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Kamis, 31 Oktober 2019

Robust Galaxy Note 10 sales helped Samsung's mobile division boost profits

The company is expecting 5G to be the momentum driver next year.

What you need to know

  • Samsung posted 62 trillion won ($53 billion) in revenue and 7.78 trillion won ($6.7 billion) in operating profit during the third quarter of 2019.
  • While the company's third quarter profit declined sharply compared to last, its mobile division registered an increase in profits thanks to the strong sales of the Galaxy Note 10 series.
  • In Q4 2019, Samsung expects smartphone demand to decline due to seasonal effects and global economic uncertainties.

Samsung continues to be hit the by the slump in the chip market. The company posted 7.78 trillion won ($6.7 billion) in operating profit for the third quarter, down from 17.57 trillion won ($15 billion) during the same period last year. Consolidated revenue during the quarter was down to 62 trillion won ($53 billion) from 65.46 trillion won ($56.1 billion) last year.

Samsung's IT & Mobile Communications arm posted 29.25 trillion won ($25 billion) and 2.92 trillion won ($2.5 billion) in operating profit in the third quarter. The mobile earnings witnessed an increase compared to the previous quarter thanks to robust sales of the Galaxy Note 10 series, improved product mix, as well as higher margins in the mass-market segment.

Samsung says the sales performance of the Note 10 exceeded the Galaxy Note 9's in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, however, Samsung expects demand for smartphones to decline slightly, mainly due to seasonal effects and global economic uncertainties.

The company is, however, hopeful that demand for 5G phones will rise next year, although it admits the competition is "likely to remain fierce." To push growth in 2020, the company is planning to launch a more extensive lineup of 5G as well as foldable phones.

Get More Galaxy Note 10

Samsung Galaxy Note 10/10+

Galaxy Note 10 ($950 at Amazon) Galaxy Note 10+ ($1100 at Amazon)

Dell's Black Friday deals start early — today!

Dell's not wasting any time this year when it comes to Black Friday shopping. Though its ad for the major shopping holiday was just released today, there are already deals live right now to browse and even more to prepare to snag in the next few weeks as the big day approaches.

Deals worth considering

Desktop computers, laptops, essential office accessories, home theater equipment, and more are all going on sale during Dell's Black Friday sale, with select discounts available right now! That makes Dell one of the first to get in on the Black Friday festivities this year, though that doesn't mean it will have the best deals. Below we shout out a few of our favorite deals in its ad this year to keep in mind while you're shopping this month.

Dell G5 Gaming Desktop

One of the year's best budget desktops is becoming even more affordable come Thanksgiving Day! This doorbuster goes live at 10PM ET on 11/28, bringing its regular cost of $630 down to just $499.99 while supplies last.

Bose SoundTouch 10 Wireless Music System

This tiny wireless speaker is receiving a 50% discount at Dell starting November 24! That takes its price down to just $99. It can instantly access your music library via various streaming services thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi functionality, and it also has Amazon Alexa integration for voice control.

New Alienware Aurora Pro Gaming Desktop

Featuring a 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 9700K processor with 16GB memory, a 512GB SSD, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 8GB graphics and Alienware's High-Performance Liquid Cooling, this is one of the most powerful computers you'll find on sale during Dell's Black Friday sale. It drops to $1,699.99 from a regular price of $2,079.99 starting 9AM ET on Black Friday, 11/29 while supplies last.

Other deals to keep an eye on:

Deals worth ignoring

Dell's Black Friday ad is full of great deals, but there are always a few at every store that aren't as great as they seem. Some we may see near the advertised price weeks before Black Friday begins. Other times. you can find better deals at other retailers on the same day, so you should always keep your eyes open for what might be an even better discount.

