* This post is supported by Samsung.

If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your home AV set-up – the good news is Samsung has a few options to help you find right solution to suit your needs and the viewing conditions.

The improvements in picture and sound quality even in the last few years has been remarkable.

Samsung, the leading TV global manufacturer for the past 17 years,[1] has a wide range of options and screen sizes to make the home entertainment experience better than ever before.

And not all viewing conditions are the same – there are brighter rooms, darker rooms and rooms for fit an even larger TV.

Samsung’s range of TV’s include OLED, its flagship Neo QLED models, QLED, Crystal UHD and not to mention the Premiere Projector for the ultimate cinema experience. There’s also The Freestyle Portable Projector for high-res viewing on the move[2].

And, on the audio side, Samsung’s latest soundbars can extend the experience and totally immerse you even further in the movie or TV show you’re watching.

One trend in Australia is our move towards larger TVs. As a matter of fact, 85-inch is the fastest growing TV size in Australia.[3] And once you go big, there is very little buyer’s remorse.

Samsung’s stats[4] show 95 per cent of TV customers surveyed with screens 75-inch and above are either happy with their purchase or wish they’d gone even bigger. Nearly half (43 per cent) of all customers who purchased a TV in 2022 were sorry they didn’t go even bigger.[5]

SAMSUNG OLED

Samsung has extended its line-up of OLED TVs with 55, 65 and 77-inch models to offer more choices to customers who watch TVs in darker rooms, and rooms where they can completely control the lighting conditions.

Samsung’s OLED have more than 8 million self-illuminating pixels which means there’s no need for a backlight. This means the pixel is either on or off, which results in stunning black levels, clean whites, and vibrant Pantone-certified colours. Pantone certification means the TV can accurately display 2,030 Pantone colours and 110 shades of skin tones.

But Samsung’s OLED TV also incorporates Quantum Dot technology which adds brightness and even more accuracy[6].

The other Quantum Dot benefit is the contrast and HDR (high dynamic range). OLED+ gets even more out of the picture – brighter brights and darker darks.

At its heart is the Neural Quantum Processor 4K which can optimise the picture – brightness, contrast, upscaling and enhancing objects – it all happens in real time.

Samsung’s OLED TVs also have eight speakers built around the edges of the TV to provide OTS (object tracking sound) which allows viewers to track an object as it moves across the screen.

SAMSUNG NEO QLED

Samsung’s jewel in the crown is the Neo QLED TV range, available in sizes all the way up to 85-inch.

The QN900C has a stunning Infinity display with the incredible picture going edge to edge.

One of the strengths of Samsung’s Neo QLED is colour and brightness,  meaning the TVs can easily handle bright, open-plan rooms with very little reflection. The backlight is made of Samsung’s Mini LED technology. The LEDs are 1/40^th the size of a regular LED and the increased and precise lighting control creates even more detail and less blooming.

A bright object can be right next to inky black levels thanks to the remarkable Mini LED technology[7].

Also under the hood is the Neural Quantum Processor which optimises the experience in real time.

Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs are available in 4K and 8K and have AI onboard to upscale your content to the respective resolution.

The means YouTube, movies, games and your TV shows will look better than ever.

On the audio side, the Neo QLED TVs also have OTS (object tracking sound) and Dolby Atmos so you’ll be hearing sound coming from every direction including above you.

The TV has a One Connect box that can attach on the back of the stand, position on an entertainment unit, or inside the entertainment unit with just one cable running to the TV.

All your sources can then be plugged into the One Connect box.

All Samsung TV are powered by the Tizen operating system with easy access to free-to-air channels alongside popular streaming apps. Another excellent feature is Samsung TV – hundreds of free channels that are broadcast via your broadband connection. These include movie, sports and entertainment channels.

SmartThings[8] is also a feature of Samsung TVs so you can connect, monitor and control the smart devices and appliances in your home from one easy-to-navigate dashboard.

SAMSUNG PREMIERE

If you’re after a true cinematic experience and want a bigger picture, the Samsung Premiere Projector could be the answer.

Premiere is a short-throw 4K projector which can produce an image up to 130-inches on your wall, or on to a fixed projection screen.

And being a projector, it comes to life in dark conditions.

The Premiere can rest on a table or entertainment unit and can be positioned just 11.3cm from the wall.

The latest model has Triple Laser technology to produce impressive brightness and precise colour accuracy.

And there are inputs to connect all your sources and built-in speakers with 40W of 4.2ch audio.

It also has the same Tizen OS and access to free to air channels, Samsung TV and streaming apps as well as the SmartThings dashboard.

SAMSUNG FREESTYLE

This is the appropriately named product because there is no limit to where you can take it and your viewing.

This smart little projector can produce up to 100-inches of full, high definition image and, unlike traditional and more complicated projectors, the Freestyle is a snap to set up.

You can aim it at the wall, at the ceiling or at a sheet hanging off the clothesline. The Freestyle can even run off a portable battery base[9] so you can take the viewing party anywhere.

It has auto-focus but also straightens out skewed images so you’re ready to enjoy your movie, TV episode or sporting event in a matter of seconds[10].

Also onboard the Samsung Freestyle is a built-in 360-degree speaker[11].

And you’ll find everything you’ll find on a regular Samsung TV thanks to the Tizen OS which offers Samsung TV free internet channels and all your favourite streaming apps.

And when you’re done, you can pack it away in a hardshell carry until the next movie night.

SAMSUNG SOUNDBARS

Good sound is half of the experience when it comes to immersing yourself in a movie, or wanting to feel like you’re actually at the game.

Samsung’s range of soundbars can help elevate your viewing and enjoyment.

The Q-Series Soundbars have set a new standard in audio quality with 11.1.4ch surround sound through front, side, rear and upfiring speakers that can also offer true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X[12].

A unique Samsung feature with the soundbar connected to a Samsung QLED TV is Q Symphony, which allows viewers to have sound coming from the TV and the soundbar at the same time so you are truly surrounded by sound that takes the quality to another level.

And if you’re after style without compromising on big sound, then the S-Series Soundbars are the answer.

With a sleek design, the S-Series still produce 3.1.2ch sound and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for a room-filling sound.

* The post is supported by Samsung

[1] Source – Omdia, Jan-2023. Based on overall TV market share by manufacturer on an annual unit & revenue basis.

[2] Requires mains connection unless used in conjunction with The Freestyle Battery Base or connected to a compatible battery pack (50W/20V).

[3] Big Screen Report, Nature Research, March 2022, commissioned by Samsung Electronics Australia

[4] Samsung Electronics Co Ltd research conducted in 2022

[5] Big Screen Report, Nature Research, March 2022, commissioned by Samsung Electronics Australia

[6] Viewing experience may vary according to the type of content, format and source.

[7] Picture quality will vary depending on quality and resolution of source content.

[8] Internet connection required. Available content subject to change.

[9] Battery Bases sold separately.

[10] Auto Levelling and Auto Focus results may vary depending on the angle of projection, surface and distance of wall and lighting conditions.

[11] Audio quality and performance may vary depending on environmental characteristics (e.g. room size, product placement and ceiling height) and quality of source content.

[12] Source content must be Dolby Atmos® or DTS:X enabled for Dolby ATMOS® or DTX:X playback. Sound effect may vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling).

The post Find the perfect home entertainment solution with Samsung’s TV and soundbar range appeared first on Tech Guide.

Christmas is less than three weeks away and there’s still time to nail the perfect tech present with the help of the Tech Guide 2023 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide.

Today we’re focusing on smartphones and smartphone accessories.

Be sure to come back and check out the different categories we’re covering over the full 12 days of the Christmas gift guide.

