DCA filed a lawsuit against Samsung for failing to update 82 per cent Android devices
DCA sued Samsung for failing to update 82 per cent Android devices
Samsung, the arguably largest smartphone manufacturer has been sued by Dutch Consumers Association (DCA) for not providing updates to their devices for more than 24 months since inception and even from the date that all device are been sold.
DCA further accuse Samsung of not providing updates to smartphones released in to Netherland market.
DCA further proclaim that there are other firms in Samsung shoe that are as well failing to provide update to their devices, but Samsung was highhandedly targeted by the group due to the fact it has the largest market share which is more than 80% in Netherland.
“We have made a number of commitments in recent months to better inform consumers about the status of security issues, and the measures we are taking to address those issues,” reads the statement.
On purchasing a Samsung Android phone, customers are given deficient information as to how when they can get their devices updated.. The Consummate bond is requesting that Samsung give its clients clear and unambiguous data about this. Samsung additionally gives inadequate data about basic security vulnerabilities, for example, Stagefright, in its Android smartphones
In response to the claim, Samsung uncovered the official explanation uncovering that it is as of now attempting to enhance its reports on programming and security.
The Galaxy Note 5 is currently only available in the US and Canada. It launched on August 21 in the US on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular. It isn’t coming to Europe (including the UK) at this stage, although that could change, and we have heard that the Note 5 can be found unofficially in Europe, but you’ll need to search for it.
A "trusted Samsung source" of Gadgette.com brought the news in early December that the Galaxy Note 5 would finally see a European release in 2016. The move comes with dubious timing, given that the device has been available for nigh on six months in the US, and the next line of Galaxy devices is due to be unveiled shortly, but consumers will surely be gladdened by the news, nonetheless.
The Galaxy Note 5 is reportedly going on sale in the UK first, in late January.
The Galaxy Note 5 price is reasonable considering its premium build, but you’re still going to fork out quite a bit for it. In the US, it’ll set you back US$250 on a two-year contract and US$696 off-contract with Verizon.
These are the current best offers and deals for the Galaxy Note 5. All prices are correct at the time of writing.
AT&T, US$70 p/m (plus US$45 one-off activation fee and US$249 for the handset) with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 2 GB data, on a two-year contract
U.S. Cellular, US$70 p/m (plus US$40 one-off activation charge and a US$199.99 upfront fee) with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 1 GB data, on a two-year contract
You can also buy an unlocked international version of the Galaxy Note 5 with 32 GB of internal storage on Amazon for around US$762.
Buy now: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 at Amazon.com from US$762
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 design and build quality
Samsung has applied the design language it used with the Galaxy S6 to the Note 5. Gone are the days of tacky fake leather and plastic for the Galaxy Note series: the Note 5 shines with an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass 4 on the front and back.
The most striking thing about the Note 5’s design is its rounded rear edges. Imagine the curved front edges of the Galaxy S6 Edge+, transplanted to the back of the Note 5. The bezels surrounding the display are extremely narrow, particularly next to those curved edges, and they look great. Samsung has taken a real leap forward here in terms of design quality.
The Galaxy Note 5 is certainly beautiful. Its design and the materials used means it feels like a more premium device than its predecessors in the series, but it has lost a few typical Note features. There is no microSD card slot, for example, which will disappoint many fans of the series, and the battery is not replaceable.
The Galaxy Note 5 display is a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED unit with QHD resolution. There is no display quite like it – not even the dual edge display of the Galaxy S6 Edge (with or without a plus) looks quite as good.
The Galaxy Note 5 display is actually more comparable with that of the Galaxy S6. Both have a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, but because the Note 5 display is bigger (5.7 inches compared with 5.1 inches), the pixel density is lower. It still amounts to 518 ppi though,which we don’t imagine would be a cause for complaint for anyone.
DisplayMate test results
To get a broader set of results for our testing, we’ve used turned to experts in the field of smartphone and tablet displays. Every year, DisplayMate tests displays using complex procedures to identify color fidelity, color space, brightness, sharpness, reflections, viewing angle stability and so on. Samsung gets top honors virtually every year.