  • Dell 24 Gaming Monitor (S2419HGF) for $99.99
  • Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB16 with 180W Adapter for $145.99
  • Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM Bluetooth Speaker for $99.99

Store information

Though Dell's Black Friday deals officially begin today, most of the best offers are being held back until Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday. Doorbusters start at 10AM ET on Thanksgiving Day and continue on throughout the day, while the Black Friday doorbusters begin at 8AM on 11/29. Stay tuned for even more Dell news, including all the info you'll need regarding its upcoming Cyber Monday sale.

Get prepared

Are you ready to conquer Black Friday and Cyber Monday yet? If not, don't worry. We will help you out every step of the way. Be sure to sign up for our Black Friday newsletter, and keep your eye here for more ads and leaks as they are made available.

Get ready for Black Friday

Protect your Pixel 4 with these great cases!

The Google Pixel 4 is a significant switch-up from the previous Pixels — ditching the two-tone glass and the fingerprint sensor. However, it's still a glass-backed flagship phone, and glass-backed flagships get put in cases the second they arrive for their own protection! Whether you want a clear case that can show off the Pixel 4's loveliness or prefer a more robust heavy duty case to keep things locked down, we've spent hours looking for the best Pixel 4 cases out there.

Slim grip

Spigen Liquid Air

Staff pick

This slim case features a wonderful texture on the back and sides, allowing you to add a bit of drop protection and a lot of grip without succumbing to the same old siren song of the carbon fiber case.

$12 at Amazon

Dependable defender

Tudia Merge Series

Prefer your cases with a bit more protection? Tudia's Merge Series features the classic hybrid format, four color options, and an excellent price for a long-lasting heavy-duty case.

$10 at Amazon

Get a grip

Caseology Solid Flex Crystal

Caseology's clear case is just amazingly grippy, and the slight contouring around the corners for more robust air cushions allow it to blend into the Pixel 4's distinct design while keeping a slim, protective profile.

$11 at Amazon

Plant-based protection

Tech21 Studio Colour

This ultra-thin case is made from plant-based materials, but don't mistake it for some delicate flower. This case can withstand drops over two meters and has antimicrobial properties, always handy as we head into flu season. Find it in Coral, Black, and Pewter.

$15 at Amazon

Diamond durable

Ringke Fusion-X

The Fusion-X is a distinct look, for sure, but I'm a fan because it's a clear case that can go the distance and its colored bumpers add some flair in Black, Blue, or Camo Black.

$12 at Amazon

Carry it all in style

Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet

Want a European nubuck leather wallet case for half the price of Bellroy, in more colors, and with free engraving? Snakehive's got you covered with five colors, three card slots, and a cash pocket.

$37 at Snakehive

Extra drop protection

Ghostek Covert

This case is more translucent than actually clear, but it still lets the Google branding shine through while adding Ghostek's mil-spec shock-absorbing corner guards. I especially like the pink version.

$15 at Amazon

Kick drops to the curb

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

This ultra-rugged case is ready for anything: it comes with a built-in screen protector, a kickstand around back, dust plugs to protect your USB-C port, and even a holster clip if your pockets tend to be too small for a phone.

$20 at Amazon

Like nothing's there

Totallee Thin

Totallee's got three variants of its iconic ultra-minimalist case available for the Pixel 4 at the moment: a hardshell matte black, a hardshell frosted clear, and a softer TPU crystal clear. Here's hoping they add leather soon.

$29 at Amazon

Fantastic in hand

Google Fabric Case

Google's fabric cases have been hits year after year, but this year they truly do look better than ever. From the Could Be Coral to the absolutely awesome looking Blue-ish, this microfiber-lined case is a winner.

$40 at Amazon

Scartch protection

Avalri Ultra Thin

Thin hard-shell cases like the Avalri are designed more for scratch protection and a tiny bit of grip rather than robust drop protection, but the bright colors can spice up your life and keep that back glass clear of scuffs.

$9 at Amazon

Keep a spare

ESR Essential Zero (2-Pack)

ESR's clear cases are great on their own, but when you can get two of them for the cost of one Ringke or Spigen, it makes the deal all the sweeter while giving you a spare.