Day 1: Cameras

Day 2: Smartphones

Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches

Day 4: Headphones/speakers

DAY 5: Gaming

DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers

DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets

DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices

DAY 9: In-car gadgets

DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K

DAY 11: Appliances

DAY 12: Computers

DAY 2: SMARTPHONES

IPHONE 15 (from $1,499) & IPHONE 15 PRO (from $1,849)

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have taken a significant step forward in terms of power, performance, features and design.

Apple has intelligently upgraded the most popular parts of the iPhone including the camera, the display and added several convenient new features to make using the device faster, easier and more enjoyable to use.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have the same screen sizes 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch and start at $1499 and $1849 respectively.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 ($1,199) & PIXEL 8 PRO ($1,699)

The Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro are pure Google smartphones. They are taking Google’s hardware and the latest Tensor processor and running Google’s latest Android 14 operating system.

In doing this, Google has taken a move from the Apple playbook where, since 2007, the company has been offering an end-to-end experience with their own hardware and software.

Google has raised the bar even further with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with intelligent improvements to the camera and a boost in performance.

READ OUR COMPLETE REVIEW HERE

SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP5 (from $1,649) AND GALAXY Z FOLD5 (from $2,599)

Samsung’s new fifth generation foldable smartphones – the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 – will inspire people to take their first bold step into the world of foldables.

Samsung, of course, has been leading the way in this growing category and these latest models represent years of development and improvement.

The Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 are both foldable smartphones but they are aimed at totally different customers.

What they do have in common is the same design language, eye-catching colours and surprising durability.

For a folding device – that’s quite an achievement.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

GOOGLE PIXEL 7A – $749

The Google Pixel 7a has won a lot of fans with its affordable price and impressive feature set that makes it more than just another Android smartphone.

The latest device from Google has a 6.1-inch FHD+ display running at up to 90Hz and is powered by Google’s very own Tensor G2 chip.

That’s the same chip you’ll find on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, so performance is up there with these more expensive devices.

On the camera side, it has a 64-megapixel main camera and 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 13-megapixel front camera.

And naturally the Pixel 7a is running Android 13 with all the trimmings.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

SAMSUNG GALAXY A54 – $649

Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G is a mid-tier smartphone with the design, display and features that makes it feel like a flagship product.

No, Samsung isn’t trying to put itself out of business – the A54 5G is no Galaxy S23 but the mid-tier device can still hold its own.

It’s ideal for the customer who wants something better than an entry level smartphone but that doesn’t want to shell out thousands of dollars for the top of the line products.

You can describe Samsung’s A54 5G as the Goldilocks smartphone – not too cheap, not too expensive – it’s just right.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

OPPO FIND N2 FLIP – $1,499

Oppo has entered flagship territory with the release of its new Find N2 Flip foldable smartphone and it’s now rubbing shoulders with Samsung the world’s number one manufacturer.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip looks a lot like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 – but in many ways it is better.

Oppo has been working on this technology for the last four years.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip has a slick design with polished aluminium sides and a fingerprint-resistant glass cover.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

NOKIA G42 5G – $449

Give the gift of affordable repairability with the Nokia G42 5G. The Smartphone has 5G connectivity, 3-day battery life and a large 6.56p-inch HD screen. With the 50MP camera paired with the 5G capabilities, creating, and sharing memories this holiday season has never been quicker or easier. The Nokia G42 5G is also repairable by you.

Together with iFixit, Nokia has created a self-repairable phone where aspects like dead batteries, broken screens and bent charging cables can be fixed at home by the phone user, without voiding the warranty.

SAMSUNG GALAXY A05S – $249 (64GB) $299 (128GB)

Samsung has released an impressive new Galaxy A05s smartphone priced under $250 which offers a notable line-up of features and an upgraded camera system.

This new product demonstrates that customers don’t have to break the bank to buy a decent smartphone especially at a time like this with rising interest rates and cost of living pressures.

Parents might also see the device as an ideal first smartphone for their child.

The Galaxy A05s has a slick design with a 6.7-inch Infinity-U display with FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400) and fast reactive 90Hz refresh rate to make viewing high definition content an even better experience.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

ASPERA MOBILE R10 – $299

Rugged and affordable are not usually two words that appear together to describe a smartphone but Aspera Mobile’s R10 certainly fits the bill.

Priced at $299 the Aspera Mobile R10 has an IP68 rating which means its built to handle water and dust.

And with its rugged formulated rubberised outer body design and larger corners to absorb impact, it can also handle a drop as well.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

SAMSUNG GALAXY SMARTTAG2 – $55 EACH or $169 FOR FOUR PACK

Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 2 is a small device that allows users to track valuables and other important items through their Samsung smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 is like Apple’s AirTag, but it only works with Samsung smartphones.

The Galaxy SmartTag2 has a ring-shaped design so they can easily add to keyrings and attached to bags and luggage.

It also has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance which means you can track your valuables while travelling anywhere.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

ASUS ZENFONE 10 – from $1,499

The ASUS compact yet powerful Zenfone 10 has a 144Hz AMOLED 5.9-inch display yet, despite its smaller size, it offers a powerful performance thanks to the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform.

On the camera side, the Zenfone 10 now includes a 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabiliser 2.0 which works with new algorithms to provide rock-steady videos.

Also under the hood is a new adaptive EIS (electronic image stabilisation system) plus OZO Audio-powered 3D surround sound recording capabilities.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

NOKIA XR21 – $799

The Nokia XR21 is designed to be virtually indestructible, with the phone being made up of 100 per cent recycled aluminium and being certified to MIL-STD-810H and IP69K standards.

This marketed durability has been tested and is dust-proof, water-resistant and can withstand drops of 1.8 metres. However, just because the phone is tough doesn’t mean you have to miss out on capturing life’s soft moments, the XR21 comes with a 16MP front camera and a 64MP main camera with 8MP ultrawide.

The internal 128GB of storage (with room to upgrade) means you can keep the memories you make in your back pocket to re-watch later.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

NOKIA 2660 FLIP – $129

The Nokia 2660 FLIP has a classic design and contains all the necessities of a phone and keeps you connected and contactable whilst also being present in the moment. The lightweight phone means you can connect with your surroundings without even realising you’re carrying the device.  Relive your younger years with access to classic mobile phone games like Snake, Tetris, Arrow Master, and Air Strike. Whilst also being able to listen to the radio with the build in wireless (or wired) FM radio

BOOST MOBILE REFURBISHED PHONES – From $259

Get your hands on big brands including Apple or Samsung, but at a fraction of their original prices as high quality refurbished smartphones continue to deliver great value including new models from various big brands like iPhone, iPads, Samsung, Google Pixel and more, Boost Mobile refurbished phones offer great savings on near new devices, a perfect gift-giving for all who are looking for an upgrade.

All refurbished phones sold through Boost Mobile go through a stringent 72 point check to ensure the device meets their high functional and cosmetic standards. Each refurb comes with a 12 month warranty and a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.

STM FOCUS iPHONE CASES – $69.95

The new Focus iPhone cases were specifically designed to promote mindfulness, improve focus and restore personal wellbeing. This game-changing collection (including the Relax, Reawaken, and Reveal cases) come with a variety of designs that incorporate tactile materials, serene colour palettes, and interactive features that encourage users to be in the moment.

Made from impact resistant, high-quality materials that are comfortable to the touch yet durable for everyday use, they not only look great but will make its recipient feel great.

STM MAG POD – $69.95

Simple, functional and user friendly, the MagPod (RRP $69.95) is the ideal elevated phone pad. Keeping devices safe from the chaos of work and life with its magnetic marvel disc atop of a pivoting socket, this collapsible mini tripod gives iPhones a neat and nifty parking spot.

The post Tech Guide’s 2023 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas – Day 2: Smartphones appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has launched a new Shop App across Southeast Asia and Oceania, which includes Australia, as part of a strategy to simplify the online shopping experience for customers.