The Note 5 display is much brighter than the Note 4s. It can be seen much better in bright ambient light, and it is also significantly more power-efficient. According to DisplayMate, it provides the best color reproduction of all mobile displays. The Note 5 also set a new record on display brightness.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 special features
The special feature of the Note series is the S Pen. A novel feature of the Galaxy Note 5’s S Pen is that it now has an ejecting mechanism. By pressing the thruster on the end, the stylus pops out from its housing and can be pulled out.
Following the Note 5s release, many users reported a design flaw. They claimed it was easy to insert the S Pen into the slot the wrong way round, and that doing so made it difficult to remove the pen, and caused the pen removal detection to stop working.
Now, Samsung has quietly corrected this flaw. New models feature a small internal tab that allows for damage-free ejection of the stylus when it is inserted incorrectly. The discovery was made by a user over at Phandroid and was laterconfirmed by Samsung, who had previously included warning labels on the packaging, which evidently proved insufficient.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 software
The Note 5 has already had numerous software updates. The T-Mobile Edition we used came immediately with performance updates based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. An update to Android Marshmallow is on the way.
Our review unit came with some bloatware apps installed, but not an excessive number; just the S Pen apps in addition to the usual Facebook and Microsoft apps. Samsung still runs its TouchWiz UI over the top of its Galaxy series.
The Galaxy Note 5 packs the powerful Exynos 7420 processor, which has eight cores and a clock speed of more than 2.1 GHz. It has 4 GB of RAM. As with the Galaxy S6 Edge+, there is only the choice between 32 GB and 64 GB versions.
In processor speed and and memory performance benchmarks, the Note 5 performance sits somewhere between the S6 Edge+ and the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) review: a compelling package
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) release date and price
The Galaxy A5 price is around US$399, or 425 euros in Europe (as of January 20), so it sits in quite an affordable price bracket. In terms of its features and size, the Galaxy A5 (2016) is comparable to the likes of the Honor 7 (around US$369) and the Nexus 5X (about US$379). Its a little more expensive than those devices, but not overly expensive by any stretch.
The 32 GB Samsung Galaxy S6, however, now costs only around US$450. Its still Samsung’s main flagship, and superior to Galaxy A5 (2016) in many areas, but only costs minimally more, and it is precisely this minimal difference that could have a negative impact on the sales of the Galaxy A5.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) design and build quality
The design of the two new A models is very similar. Both the Galaxy A5 (2016) and the A3 (2016) have the same quality appearance and stylish metal frame as the Galaxy S6. If just look at only the front and rear of the A5, you might think you actually had an S6 in your hand.
But look closely, and you’ll notice that the glass on the A5 has a rounded 2.5D edge design, which merges the glass and metal frame almost seamlessly.
This is not the Galaxy S6, but the Galaxy A5 (2016).
After several days of testing, the Galaxy A5 impressed me. The 155 g, 5.2-inch smartphone always felt secure in my hand and the metal frame hasnt started to show any scratches. The Galaxy A5 (2016) feels robust, with Gorilla Glass 4 on the front and back.
The A5 has a glass and metal frame.
The aluminum standby and volume buttons on the side feel nice to the touch and are easy to reach. Its definitely possible to use it one-handed.
The buttons at the Galaxy A5 (2016) can be easily reached.
In short, the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) is easy to hold and use and just feels like a quality piece of hardware. The fact that the camera protrudes is a slight annoyance, but you could live with it. The Galaxy A5 (2016) is currently available in black, gold and white.
Looks good, feels good.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) display
The Galaxy A5 (2016) comes with a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display, which offers a Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution and rich, deep colors. Its contrast range is good too.
One of the big pluses of the Galaxy A5 (2016): the display.
While the display’s richness benefits gaming, it also means that regular apps look impressive. Texts can also be read easily, thanks to the high contrast it offers.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) software
Samsung has finally started to heed the "less is more" motto. It has purified its software, and the A5 comes with significantly fewer pre-installed apps than some of its other devices. This is a good thing, and right from the start, youll find the apps that are there add real value to the software experience.
Included are the usual suspects Google, including Maps, YouTube and Google Drive, as well as a good selection of apps from Microsoft, including Excel, Word and Skype.
