The story of Galaxy S8 comes to an end: Samsung removed this device from software update schedule
The story of the Galaxy S8 now comes to an end because you will not see any more software updates in this old flagship member. According to Samsung update page which shows the eligible devices for the updates, has dropped the Galaxy S8 series from the listing.
However, some variants of the S8 are still on the schedule. For example, the S8 Lite is still getting biannual updates and the S8 Active eventually getting quarterly updates as an exception to the latest update policy of Samsung.
Coming back, Samsung was only updating the Galaxy S8 on a bi-annual basis. Therefore, getting unsupported from updates isn’t exactly a massive loss. Meanwhile, it still a sign that shows the end of life for this device.
Though it is worth mentioning that it’s been four years since the series debuted and the last update grabbed by the S8 was the April 2021 security patch.
So, it not like Samsung just suddenly shows the way out to this device as it actually got retired due to older hardware and software capabilities, which made this handest not to bear further updates.
What were the specialties of the Galaxy S8 Smartphones?
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones were among the early handsets with minimal bezels which Samsung calls ‘Infinity Display’. However, the devices featured a 5.8″ or 6.2″ Quad HD super AMOLED displays that still one of the best-looking panels so far.
Moreover, the dual-pixel technology of S8 phones is still unmatchable to current camera-centric phones as it clicks stunning pictures with a good amount of sharpness and color accuracy.
Don’t forget these handsets also introduced us to Samsung’s voice assistant, Bixby. However, after getting tons of updates it still can’t match the interactiveness of Google assistant.
Besides, what makes the Galaxy S8s still usable in 2021 are the Snapdragon 835/Exynos 8895 processors. If we recall, these chipsets were the flagship offering of that era and still delivers some justified performance when it comes to overall user experience. Also, the handsets still provide enough security, thanks to the Iris scanner and the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Lastly, the end of software support for the Galaxy S8 devices is actually the end of an era. It opened gates to modern technological advancements, which we are looking at in the current Galaxy S21 flagships. So, as a Samsung fan, we should be grateful to Galaxy S8 which showed a new perspective to use smartphones.
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Samsung Electronics named a new CFO and announced plans to establish an AI Center for the future. The company has also strengthened AI R&D and deployed R&D personnel to the site to strengthen communication.
According to the info, Samsung appointed Park Soon-cheol as the CFO of the DX Division and unveiled the AI Center. As the chip process competition has intensified, Samsung has taken this special measure to build a foundation.
As the business environment surrounding Samsung is not easy, the message is that it will strengthen its internal stability. The DS division in charge of semiconductors significantly strengthened:
- AI research functions
- Established a responsible development system
- Implemented follow-up personnel
- Reorganization in the direction of integrating
- Development and support organizations.
The new Chief Financial Officer will coordinate communication between each business department and top management, and efficiently manage business strategies and financial operations.
The new AI center will be led by Vice President Song Yong-ho. VP Song plans to lead over 60 people to develop next-gen storage devices and lead technological innovation given the AI era.
In addition, the system LSI division appointed Vice President Choi Jin-hyuk as the head of the SoC business team. Vice President Choi plans to lead the development of application processor (AP) chips, which are Exynos.
Apart from this, Samsung has also divided the Foundry Division into two categories: Manufacturing and Technology. Technical organizations such as production process (Fab) and cleaning and diffusion were placed under the subsidiary.
- The message is for R&D personnel to communicate directly on the spot.
Samsung announced it’s honoring 300 public middle and high schools from all 50 states across the US as State Finalists in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national STEM (Science, Technology (AI), Engineering, and Mathematics) competition.
The company will award over $2 million in prizes to 2024’s participating schools. For now, each State Finalist school has won a $2,500 Samsung technology prize package.
This is an initial milestone on the path toward becoming one of three National Winners that will each unlock $100,000 for their school.
- The full list of State Finalists can be viewed here.
“These State Finalist teams are answering that call by engaging technology for good, like their quick adoption of AI to power wide-ranging solutions that address not only pressing challenges in their communities but also global issues.” – Salman Taufiq, Director – Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics America.
Upcoming Competition Phases
Based on the activity plans, judges will select State Winners, who will be revealed in March 2025.
State Winners
50 State Winners will get a Samsung Video Kit to help create their “STEM solution pitch video,” along with $12,000 worth of Samsung technology.
One of the 50 State Winner schools will be recognized with a Sustainability Innovation Award for driving sustainable change through STEM innovation, and an additional $25,000 prize package, including Samsung ENERGY STAR technology.
From the 50 State Winners, one school will be selected for the Rising Entrepreneurship Award, receiving a $25,000 prize package to nurture and develop their STEM solution into a venture extending beyond the competition.
National Finalists
Based on their videos, 10 National Finalists will be chosen to participate in a live pitch event and present their project to a panel of judges. Seven of these schools will be awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies.
From the National Finalists, one Community Choice Winner will be determined through online voting by the general public, winning an additional $10,000 in prizes.
One Employee Choice Winner will be selected by Samsung employees to receive $10,000 in prizes in addition to their National Finalist winnings.
National Winners
Judges will name three National Winners, each earning a $100,000 prize package.
Apple has reportedly requested Samsung to revamp the iPhone DRAM memory design to boost AI capabilities. The company is said to be working to switch to a discrete packaging method for the low-power DRAM used in iPhones.
TheElec reports that the new iPhone DRAM design change by Samsung aims to meet the growing need for memory bandwidth driven by on-device AI and foldable phones.
Samsung’s new discrete packaging method places memory independently next to the system-on-chip. It allows better heat dissipation and more I/O pins, potentially boosting AI capabilities.
Meanwhile, it may not fully meet the iPhone’s needs for low communication latency. The company is also likely to implement the next-gen LPDDR6-PIM standard for enhanced AI performance.
Apple Intelligence (Source – Apple)
As Mobile AI evolves, Apple seems to have realized the continuously increasing requirement of high bandwidth memory on the iPhone to seamlessly run AI tasks and generative processing.
That said, Apple has opted for discrete packaging, which it has used in Macs and iPads. This method ensures memory is placed alone next to the SoC, allowing for more I/O pins and flexibility.
In discrete packaging, there is a larger surface area for heat to dissipate, and the heat generated by the SoC and memory does not overlap, which is generated during generative AI processing.
Apple reportedly aims to switch iPhone LPDDR to a discrete package format starting in 2026. The company apparently plans to separate LPDDR DRAM memory from the system semiconductor.
Previously, LPDDR was vertically stacked on top of the system chip in the PoP configuration. It is used in mobile memory to enable smaller IC designs compared to horizontal packaging.