The Samsung Shop App comes at a time when nearly half of respondents (42.6 per cent) in the region have bought electronic devices or home appliances online in the last three months.

Within the Samsung Shop App, customers are also able to access exclusive offers and stay on top of the latest deals on Samsung products by setting notifications within the app.

There are also flexible payment options including installment payments to simplify the purchase process.

The app also provides clear delivery details as well as real time tracking for orders. Customers can see real time delivery notifications with most purchases coming with free shipping to certain locations in Australia.

The Samsung Shop App will only be available on Android and has been optimised for the mobile user experience with an easy to navigate interface and a curated selection of the latest Samsung consumer electronics products available through the app along with a catalogue of products that will be available to purchase in the months ahead.

Personalization is a big part of the Samsung Shop App with users able to tailor content recommendations and make easy comparisons between their current devices and the latest models and accessories on offer.

Students will also be able to save on Samsung devices within the app with exclusive discounts and offers.

Customers who download the Samsung Shop App will also receive 10 per cent off their first purchase.

Samsung Shop App is available now on the Google Play Store and the Samsung App Store.

The post New Samsung Shop App streamlines online shopping for customers – and helps them find a bargain appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has released the new 11-inch Galaxy Tab A9+ which offers an impressive tablet experience but at a more affordable price.

Starting at $379, the Galaxy Tab A9+ combines an excellent display with a crisp quad speaker system with Dolby Atmos so users can enjoy their games and content anywhere.

It can also support productivity applications so you can still work efficiently on the move.

“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the latest innovations in tablet technology,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile eXperience Business.

“With the latest Galaxy Tab A series release, we’re making it easier than ever for all to enjoy great entertainment and productive multitasking across the entire Galaxy ecosystem.”

The tablet has a sleek unibody design and a soft texture rear panel to make it easier to grip

The 11-inch screen is the largest ever included with the Galaxy A series tablets and, with a 90Hz refresh rate, users can enjoy smoother gaming, scrolling and video playback.

There is also a version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ which offers 5G connectivity so you can always stay connected wherever you are.

Also onboard are the largest memory and storage every included on a Galaxy Tab A series tablet as well as microSD card slot to expand storage even further.

They Tab A9+ tablets are powered by an octa-core processor which allows users to achieve PC-level multi-tasking.

With Samsung DeX, users can enjoy an even deeper PC-like experience to power their work.

Users can also connect seamlessly across their Samsung Galaxy devices to share content between mobile, tablet and TV monitors without the need to pair.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ goes on sale in November and are priced from $379.

Pricing

Galaxy Tab A9+
	Galaxy Tab A9+
Display	11.0-inch, LCD Up to 90Hz
	* Measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
Dimensions & Weight	168.7 x 257.1 x 6.9 mm, 480g (Wi-Fi), 491g (5G)
Camera	8 MP Rear Camera 5 MP Front Camera
AP	Octa-Core Processor
Memory & Storage	4GB + 64GB 8GB + 128GB
	Micro SD Card up to 1 TB
	*Available storage capacity is subject to preloaded software. **Memory option may vary by market. ***Micro SD card sold separately.
Battery	7,040mAh
	*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors. **Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC. ***15W Power Adapter sold separately. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables.
OS	Android 13
Network and Connectivity	5G*, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth® v 5.1
	* 5G connectivity supported on Galaxy Tab A9+ only. **Requires optimal 5G connection. 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Actual speed may vary depending on country, carrier and user environment.
Sound	Dolby Atmos®
Security	Samsung Knox
Accessories	Book Cover
	*Accessories are available for purchase separately. Availability of third-party cases may vary by market, carrier and retailer.

The post Samsung’s new affordable Galaxy Tab A9+ tablets offer the power to work and play on the go appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has announced the release of the Galaxy SmartTag 2 – a small device that allows users to track valuables and other important items through their Samsung smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 is similar to Apple’s AirTag, but it only works with Samsung smartphones.

The Galaxy SmartTag2 has a ring-shaped design so they can easily add to keyrings and attached to bags and luggage.

It also has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance which means you can track your valuables while travelling anywhere.

And for pet owners this means Galaxy SmartTag 2 is durable enough to handle the everyday wear and tear if they are attached to your dog or cat’s colour.

“We are constantly looking at ways to make people’s lives more convenient through Samsung Galaxy’s industry-leading innovations,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings, Device Platform Centre at Samsung Electronics.

“With the Galaxy SmartTag2, we set out to make sure Samsung Galaxy users can find their belongings in an easy and intuitive way.

“With an enhanced finding experience and a longer battery life, Galaxy SmartTag2 will provide users with greater peace of mind for longer and in more situations.”

If the item attached to Galaxy SmartTag 2 is misplaced or stolen, the location is determined and pinpointed if it pings any other nearby Samsung smartphones.

So think of the Galaxy SmartTag 2 as a mobile phone on a network and the towers of that network are any Samsung smartphones that happened to be passing by.

Apple’s AirTags work in a similar way with Apple products in the vicinity helping to narrow down the location.

The Lost Mode for Galaxy SmartTag 2 will make lost items easier to find.

Lost Mode allows users to add their contact information to Galaxy SmartTag 2 and then if anyone discovers your item they can use their phone to scan the tag and read the owner’s message and find out their contact information.

For example, if a Galaxy SmartTag 2 is attached to a dog’s collar – anyone who finds your dog can immediately see the owner’s information and phone number.

Lost Mode works with any NFC-compatible smartphone.

Galaxy SmartTag 2 also has a compass view feature which will literally point you in the direction of your lost item and even tell you the distance in relation to the user.

This mode works on any ultra-wide band (UWB) supported Galaxy smartphone including the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The SmartThings Find app has been upgraded to work with newly registered Galaxy smart tags and even installs a shortcut to the app on your Galaxy smartphone.

The app can also provide a full screen map view to make the Galaxy SmartTag 2 even easier to find.

Power saving mode can ensure the Galaxy SmartTag 2’s battery will run for up to 700 days.

Normal mode also offers up to 500 days of tracking.

The Galaxy SmartTag 2 uses a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection with a maximum range of 120m and takes advantage of ultra-wide band (UWB) capabilities that can enable Augmented Reality to visually guide users to their item using their Samsung Galaxy smartphone camera.

Samsung Galaxy users will also be able to see an alert if an unknown Galaxy SmartTag 2 is detected nearby for an extended period.

Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag2 will go on sale on October 12 in black or white and will be priced at $55 each or $169 for a four pack.

The post Samsung announces Galaxy SmartTag2 so you can track your valuables appeared first on Tech Guide.

This is the “go big or go home” tablet. The 14.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a tablet on steroids and it has the power and features to back it up as well.

Tablets have become a lot more powerful in recent years – so powerful they can take the place of your laptop or step in as an alternative.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is one of those tablets.

It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 3.36Ghz octa-core processor and 12GB RAM which makes it quite a capable device.

On the design side, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is remarkable with a thickness of just 5.5mm.

This makes it thin enough to slide under a door.

And it weighs in at 732g.

It is made of aluminium with flat edges and a matte finish on the back so you can get a better grip when you’re holding it.

Another key feature is the durability. The tablet has an IP68 dust and water rating so it’s as tough as your smartphone. That will give potential users peace of mind.

It is available in graphite or beige – that’s it. We would have liked to see some other strong colours.

We had the beige model for our review. Not a colour we would have chosen but it grew on us.

The first thing you notice about the tablet is the stunning 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display which makes whatever you’re watching or playing or whatever app you’re using just pop.

Samsung has always excelled with their displays and the 14.6-inch screen on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is gorgeous.

It also has 120Hz adaptive refresh rate so the colours and brightness that already knocks your socks off is also backed by a smoothness that tops everything off when watching movies, playing games and scrolling around.