We were sent a German test model (SM-A510F) running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (build LMY47X). Like the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016), TouchWiz is the software interface.
The A5 (2016) is not overrun with preloaded apps.
The Touchwiz interface is unquestionably a matter of taste. It has some advantages over stock Android, and can be individually adapted.
Theres nothing in the way of special features. The Galaxy A5 (2016) does not offer anything that you wont find on another current smartphone.
The processor of the Galaxy A5 (2016) is an old acquaintance, as found in the Galaxy View tablet and Galaxy Tab S2. Its a 1.6 GHz clocked octa-core Exynos 7580, receiving support from 2 GB RAM and 16 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded via microSD card. The Samsung Galaxy S6 famously does not have a microSD slot.
I performed a range of benchmark tests on the Galaxy A5 (2016), and it ended up mostly in the midfield. In the AnTuTu benchmark (v6.0.1) the Galaxy A5 (2016) scored 40,931, which is almost on par with the Nexus 5X and slightly behind the Honor 7 (around 45,000 points). It doesn’t stand out from the competition, and doesn’t come close to the current top smartphones.
But – and this is probably the deciding factor – no annoying delays or slowdowns were apparent when I was browsing and opening a succession of apps. Even graphically elaborate games ran smoothly across the screen.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) audio
The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) has a mono speaker on the bottom. It plays music well (especially classical) but not brilliantly. The sound is better when listening with headphones.
The mono speaker is not one for sound fetishists.
Also included is a headset that has a button for answer/end call, play/pause and a volume rocker. There’s a software equalizer for the music app that can be found in settings in the Audio options. Here you can improve the sound experience with headphones through the options SoundAlive and tube amplifiers.
These settings can be optimized for the headphone sound.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) camera
The camera of the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) is nearly identical to that of the Galaxy A3. Thus, the main camera also has 13 MP in 4:9 format with a f/1.9 aperture. The front camera packs a 5 MP sensor with a f/1.9 aperture. In contrast to the A3, the A5 has an optical image stabilizer, which helps avoid blurry images.
If the light is poor, so are the pictures.
In dark interiors, it’s hard to get good snapshots from the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016). Only in bright light will you get nice photos and selfies, so this isnt a suitable phone for photography enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) battery
At 2,900 mAh, the battery of the Galaxy A5 (2016) is 600 mAh larger than its predecessors. The battery can be fully juiced up in about an hour, thanks to the fast-charging feature.
Solid battery performance.
The battery itself can run for quite some time, even under intensive use. In tests, I surfed the internet quite heavily and called up several apps, viewed more than an hour of video and played eight video games.
The integrated energy-saving mode also ensures that you can determine which apps are running in standby. This can save a significant amount of battery.
A tweet from Evan Blass disseminated by the tipster on Friday, reveals that the Samsung Galaxy S7 will have its U.S. release on Friday, March 11th. We expect to see the new flagship phone unveiled on February 21st during Samsungs Unpacked 2016 event. That happens to be the day before the 2016 Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona.
The latest rumors call for the Samsung Galaxy S7 to carry a 5.1-inch screen with a 1440 x 2560 resolution. Depending on where you live, the phone will be powered by either the Snapdragon 820 chipset (US. and China) or the Exynos 8890 SoC (for the rest of the world). 4GB of RAM is inside, and a model recently tested by AnTuTu offered 64GB of native storage. A 12MP camera adorns the rear of the phone, with a 5MP selfie snapper on front.
At the same time that the Galaxy S7 is introduced, we should see the larger-screened Samsung Galaxy S7 edge unveiled. This model will sport a 5.5-inch 1440 x 2560 resolution screen. There is some speculation that the Galaxy S7 series will bring back some of the features found on 2014s Samsung Galaxy S5 that disappeared the following year. We are talking about a microSD slot, IP67 certification (proving that the phone is protected from dust and water), and a removable battery.
Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro allegedly in the making: a high-end, extra-large smartphone?
Samsung is reportedly working on a new extra-large smartphone which, according to Sam Mobile, might be called Galaxy A9 Pro (though its final name could change).
