Barring the impending launch of the Samsung Galaxy S9 next month, the most anticipated Samsung smartphones of Q1 2018 are the Galaxy A8 2018 and the Galaxy A8+ 2018. We had the opportunity to review the Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 earlier, and were so impressed, we gave it out Reviewer’s Choice Award!
Now, we are glad to announce that Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ smartphones. Join us for the Samsung launch event, and get the full details including their price and availability, as well as a special time-limited offer!
The Samsung Galaxy A8 | A8+ 2018 Launch
Samsung Malaysia Electronics President, Mr. Yoonsoo Kim, kicked off the launch with a short speech and a special performance by the Malaysian national synchronised swim team!
Then Samsung Senior Product Manager (IT & Mobile Division), Mr. Go Benn Lee, gave a great presentation on the new features introduced in the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ smartphones.
The Samsung Galaxy A8 | A8+ 2018 Compared
The Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 and Galaxy A8+ 2018 may look like they differ only in size, but that’s not quite accurate. Let’s take a look at their specifications :
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy A8
Samsung Galaxy A8+
Display
5.6" Super AMOLED display
- 1080 x 2220 pixels (440 ppi)
6.0" Super AMOLED display
- 1080 x 2220 pixels (410 ppi)
Operating System
Android 7.1.1
Android 7.1.1
Platform
Samsung Exynos 7885
Samsung Exynos 7885
Processor
2 x ARM Cortex-A73 cores (2.2 GHz)
6 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.6 GHz)
2 x ARM Cortex-A73 cores (2.2 GHz)
6 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.6 GHz)
Main Camera
- 16 MP Samsung ISOCELL S5K2P6SX sensor with f/1.9 lens
Wide-Angle 85° Camera
- 8 MP Samsung ISOCELL S5K3P8SP sensor with f/1.9 lens
Main Camera
- 16 MP Samsung ISOCELL S5K2P6SX sensor with f/1.9 lens
Wide-Angle 85° Camera
- 8 MP Samsung ISOCELL S5K3P8SP sensor with f/1.9 lens
Rear Camera
16 MP camera with f/1.7 lens and single LED flash
- Samsung ISOCELL S5K2P6SX sensor with PDAF technology
16 MP camera with f/1.7 lens and single LED flash
- Samsung ISOCELL S5K2P6SX sensor with PDAF technology
Connectivity
4G : LTE Cat11
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth v5.0
USB Type C
4G : LTE Cat11
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual band)
Bluetooth v5.0
USB Type C
SIM Capability
Single SIM Model : Single SIM
Dual SIM Model : Dual SIM, Dual Standby
Single SIM Model : Single SIM
Dual SIM Model : Dual SIM, Dual Standby
NFC
Yes
Yes
GPS
GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou
GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Yes, Rear-Mounted
Audio
24-bit Ultra High Quality (UHQ) support
- PCM support up to 32-bits
24-bit Ultra High Quality (UHQ) support
- PCM support up to 32-bits
Water Resistance
IP68 rated
IP68 rated
Battery
3,000 mAh lithium-ion battery (non-removable)
- fast charging capable
3,500 mAh lithium-ion battery (non-removable)
- fast charging capable
Other Sensors
Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall, Proximity and RGB light sensors
Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall, Proximity and RGB light sensors
Dimensions
70.6 mm wide
149.2 mm tall
8.4 mm thick
75.7 mm wide
159.9 mm tall
8.3 mm thick
Weight
172 g
191 g
Available Colours
Black, Orchid Gray, Gold, Blue
Black, Orchid Gray, Gold, Blue
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Price & Availability
Both devices will be offered in three colour options here in Malaysia – Black, Gold and Orchid Gray. They will be available for purchase starting 19 January 2018, at the following prices :
Samsung Malaysia is offering a special Early Bird Reward worth RM 417 (~US$ 105), for those who purchase either smartphone between 19-21 January 2018 :
a 10,000 mAh USB-C Battery Pack (worth RM 228 / ~US$ 57)
a 64 GB Samsung EVO Plus microSD card (worth RM 189 / ~US$ 47)
There are limited quantities of the Early Bird Reward, so make sure you get your Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 /A8+ 2018 early!
