to Ice Universe, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 could come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Originally, this model wasn't expected to come with ANC. However, a leaked screenshot for the device on the Galaxy Wearable app shows that it supports both ANC and Ambient Sound. For reference, both the Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live have ANC.

Galaxy Buds2 supports active noise canceling pic.twitter.com/c3dZ6Qhewm

Besides ANC, he also claimed that the new model will allegedly also deliver better bass than the original Galaxy Buds. If that's true, then the Galaxy Buds 2 is likely a direct upgrade over the original, but provide features on par with the Galaxy Buds Pro. As such, it could also command the same price sub-RM800 price tag.

Ice Universe is a pretty reliable source, so we're inclined to believe that the details above are true. Nevertheless, it hasn't been officially confirmed, so take it with a grain of salt. Let us know if you'd be keen on buying this model when it launches, and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates on this.


Samsung Galaxy Buds Beyond gets certified with battery capacity spotted

An earlier rumour has suggested that the upcoming Samsung flagships will not include a pair of wired AKG earphones in the box. With that said, it looks like the company has already planned for a product that can deal with that and it's a pair of new true wireless buds. Today, the rumoured Galaxy Buds Beyond has made an appearance again with its battery capacity.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Beyond was found certified by 3C (China Compulsory Certification) with a model number of EB-BR190ABY. It is worth mentioning that the previous Galaxy Buds Live has a model number of EB-BR170ABU. Therefore, the new pair of earbuds could be the successor of the Galaxy Buds Live that was launched not long ago.

Other than the model number, the Galaxy Buds Beyond's battery capacity has also been spotted and it's at 472mAh. From there, we can know that the next earbuds will not have a great improvement in battery life as it has the exact same battery capacity as the Galaxy Buds Live. The Galaxy Buds Beyond is expected to be launched alongside the Galaxy S21 series on 14 January 2021.

Let us know what you think about the Samsung Galaxy Buds Beyond on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more latest tech updates.