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Tag: Samsung

  • Samsung Refuses to Give Up on Glasses-Free 3D Gaming Monitors

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    You know CES is right around the corner when tech companies announce a whole bunch of new TVs and monitors. Ahead of CES 2026, Samsung has dropped details on five new Odyssey gaming monitors, each worth considering if you’re looking for certain features to up your immersion level.

    Chief among the family of new monitors is the new G90XH 32-inch Odyssey 3D. This is a much larger and higher-resolution version of the G90XF 27-inch glasses-free 3D gaming monitor that Gizmodo’s Kyle Barr reviewed back in May. This new model has a higher 6K resolution (6,144 x 3,456), compared to the previous 4K. For stereoscopic 3D gaming, more pixels means increased sharpness since the resolution is essentially halved in order to produce the pop-out effect. This 6K glasses-free gaming monitor is a world’s first, according to Samsung.

    Other notable specs on the new Odyssey 3D monitor include a 165Hz refresh rate that can be “boosted to 330Hz through Dual Mode” and a 1ms Gray-to-Gray (GtG) response time. Of course, our big concern is game support. Only 14 games could be played with glasses-free 3D on the 27-incher, and it couldn’t play 3D movies. It’s unlikely the library of supported games has expanded significantly in seven months.

    © Samsung

    Then, there’s the new Odyssey G6 (G60H). Samsung is also touting another world’s first record: a 1,040Hz refresh rate… with “Dual Mode. That’s more than double the 500Hz refresh rate on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G660SF, which was also announced in May. Natively, the new Odyssey G6 tops out at a 600Hz refresh rate at QHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440).

    Finally, there are three versions of the new Odyssey G8 gaming monitors. There’s the G80HS, which is a 32-inch display with 6K resolution (6,144 x 3,456). It’s got the same specs as the 6K Odyssey 3D sans the glasses-free 3D aspect. The G80HF is a 27-inch version with higher refresh rates: 180Hz native and 360Hz in Dual Mode. The G80SH is the Odyssey OLED G8, which is a 32-inch monitor with 4K resolution (3,240 x 2,160) and uses QD-OLED for inkier black. It’s also capable of reaching a 240Hz refresh rate.

    No pricing info yet

    Unsurprisingly, Samsung hasn’t shared any pricing or release information on any of its new Odyssey gaming monitors. Hopefully, we find out more at CES 2026 when we can actually lay our eyeballs on the screens.

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    Raymond Wong

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  • Android Sound Notifications help you catch key alerts

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    Staying aware of your surroundings matters. That includes hearing smoke alarms, appliance beeps or a knock at the door. Still, real life gets busy. You wear headphones. You get focused. Sounds slip by. That is where Android Sound Notifications help. This built-in accessibility feature listens for key sounds and sends an alert to your screen. Think of it as a gentle tap on the shoulder when something important happens.

    Although it was designed to help people who are hard of hearing, it is useful for anyone. If you work with noise-canceling headphones or often miss alerts at home, this feature can make a real difference.

    Now, if you use an iPhone, here’s how Apple’s Sound Recognition can alert you to alarms and other key sounds on your device. 

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    Android Sound Notifications alert you when important sounds happen around you.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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    What Sound Notifications do on Android

    Sound Notifications use your phone’s microphone to listen for specific sounds nearby. When it detects one, it sends a visual alert. You will see a pop-up, feel a vibration and may even see the camera flash.

    By default, Android can detect sounds like:

    • Smoke alarms
    • Fire alarms
    • Sirens
    • Door knocks
    • Doorbells
    • Appliance beeps
    • A landline phone ringing
    • Running water
    • A baby crying
    • A dog barking

    That range makes the feature practical at home or at work. Even better, you control which sounds matter to you.

    Why this feature is worth using

    Here is the simple truth. You cannot hear everything all the time. Distractions happen. Headphones block sound. Focus takes over. Sound Notifications fill that gap. While you stay locked into a task, your phone keeps listening. When something important happens, you still get the message. As a result, you worry less about missing alarms or visitors. You gain awareness without extra effort.