$13 at Amazon

Herringbone rocks

Spigen Neo Hybrid

While there aren't as many colors of Neo Hybrid available this year, the Neo Hybrid will always be a welcome option with that swank Herringbone texture and great protection.

$14 at Amazon

Add some flair

Skinit Custom Clear Case

With designs from Disney, sports teams like the NFL and NCAA, and even anime franchises like My Hero Acaedmia and Dragon Ball Z, Skinit's custom cases ensure you can bring your own style to your Pixel 4.

$20 at Skinit

The bluest of blues

OtterBox Symmetry Series

OtterBox's Symmetry series is slightly more svelte than previous generations, and this "Sapphire Secret" color is just a wonderful reminder of the original Google Pixel and I am absolutely in love with it.

$40 at Amazon

No matter your taste, your phone needs a case

The Pixel 4's slim size means that even a heavier duty case can still feel sleek in the hand, and when combined with a slim but grippy case like the Spigen Air Armor it feels absolutely fantastic. The Air Armor seems like a light duty case, but I've worn them for months and they're all the protection you'll need unless you're an outdoorsman.

On the more robust end of the scale, the Tudia Merge Series and OtterBox Symmetry Series are both solid heavy duty cases with long pedigrees and subtle sophistication. The Tudia's hybrid style is easier to get on and off, but the Sapphire Secret is just the best color ever. Both will serve your Pixel 4 well, as would any case in this roundup.

Redmi Note 8 Pro review: Great hardware limited by poor software choices

The Redmi Note 8 Pro is an upgrade from its predecessor, but Xiaomi fails to deliver on the software front yet again.

You know how this goes. Xiaomi knows how to roll out a phone that offers great value for money, but for whatever reason the brand just isn't able to deliver software that's free from clutter. Xiaomi has managed to hold onto its crown as India's largest handset manufacturer for two years in a row, but Realme has made considerable gains in the country over the last 15 months.

The result is a frenetic launch cycle as both brands try to outdo one another. Xiaomi rolled out the Redmi Note 7 Pro, and Realme introduced the Realme 3 Pro. Xiaomi came out with the Redmi K20 series, and Realme launched the Realme X. To say that this year has been particularly busy in India's budget segment would be an understatement.

As we get to the tail end of 2019, Xiaomi and Realme are back at it. This time, both brands are debuting phones with 64MP cameras at the back. Realme got a headstart in the Realme XT, and Xiaomi is now introducing the Redmi Note 8 Pro. This time around, both devices have near-identical features, a near-identical design aesthetic, and 64MP cameras at the back. Let's see if Xiaomi still has the advantage.

You get what you pay for

Redmi Note 8 Pro

Bottom line: The Redmi Note 8 Pro gets a lot right: the Helio G90T is a great addition on the hardware front, as is the 64MP camera and 20MP front shooter. You also get great value, but the downside is the software — the phone is still on Pie, there's bloatware everywhere, and the MIUI 11 update won't be here until the end of the year.

The Good

  • Great value
  • Robust hardware
  • Excellent battery life
  • 64MP camera is a great addition

The Bad

  • MIUI lacks polish
  • Endless bloatware
  • Still on Pie

₹15,999 at Amazon India

Redmi Note 8 Pro Hardware

The first thing you'll notice with the Redmi Note 8 Pro is just how similar it is to the Realme XT. Both phones have glass backs, and nearly identical gradient finishes. The design itself is markedly different from the Redmi Note 7 Pro, and it is easy to see the similarities between the phone and the Reedmi K20 series. The Gamma Green edition of the Redmi Note 8 Pro in particular is stunning.

Like its predecessor, the Redmi Note 8 Pro also features a mid-frame that's made out of plastic, and the front and rear panels of glass are protected by Gorilla Glass 5. The phone has a larger 4500mAh battery, however, and that has made it considerably heavier, coming in at 200g. The new camera housing at the back holds three sensors and the fingerprint reader — the macro lens sits underneath the LED flash module — and it juts considerably from the chassis. It does make the phone wobble when laid flat on a surface, and the positioning of the fingerprint sensor isn't ideal. It now sits higher than where your finger normally rests at the back, so you have to stretch your finger to access the reader.

