Phones
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 waterdrop hinge enters rigorous testing
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to feature a new waterdrop hinge, which reportedly entered the testing phase. Per Korean media, the company is going to start a final reliability test of a waterdrop-shaped hinge for an upcoming foldable phone releasing in the second half of the year.
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As reported, the final hinge concept will be finalized after a month of testing. So far, Samsung foldables used a U-shaped hinge, which is now getting replaced with a new waterdrop-shaped hinge. As soon as the final concept is confirmed, parts production is expected to begin in May through KH Vatech.
TheElec sources claim that the South Korean tech giant is likely to begin a final reliability test on the waterdrop-shaped hinge concept to be applied to the Galaxy Z Fold 5. This kind of hinge supports both screens in close contact when a foldable phone is folded and lessens crease visibility.
In the recent past, Chinese vendors lowered the thickness of the hinge area to 11-14mm using the waterdrop-shaped hinge for foldable phones. Since the thickness of the phone reduced, there may be concerns with durability, hence, Samsung entered the hinge in rigorous testing.
For the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung’s first goal is to reduce the thickness to 14mm or less since the thickness of Galaxy Z Fold 4’s hinge part is 15.8 mm. Ahead of finalizing the waterdrop hinge production, Samsung could carry out a folding test of 200,000 basic times and a limit of 300,000 times over the next month.
“When the product is folded 200,000 times, the durability of the foldable panel must be maintained within 15% of the initial strength to be evaluated as durable. It takes 4 to 5 days to conduct the 200,000 folding test.”
Post getting test approval, Samsung’s droplet-shaped hinge could begin assembling by KH Vatech. Furthermore, the device is expected to not feature any changes in specification and design, hence, Samsung may put the new hinge tech and lightweight design in highlight.
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
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.
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.