Throw in HDR10+ and the already excellent viewing experience gets even better when watching 4K content on streaming services.

Having a screen of this size can supersize things like apps and games you would normally play in portrait mode on your smartphone.

On the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra it’s on a much grander scale.

The screen real estate also lends itself to easy multitasking so you can spread out your work. It’s possible to run three apps at the same time.

The tablet also comes with the S Pen so you’re able to write and draw on the screen or jot down some notes.

The responsiveness is excellent and not far off using a real pencil on paper.

It can attach magnetically on the back of the Tab S9 Ultra when you’re not using it, but it will come loose if you put the tablet in a backpack.

We would have preferred a top magnet to hold the S Pen on the edge but that would have it made it just like the iPad Pro and the second generation Apple Pencil.

Users can purchase a keyboard case and cover ($359) to really transform the tablet to a laptop. We didn’t receive this accessory to use with the tablet for our review.

And not only does the Tab S9 Ultra look amazing it also sounds amazing as well with Dolby Atmos and the AKG Harman tuned quad speakers. Turn it up to full volume at night and you’ll wake people up in your house.

There are two rear cameras – a 13-megapixel wide and 8-megapixel ultrawide and two on the front – both 12-megapixel – one primary and one ultrawide so you can easily snap a quality selfie.

Being a larger tablet means Samsung can also fit in a larger battery – and that’s exactly what it did.

The battery aboard the 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S9 is a colossal 11,200mAh which lasted us more than two days with steady use.

The smaller tablets in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 range have 10,090mAh (12.4-inch) and 8,400mAh (11-inch) and the battery is consistently relevant with the screen size it is powering.

In other words, the larger screens have larger batteries and deliver similar battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra tablet isn’t cheap – it starts at $1,999 for the wi-fi model with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM.

Move up to 512GB storage and 12GB RAM and the price goes up to $2,199.

And this moves up to $2,449 when you opt for the 5G model.

The smaller tablets start at $1,299 (11-inch Galaxy Tab S9) and $1,699 (12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S9+).

VERDICT

Samsung has produced a winner with the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. The huge 14.6-inch device is both a huge and fun playground and a productive workspace with the power and features to deliver a memorable experience.

The post Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review – a huge tablet that’s big on power and performance appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung Australia has scored a big win with its impressive Galaxy Tab tablets receiving the Canstar Blue award for the Most Satisfied Customers and beating Apple in this category for the first time.

Earlier this year Samsung also won the same award for its smartphones.

Canstar Blue, the trusted consumer comparison site, surveyed more than 3,000 Australians who had purchased a tablet in the last two years.

They were asked to offer a rating on their experience in the following areas: value for money, user friendliness, battery and charging performance, design, durability, performance and overall satisfaction.

Samsung received a five-star rating in five categories: value for money, user friendliness, battery and charging performance, durability and overall satisfaction.

Apple received a five-star rating in three categories: user friendliness, design and performance.

“Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series of Android tablets offers something for everyone, from lightweight and lower-priced options to premium devices with professional specs and features that function as an all-round laptop replacement,” said Tara Donnelly, Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor.

“That broad appeal is one of the reasons Australian consumers placed Samsung firmly ahead of other big-name competitors to win Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers – Tablets award in 2023.

“Real buyers gave Samsung five stars for overall satisfaction with their tablet purchase and, at a time when budget pressures are a major concern, also gave the brand five stars for value for money, battery life and durability.

“For consumers who want to pay a reasonable price for a good-quality device that’s built to last, those results are a great recommendation!”

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab S tablets side beside the Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy smartwatches.

The latest Galaxy Tab S tablets have also just been released with prices starting from $1,299.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A Series range in price from $379 to $599.

“At Samsung, the consumer experience is at the heart of everything that we do, and we make a conscious effort to ensure we are providing customers with the ultimate user experience for each and every one of our products,” said Garry McGregor, Vice President of Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics Australia.

“We strive for perfection through relentless innovation to ensure we stay at the forefront of amazing customer experiences, and to be awarded Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers for Tablets after receiving the same award for Smartphones earlier this year is a testament to that effort.

“We’re proud to be able to offer our customers devices that enhance their everyday life while continuing to push technological and creative boundaries.”

The post Samsung’s Galaxy Tab tablets wins Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers award appeared first on Tech Guide.

How long should hold on to your smartphone? How often should you upgrade? New research by Finder has revealed one in three Australians buy a new smartphone every two years or sooner.

In this recent Finder study, it was revealed that 25 per cent of respondents upgrade their mobile devices every three years but 29 per cent said they buy a new phone every two years or less.

This equates to five million Australians who are in the market to change their device within two years (20 per cent), one year (7 per cent) and even every six months (2 per cent).

Samsung users are more likely to hang on to their devices longer than iPhone users with 72 per cent holding on to their smartphone for more than two years compared to 69 per cent of iPhone users

“A new phone launch can be tempting but think about what features you’re actually getting with your upgrade,” says Mariam Gabaji, telco expert at Finder.

“For the average mobile user, the difference between the two most recent models is often minimal.

“Your best bet is to wait a few models between upgrades – you’ll typically notice a big difference between your new and old phone and save yourself thousands of dollars in the process.”

But what are the main reasons why customers upgrade their smartphones?

Finders research showed two thirds (69 per cent) of Australians reported performance issues as the main reason for their most recent upgrade.

Another 30 per cent said their phone had been broken or damaged and needed to be replaced.

The phone being too slow was the reason given by 15 per cent while 24 per cent cited battery issues.

Other reasons for getting a new smartphone included a contract coming to an end (8 per cent), seeing a new phone they liked (7 per cent), being offered a new phone by their telco (6 per cent), getting a hand me down (5 per cent) or losing their phone (2 per cent).

Changing your smartphone can be an expensive exercise so you really need to shop around.

“Buying outright will be cheaper in the long run, but if forking out more than $1,000 in one go is too much, compare your options for buying on a plan,” says Gabaji.

“If you do get a new phone on a plan, make sure you’re happy sticking it out with that provider for anywhere between 12, 24 or 36 months.

“You can always cancel your plan earlier but you’ll have to pay off the remaining cost of your phone in one go.

“Before you buy, look out for bonus offers. You could score double the storage space, free or discounted watches or tablets, and/or bonus data.”

The post One in three Australians upgrade their smartphones within two years appeared first on Tech Guide.

In the very near future your smartphone will have to have a replaceable battery thanks to the powerful and influential European Union.

The EU will introduce the new law to make it easier to recycle batteries, make smartphones easier to repair and to reduce the amount of e-waste.

The vote was approved by European Council and Parliament and will come into effect by 2027.

This means that a customer will have to able to remove and replace the battery of the device easily and without tools.

And this will apply to not just smartphones but also tablets and cameras.

Companies like Apple, Samsung and Google will now have to abide by the decision and will need to alter the design and size of their future devices.

And being global companies it won’t be a case of making a version of their devices for European customers – they will have to alter their products for the whole world.

It was the same thing when the EU made the ruling on all smartphones having a USB-C port with all smartphones falling into place – including Apple when it releases the iPhone 15 in September.

So what is this going to mean for smartphones moving forward?

DESIGN

The size and thickness of phones may increase to accommodate this change.

Today’s phones have batteries that are made up of small cells located in different places inside the chassis.

A removable battery will have to be easily accessible and in one piece for easy removal.

This will surely affect the design of future smartphones.

And now with the introduction of foldable devices where the battery is placed on either half of the phone this will also pose a challenge.

DURABILITY

Today’s smartphones offer durability as well as water and dust resistance because they are sealed to prevent the ingress of liquid and dirt.

A smartphone with a removeable battery will require a back panel that can easily come away to access the battery.