The in-hand feel is pretty great thanks to the curved sides, but the glass back does make the phone prone to fingerprint smudges. The power and volume buttons are on the right and easily accessible, and you get decent tactile feedback.

There are two slots on the left side of the phone; one holds two SIM cards, and the other a MicroSD card. You also get a 3.5mm jack at the bottom next to the USB-C port, and the IR blaster sits at the top. There's a single speaker at the bottom, and it just doesn't get loud enough for everyday use. Furthermore, it's easy to muffle the sound coming out of the speaker when gaming.

Robust hardware with a new gaming-focused chipset that ticks all the right boxes.

The front of the Redmi Note 8 Pro is similar to what we've seen this year from the brand — there's a tiny waterdrop cutout, thin bezels at the bottom, and a wide grille on top. The screen itself is larger than the one on the Redmi Note 7 Pro, with the phone now featuring a 6.53-inch IPS LCD panel. The resolution is the same at FHD+ (2340 x 1080), and the display quality is also unchanged. Colors are cool out of the box, and you have to manually tweak the color balance to get the panel to a more natural tone.

The panel itself is decent in its own right, but it isn't quite as good as the OLED display you get on the Realme XT. Furthermore, Xiaomi is still offering a traditional fingerprint module, while the XT has an in-screen solution that works just as reliably.

Specs Redmi Note 8 Pro
Software Android 9.0 Pie
Display 6.53-inch (2340x1080) IPS LCD
Chipset 2.05GHz MediaTek Helio G90T
RAM 6GB/8GB
Storage 64GB/128GB
Rear Camera 1 64MP, Æ’/1.9 (primary)
Rear Camera 2 8MP, Æ’/2.2 (wide-angle)
Rear Camera 3 2MP, Æ’/2.4 (portrait)
Rear Camera 4 2MP, Æ’/2.4 (macro)
Front Camera 20MP, Æ’/2.0
Security Rear fingerprint
Battery 4500mAh, 18W
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, BT5.0
Colors Gamma Green, Halo White, Shadow Black
Dimensions 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8mm
Weight 200g

Interestingly, Xiaomi went with MediaTek instead of Qualcomm for the Redmi Note 8 Pro. The phone is the first to be powered by the 12nm Helio G90T. MediaTek hasn't fared well in the mid-range segment, but it's looking to change that with the G90T, its first chipset optimized for gaming. The chipset features a two-core cluster with two Cortex A76 cores at 2.05GHz and six energy-efficient A55 cores at 2.0GHz, and ARM's Mali G76 GPU.

The Helio G90T is aimed at the mid-range segment, so it's going up against the likes of the Snapdragon 730G, Qualcomm's take on a gaming-centric chipset. The G90T manages to outmatch the regular 730 in synthetic tests, and almost comes close to last year's Snapdragon 845. That's a big deal when you consider the segment the Redmi Note 8 Pro is targeted at, and shows just how much power is on offer here.

The G90T is in a class of its own in terms of gaming, but there is an issue with overheating. The Redmi Note 8 Pro got uncomfortably hot after just 20 minutes of gaming, and Xiaomi's decision to add liquid cooling to bring down the thermals makes sense now.

On the battery side of things, the 4500mAh battery on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is more than adequate for a full day's worth of use. I routinely got two days of usage between charges, and the highlight this time around is 18W fast charge delivered over Quick Charge 4.0+. It is great to see Xiaomi offer fast charging options in this category, and you even get an 18W charger in the box.

Redmi Note 8 Pro Camera

One of the standout features on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is the 64MP camera at the back. The primary sensor is joined by three other modules: an 8MP ultra-wide lens, 2MP portrait lens, and a 2MP macro shooter. If that arrangement sounds familiar, it's because Realme also uses the same exact array on the Realme XT.

