Rumour has it that Samsung and AMD may be parting ways after the next Exynos 2500 processor. The duo have been co-developing the GPU technology being used in the Exynos processors for a while now. Samsung, in particular, hasn’t had the best run when it comes to Exynos processors either. The processors have garnered a rather lacklustre reputation for being slow and prone to overheating. However, with the recent release of the Exynos 2400 in the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, the processors have garnered quite the furore thanks to it outperforming the competition.
So, why are Samsung and AMD reportedly parting ways? Well, rumours are stating that Samsung isn’t too happy with the partnership. While details are stark on why Big Blue is wary, it also seems like the company has begun development of its own GPU for future processors. This doesn’t include the upcoming Exynos 2500 which is apparently well underway and will use Samsung’s updated 3nm process.
The Xclipse GPU first debuted with the Exynos 2200 and was a huge turning point when it came to performance. The RDNA-based GPU was geared to improve the graphical performance of Exynos touting phones while laying the gauntlet for Qualcomm’s Adreno GPUs. It brought along features like ray-tracing to up the ante when it came to mobile gaming. More recently, the Xclipse GPU has made it to the midrange processors. Samsung’s new Exynos 1480 featured on the Galaxy A55 5G also features an Xclipse 530 GPU.
It’s not just about the partnership. Samsung seems to be gearing up to retire the Exynos branding altogether. Perhaps, big blue is looking to adopt Apple’s approach of designing and manufacturing the processors and SoCs used on their devices. There is no word yet on whether the rumours are true but they do come from reliable sources in the community.
Samsung just kicked off its 2024 Southeast Asia Tech Seminar in Bangkok, Thailand, showcasing its latest and greatest TVs that are packed with cutting-edge AI features. This isn’t your average “turn the TV on” situation – we’re talking smarter pictures, sharper sound, and even some cool lifestyle features you won’t find anywhere else.
Building on their 18-year reign as the go-to TV brand, Samsung is all about bringing that “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All” vision to life. Remember those amazing TVs it showed off in Frankfurt back in February? Well, the company showed them off along with some new lifestyle products that are sure to turn heads.
So, what exactly is all this AI buzz about? Let’s dive into the highlights:
Neo QLED 8K Gets a Brainy Boost: Brace yourselves for mind-blowing visuals! The 2024 Neo QLED 8K boasts the all-new NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor. Imagine this: 512 neural networks (that’s eight times more than the previous version!) working together to deliver the most vivid and precise picture you’ve ever seen. Plus, features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro take things a step further, ensuring everything you watch looks smoother and sharper than ever before.
OLED Gets Glare-Free: Samsung’s 2024 OLED TV upscales content to a stunning 4K resolution, powered by the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor. But here’s the real kicker: they’ve also introduced OLED Glare Free technology. Certified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), this innovative tech cuts down on-screen reflection, letting you enjoy your favourite shows and movies without any annoying distractions.
Music Frame: Your Frame, Your Speaker: This one’s pretty cool. Imagine a picture frame that doubles as a speaker. That’s the Music Frame! Pop in a photo you love, hang it on the wall and enjoy high-quality sound that blends seamlessly with your décor. Plus, you can even pair it with another Music Frame for a true stereo experience.
Security Matters: Samsung hasn’t forgotten about security. Their Knox technology, now applied to Samsung TVs, has achieved a “Common Criteria” certification recognized by 31 countries. This means your TV is even more secure in terms of software and hardware, keeping your information safe and sound.
“We’re thrilled to showcase these cutting-edge AI TV technologies at the Tech Seminar,” said Yongjae Kim, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “It’s not just about the tech – it’s about giving our customers the best possible viewing experience and making sure their information is always protected.”
So, whether you’re a die-hard movie buff or just looking for a smarter way to watch your favourite shows, Samsung’s latest AI-powered TVs are definitely worth checking out. Keep an eye out for more details on these innovative new products!
Samsung’s popular Galaxy Tab S series is getting more affordable. No, Samsung didn’t release another edition of the series. Instead, the tablet lineup is getting a price adjustment. The prices are taking effect starting on April 9, 2024.
The Galaxy Tab S series has been one of the mainstays of Android’s growing tablet market. Samsung’s flagship tablet series has been pushing boundaries with new functionalities, better hardware and, most recently, even better build materials. The Tab S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra were launched not long ago in July 2023 and continue to be the company’s flagship tablets. The tablets offer a compelling set of features including IP68 dust and water resistance and Samsung’s hallmark S Pen. Just recently, Samsung announced the Tab S9 FE which brings together the most compelling features of the Tab S9 series at an even more affordable price point.
The new pricing for the series sees Samsung reducing prices by up to RM300 across the board. The new pricing brings the entry point for one of Samsung’s flagship tablets to below the RM2000 threshold with the WiFi version of the Tab S9 FE (128GB).