While there are no details on the features of this alleged A9 Pro, the device (model number SM-A9100) will likely be an enhanced version of the Galaxy A9, which was released by Samsung earlier this month.
The regular Galaxy A9 (model number SM-A9000) sports a 6-inch, 1080 x 1920 pixels display, and is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 652 processor, so maybe the A9 Pro will come with a higher pixel resolution (1440 x 2560 pixels would look great on a 6-inch screen), plus a high-end processor. The Galaxy A9 Pro may also run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box - unlike the A9, which currently runs Android Lollipop (though it will, most probably, be updated to Marshmallow at some point).
Right now, Samsung is officially selling the Galaxy A9 - pictured above - only in China (for around $490), and Sam Mobile has it that the A9 Pro is also headed there. Of course, this doesnt necessarily mean that the upcoming handset wont be released in other parts of the world. Well let you know more about the Galaxy A9 Pro as soon as new details are available.
The iPhone 6S made no notable changes to its visual design over the iPhone 6, which is standard practice for Apple when it comes to its S models. The 6S plays it cool and abides by Apples by now overly familiar design for the iPhones, which is great if youre into it.
The galaxy S6 marked a turning point for Samsung. Moving away from plastic towards glass and metal made the S6 sail like the true flagship it was sized up to be and made it easily comparable to an iPhone. This move is the first in a number of ways in which Samsung is constantly chasing Apples tail; Samsung seems to take pleasure in snatching Apples ideas and putting them into play six months or a year down the line.
With the S7, Samsung seems as keen as Apple to stick to a tried-and-true formula. The devices design looks likely to mimic the S6 almost exactly.
Ultimately, theres very little to choose between these two sleek glass and aluminum machines, but, for my money, the iPhone is a more attractive number.
Samsung takes its displays seriously, and the S7 is strongly rumored to pack 1,440 x 2,560 pixels into its 5.1-inch display. The iPhone 6S screen, on the other hand, measures in at 4.7 inches and 750 x 1,334 pixels.
Making a ppi out of it, thats 576 pixels per inch on the S7 against 326 on the iPhone 6S. Theres no arguing with those numbers.
But the fact that the iPhone 6S has both a smaller display and fewer pixels to light means a reduction in power consumption. The question is: are the absurd figures that Samsung keeps building on year after year really necessary? Having used an iPhone 6S for a while, the screen is sharp and clear and the pixels never visible, so is Samsungs victory here an arbitrary one?
One of the iPhone 6S defining features, its 3D Touch technology, which allows users a greater variety of options by sensing the pressure with which the screen is pressed, is almost certain to appear on the S7.
The Galaxy S7 wins the numbers game and is close behind on the tech front. While theres no denying that the iPhone 6S screen is superb, Samsung wins here on a technical KO, amid much muttering and disagreement among the spectators.
Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6S: software
The Galaxy S7 looks set to come running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The latest Android OS is a relatively minor step up from Lollipop, but it does come carrying Doze, which increases battery life, something the S6 struggled with, and Google Now on Tap, which, if you actually use it, can be incredibly useful.
Samsung, of course, includes its own TouchWiz user interface pasted over stock Android. To many, myself included, this is a cumbersome and unnecessary addition and worth subtracting theoretical points over.
The iPhone 6S was launched with iOS 9, bringing with it improved minimalist graphics, but otherwise, it, too, was a small upgrade from iOS 8. Siri was improved to be able to handle things like calendars and third-party apps better, but Google Now is making greater strides and seems the more able assistant.
Theres little room to argue that iOS is a superbly orchestrated OS, and if youre looking for a clean and rewarding user experience, its difficult to beat. It does mean things are more closed off and theres less room for customization, however.
For a more detailed look at these two operating systems, take a while to peruse our Android Marshmallow vs iOS comparison.
Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6S: performance
With the 6S, Apple finally made the RAM leap and doubled it to 2 GB. Whats impressive is that Apple was capable of running its OS on 1 GB of RAM for so long. Android devices have been packing more and more RAM in for a while now, with 3 and 4 GB breeds a normal sight on Android safaris today. The fact that Apple has only now had to add an extra gigabyte speak volumes for how well iOS is optimized; RAM management and multi-tasking functions on the iPhone arepar excellence.