    How to turn on Sound Notifications

    Getting started only takes a minute. Note: We tested these steps on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra running the latest version of Android. Menu names and locations may differ slightly on other Android phones, depending on the manufacturer and software version.

    • Open the Settings app
    • Go to Accessibility
    • Tap Hearing enhancements
    • Select Sound Notifications
    • Turn the feature on
    Screens side-by-side displaying how to turn on Sound Notifications

    Turning on Sound Notifications only takes a few taps in Android’s Accessibility settings. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    When you enable Sound Notifications for the first time, Android will ask how you want to start the feature. Choose the option that works best for you:

    • Tap the button in the quick settings panel
    • Tap the Accessibility button
    • Press the Side and Volume Up buttons
    • Press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons for three seconds

    After you select a shortcut, Click Ok.  Then, Sound Notifications will start listening in the background.

    ANDROID EMERGENCY LIVE VIDEO GIVES 911 EYES ON THE SCENE

    If you do not see the option, install the Live Transcribe & Notifications app from the Play Store. You can enable Sound Notifications from there. Once active, your phone listens for selected sounds and alerts you when it detects one. 

    Choose which sounds trigger alerts

    Not every sound deserves your attention. Thankfully, Android lets you fine-tune alerts.

    Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

    • Go back to Settings
    • Tap Accessibility
    • Click Hearing enhancements
    • Tap Sound Notifications
    • Click Open Sound Notifications. This opens the actual Sound Notifications control screen.
    • On the Sound Notifications screen, tap Settings or the gear icon in the top corner
    • Tap Sound types

    You will now see the full list of detectable sounds.

    • Toggle on the sounds you want alerts for, such as smoke alarms or doorbells
    • Toggle off sounds you do not want, like dog barking or appliance beeps, if they are not important to you
    Screens side-by-side displaying how to turn on Sound Notifications

    You can choose exactly which sounds trigger alerts, helping you avoid unnecessary interruptions. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Check the sound history log

    Sound Notifications keep a log of detected sounds. This helps if you were away from your phone and want to see what happened.

    You can also save sounds and name them. That makes it easier to tell the difference between your washer finishing and your microwave timer.

    The log adds context, which makes alerts more helpful.

    GOOGLE’S NEW CALL REASON FEATURE MARKS CALLS AS URGENT

    Teach your phone custom sounds

    Android does not stop at presets. You can train it to recognize sounds unique to your space.

    Maybe your garage door has a distinct tone. Maybe an appliance uses a nonstandard beep. You can record it once, and your phone will listen for it going forward. To add a custom sound:

    Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

    • Open Sound Notifications
    • Tap the gear icon
    • Select Custom sounds
    • Tap Add sound
    • Hit Record

    Record a clear 20-second clip. The better the audio, the better detection works later.

    Customize how alerts appear

    By default, Sound Notifications use vibration and the camera flash. That visual cue is helpful for urgent alerts. However, not every sound needs that level of attention. You can adjust how alerts appear based on importance.

    Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

    • Open Sound Notifications
    • Open the gear icon
    • Tap Ways to be notified
    • From there, choose which alerts vibrate, flash or stay subtle

    This flexibility keeps the feature working for your routine.

    Your privacy stays on your phone

    It is reasonable to question constant listening. Here is the key detail. Sound Notifications process audio locally on your device. Sounds never leave your phone. Nothing gets sent to Google. The only exception is if you choose to include audio with feedback. That design keeps the feature private and secure.

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    Kurt’s key takeaways

    Android Sound Notifications quietly solve a real problem. They help you stay aware when your ears cannot. Setup is fast. Controls are flexible. Privacy stays intact. Once you turn it on, you may wonder how you lived without it.

    What important sound have you missed lately that your phone could have caught for you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Samsung’s Galazy Z TriFold is Futuristic, But These 5 Issues Are Hard To Ignore

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    • One of the biggest red flags for the Samsung TriFold is the lack of a proper protective layer on the folding display.
    • Whether you accidentally damage the screen with a green or pink line, or end up damaging the surface after a nasty fall, the screen replacement would cost well over a lakh rupees.
    • If the TriFold’s hinge develops even a minor fault, the repair costs are estimated to be in the range of Rs 50,000 – 60,000.