It is coincidental that these two rivals somehow ended up with quad camera designs with the exact same hardware, but it is great news for customers as there's more choice if you're looking to pick up a phone with a 64MP shooter.

The 64MP Samsung GW1 sensor takes astounding photos in daylight, as you can see above. You get great colors with wide dynamic range, and the detail is preserved after zooming in as well. The phone also takes usable shots in artificial lighting, but it does struggle in low-light scenarios.

Furthermore, there's a noticeable difference in image quality between the main and ultra-wide lenses. You get decent shots at 2x zoom thanks to the larger 64MP shooter, and while the ultra-wide lens adds more versatility, it's clear that the portrait and macro lenses are there purely for marketing. I was able to get one or two usable shots out of the macro lens, but the effort involved in doing so makes it more of a hassle than an useful addition.

Redmi Note 8 Pro Software

You know that the only reason Xiaomi is able to sell its devices for so less is because of ads. You get ads all over the interface in MIUI, and that's now a "feature" that's unique to Xiaomi. But with the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the bloatware situation is on an entirely different level.

The sheer amount of bloatware on this phone is mind-boggling — I haven't used any phone that has this much bloatware installed.

You get the usual set of Xiaomi services installed out of the box — Mi Credit, Mi Pay, Mi Video, Notes, Music, Mi Store, and Mi Community — and that's fine. But you also get a folder that includes Paytm, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Dailyhunt, Gaana, WPS Office, and Opera Mini. That's not all either; there's a secondary folder with "games" that you may find of interest, including Ludo Master, Dust Settle, Pop Shooter Blast, and Block Puzzle Guardian.

Xiaomi is now teaming up with Amazon, so you get two different apps for Alexa installed out of the box, with Xiaomi touting that the Redmi Note 8 Pro is the first phone in India to "offer" Alexa out of the box. The bloatware journey on the Redmi Note 8 Pro isn't done yet, because you also get two social networking apps: Helo and Likee. The latter has over 100 million installs and has an Editor's Choice award on the Play Store.

I've never heard of Likee before, but after launching the app for the first time it started playing a video that was wildly inappropriate. The fact that I couldn't find a list of four thumbnails that didn't have some kind of sexual content tells you everything you need to know about Likee. Xiaomi's audience skews younger, and for the brand chose to pre-install something like this on its latest phone is a misguided move.

I wanted to make sure I didn't opt in somewhere during the configuration, so I reset the Redmi Note 8 Pro and set up the phone as new. As you can see from the screenshots below, Likee and Hike are provided by Redmi, and there's no way to opt out of installing these apps. Even if you set up your phone as new, both apps will be installed as soon as you connect to a Wi-Fi network. Yes, you can uninstall both Helo and Likee, but the fact that they're pre-installed in the first place makes it infuriating.

Glance is back, showing ads when you're in the lock screen. And if you're not careful during initial configuration, you could end up installing even more "services," including the likes of TikTok, Khata Book, Videobook, Vigo Lite, and UC Mini. Regardless of what you do in MIUI, you'll see ads somewhere. Then there's the spam notifications. Xiaomi services like Mi Video and Music send a decent number of notifications over the course of the day, and it gets real annoying very fast.

Xiaomi's latest phone won't get the brand's latest software for two more months.

Xiaomi launched MIUI 11 alongside the Redmi Note 8 Pro, so you'd assume that the brand will offer the latest iteration of its skin on its latest phone out of the box. That isn't the case, and what makes the situation even more infuriating is that the Redmi Note 8 Pro will be the last phone to pick up the MIUI 11 build, a full two months from now. If that isn't a failure on th product side, I don't know what else is. Xiaomi is rolling out the update to 27 other phones before the Redmi Note 8 Pro, and it just isn't evident why customers picking up the phone will have to wait so long to use the latest software skin.

Furthermore, the Redmi Note 8 Pro comes with Pie out of the box, and there's no mention of Android 10. It is feasible we'll see the update alongside MIUI 11, but that hasn't been confirmed by Xiaomi, and given the brand's record in this area, it's safe to assume that you'll have to wait a while before you're on the latest version of Android.