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Earlier this week, we revealed that Samsung would be extending the IP68 capability to the 2017 Galaxy A Series smartphones. This makes them the most affordable IP68-capable smartphones in the world! This was confirmed at the official launch of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones yesterday.
The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series launch was also the first major product launch of 2017, with almost 200 members of the media and local celebrities attending. More importantly, Malaysia is the first country to offer the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones! Check it out!
Originally published @ 2017-01-06
Updated @ 2017-01-11 : Added a video of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series pre-order promotion.
The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Launch
The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series launch kicked off with an introduction by Lee Jui Siang (Vice President, IT & Mobile Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics).
Then, Go Benn Lee (Manager, Product Marketing, Mobile Division, Samsung Malaysia Electronics) shared with us the key features of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones.
Finally, Lee Jui Siang hosted a short Q&A session with the media on the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones.
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The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Specifications
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Design
2.5D glass (front) + 3D glass (rear) + metal frame
2.5D glass (front) + 3D glass (rear) + metal frame
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Dust- And Water-Resistance
IP68-rated
- water submersion up to 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes
IP68-rated
- water submersion up to 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes
Display
5.7" Super AMOLED (1080 x 1920 pixels)
- Always On Display
- Corning Gorilla Glass 4
5.2" Super AMOLED (1080 x 1920 pixels)
- Always On Display
- Corning Gorilla Glass 4
System Platform
Samsung Exynos 7880 Octa
Samsung Exynos 7880 Octa
Processor
8 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.9 GHz)
8 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.9 GHz)
Graphics Processor
ARM Mali-T830MP2
ARM Mali-T830MP2
Connectivity
4G : LTE Cat.6
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
4G : LTE Cat.6
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
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The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Pre-order Details
The 2017 Galaxy A Series will launch with two models – the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) and the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), with the recommended retail price of RM 1,699 (~US$ 379) and RM 1,899 (~US$ 429) respectively.
Both models will be opened for pre-orders starting Friday, 6th January 2017, at 10.00 AM until Sunday, 22 January 2017 at selected participating outlets. Yes, Samsung has extended the pre-order by another week!
To celebrate the official arrival, fans will receive a free Samsung Level U Pro wireless headphone, worth RM 399 (~US$ 89), for every unit purchased during this exclusive pre-order sale. This pre-order promotion is limited to a first-come-first-serve basis while allocated stocks last. Pre-order collection will start on 25th January 2017.
Fans can pre-order the new 2017 Galaxy A smartphones at selected Samsung outlets , as well as online in the Samsung online store in Lazada and in 11street.
The Official 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Press Release
5 January 2017 – Millennials are a style-conscious, tech-loving generation that enjoy surprises, spontaneous plans and unexpected trips. They take on and embrace the joy of life’s offerings as they come with undeterred confidence, unafraid to take risks as there is no day like today, and no better moment than now.
Echoing this outlook on life, Samsung has revamped its mid-range smartphone range, to meet the aspirational desires of the millennials to own the ultimate powerhouse that will enrich their lifestyle further. Ushering in the New Year with the spirit of living life unplanned, Samsung Malaysia Electronics introduces two devices in its latest Galaxy A Series (2017) range, the Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017)!
“The Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017) are the latest additions to the Malaysian market and they complement the needs of connected millennials who crave spontaneity and seek life’s pleasures in the most fulfilling way. The millennial consumers are socially active, fun-seeking individuals who live in the moment, and we at Samsung want to help them get ready for anything that comes their way. So for the first time ever in the Galaxy A Series, we made the 2017 variant to be dust and water resistant – youthful, trendy and cool as the right companion for millennials!” said Mr Lee Jui Siang, Vice President, IT & Mobile Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics.
The first in Samsung’s mid-range smartphones to carry an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, the Galaxy A Series (2017) promises uncompromised non-stop fun. Its IP68 rated dust and water resistance simply spells out worry-free impromptu days out in the sun and rain, on the beach or by the pool! Say yes to living in the moment and be ready for anything that comes your way!
These powerful devices also come equipped with enhanced 16MP front and rear camera with f1.9 lens and Light+ Camera feature for sharper images and beautiful shots even in lowlight or at night – an incredibly handy feature when you least expect it – whether on a romantic night stroll or that caving trip you and your friends decided to embark on. Also new in the Galaxy A Series (2017) is the Floating Camera Button which can be moved freely to anywhere on the screen for even more convenience with selfies!