    While Samsung’s tri-fold smartphone commands attention for its futuristic design and engineering, its eye-watering price of over Rs 3 lakhs puts it under far greater scrutiny than a conventional flagship. And once you look beyond the novelty, a few practical concerns begin to surface. Here are five key drawbacks that buyers should consider seriously before getting the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.

    No Real Display Protection: Repairs Are Brutal

    One of the biggest red flags for the Samsung TriFold is the lack of a proper protective layer on the folding display. On a phone this expensive, that’s very hard to overlook. Apart from the normal wear and tear that comes with a folding phone, the bigger problem arises when you consider the repair costs.

    Whether you accidentally damage the screen with a green or pink line, or end up damaging the surface after a nasty fall, the screen replacement would cost well over a lakh rupees. That’s enough to buy a brand new foldable phone, instead of getting the TriFold repaired.

    The Metal Hinge is Both Critical and Costly

    Foldables live and die by their hinge mechanism, and Samsung is no stranger to hinge-related criticism across its folding lineup. If the TriFold’s hinge develops even a minor fault, the repair costs are estimated to be in the range of Rs 50,000 – 60,000. Without the repair, your phone would end up as your most expensive paperweight.

    Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold hinge

    Although this is an extreme scenario, as a buyer, one must be aware of the risks that come along with getting a uniquely engineered device. Remember that your total cost of ownership may increase substantially after considering even a small repair.

    IP48 Water Resistance Feels Underwhelming

    Given the premium price point of the Samsung TriFold, one might reasonably expect robust protection against environmental hazards, including water exposure. However, the device only carries an IP48 certification. This certification is inadequate for survival if the phone is accidentally immersed in water. Potential buyers should be aware that the high cost does not translate into full water protection.

    For a phone that is positioned at the peak of Samsung’s innovation, the lack of stronger water resistance feels like a missed opportunity.

    Everyday Use Suffers Due to Weight and Bulk

    Those who intend to use the Samsung Trifold as their primary, day-to-day device must consider its physical characteristics. The phone is noted to be quite heavy, weighing 300 grams. Furthermore, when folded, the device becomes significantly thick, making it less pocket-friendly than most users might expect. This substantial weight and bulkiness may detract from the convenience expected of a modern smartphone.

    Samsung TriFold thickness

    Limited Screen Functionality

    A notable limitation concerns how users are able to interact with the device’s multiple displays. The Samsung Trifold restricts users to utilising either a single screen or all three screens simultaneously. This constraint offers less flexibility compared to the Huawei Trifold, which allows users to engage with one, two, or all three screens concurrently.

    Samsung TriFold multi screen

    This restriction feels as if it’s holding back the Samsung TriFold from running at its peak potential. It could have been designed and implemented better, but it looks like we will have to wait for the second generation to see an improvement.

    Final Thoughts

    None of these drawbacks can take away the fact that the Galaxy Z TriFold is the crown jewel of Samsung, with the highest level of design and engineering. However, the high price of the device sets equally high standards, and here’s where the device lacks the finishing touches. If you really want to be among the first set of users to experience the tri-folding phone, Samsung has the best product with good availability. But if you are looking for a flawless device that justifies its price, then the cons need to be considered carefully before making the investment.

    Image Credits: MrWhoseTheBoss and SuperSaf

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    Abhishek Bhatnagar

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  • Samsung Black Friday deals: Gaming monitors are up to $350 off, plus more discounts

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    If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your gaming setup, now’s the time. Samsung’s Odyssey G8 monitor is on sale for $950 for Black Friday, a $350 discount off its regular price. It’s one of the best 32-inch gaming monitors on the market, combining stunning picture quality with ultra-smooth performance.

    The 32-inch Odyssey G8 has earned high marks for its blend of image quality and gaming performance. Its 4K OLED panel produces deep blacks and bright highlights, with 99 percent DCI-P3 color coverage for vibrant visuals. The 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time deliver exceptional smoothness in fast-paced games, while AMD FreeSync Premium Pro keeps everything tear-free.