Redmi Note 8 Pro Should you buy it?

I've been reviewing Xiaomi products for over five years now. In that time, I used every single phone the manufacturer has released. I also ended up recommending dozens of Xiaomi products to friends and family, accompanied by a caveat around the software. That hasn't changed with the Redmi Note 8 Pro, but the sheer amount of bloatware on the phone makes me want to reconsider.

For my money, I'd pay a little more and get the Realme XT.

Then there's the fact that the phone won't receive the MIUI 11 update for another two months. Xiaomi's decision to monetize its phones via ads and pre-installed apps comes at the cost of user experience, and for a brand that prides itself on listening to its community, it has failed in this area.

You shouldn't have to put up with this much bloatware just to use a phone with a decent camera and great hardware. That's particularly true in India, where there's plenty of choice. If you need a phone with a 64MP camera, the Realme XT is the better option. Sure, it costs more money, but you're getting better software — I didn't think I'd ever say that of ColorOS — and an OLED panel with an in-screen fingerprint sensor. Right now, the Realme XT is the phone to beat in India's budget segment, and that should give Xiaomi pause.

3.5 out of 5

When seen against the Redmi Note 7 Pro, Xiaomi has managed to deliver in a lot of key areas with the Redmi Note 8 Pro. The Helio G90T is plenty fast in day-to-day use, the new design looks much more premium, and the 64MP camera has a lot to offer. That said, the Realme XT also has the same sensor, and it manages to do a better job taking photos. You won't see ads in the interface, the bloatware situation is much more manageable, and overall it's just a much better product.

You get what you pay for

Redmi Note 8 Pro

₹15,999 at Amazon India

Same great value, same old software drawbacks.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro gets a lot right: the Helio G90T is a great addition on the hardware front, as is the 64MP camera and 20MP front shooter. You also get great value, but the downside is the software — the phone is still on Pie, there's bloatware everywhere, and the MIUI 11 update won't be here until the end of the year.

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Galaxy Note 10 OneDrive integration goes live for Android 10 beta users

Syncing photos and videos for OneDrive is about to get easier for Galaxy Note 10 users.

What you need to know

  • OneDrive integration with the Samsung Gallery app is rolling out to Android 10 beta users.
  • The feature is available for Android 10 beta using the Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+.
  • The feature is part of a growing partnership between Microsoft and Samsung.

Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ users running Android 10 beta can now automatically sync their images and videos to OneDrive through the Samsung Gallery (via SAMMOBILE). Samsung rolled out the feature to beta testers recently, making it easier to use OneDrive from select Galaxy devices.

OneDrive's integration with the Samsung Gallery app was announced alongside more noteworthy parts of the Samsung and Microsoft partnership, including Link to Windows, Windows 10 PCs being compatible with Samsung DeX, and the Galaxy Book S. The integration allows people to sync images and videos with OneDrive inside their phone's gallery instead of having to use the dedicated OneDrive app.

If a person turns on OneDrive integration, all photos and videos will transfer from the Samsung Cloud to OneDrive, with the exception being any content in the cloud Recycle Bin. Microsoft will honor the amount of cloud storage a person has for the Samsung Cloud in OneDrive for one year. After that, people may need to upgrade their cloud storage plan. Galaxy users get an extra 15GB of cloud storage for a year in addition to the 5GB anyone can get for free.

Breaking down the Microsoft and Samsung partnership

Once the OneDrive integration is turned on, you can not switch it back to Samsung Cloud.

Biggest and best

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+

$1,100 at Samsung

Enhanced Microsoft mobile experiences on flagship Samsung hardware.

This is the closest to a Microsoft-made Android phone you're going to get for now. The device packs the latest and greatest specifications inside a premium build and rocks the latest integrations from Microsoft that improve the Your Phone experience on Windows 10, along with many of Microsoft's apps on Android.