If a back panel is not replaced precisely, it may leave the device susceptible to water damage in the event of an accidental spill.

BATTERY LIFE

One huge improvement we’ve seen in recent years is battery life because they are integrated into the phone’s design to maximise their size and capacity.

This move could possibly force manufacturers to include a smaller capacity battery to make it easier to remove and keep their devices thin and light.

WHERE DOES IT STOP?

Will laptops have to follow this ruling? What about powerbanks, smart devices and other portable devices?

One of the objectives of the ruling is to reduce e-waste.

Customers will have the option of replacing the battery which will deteriorate over time and hold less charge, rather than replacing their device.

A European Commission study from last year found that 77 per cent of EU residents would rather repair than replace their device.

The post Your future smartphone must have a replaceable battery thanks to new EU ruling appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has responded to Australian customer demand for larger TVs with the release of a massive 98-inch QLED 4K Smart TV to offer a home cinema experience like never before.

The 98-inch Samsung QLED Q80C 4K TV is priced at $11,649 and brings the company’s Quantum Dot technology to the largest screen in the range.

A larger screen and the ability to access all the major streaming apps were the two main motivators for people to upgrade their TV according to a recent Kantor Worldpanel report.

“We’ve worked hard to not only pack our premium AV technologies into a 98-inch form factor but to bring the best of Samsung’s entertainment ecosystem including Gaming Hub, Smart Hub, and Samsung TV Plus to the QLED Q80C TV as standard,” says Jeremy Senior, Vice-President, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Australia.

“Our aim is to deliver the type of no-compromise big screen home cinema experiences that Australians desire while continually working to make them more accessible to more Australians to enjoy.”

The Samsung QLED Q80C 98-inch TV includes picture optimisation technology so you can enjoy the same picture quality of smaller TVs while it maintains the range’s slim and sleek design.

Under the hood is Direct Full Array and Quantum HDR+ technology along with a Quantum Processor 4K which uses deep learning picture enhancement algorithm which can upscale content to 4K resolution.

Samsung’s LED Zone technology adjusts brightness and black levels on the fly as well for impressive contrast and picture depth.

The Quantum Dot technology can create more than 100 per cent colour volume so you’re seeing natural realistic colour and superior brightness levels.

The display goes edge to edge thanks to the near bezel-less design and measure 48.5mm from top to bottom.

On the audio side, the Samsung 98-inch QLED TV includes Dolby Atmos and OTS (object tracking sound) and Samsung’s latest generation of Q Symphony which combines all the TV’s speakers with the speakers aboard a Samsung soundbar to create a stunning soundscape.

The TV supports 4K resolution at 120hz through the HDMI 2.1 ports so you can get the most out of the latest gaming consoles.

Also onboard is Xbox’s Game Pass so users can enjoy console-free gaming.

The TV can also act as your Smart Hub to bring all the SmartThings compatible devices into one place for you to monitor and control.

The Samsung 98-inch QLED Q80C 4K Smart TV is available now from authorised retailers and Samsung’s Online Store.

The QLED Q80C’s ultra-large predecessor – the Neo QLED 98″ QN90A 4K Smart TV – continues to range in select retailers and via Samsung’s Online Store for $19.999

– QLED 98″ Q80C 4K Smart TV (QA98Q80CAWXXY), RRP: $11,649

– Neo QLED 98″ QN90A 4K Smart TV (QA98QN90AAWXXY), RRP: $19,999.

The post Samsung releases 98-inch QLED TV to take the home theatre experience to new heights appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has revealed his 2023 Bespoke AI laundry range which includes and AI Washer and Dryer and the new mirror finish AirDresser.

Samsung’s 2023 Bespoke laundry range offers not only intelligent laundry solutions but also large capacities, efficiency and stunning design.

They provide smart home convenience through SmartThings so you can access automated features that can streamline a customer’s daily routines.

“Our new Bespoke AI Laundry range uses AI innovation to learn your usage patterns and provide recommendations to help care for your clothes and reduce your mental load,” said Jeremy Senior, Vice President-Consumer Electronics, Samsung Australia.

“The new laundry line-up embodies Samsung’s broader Bespoke Home commitment to make Australian homes more personal and intuitively functional, to ultimately add convenience to your everyday life.

“In applying SmartThings, Samsung unlocks another level of value and convenience beyond the laundry, by helping to monitor the energy output of compatible devices, schedule chores to suit your routine, and make eco-conscious decisions.”

Samsung ‘s Bespoke range is designed to be both stylish and functional and blend into your home’s décor.

SAMSUNG BESPOKE AI WASHER AND DRYER

The new Samsung front load AI Washer and Dryer have built in intelligence, including SmartThings Energy and SmartThings Clothing Care, to learn individual usage patterns and offer personalise automation based on their lifestyle, routines and preferences.

The front load washer range offers BubbleWash which transforms detergent into bubbles that is quickly absorbed into the laundry at cooler temperatures.

This technology helps the Bespoke AI washer achieve a five-star energy rating across all its capacities – 9kg, 12kg and 18kg.

Energy usage can also be reduced with AI Wash Cycle that completes your wash using less water.

It does this by detecting the weight and softness of the fabric in each load while monitoring the ongoing soil level of the laundry.

It also adjusts the amount of water and detergent needed and finds the right soaking, rinsing and spinning times.

The Samsung Bespoke AI Dryer also includes intelligent energy saving options thanks to the onboard heat pump technology for an energy efficient and cost effective way to dry your clothes.

The dryer has a nine-star energy rating across its 9kg, 10kg and 12kg models.

The AI Dry technology is constantly monitoring temperature and humidity while tweaking the settings to ensure the load is optimally dried without wasting energy.

The unit also recycles warm air to help reduce its overall running costs.

SAMSUNG BESPOKE AIRDRESSER

The Samsung 2023 Bespoke AirDresser can keep clothes fresh and sanitised using air and steam to remove up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria and dust mites from fabric.

The AirDresser can fit up to five pairs of pants or five jackets and now includes a new area to freshen long dresses and more clothes at once.

The cycle takes as little as 20 minutes with 24 cycles optimised for different fabrics.

The unit has wi-fi connectivity to bring it into the same SmartThings platform as Samsung’s other appliances.

And the unit now also offers an elegant crystal mirror finish design.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Samsung’s BESPOKE AI Smart Washers and BESPOKE AI Smart Dryer line-up is available now in select retail stores across Australia.

– BESPOKE AI Smart Washer with Less Microfibre Cycle 12kg – available in white and black – From $1,599

– BESPOKE AI Smart Dryer with Heat Pump 9kg – available in white and black. From $1,899

– BESPOKE Grande AI Smart Washer with Less Microfibre Cycle 18kg – available in black exclusively via Harvey Norman. $2,299

– BESPOKE Grande AI Smart Dryer with Heat Pump 10kg – available in black exclusively via Harvey Norman. From $2,499

– BESPOKE Mirror AirDresser with Sanitisation and Wrinkle Reduction with mirror finish. $2,999

The post Samsung unveils 2023 range of smart and eco-conscious Bespoke AI laundry appliances appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has confirmed it will be holding its Galaxy Unpacked event in late July to launch its latest generation foldable devices in Seoul in the company’s home country of South Korea.

In the past, Unpacked events have been held in New York, London, Berlin and Barcelona.

This year’s event will be held in Samseong-dong in Gangnam – a location the company says blends the past, present and future that defines Seoul.

Samsung says Seoul was selected because of its dynamic culture and innovation which has influenced global trends.

“The foldable category embodies Samsung’s philosophy of delivering innovation that pushes boundaries to reshape the future of mobile experiences,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics.

“Hosting Unpacked in Seoul holds great significance both as it is a city that has become an emerging epicentre of innovation and culture as well as the foldable category.”

