Tag Archives: Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

The Samsung IP68 Water-Resistance Technology Guide!

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Ever since Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone, their flagship S and Note smartphones have all been IP68-certified to be dust- and water-resistant.

Let’s take a look at the engineering behind the Samsung’s IP68 rating, and clarify its limitations, so you can enjoy your Samsung smartphones for many years to come!

 

Samsung IP68 Engineering

The challenge with making smartphones water-resistant isn’t just ensuring that water won’t get inside. Before the Galaxy S7 edge, a number of devices already did that, like Samsung’s own Galaxy S6 Active smartphone or the Kenxinda Flattop ruggerdised smartphones.

What Samsung introduced in their flagship smartphones from the Galaxy S7 edge onwards was IP68 dust- and water-resistance without prior preparation.

Unlike prior water-resistant smartphones, you don’t need to prepare it in any way before you dunk it into water. There is no need to cap the earphone and USB ports. It is dust- and water-resistant 24/7.

To achieve this feat, Samsung introduced a number of engineering improvements :

  • An unspecified “new type of water resistance technology” was used to seal the unit internally against the ingress of water,
  • An “exclusive type of water protective tape” was added to the back of the front and rear glass, as well as other internal parts,
  • Rubber linings were used on parts like the USB port, the earphone port, and the SIM card tray to prevent the ingress of water

  • Anti-corrosive materials like nickel and platinum and corrosive-resistant coating were used for all external metal parts and connectors like the earphone and USB ports,
  • The USB port has a short circuit sensor to cut-off power when it detects a short circuit due to water contact
  • Portable electronic vents were used to ensure a good flow of air and outflow of water and humidity

As you can see, a lot of engineering went into ensuring that Samsung smartphones are dust- and water-resistant, while remaining ultra-slim.

Teardowns by iFixit also showed considerable use of adhesive in subsequent models, all the way to the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, to maintain this IP68-rated dust and water-resistance.

 

Is The Samsung S Pen IP68 Rated Too?

The S Pen of IP68-rated Galaxy Note devices are also IP68-rated against dust and water. However, the S Pen requires slightly different techniques to achieve such water-resistance :

  • its printed circuit board (PCB) is covered with a special epoxy material
  • rubber seals are used to seal off vulnerable passageways
  • important components like the pen pressure switch are also covered by rubber seals

This allows the pen tip to move as needed, while preventing the ingress of water that will damage the internal components of the S Pen.

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Samsung IP68 Rating Clarified

All Samsung smartphones that are IP68-rated can withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes.

This means you can take it for jogs in the rain, or reading in the bathtub. However, we must point out that IP68 is a rating for water immersion.

IP68-rated devices are NOT designed to withstand water pressure. We therefore do not recommend you take it into the shower or while you swim.

The IP68 certification is based on a specific set of test conditions :

Temperature Range : 15-35 °C
Pressure Range : 86-106 kPa
Maximum Water Depth : 1.5 metre
Maximum Time of Immersion : 30 minutes

If you exceed those conditions, Samsung’s IP68 measures may not prevent the ingress of water.

In fact, if you check your User Guide, you will see that Samsung warns against exposing their IP68 smartphones to “water moving with force“.

This means you should not place them under running water from a tap or a waterfall. Even ocean waves may exert enough force to drive water into their chassis.

 

Summary : IP68 = Water-Resistance, NOT Waterproofing

The takeaway message is this – Samsung IP68 smartphones are water-resistant, not waterproof. You need to be gentle with them when they are exposed to water.

The biggest problem is water pressure, not depth. You can leave it at the bottom of a swimming pool without worry, but the force of water from a tap can exceed the IP68 pressure rating.

Do NOT do this!!! Never pour water on your device, because it exerts pressure!

Let’s consider a real-world scenario – taking photos and videos while snorkelling.

You won’t reach a depth of 1.5 m when you snorkel. But swinging your device underwater could literally force water into the chassis!

That doesn’t mean you cannot use your device underwater. You can, but you must make sure not to exert too much force. Take it in and out of the water gently, and if you have to move, do so gently.

