Phones
Samsung developing hybrid OLED for foldable iPad/iPhone as Apple wants ‘no crease’
On foldable phones, we have seen so far, the crease is the biggest concern that doesn’t look good to anyone, but Samsung managed to take it to the least level with the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Moving ahead, Apple wants to develop a foldable iPhone that will have “no crease.”
According to Korean media outlet TheElec, Apple wants Samsung Display and LG Display to develop foldable screens for iPhone that won’t crumble, reports AppleInsider. As reported, the first gen foldable iPhone could equip a hybrid OLED panel in order to offer a creaseless foldable screen.
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Sources of TheElec revealed that Apple is working to vanish the crease and small crumples that can appear on highly foldable screens when they are folded. To do so, the US tech giant is demanding display suppliers LG and Samsung develop hybrid OLED panels.
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Samsung is the most trusted and leading vendor in not only smartphones but in foldable smartphone segment as well. Its biggest rival Apple remains silent on foldable iPhone plans, but it is silently working to ship the first model in the coming years.
Typical rigid OLED panel (inflexible) uses glass as a substrate, while flexible OLED panels manage to use a plastic substrate as additional protection. The rumored hybrid panel would be a combination of both glass and plastic for the OLED panel, which also uses the thin-film encapsulation method.
Apple is expected to use ‘hybrid’ OLED panels in its first OLED iPad that it will launch a few years from now, TheElec has learned.
Last but not least, Samsung and LG Display are currently developing an ultra-thin glass substrate for use in hybrid OLED panels. Both vendors are attempting to make glass substrates that are 2mm thin, instead of the 5mm ones currently mostly used.
“The technology is currently not near the commercialization stages and will take at least a year from now to develop.”
Phones
2 More Samsung devices end their software update support
Along with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Samsung has officially ended software update support for two more Galaxy devices – the Galaxy M51 phone and Galaxy Tab A7 tablet. This means that these devices will no longer receive any software updates.
Both the Samsung Galaxy M51 and Galaxy Tab A7 were launched in 2020 and came pre-installed with Android 10. They received updates up to Android 12, and are not eligible for more Android updates. Now, these devices have completed their software update cycle.
Although these devices still work well for everyday tasks, users will not get any new features or security patches. This lack of updates can make the devices outdated, as they will not receive important improvements.
Samsung Galaxy M51 and Galaxy Tab A7 have reached the end of their update cycle, after receiving 4 years of updates. Now, users of these devices can think about upgrading to newer models to enjoy the latest features and better security.
Still, both devices are secure and functional for everyday use. The devices run Android 12 and support all major apps, including those for banking, so users can continue to perform their daily tasks without issues. If you want to enjoy the new and advanced features of One UI, newer Samsung models are required.
Bye-Bye Monthly Updates: Popular Galaxy A series phone shifts to Quarterly plan
Phones
Bye-Bye Monthly Updates: Popular Galaxy A series phone shifts to Quarterly plan
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is a well-loved smartphone in the Galaxy A series that has now shifted from a monthly to a quarterly update plan. This means that users of this device will now receive software updates every three months instead of every month.
The Korean tech giant has recently announced its revised update schedule for its Galaxy devices, which places the Galaxy A52s 5G in the Quarterly update category.
Launched in 2021, the Galaxy A52s 5G came with Android 11 pre-installed. Since then, it has received three major Android updates and runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1. However, the device will no longer be eligible for additional major Android OS updates. Users will still receive security updates, which will now be provided every three months.
While the Galaxy A52s 5G will continue to function properly, the shift to a quarterly update schedule means that users may not have access to the latest features and security enhancements as quickly as before.
If you own a Galaxy A52s and are considering an upgrade, you can look at newer Samsung models like the Galaxy A54 and A55. These devices will provide monthly updates and newer features to ensure you stay updated with the latest technology.
Moreover, Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy A16 5G smartphone. It is the first budget phone to offer six years of Android upgrades, providing software support until 2030. This makes the A16 5G an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Don’t forget, the Galaxy A52s will remain a reliable smartphone even after a new quarterly update plan.
Phones
Google Pixel 9a could launch in March to rival Galaxy S24 FE, 2025 iPhone SE
Google launched the Pixel 9 series earlier than the usual Pixel flagship launch timeline. The Android 16 is also reportedly coming earlier than we’d expect, and the latest report says Google could launch Pixel 9a in the first quarter of the next year.
According to AndroidHeadlines, Google Pixel 9a could be announced by mid-March 2025. Multiple sources citing the outlet confirmed that the next affordable Pixel will go on sale before the end of March 2025.
It seems Google is preparing to bring its Galaxy S24 FE rival around the 2025 iPhone SE debut. Samsung has recently launched the new FE smartphone, while Apple is said to announce the next-generation iPhone SE early next year.
Recently, the CAD renders of Pixel 9a smartphone have been revealed. The images showcased Google’s design decisions. The next A series Pixel could not get bumped camera bar shown in the Pixel 9 series flagships.