The first Galaxy Fold was released in 2019 after years of research and development and year after year Samsung has been innovating and improving the customer experience.

Now Samsung’s folding smartphones are entering their fifth generation and now include the Galaxy Z Fold and the Galaxy Z Flip.

Expectations are high for the new models with slight design changes expected and a smaller and more efficient hinge.

There are also rumours the Galaxy Z Fold5, which is compatible with the S Pen, may have room to store the S Pen inside the device’s chassis.

There are report the front screen on the Galaxy Z Flip5 will have a much larger outside screen that takes up the entire front panel in the folded position.

In 2022, the Korean market led the world with a 13.6 per cent adoption rate of foldable phones and the highest share of foldable phones in annual shipments.

The post Samsung confirms Unpacked launch event for latest foldable smartphones will be in Seoul appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has launched a Digital Key feature for Samsung Wallet that will enable your Galaxy smartphone to be used to lock and unlock your car.

Samsung will launch the feature with BMW vehicles with Australian drivers able to lock and unlock the car and start the engine.

The Samsung Digital Key will also make it possible to share the key with other drivers through their Samsung smartphone.

Available now in the Samsung Wallet, Digital Key utilises NFC (near field communication) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) capabilities.

With the Digital Key onboard the Samsung Wallet, users just need to walk up to the car and won’t need to take their phone out of their pocket.

Once inside the vehicle, users simply place their smartphone on the wireless charging pad to start the engine when the Digital Key is recognised and authenticated.

Users need to be running Android 13 or later on compatible Galaxy devices (see table below).

“The Samsung Wallet Digital Key solution helps simplify the everyday experience for our customers and provides them with convenience and peace of mind through a central and secure hub within their smartphones,” said Garry McGregor, Vice President of Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electronics Australia.

“Our launch partnership with BMW allows Australians to use their Galaxy devices to seamlessly unlock car doors, start their engines and even share their Digital Keys, thereby offering our customers greater flexibility and convenience. We look forward to working with more car manufacturers in the future and onboarding them onto Samsung Wallet Digital Key.”

Eligible smartphones must run the latest Android S(13) OS or higher software.

Compatible Samsung devices include:

– Galaxy S20 series: all models apart from S20FE

– Note 20 series: Note 20, Note 20 Ultra

– Galaxy S21 series: S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S21 FE

– Galaxy S22 series: S22, S22+, S22 Ultra

– Galaxy S23 series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra

– Galaxy Z-Flip: Z-Flip 5G, Z-Flip3, Z-Flip4,

– Galaxy Z-Fold: Z-Fold2, Z-Fold3, Z-Fold4

The post Samsung launches new Digital Key that can unlock and start your car with your phone appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has just announced the pricing and availability of its stunning 2023 Neo QLED 8K and 4K TV range and its Q Series soundbars which will be available from retailers from this week.

The Neo QLED TVs are Samsung’s flagship TVs with impressive design, outstanding picture quality and smart home connectivity.

Samsung’s Quantum Mini LED technology provides incredible clarity and colour while the advanced Neural Quantum Processor can upscale content automatically to 4K or 8K depending on the TV model.

Having great picture quality is one thing – but having excellent sound just completes the experience and that’s what Samsung’s amazing Q Series soundbars which include Wireless True Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with 11.1.4ch Surround Sound.

Q Symphony pairs both the Samsung TV’s speakers with the speakers aboard the soundbar for a true cinematic experience.

Also onboard the new TVs is the Smart Things hub which can bring your connected products into one place to control and monitor your devices.

“We’re proud to deliver a range of Neo QLED TVs and Q-Series soundbars that Australians can count on to provide premium big screen home cinema experiences to suit every lifestyle,” said Jeremy Senior, Vice President- Consumer Electronics, Samsung Australia.

 “Beyond making large screen sizes and premium picture quality more accessible than ever, openness and connectivity are what set’s our 2023 TV range apart.

“We see the role of TVs in 2023 as being a central hub for monitoring and controlling the multitude of digital devices in the home.

“Via the integrated Samsung Smart Hub feature, that dream is now a reality.

“The result is a personalised experience that can entertain while adding new levels of convenience from the leading TV brand that Australians can trust.”

Samsung 8K Neo QLED QN900C Smart TV

– 85-inches RRP: $12,699.

– 75-inches RRP: $9,879.

– 65-inches RRP: $7,549.

Samsung 4K Neo QLED QN90C Smart TV

– 85-inches RRP: $7,899

– 75-inches RRP: $6,159

– 65-inches RRP: $4,649

– 55-inches RRP: $3,489

– 50-inches RRP: $2,899

– 43-inches RRP: $2,319

Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN85C Smart TV

– 85-inches RRP: $6,999

– 75-inches RRP: $5,199

– 65-inches RRP: $4,079

– 55-inches RRP: $3,149

Samsung QLED 4K Q60C Smart TV

– 85-inches RRP: $4,619

– 75-inches RRP: $2,889

– 65-inches RRP: $2,189

– 55-inches RRP: $1,729

Samsung’s 2023 Q-Series Soundbar:

– Q990C RRP: $2,099

– Q930C RRP: $1,599

– Q800C RRP: $1,099

– Q700C RRP: $899

– Q600C RRP: $799

The post Samsung announces pricing and availability for its stunning 2023 Neo QLED TVs appeared first on Tech Guide.

It’s that time of year again – Samsung has released the first flagship devices of 2023 and they have set the bar even higher with an impressively updated Galaxy S23 range.

We’ve been using the top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra since the launch and it’s undoubtedly the best smartphone the company has produced.

We expected nothing less with most of the new features and improvements found under the hood.

At first glance there’s not much change from the S22 Ultra but when you take a closer look, you’ll find several enhancements and upgrades.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 range – the S23 (from $1,349), the S23+ (from $1649) and the S23 Ultra (from $1,949) – all go on sale this week although we’ve heard from some readers who pre-ordered the day of the launch have already received their devices a week and a half early.

DESIGN

The S23 Ultra looks almost identical to the S22 Ultra. It has the same 6.8-inch display and the same S-Pen.

But a closer inspection reveals the sides have lost their curves and have a squarer look.

This was done to make the display less curved and give back a millimetre or two of screen real estate.

An inspection rear panel showed a similar camera layout (there’s four of them) but we noticed the lenses were slightly larger and extended down the rear panel a little further than they did on the S22.

There are also different colours this year – Green, Cream, Lavender and Phantom Black.

The green S23 Ultra we received for review is a lighter green than last year’s colour.

PERFORMANCE

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for Galaxy which provides a stunning performance, impressive speed and an all-new level of efficiency that takes the battery even further.

We’ve seen Apple produce its own silicon for its products to provide an experience that makes the software and hardware work together beautifully.

With Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy this as close as Samsung’s going to get to its own silicon that’s been personalised to enhance the Galaxy experience.

The power of the device is impressive and is demonstrated by how easily it can handle the latest games.

We played Call of Duty on the S23 Ultra and even paired a Sony PlayStation 5 controller via Bluetooth to make it feel like we were playing on the console even thought it was running on a mobile device.

And with this sort of power at your fingertips the S23 Ultra can easily handle those other applications to help you stay creative and productive on the go.

CAMERA

Without a doubt the most talked about feature of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the camera.

There are a lot of features at your fingertips to achieve a wide variety of shots.

What we like about Samsung’s approach here is that there is nothing they will get in your way to get your image – the lighting, your distance from your subject, it’s night-time – the S23 Ultra will produce a great result every time.

The big feature, of course, with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the new 200-megapixel camera with Adaptive Pixel sensor which captures images and videos in even greater detail and precision.

It uses a technology called pixel binning to support multilevel of high-resolution processing at the same time.