 

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My Knox Is Dead. Long Live Samsung Secure Folder!

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Samsung announced in June 2017 that they were killing off My Knox, replacing it with Samsung Secure Folder that ships with the Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8 Plus and Galaxy Note8 smartphones.

Secure Folder is compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones that have been upgraded to Android 7.0 Nougat.

Updated @ 2017-12-22 : Revamped the article, adding a migration guide, and a final email from Samsung.

Updated @ 2017-11-16 : Added a new email from Samsung with a confirmed end-of-service date for My Knox.

Originally posted @ 2017-06-07

 

Samsung Kills My Knox

In early June 2017, Samsung announced that they’re killing My Knox, and replacing it with Secure Folder. The end-of-life date was set for 19 December 2017.

Beginning 20 December 2017, the My Knox app would no longer be available to download from the Google Play Store. The My Knox portal will also be disabled – you won’t be able to login.

Samsung replaced My Knox with their new Secure Folder solution. They promise that it is a superior solution.

 

Samsung Secure Folder

Samsung Secure Folder is a new security solution that leverages the defense-grade Samsung Knox security platform to create a private, encrypted space on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone running on Android 7.0 Nougat or better.

It is available in the Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8 Plus and Galaxy Note8 smartphones, but can be downloaded and installed in the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge smartphones that have been upgraded to Android 7.0 Nougat.

As no Mobile Device Management (MDM) is required, it is suitable for both personal and business usage. Here are additional details :

  • Apps and data can be installed or created within Secure Folder, or moved there from outside.
  • Apps and data moved to Secure Folder are kept separate, leveraging SE for Android – preventing unauthorized communication between apps inside and outside.
  • Application data and files are encrypted with defense-grade Sensitive Data Protection (SDP) technology – using 256-bit AES cipher algorithm to secure data.
  • Data remains encrypted even after the user has exited Secure Folder or has turned off the device, and is decrypted when a user successfully authenticates himself / herself.

It can also be used alongside Knox Workspace, enabling two Knox container solutions at the same time.

This allows users to have access to both a dedicated work environment (Knox Workspace), as well as a secure personal area (Secure Folder).

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How To Migrate From My Knox To Secure Folder

Fortunately, Samsung made it easy to migrate your private data from My Knox to Secure Folder. Here are the steps :

  • Log into the My Knox app
  • Go to My Knox Settings, and select Backup and restore.
  • Backup your My Knox data (you’ll need a Samsung account to do this).
  • Install and setup Secure Folder, if you have not already done so.
  • Log into Secure Folder.
  • Go to Secure Folder Settings, and select Backup and restore.
  • Select Restore (using the same Samsung account), and you’re done!

if you are worried about the dangers of backing up your encrypted data to the cloud (it is encrypted!), you can use this alternative method :

  • Log into the My Knox app.
  • Copy the data out into the Samsung smartphone, or a secure computer
  • Install and setup Secure Folder, if you have not already done so.
  • Move the data into Secure Folder.

 

Samsung My Knox Termination Chronology

In early June 2017, Samsung sent out this email to all registered Samsung users :

First Samsung warning about terminating My Knox

My Knox will no longer be available on new Samsung devices in 2017. You may continue your secure space experience by setting up Secure Folder, available now from Galaxy Apps.

Secure Folder runs on Android N OS or higher versions only. It leverages the defence-grade Samsung Knox security platform to create a private, encrypted space on your Samsung Galaxy phone. Applications and data moved to Secure Folder are partitioned separately on the device and gain an additional layer of security and privacy.

To seamlessly transfer your private content between solutions, please back up your My Knox data and restore it to Secure Folder. To back up your My Knox data, go to My Knox settings > Backup and restore. Remember, a Samsung account is required to use this feature.

You can restore the backup data after setting up Secure Folder. Go to Secure Folder settings > Backup and restore > Restore.

You may use My Knox until its end-of-service date (which will be announced soon). However, be aware that we will not be actively maintaining the service or adding new features.