Taking its cue from the flagship Galaxy mobile device experience, the Galaxy A Series (2017) boasts vivid Full HD 5.7-inch and 5.2-inch Super AMOLED screen displays – perfect for immersive gaming on the go or even binge-watching cat videos on YouTube! Never miss an episode of your favourite vlogger no matter where you are – just whip out your Galaxy A Series (2017) and enjoy the flagship-like immersive experience and performance!
The Galaxy A Series (2017) also comes Samsung Pay ready, a new alternative when making purchases at places where credit, debit and prepaid cards are accepted[1]. It is an easy-to-use and secure mobile payment service compatible with NFC (Near Field Communication) and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) terminals. Samsung Pay is currently performing an open beta test for selected Maybank Visa cardholders, with more banks such as CIMB Mastercard, Citibank Mastercard & Visa, Standard Chartered Mastercard & Visa to be made available soon.
The devices also come preloaded with mySamsung, Samsung’s own mobile app that helps users set up, manage and optimise their Samsung experience and stay updated with the latest Samsung offers and promotions. Another app to look out for is Samsung Milk Music, a downloadable app for Samsung users only that offers access to a wide range of personalised curated stations so users can listen to all their favourite music right from their Galaxy A devices!
Other amazing features of the new Galaxy A Series (2017) include bigger batteries (3,600mAh for A7 and 3,000mAh for A5), Fast-Charging capabilities, expandable storage up to 256GB, Always-On Display, Secure Folder and Samsung Cloud for added convenience.
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Available in Black Sky and Gold Sand colour options, the new Galaxy A Series (2017) will be available at all Samsung brand stores nationwide from 25th January 2017 onwards at a recommended retail price of RM1,899 (Galaxy A7 2017) and RM1,699 (Galaxy A5 2017) inclusive of GST.
Join the in-store pre-order and be the first to own the new Galaxy A Series (2017)! Head on to selected Samsung outlets from 6th to 15th January 2017 to place an order and receive a complimentary Samsung Level U Pro wireless headphones worth RM399. Pre-order collection will start on 25th January 2017.
Fans can pre-order the new 2017 Galaxy A smartphones at selected Samsung outlets , as well as online in the Samsung online store in Lazada and in 11street.
[1] Based on compatibility of Samsung Pay on MST and/or NFC payment terminals, with some supported for use only after software upgrades. Samsung Pay is exclusive to selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones only, and available across participating payment networks, banks and merchants. Availability may vary at launch, please check for updates.
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On the 15th of June, 2016, Samsung officially launched the 2016 Galaxy J Series of affordable smartphones. The launch event was held at the magnificent KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), in partnership with Yes which officially announced their 4G LTE network as well.
There is a reason for this particular partnership between Samsung Malaysia and Yes. The new Yes 4G LTE network is a pure data network with VoLTE (Voice over LTE) capability. The new Samsung Galaxy J7, J5 and J1 smartphones have been optimised for the next-generation data-centric mobile network that Yes just announced.
Samsung Launches The 2016 Galaxy J Series
The launch event kicked off with Mr. Lee Jui Siang (Vice President of IT and Mobile, Samsung Malaysia Electronics) giving a quick overview of the 2016 Galaxy J Series smartphones and why they have been optimised for the new-generation data network.
Then Mr. Go Benn Lee (Product Manager, Mobile & IT Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics) presented the key features of the 2016 Galaxy J Series smartphones. Check it out!
This ended with an impressive dance performance to PSY’s DADDY. Enjoy!
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Then it was time for some hands-on time with the new Galaxy J7, J5 and J1 smartphones. We also got to meet up with new and old friends. Here’s my wefie with Jacob Yeoh, Deputy CEO of YTL Communications, Livan Bai of Priority Communications and Soo Yi of Samsung Malaysia. What an awesome night!
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The 2016 Galaxy J Series Is Optimised For Data
Arguably the key feature of the 2016 Galaxy J series is their Ultra Data Saving (UDS) Mode. The new UDS mode is designed to reduce data usage by up to 50%. It achieves this by compressing data that is uploaded and downloaded, while restricting data usage by background applications.