The S23 Ultra has a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 200-megapixel wide camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical), a 10-megapixel camera (10x optical zoom) and a 12-megapixel front camera.

The S23 and S23+ both have a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical zoom) and a 12-megapixel front camera.

The front 12-megapixel selfie camera has had a boost with fast autofocus and the very first super HDR selfie camera which also goes from 30 frames per second to 60 frames per second for even better front-facing images and videos.

The 200-megapixel camera has two main benefits – you can take large images and create large prints and you can crop in on the image and still have a sharp picture.

The main camera can be set to capture 200-megapixel or 50-megapixel.

At 200-megapixel the maximum zoom is 6x while at 50-megapixel you can go all the way to 100x zoom.

We took a 200-megapixel shot of the Anzac Bridge and it offered the typical warm tones and sharpness of a Samsung image.

And even when we cropped or zoomed in on the image it was still sharp and clear with plenty of detail.

With the 100x zoom you can get similar high-quality results even when you zoom all the way in.

We gave this a try in San Francisco with a shot of Alcatraz Island from Fisherman’s Wharf and a shot of the Oakland Bay Bridge from the Ferry Building.

And as you can see from these images – you can still get in really close to your subject and still have a quality image.

A feature shared across the S23 range is the Adaptive Pixel technology which can combine up to 16 pixels into one which allows the lens to draw in even more light so that your night-time images will look brighter than ever.

Shots taken at night look incredibly bright.

Photographers who want even more control can also choose to shoot in RAW which opens up the capabilities and editing options.

Another camera feature that has got us excited is the new astrophotography mode which can allow you to take longer exposures of the night sky.

What it actually does is take hundreds of images during that exposure and stacks them together for an even sharper and brighter image.

And to compensate for the rotation of the earth and prevent star trails, the S23 camera uses an algorithm and notes your location on the globe via GPS and compensates for this slow movement so that your images still turn out sharp and clear.

Our shots, which were taken on a tripod, showed some amazing detail even after 10 seconds and under city lights.

Outside the city under dark skies you can achieve some truly stunning results.

On the video side, the S23 Ultra also has some incredible credentials including the ability to shoot 8K at 30fps. It has better OIS (optical image stabilisation) so your videos will look crisp and steady.

BATTERY

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery – the same as last year’s S22 Ultra – but what’s different this year is the Snapdragon for Galaxy which creates a remarkable power efficiency while still powering all the amazing features, including the gorgeous 6.8-inch display and amazing experiences like the games and apps.

As a result we were able to get through two days using the Samsung S23 Ultra as our daily driver – and that was making and receiving calls, connecting to wi-fi, taking photos and shooting videos and using apps.

That’s a very impressive result given the size and power of the device.

And when it’s time to charge you can get back to 100 per cent even faster.

With a 45W adaptor, S23 Ultra can get up to 65 per cent charge in 30 minutes.

PRICING

Galaxy S23 Ultra

12GB + 1TB: $ 2,649

12GB + 512GB: $2,249

8GB + 256GB: $1,949

Galaxy S23+

8GB + 512GB: $1,849

8GB + 256GB: $1,649

Galaxy S23

8GB + 256GB: $1,449

8GB + 128GB: $1,349

The Galaxy S23 series will come in four nature inspired colours: Phantom Black, Cream, Green and Lavender.

VERDICT

Samsung has knocked it out of the park with the Galaxy S23 Ultra flagship smartphone with a new level of power and performance and a range of features and a stunning camera to make this one of the best smartphones money can buy.

The post Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review – setting a new standard for smartphones appeared first on Tech Guide.

Belkin has launched the new ScreenForce TrueClear Curve screen protectors for the latest Samsung Galaxy S23 series for crystal clear edge to edge coverage while preventing display scratches.

Belkin is one of the leading companies when it comes to device protection and the latest for the Galaxy S23 series have also received the “Designed for Samsung” badge through the Samsung Mobile Accessory Partnership Programme (SMAPP).

The new ScreenForce TrueClear Curve screen protector is fully compatible with the Samsung ultrasonic fingerprint in screen sensor and offers a filter to reduce blue light by up to 20 per cent.

“Belkin has led the accessories market in innovation and technology leadership for 40 years. People trust us to build the world’s best products to connect, power and protect their devices, and to put our customers and partners first,” said Steve Malony, CEO, Belkin.

“Having Samsung’s additional stamp of approval allows our customers to have comfort and confidence that a Belkin product was designed perfectly for their brand-new device.”

Just like other Belkin screen protection products, the package is plastic free and uses 100 per cent recyclable materials.

It also has anti-microbial treatment to prevent from microbial growth along with an anti-fingerprint coating which means no surface level scratches, scuffs or smudges.

Also included in the packaging is the ease easier line tray to ensure seamless and bubble free application at home.

Or, if you prefer, there is also free professional in-store application in selected retail stores.

The Belkin ScreenForce TrueClear Curve screen protector for the Samsung Galaxy S23 range of devices is priced at $39.95.

The post Belkin releases ScreenForce TrueClear screen protectors for Samsung Galaxy S23 range appeared first on Tech Guide.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone series was launched yesterday and there were plenty of new features which got most of the attention – but there are several other features that weren’t all mentioned in the launch presentation.

We heard about the 200-megapixel camera on the S23 Ultra, Expert RAW photography, the Snapdragon 8 Gen Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the gaming credentials and larger batteries and efficiencies.

But there a few more new features onboard that deserve some attention.

Here are the top 10 hidden features of the Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone series.

VISION BOOSTER

This is built into the display to ensure the screen is still clear even in strong direct sunlight and adjusts brightness at three levels (up from two levels). It was introduced on the S22 but is even better and more noticeable on the S23 when you go outside.

ASTRO LONG EXPOSURE

The cameras on all the S23 range can take stunning night sky shots with its astro photo feature. Users can set exposures between 4and 10 minutes with the camera capturing a shot every few seconds and stacking them together. And how does it compensate for the earth’s rotation – it uses an algorithm after using GPS to see where in the world you are located.

SUPER HDR SELFIE CAMERA

In fact, it’s the world’s Super HDR selfie camera that adjusts the brightest and darkest parts of the image and everything in between for more clarity and contrast and with video it’s gone from 30fps to 60fps.

SHOOT 8K VIDEO

We saw that award-winning director Ridley Scott made a short film with the S23 Ultra but you would never pick that it was shot with a smartphone. It’s no wonder because the S23 can now shoot 8K at 30fps with a wider angle.

REALTIME RAY TRACING

Many people weren’t aware what this feature meant but you did if you’re a gamer. Ray tracing can imitate the behaviour of light by calculating the movement and the colour characteristic of light rays as they bounce off the surface. The result is realistic lighting effects in games and even more immersive graphics on the S23.

WI-FI 6E

It was worth mentioning that the Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphones will work even faster if you’ve got a WIFI 6E modem or mesh system.

VAPOUR CHAMBER

Some has mention thermal issues with the S22, but Samsung has well and truly addressed the issue with the S23 with an improved vapour chamber. The vapour chamber takes the heat and uses it to evaporate the liquid inside the chamber before vapour condenses back into liquid and it starts all over again. So now the increased power to play the latest games on the S23 won’t overheat the device.

SAMSUNG MULTI CONTROL

This works with other Samsung phones, Samsung laptops and tablets so they can work together to share screens, extend their desktops and effortlessly share content between devices.

360 AUDIO RECORDING

When shooting video with the S23, users can pair the Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earphones and utilise their built-in microphones to create a 360-sound recording.

FAST WIRED CHARGING

With a 45W adaptor, S23 Ultra and S23+ users can get up to 65 per cent charge in 30 minutes. The S23 can reach about 50 per cent charge in 30 mins with a 25W Adapter.