Starting April 9, 2024, these are the prices of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series:
Product
Recommended Retail Price (Before)
Recommended Retail Price (New)
Galaxy Tab S9 5G with Book Cover Keyboard (256GB)
RM4,849
RM4,549
Galaxy Tab S9 with Book Cover Keyboard WiFi (256GB)
Samsung announced its brand new Galaxy A series only weeks ago. One of the biggest upgrades when it comes to the Galaxy A55 is its system on a chip (SoC)- the Exynos 1480. However, there wasn’t much known about the SoC until now. The new Exynos 1480 is Samsung’s Foundry’s new midrange hero when it comes to processors.
The new processor is built using Samsung’s new 4nm process. This has resulted in the processor being more power efficient and also more power than the Exynos 1380 before it. The new 1480 is an octacore comes with a new configuration of four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.75GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. This setup of four performance cores (Cortex-A78) and four efficiency cores (Cortex-A55) allows the processor to deliver better performance at lower power drains and also keep base power drains at lower level than before. This lends itself to better battery life and better overall performance.
The Exynos 1480 is Samsung’s first midrange Exynos chip to come with the Xclipse graphics system. The Xclipse 530 GPU on the SoC uses AMD’s RDNA architecture. Although, it’s not clear if it’s using RDNA2 or RDNA3 as the website only states that its using the “latest mobile RDNA architecture”. The new Xclipse 530 GOU boasts a 53% performance improvement over the previous generation. It also supports ray tracing (variable rate shading) and supersampling (super resolution). This promises better gaming and graphical performance in devices using the Exynos 1480.
On device AI is becoming increasingly more important for devices regardless of whether they are flagships, midrange or entry-level. To that end, the Exynos 1480 is coming with an improved AI Engine that runs on an enhanced NPU. This combination is responsible for a near 4x improvement of NPU performance over its predecessor. This feature also helps reinforce the security of your data on your device as it reduces the need for data to leave the device to be processed. It also results in smoother, more fluid AI functions.
The new processor also comes with a 5G modem that supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz bandwidths. It boasts a download theorectical maximum download speed of up to 5.1Gbps which is twice the speed as the previous generation. It also supports WiFi 6E (ax), Bluetooth 5.3 LE and GNSS positioning.
When it comes to image processing, the Exynos 1480 comes has a pretty capable ISP (image singal processor). It supports up to 200-megapixel in single camera mode, a single 64-megapixel at camera with 4K video record at 30fps or dual camera setup with dual 32-megapixel sensors that support 4K recording at 60fps. Display-wise, it supports a Full HD+ display with a max refresh rate of 144 Hz. It also supports high speed RAM with the LPDDR4x and LPDDR5.
So far, only the Samsung Galaxy A55 is using the smartphone. It won’t be surprising to see the processor make it to more devices as the year progresses.
Samsung’s new OLED and QLED TVs for 2024 are headed your way. This year, like its S24 series, AI is the mainstay. Behind these new AI features are a new duo of processors: the NQ8 AI Gen3 processor and the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor. Both of the processors bring a slew of improvements that help power a better, more immersive experience with Samsung’s new QLED and OLED TVs respectively.
Samsung’s new NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor comes with improvements that allow for better upscaling of content to 8K resolution. The processor brings double the NPU performance and allows for quicker on-device AI processing. Samsung is leveraging this to bring better depth and detail to upscaled content. This includes increased contrast for better image depth and visual immersion and even intelligent audio processing for better content immersion. The processor will be included in Samsung’s flagship Neo QLED 8K TV specifically the QN900D lineup. The QN800D will be running on the NQ8 AI Gen 2 Processor. However, both lineups will be coming with 8K resolution and be available in 65, 75, and 85-inch sizes.
Samsung’s new Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and OLED TV lineups are leaning heavily on AI. This year, AI is playing a part in three main categories: AI Picture, AI Sound and AI Optimisation. We’ve already covered the main features of AI pictures.
AI Sound comes with Samsung’s Q-symphony feature and also its robust line up of new soundbars and frame speakers. The AI Sound will be able to dynamically adapt to provide the best. most immersive sound with the content on the screen. One of the highlights is dialogue enhancement where the TV can intelligently detect and optimize the audio to isolate and lift dialogue for clarity. It will also be able to generate on-screen subtitles which can be moved through gestures for the auditorily impaired. Sound is also optimised with Adapt Sound Pro which automatically adjusts to fit your content while Object Tracking Sound Pro will ensure your sound emanates from the objects on screen giving you a more realistic and immersive sound experience. Both AI Picture and AI Sound will also automatically adjust the volume and brightness of your TV according to the conditions of the room. If your room is being vacuumed, the volume will be increased so you don’t miss a thing. Watching in a dark room? The brightness and contrast will be optimized for the most immersive experience.