According to Samsung, the UDS Mode reduced data usage by up to 62% on Instagram and 46% on YouTube! This was based on their test results using Opera Max that was carried out from April 1-25. Of course, the actual results will vary according to your usage patterns.
As a bonus, the UDS Mode also frees up RAM, and increases battery life. In fact, Samsung says that the UDS Mode will double the 2016 Galaxy J Series smartphones’ standby time!
This is perfect for the next-generation data-only 4G LTE networks like the new Yes 4G LTE network.
Dual SIM, Dual Standby Capability
All 2016 Galaxy J Series smartphones come with dual SIM, dual standby capability. This gives you the flexibility of using two different networks in a single device. This is particularly convenient for frequent travelers who can now use their local SIM and international SIM cards simultaneously.
2016 Galaxy J Series Smartphone Comparison
In this table, we will compare the specifications of the 2016 Samsung Galaxy J7, J5 and J1 smartphones.
The 2016 Samsung Galaxy J7, J5 and J1 smartphones are available beginning today, June 16, 2016 at all Samsung Experience Stores and authorised dealers, at the following recommended retail prices :
2016 Galaxy J7 : RM 1,049 / ~US$ 262
2016 Galaxy J5 : RM 849 / ~US$ 212
2016 Galaxy J1 : RM 449 / ~US$ 112
All three models will be available in 3 colour options – Black, White and Gold. In Malaysia, every 2016 Galaxy J series smartphone will come with a free Yes 4G LTE prepaid card with 30 GB of free data (15 GB per month x 2 months) worth about RM 190!
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This morning, Tech ARP was invited to an exclusive media preview of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone. This is a sneak peek as the Galaxy S7 edge will only be available in Malaysia from the 18th of March 2016 onwards.
Check out the exclusive details we squeezed from Samsung Malaysia, and take a look at the video and pictures we took at the event!
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Revealed
Samsung Malaysia’s Mobile Division Product Manager, Go Benn Lee, kicked off the big reveal with a presentation on what’s new in the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone. Check it out!
Later, we managed to browbeat him into answering some questions about the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Check out what we found out :
One Model, Three Colours
Samsung Malaysia will only bring in a single model – the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge with 32 GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S7 edge will come in three colours though – Black Onyx, Silver Titanium and Gold Platinum.
They made this decision based on the popularity of the Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+. They also chose not to offer larger storage capacities because the Galaxy S7 edge comes with a microSD slot, which supports up to 200 GB of additional storage.
This does not mean that the Samsung Galaxy S7 will never make it to Malaysia. That is still a possibility.
It’s The Exynos Processor
[adrotate banner=”4″]Samsung is using two different processors for the Galaxy S7 edge – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, and their own Exynos 8890. Samsung revealed earlier that international versions of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge would use the Snapdragon 820 processor, while those sold in South Korea will feature the Samsung Exynos 8890 instead.
Today, we can confirm that the Galaxy S7 edge smartphones to be sold here in Malaysia will feature Samsung’s own Exynos 8890 processor. In other words, we will be getting the South Korean model.
Pre-Order & Special Bundle
Samsung Malaysia is preparing a pre-order opportunity, which could possibly coincide with a media event scheduled for the evening of March 17th. We will keep you updated on this.
You may be wondering if Samsung is going to throw in a free Gear VR headset with every Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone. Well, we tried our best to weasel out something… anything… but they were very coy. They would neither acknowledge or deny that such a bundle would be forthcoming. They however assured us that it will be “a very special offer” that will make us go “WOW!” 😀
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The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
The new Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone has a 5.5″ display but looks and feels like a 5″ device. This is due to the virtually bezel-less edges. And if you loved the Galaxy S6 edge’s curves, you will love the dual curved edges of the Galaxy S7 edge.
The Galaxy S7 edge retains the Galaxy S6 edge’s front camera, but uses the 12 megapixel Sony IMX260 sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus capability, paired with a much faster (brighter) f/1.7 lens. What this means is not only better low-light performance, but near-instantaneous focusing in the dark or with moving subjects.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge‘s other two “killer features” would be its IP68 dust- and water-resistance rating, and its Hybrid SIM capability. You can take the Galaxy S7 for a swim at an instant – there is no need to prepare it in any way. Just jump right in! Too bad the Galaxy S7 edge does NOT support USB-C. That would have been another nice feature to have.