This RAM boost, coupled with a new A9 dual-core processor, makes the iPhone 6S a powerful beast, and, as iOS is so well optimized, the device is one smooth runner.
The Galaxy S7 is set to continue Samsungs run of producing the most powerful phones on the market. Whether you end up with a model powered by the new Snapdragon 820 or Samsungs own Exynos 8890 processor, both manufactured by Samsung, along with the above-mentioned Apple A9, the S7 will be a powerhouse, and will almost certainly out-perform the iPhone 6S, even though Android may not be as streamlined as iOS.
Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6S: camera
While the camera on the S7 is strongly rumored to drop from the 16 MP seen on the Galaxy S6 down to 12 MP, the quality is expected to improve. This is thanks to an increased sensor size coupled with the adoption of dual-photodiode technology, which should create better focusing and low- and back-light images.
The iPhone 6S also packs a 12 MP snapper, but it lacks the dual-photodiode tech and it doesnt have optical image stabilization, either.
The Galaxy S6 camera has an f/1.9 maximum aperture, compared to the iPhone 6S f/2.2. This is a considerable difference resulting in the Galaxy S6s camera being capable of letting in two-thirds more light than the iPhones. The S7 seems unlikely to have a worse f-number than the S6, so its camera should remain more adaptable in low light conditions.
While the iPhone 6S has a top class camera, Samsung probably just squeezes Apple out on this one.
Apple also included a new feature on the iPhone 6S called Live Photos, which, while gimmicky, is kind of cool. It takes 1.5 seconds of video either side of a photo you take, which can then be watched, as though the photo has come briefly to life. But this feature, too, is rumored to be included on the Galaxy S7.
Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6S: battery
Neither the iPhone nor the Galaxy S series is lauded for its battery life. If batteries werent so dull, Id described the situation as shocking, but, in reality, its a mild inconvenience.
The iPhone 6S even came with a decrease in battery size, down to a measly 1,715 mAh. The reduction is likely due to Apple wanting to squeeze in new features, such as 3D Touch, but when your job is to provide juice to one of the most powerful phones on the market, the results are not going to be pleasant.
Having said that, as mentioned earlier, the iPhone 6S comes with a smaller screen and lower pixel density than the Galaxy S7, leading to a comparative reduction in power consumption. Couple this with iOSs streamlined functionality and Apple are capable of squeezing more out of fewer mAhs.
But 1,715 mAh. Its hard not to shake your head at that number.
Rumor has it that the S7 will receive a welcome bump in battery size, taking it up to 3,000 mAh. Along with Marshmallows Doze feature and a more economic processor, this increase could mean that the S7 is not as blighted with power trouble as its predecessor or the iPhone 6S, but we will have to wait until we can test the device to verify this. The lack of USB Type-C means charging speeds are likely to differ little.
Both have failed us, although at least Samsung appears to be making some semblance of an effort.
Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6S: price and conclusion
We all know that iPhones dont come cheap; its one of the reasons many people choose an Android device. But the Galaxy S7 is a chart-topping flagship that sits upon the same pedestal as the latest iPhone. Because of this, their prices pretty much mirror each other.
When the S6 launched, it started at US$600. The S7 will sit in the same bracket. This is the same for the iPhone. If youre looking at buying either one of these devices, money is likely not an object, so theres little to tell them apart here. Otherwise, youre coming to the end of your contract or youre due an upgrade, in which case, again, money is irrelevant.
Weighing up the differences, both phones are incremental improvements over their predecessors. Samsung often seems to be playing catchup with Apple, and if you want the latest features, like Live Photos and 3D Touch, first, then Apple is the way to go. If you want a more powerful phone with the best camera in town and a screen so packed with pixels it borders on the definition of reality, then the Galaxy S7 seems like it will be nigh-on impossible to beat.
Mostly, this will come down to a preference in operating systems, which is a matter of personal taste, mostly.
How do you think Samsung stacks up against Apple? Which device would you be more likely to buy? Let us know in the comments.