AI Optimization comes with Auto Game mode this year. The new feature will allow your Samsung AI TV to kick on game mode, increasing the contrast and brightness of your display to give a more immersive gaming experience without the need to open menus. It will do this automatically when you turn on your gaming console. It will also play a part in helping keep your setup more green with AI Energy Mode which automatically optimizes the TV’s power profile based on your usage.
The same features are also coming to Samsung’s OLED and NEO OLED TV lineup. However, the biggest difference will be that these lineups will be running on the NQ4 AI Gen2 processors. The processors offer significant performance enhancements over its predecessor. Samsung is also introducing Glare Free technology in its OLED lineup that will ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy your content even under harsh lighting.
Samsung’s TV lineup continues to run on its Tizen OS. This year, the company continues to push interconnectivity and IoT with the TV as the main interaction surface. The new generation of Samsung TVs will be able to intelligently interact with your Samsung phones to allow you to control your TV or even game using Samsung’s built-in Gaming Hub. It will also allow you to control other IoT devices through the SmartThings App and dashboard.
While Samsung hasn’t announced any availability details just yet. We won’t be surprised to see the new lineup make its Malaysian debut in the near future.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab lineup has been one of the most consistent and feature-packed tablets in the Android ecosystem. While that may be changing with more manufacturers entering the arena, the company is still releasing new tablets with its Galaxy Tab S and Galaxy Tab A lineups. Only recently, the company released its latest Galaxy Tab S9 series but it seems like another tablet is finding it hard to stay down.
In a global announcement, Samsung has announced a refresh to the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. This will be the second refresh to the tablet that was released back in 2020. It received its previous refresh in 2022 when the tablet shifted to Qualcom’s Snapdragon platform. However, this year, it looks like Samsung is shifting its processor back to the homegrown Exynos 1280. The new processor is an octa-core processor with support for Bluetooth 5.3 and also AI features. It will be running One UI 6.1 atop Android 14.
Design-wise, it looks similar to its 2022 counterpart with a 10.4-inch LCD with an FHD+ resolution of 2,000×1200 pixels. The display is surrounded by a symmetrical 7mm bezel. The tablet will continue to sport a single 8-megapixel camera on the back and a 5-megapixel camera up front. It also comes with a 3.5mm earphone jack and support for WiFi 802.11 ac. The biggest change with the new Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the increase in memory capacity. It now supports configurations with 64GB and 128GB of internal memory with support for more memory via microSD card. RAM, however, remains at 4GB.
Pricing & Availability
According to the announcement, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) will be available globally starting 28 March 2024. It will be available in both WiFi and LTE configurations in Chiffon Pink, Oxford Gray and Mint.
No official pricing has been announced at the time of writing. However, it seems like it will be coming to Malaysia thanks to a SIRIM database entry found by LowYat.net.
Samsung’s Galaxy A series has always been about marrying flagship features with affordability. Over the past few years, Samsung has worked hard to bring camera features and more from its flagship smartphones to the Galaxy A series. Last year, it was Nightography, this year, the focus is on security with Samsung’s Knox Vault and a brand new feature called Auto Blocker. Both the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G and the Galaxy A35 5G will be coming with these enhancements.
Knox Your Average Midrange Device
The Galaxy A55 and A35 will be breaking new ground as the first Galaxy A device to come with Samsung Knox Vault. Samsung’s Knox Vault provides hardware-level encryption and security to the smartphone. It even has measures to resist physical and temperature tampering to keep data secure.
With Knox Vault, sensitive data like Samsung Pay, your PIN, passwords and biometric data are physically isolated from the operating system. In addition, Samsung’s Knox security software will also bring added protection. The multilayered security solution has always been included in Samsung’s devices but is now enhanced on the Galaxy A55 5G and the Galaxy A35 5G with Knox Vault.
Together with Knox Vault, the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 will be able to take advantage of Samsung’s Auto Blocker. This feature will allow you to opt-in to prevent things like app sideloading, malware and malicious commands by scanning app packages and even prevent unauthorised codes from running when you plug in USB cables or devices. This can be enabled through the Security and Privacy dashboard on the devices.
Midrange with a Difference
Speaking of devices, Samsung midrange devices have been head-turners when it comes to performance over the past few years. This year is no different. The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 both come with Exynos systems on a chip. The A55 comes with the Exynos 1480 SoC which comes with the AMD RDNA2-based Xclipse GPU. The A35, on the other hand, comes with an Exynos 1380 SoC with a Mali-G68 GPU. Both come with a 6.6-inch SuperAMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus+. Both have IP67 water and dust resistance and are powered by a 5,000mAh battery.