This was followed by this email on 15 November 2017, revealing its end-of-service date as 19 December 2017.

Samsung confirms end-of-life date for the My Knox service

Dear customers,

Thank you for using My Knox.

As previously announced, we will end support for My Knox on 19th December 2017. You will not be able to download My Knox from any app store after the end-of-service date.

You may use My Knox on your mobile device until you uninstall the application. However, you will be unable to log in to the My Knox portal to remotely manage your device (e.g. to reset your My Knox password or unlock My Knox).

If you have a phone that runs the Android N OS, we recommend transferring your private data in My Knox to Secure Folder, available at Google Play or Galaxy Apps, and on new Samsung phones such as the Galaxy Note 8. We also recommend backing up your My Knox data first, and restoring the data after you set up Secure Folder.

To back up My Knox data, go to My Knox Settings > Backup and restore > Back up My Knox data. Please note that a Samsung account is required to use the My Knox backup and restore feature.

If your phone does not support Secure Folder, then please back up the content to outside My Knox (e.g. using the Move to Personal mode feature).

For more information regarding My Knox termination, please visit My Knox FAQ .

We hope you have enjoyed your experience with My Knox. Samsung is committed to continuous innovation to provide you with the highest-quality products and services.

This final email was sent on 20 December 2017, noting that My Knox is now terminated :

The final Samsung email on the termination of the My Knox service

Dear customers,

Thank you for using My Knox.

As previously announced, we will terminate the My Knox service on 19th December 2017. You will not be able to download My Knox from any app store from then on. You will also be unable to log in to the My Knox portal to remotely manage your device.

You may use My Knox on your mobile device until you uninstall the application. However we highly recommend you to back up your data or move it to outside My Knox.

If your phone supports Secure Folder, we recommend transferring your private data in My Knox to Secure Folder, available at Google Play or Galaxy Apps, and on new Samsung phones such as the Galaxy Note 8. We also recommend backing up your My Knox data first, and restoring the data after you set up Secure Folder.

To back up My Knox data, go to My Knox Settings > Backup and restore > Back up My Knox data. Please note that a Samsung account is required to use the My Knox backup and restore feature.

However, if your phone does not support Secure Folder, then please back up the content to outside My Knox (e.g. using the Move to Personal mode feature).

We hope you have enjoyed your experience with My Knox. Thank you for using our service.

 

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The Samsung Galaxy Note8, S8+ and S8 Pink Edition Revealed!

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29 November 2017 – Samsung Malaysia Electronics adds a soft touch to their flagship smartphones with the Samsung Galaxy Note8, S8+ and S8 Pink Edition smartphones!

Adding a soft touch to Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones, Samsung Galaxy Note8 Soft Pink and Galaxy S8 and S8+ Rose Pink call to ladies who have long waited for the perfect device that speaks to their femininity.

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note8, S8+ and S8 Pink Edition

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 is now available in the Soft Pink colour, while the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are now available in Rose Pink.

“We are happy to announce the arrival of the Soft Pink Galaxy Note8 Soft Pink, together with Galaxy S8 and S8+ Rose Pink in Malaysia to give fans, especially the ladies, a choice of colours to complement their lifestyles. Pink is a reflection of the cheerful, ambitious and passionate woman who dreams big and aspires to achieve more through her smartphone. We are confident that these two new shades of pink will be a hit among the ladies,” said Mr KM Liew, Head of IT & Mobile Business, Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

 

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Price & Availability

The Galaxy Note8 Soft Pink and Galaxy S8 and S8+ Rose Pink is available in Malaysia at the recommended price of RM3,999 (~US$ 975), RM3,299 (~US$ 805) and RM3,699 (~US$ 902) respectively (inclusive of 6% GST).

All three devices are also available in Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, and Maple Gold, while the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are available in Coral Blue as well.

Every purchase of the Galaxy Note8, S8 and S8+ Pink Edition come with a complimentary pink Alcantara cover worth up to RM209 / ~US$ 51, while stocks last and 20% off base fares and premium flatbed fares by AirAsia X.

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