It also comes with two SIM slots, the second of which doubles as a microSD slot that supports up to 200 GB of additional storage. In other words, you can either use a second SIM card, or a microSD card, not both. Still, this is an improvement over the Galaxy S6 edge for many users.
The Galaxy S7 edge also features an “Always-on Display“, which shows basic information like the time, date, battery life and notifications at all times. This allows you to check those information at a glance. The Galaxy S7 edge will also feature an improved Edge Screen, which now offers more options and twice the width for more widgets / shortcuts.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge supports fast charging in both wired and wireless mode, just like the Samsung Galaxy Note5. But you may not need that as much because the Galaxy S7 edge comes with a large 3,600 mAh battery – 1,000 mAh (38.5%) more than the 2,600 mAh battery in the Galaxy S6 edge!
To top it off, Samsung listened to our complaints of the Galaxy S6 edge getting really hot, especially when taking photos and recording videos. They somehow managed to squeeze in a heatpiped cooler to better dissipate heat from the internal components.
Excited? So Are We!
We can’t wait to get our hands on the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge! If you are eager to get one yourself, be sure to check back because we will have more details and coverage for you. A media event has already been scheduled for the evening and night of March 17th. You can count on us to be there. If you want live updates, make sure you like our Facebook page!
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Samsung Malaysia launched the newSamsung Galaxy A Series (2016) smartphones to great fanfare at Sunway Pyramid yesterday. The new Galaxy A Series looks and feels eerily identical to the elegant Samsung Galaxy S6, yet is significantly cheaper. If you always wanted a Galaxy S6 but could not afford one, you will definitely want to check out the new Galaxy A series.
Fittingly, Samsung chose the elegant Choo Mei Sze and the fun Samsung Malaysia’s Mobile Division Product Manager, Go Benn Lee, to launch the new Galaxy A smartphones which are targeted at the hip youth market.
Kuala Lumpur, January 28, 2016 – Samsung Malaysia Electronics today is proud to unveil its latest Galaxy A Series (2016) smartphones in a unique lifestyle setting to underline the device’s core properties of camera and storage features.
Boasting the brand’s latest in innovative design and technology, the Galaxy A Series (2016) offers Malaysian consumers a platform to express their individuality with powerful performance in three screen size options: 5.5-inch for the A7, 5.2-inch for the A5 and 4.7-inch for the A3.
The Galaxy A Series (2016) continues the latest Samsung Galaxy design heritage, combining metal and glass to create a beautifully harmonious premium design. With superior viewing experience through a larger screen size, narrower bezel of 2.7mm and combined with improved battery life, the device has never been a better fit in the user’s hand.
All three variants come equipped with an enhanced camera system for both brighter and clearer photos and videos. This advanced system includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)* on the front camera to prevent image blurring, as well as a front and rear F1.9 lens to allow users to take the optimum photos in low light conditions.
Additionally, the stylish smartphone is also equipped with a Quick Launch feature – double clicking the home button launches the camera in less than a second. Consumers can also take their best selfie yet with features including Wide Selfie, Palm Selfie and Beautifying Effects.
A leap from its predecessor, the new Galaxy A Series (2016) comes with a built-in memory of 16GB and a microSD slot that can add up to 128GB of external memory.
[adrotate banner=”4″]To celebrate the arrival of this new fun device, Samsung Malaysia Electronics is offering a free 32GB microSD card for every unit purchased, which adds capacity for as many as 16,000 pictures and high-definition videos without the hassle of constantly having to clear older albums.
Available in Black, Gold, White and Pink Gold colour options, the new and refreshed Galaxy A Series (2016) is available at all Samsung brand stores nationwide from 28 January 2016 onwards at a recommended retail price of RM1,899 / ~US$439 (Galaxy A7 2016), RM1,599 / ~US$369 (Galaxy A5 2016), and RM1,299 / ~US$299 (Galaxy A3 2016) inclusive of GST.
From today until 31st January 2016, there will be a roadshow at Sunway Pyramid’s Blue Concourse for the general public to experience the features that the Galaxy A Series (2016) has to offer. A number of units are up for grabs for lucky winners.
* Available in A7 and A5 models only.
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