The differences continue when it comes to the camera setups of the A55 and A35. The A55 comes with a triple camera setup with a 50-megapixel main camera supported by a 5-megapixel macro camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. Upfront is a 32-megapixel front camera. The main sensor of the A55 comes with autofocus and OIS. The A35 come with the same 50-megapixel sensor but is supported by an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 5-megapixel macro camera. On the front is a 13-megapixel selfie camera. Both setups support Samsung’s Nightography technology with the A55 having a little bit of an edge thanks to its advanced AI Image Signal Processing (ISP).
Samsung continues to offer one of the best software support in the mobile industry. The Galaxy A series will be receiving four generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and five years of security updates.
Pricing & Availability
There is no official Malaysian pricing or availability just yet. However, in the Philippines, the Galaxy A55 will be retailing for PHP24,990 (RM2,110.74) while the A35 will be retailing at PHP20,990 (RM1,772.88). These are variants with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage that will be available starting on 18, March 2024.
In Europe, prices for the A55 start at €479 (RM2,446.35) while the A35 starts at €379 (RM1,935.59).
Both the A55 and A35 will be available in Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Lilac, Awesome Lemon, and Awesome Navy colourways.
Samsung launched its latest flagship the Galaxy S24 series a little over a month ago. Together with the launch, Samsung is working in collaboration with MRT Corp for a station takeover of one of the largest rail stations in Kuala Lumpur’s public transport system – the Tun Razak Exchange station. The takeover sees the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) station get an aesthetic makeover featuring the Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy AI.
The TRX MRT station sees over 220,000 commuters pass through its halls each day and is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s financial district. The station is also a key interchange station for the Kajang-Kwasa Damansara and Putrajaya-Sg. Buloh MRT line. As part of the takeover, the station will be renamed to Tun Razak Exchange Samsung Galaxy.
In addition to this, the Tun Razak Exchange Samsung Galaxy station will be taken over by the Samsung Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy AI. Commuters will be treated to a visually revamped TRX Samsung Galaxy station with artwork that will feature Samsung’s latest flagships. There are also kiosks for commuters to touch and feel the Galaxy AI touting flagship.
The Launch of Tun Razak Exchange Samsung Galaxy
The takeover was officiated today, 29 February 2024 with the presence of key executives from Samsung Malaysia and MRT Corp. The station’s takeover was officiated by the President of Samsung Malaysia, Denny Kim, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Malaysia, Elaine Soh, Business Director of Mobile eXperience at Samsung Malaysia, Kevin Kim Tae Hoon, CEO of MRT Corp, Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, CFO of MRT Corp Shahrul Fadli Omar and Chief Commercial Officer of MRT Corp, Schrene Goh.
The Launch of Tun Razak Exchange Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Members who will be passing the TRX Samsung Galaxy station can redeem an RM5 Touch ‘N Go eWallet voucher from the Samsung Experience Store a short distance from the station’s entrance in The Exchange. You can take advantage of this offer from the Samsung Members app. Don’t forget, you will need to visit the Samsung Experience Store to complete the redemption.
Samsung seems to be taking user feedback seriously with the Galaxy S24 series. The company is rolling out a significant software update to address user concerns and enhance the overall user experience. The first major update comes with a range of improvements, focusing on display customization, camera enhancements, and other user-centric optimizations.
Display Customization with the “Vividness” Slider
One notable addition in the update is the introduction of a “Vividness” slider under advanced display settings. Samsung recognizes that users have diverse preferences when it comes to their device’s display, and this new feature allows users to fine-tune the vibrancy of the screen. Whether you prefer a more natural tone or a punchier, vibrant display. The “Vividness” slider gives users the flexibility to tailor their viewing experience according to their preferences.
This particular update directly addresses feedback from early users who expressed concerns about the Galaxy S24 series’ display appearing “dull” or “washed-out” compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 series.
Camera Optimizations for Better Imaging
In addition, the update also brings improvements to the camera. With the update, Samsung acknowledges user feedback and aims to address concerns related to inconsistent shots and certain camera modes.
Specifically, the update targets improvements in the device’s zoom functions, Portrait Mode, Nightography, rear camera video shooting capabilities, and more. While the official release does not delve into specific details, it hints at a comprehensive enhancement of the camera system, promising users an elevated imaging experience.
User-Centric Approach and Future Possibilities
Samsung’s acknowledgement of user feedback and swift action in delivering updates indicates a shift in the company’s software approach. The S24 series seems to be adopting a more user-centric approach. The change seems aligned with the ethos of Galaxy AI as a whole. Catering to users with features that help make life simpler.
Rollout and Future Expectations
The updates began rolling out in February. However, the rollout schedule may vary based on regional variants, and you can manually check for updates in the device’s settings.
Samsung has just announced its latest flagship – the Galaxy S24 series. This year, the flagship smartphone comes in three versions: the regular Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S24+ and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Coming with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Exynos 2400 and up to 12GB of RAM, the new smartphone series comes optimised with features imbued with Galaxy AI.