* Stephen Fenech travelled to San Francisco as a guest of Samsung

The post The top 10 hidden features of the new Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphones appeared first on Tech Guide.

Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 570 with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and Trevor Long is coming to you live from San Francisco for the Samsung Galaxy S23 launch.

Stephen and Trevor talk about the S23, the S23+ and the S23 Ultra and the range of new features including the 200-megapixel camera, the powerful processor, the sustainability story behind the device and how it will stand up against the iPhone.

You can listen to the show right here on the Tech Guide site using the audio player below.

Click on the Two Blokes Talking Tech link at the top of the page and you’ll be able to find earlier episodes of Two Blokes Talking Tech to listen to.

It is also possible to subscribe to the popular weekly tech podcast on Apple Podcasts.

The post Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 570 live from the Samsung launch in San Francisco appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has unveiled the stunning new Galaxy S23 line-up – the S23, the S23+ and the S23 Ultra – which offers next level performance, a vastly improved camera to unleash your creativity and enough power to get your work done and play the latest games on the move.

The devices were unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco and will go on sale on Friday February 17 with pre-orders kicking off today.

This year’s Galaxy smartphones have the same screen sizes as last year’s models – 6.1-inch (S23), 6.6-inch (S23+) and 6.8-inch (S23 Ultra).

The S23 Ultra also includes the popular S Pen which can be stored within the device.

While there a not many major design changes to the devices, Samsung has delivered a significant upgrade with the power, performance, battery life and the all-important camera which has been taken to a whole new level.

“The value of impactful technology is measured, not just by what it enables for people today, but also how it contributes to a better future,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.

“The entire Galaxy S23 series is the new standard-bearer of trustworthy premium smartphone experiences.

“We’re on a mission to redefine peak performance by bringing together powerful, lasting innovations and sustainability.”

The release of the Galaxy S23 line-up comes after Samsung was awarded the 2023 Most Satisfied Customers in the smartphone category by Australia’s trusted consumer comparison site Canstar Blue.

Samsung was the only brand to receive a five-star customer rating in all seven categories which covered style, functionality, camera quality and reliability.

The most noticeable upgrade customers will notice is with the Samsung Galaxy camera which not only adds more megapixels than ever before but also brings new modes and more creative control, so users are able to take photos and videos in any situation and in any lighting conditions.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra now includes a new 200-megapixel Adaptive Pixel sensor which captures images and videos in even greater detail and precision.

It uses a technology called pixel binning to support multilevels of high-resolution processing at the same time.

The S23 Ultra has a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 200-megapixel wide camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical), a 10-megapixel camera (10x optical zoom) and a 12-megapixel front camera.

The S23 and S23+ both have a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical zoom) and a 12-megapixel front camera.

The front-facing selfie camera has had a boost with fast autofocus and the very first super HDR selfie camera which also goes from 30 frames per second to 60 frames per second for even better front-facing images and videos.

For those who like to take more creative control over their photography, the Galaxy S23 series has a number of news tools that elevate your experience including shooting and editing in RAW and capturing stunning images of the night sky with the all-new astrophoto settings.

One of the strengths of the Galaxy S23 smartphone is its ability to capture images in low light.

This is where the Adaptive Pixel technology comes into play with the ability to turn 16 pixels into one to drag even more light into the sensor.

Videos are also now twice as stable with an improved optical image stabilisation that operates in all directions on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Users can also capture enhanced 8K video at 30fps.

Now you can’t run all these great features, cameras and displays without a powerful processor and the S23 range has just that with the Snapdragon 8 Gen Mobile platform for Galaxy which provides the most powerful and efficient platform ever seen on a Samsung smartphone.

The new Galaxy S23 series offers a 30 per cent improvement in processing capabilities compared to the Galaxy S22.

Another significant improvement is the optimised GPU which makes it 41 per cent faster than the S22 and ideal for power users whether it’s playing the latest games or powering through your tasks.

The Galaxy S23 is also a powerful gaming platform with built-in support for real-time ray tracing when it comes to the mobile gaming system while the Samsung Galaxy’s vapour chamber, included on every model in the range, can keep your device cool as your gaming session continues.

Samsung has expanded its sustainability credentials with an increase in the amount of recycled materials used to create the new S23 models which includes pre-consumer recycled aluminium and glass and post-consumer recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing Nets, PET bottles and water barrels.

The new Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 also consists of 22 per cent pre-consumer recycled content while every Galaxy S23 comes in redesigned packaging which is made of 100 per cent recycled paper.

PRICING

Galaxy S23 Ultra

12GB + 1TB: $ 2,649

12GB + 512GB: $2,249

8GB + 256GB: $1,949

Galaxy S23+

8GB + 512GB: $1,849

8GB + 256GB: $1,649

Galaxy S23

8GB + 256GB: $1,449

8GB + 128GB: $1,349

The Galaxy S23 series will come in four nature inspired colours: Phantom Black, Cream, Green and Lavender.

Pre-orders commence on February 2 through samsung.com/au, Samsung experience stores and participating retailers and telcos.

* Stephen Fenech travelled to San Francisco as a guest of Samsung 

The post Samsung’s new Galaxy S23 smartphones will unleash your productivity and creativity appeared first on Tech Guide.

The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event in San Francisco is a couple of days away and there’s plenty of talk about what the electronics giant will introduce. So what can we expect to see?

It all kicks off at 5am February 2 (AEDT) and will be Samsung’s first major in-person launch event since the Galaxy S20 launch in February 2020.

If you can follow a calendar and count it’s probably not the biggest mystery that it will be the Galaxy S23 – the S22 was released in February last year.

We can also tell you what it won’t be – there will not be a new Samsung folding phone – the next generation of Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold devices are usually released in early August.

The rumours about the Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone have been circling for a while.

The most obvious areas for improvement and change are the design, the camera, performance and battery.

There have been a few alleged leaks of the S23 and judging from those renders there will slight tweaks to the design, but the screen sizes are likely to stay the same – 6.1-inch (S23), 6.6-inch (S23+) and 6.8-inch (S23 Ultra).

Word is the rear panels of the S23 and S23+ will lose the camera bump and have the three camera lenses flush on the back of the device like the S22 Ultra.

In terms of battery and performance, we’re pretty sure there will be an improvement in power and efficiency to offer even longer battery life.

And the processor, likely from Qualcomm, will be the latest and greatest and fastest.

But the biggest rumbles we’re hearing is all around the camera.

One rumour that just won’t go away is the introduction of a 200-megapixel camera on the S23 Ultra.

The S22 Ultra has a 100-megapixel camera and the entire S22 range introduced a whole new term – Nightography – backed by the improvements to the sensor that meant users could capture excellent images and videos anywhere and not be hampered by the lighting conditions.

Well, the word on the street is Samsung is literally doubling down on its camera technology with a 200-megapixel sensor.

The advantages of a higher resolution is being able to print large images and being able zoom in on a section of the picture and still have a sharp image.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra will still have the S Pen – included with the S22 Ultra for the first time last year and taking over from the Note line-up which has now been retired.

Including the S Pen only with the S23 Ultra is sure to attract current Note users who now have the large screen and power of the Note devices along with the excellent camera system of the Galaxy S Series.

Apart from the Galaxy S23 range of smartphones, will Samsung release anything else?

It’s doubtful they will unveil new earphones (Galaxy Buds 2 Pro) and a new smartwatch (Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro) because the latest models were introduced six months ago in August alongside the new Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Pre-orders for the announced products are likely to kick off right after the event on February 2 with an expected on-sale date  of February 17, 2023.

Stay tuned to Tech Guide to hear about the new Samsung announcements – we are in San Francisco for the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event and will bring you all the latest news.

* Stephen Fenech travelled to San Francisco as a guest of Samsung

The post Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event – what we can expect to see appeared first on Tech Guide.