    Samsung

    Design-wise, it’s sleek and minimal, with a slim metal frame that looks just as good in a work setup as it does in a gaming room. The monitor supports DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 inputs, plus USB-C connectivity for charging and data transfer. Built-in speakers and Smart TV features let you stream directly from apps like Netflix or Prime Video without connecting to a PC or console.

    You also get Samsung’s SmartThings integration, so the Odyssey G8 can double as a smart home hub, controlling compatible IoT devices from lights to thermostats. It even supports cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass and NVIDIA GeForce Now, meaning you can play high-end titles without extra hardware. The combination of OLED contrast, motion clarity and built-in streaming makes it one of the most versatile monitors in Samsung’s lineup.

    If you want something even larger, the Odyssey G9 is also discounted by $300, bringing the 49-inch curved DQHD model down to $700. It offers a wide field of view and 144Hz refresh rate, making it a great pick for simulation and racing fans.

    The Odyssey G7 is another strong choice, now $600 after a $300 discount. This 37-inch 4K display runs at 165Hz with a curved design and supports both HDR and AMD FreeSync for smooth gameplay.

    Finally, Samsung’s Smart Monitor M9 is available for $1,300, $300 off its regular price. It combines 4K OLED visuals with built-in streaming and AI-powered vision tools, making it a good all-rounder for work and entertainment.

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    Georgie Peru

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  • Black Friday SSD deals: Take up to $250 off recommended internal and portable SSDs, microSD cards and more

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    If you’re looking to grab a new SSD for a PC, , gaming handheld or any other gadget, Black Friday is typically a good time to take the plunge. To help you separate the fake discounts from the stuff worth your time, we’ve picked through the many sales going on now and rounded up the best Black Friday SSD deals and other storage discounts we could find below. So far we’re seeing a handful of discounts on well-reviewed , and , but we’ll update this post as we find more offers that are worth calling out.

    Best Black Friday microSD card deals

    Samsung

    We recommend the Evo Select in our microSD card buying guide for those on a tight budget. It has mediocre write speeds, so it’s not ideal for a camera, but it should be serviceable for most people just looking to add space to an Android tablet or original Nintendo Switch on the cheap. (Note that this is a standard UHS-I card, not an Express one.) This deal matches the lowest price to date for the 512GB variant of the latest model. Also at Samsung and B&H.

    $33 at Amazon

    Samsung Pro Plus (1TB, 2-pack) for $136 at Best Buy ($104 off MSRP): The Pro Plus is the runner-up pick in our guide to the best microSD cards. On its own, it’s not worth buying over the faster Lexar Professional Silver Plus when both are available for the same price — which is the case right now — but this bundle deal that packages two 1TB cards together for $68 apiece is much more appealing if you need space for multiple devices. Just add two to your cart or click the “special offers” link on Best Buy’s product page to see the discount at checkout. If you need another card, you can also grab a three-pack for $204. For reference, the previous low for an individual 1TB Pro Plus card is $70.

    Lexar Play Pro (256GB) microSD Express card for $49 at Amazon ($11 off): The only reason to buy a super-fast (but pricey) microSD Express card is to expand the storage of a Nintendo Switch 2, which requires the newer format. In our guide to the best Switch 2 microSD cards, we found each model we tested to perform similarly in actual games, so your best bet is to buy whichever one you can find in stock at the lowest price. Nintendo has already announced that Samsung’s 256GB Express card will be available for “$20 off MSRP” on November 30, which should bring it down to $40. If you can wait to pounce on that offer, you should. But if you can’t for some reason, or if that discount quickly sells out, this is only $2 more than the best price we’ve seen for Lexar’s equivalent model.

    Samsung P9 Express (512GB) microSD Express Card for $75 at Amazon ($25 off): If you want more space for a Switch 2, the 512GB version of Samsung’s P9 Express card is also on sale for a new low of $75. Full disclosure: Samsung launched this card a couple of weeks ago, and we only just got it in for testing. But given the trend of similar Switch 2 performance we’ve seen with other Express cards thus far, and the fact that this is easily the cheapest 512GB model we can find in stock as of this writing, we figure it’s worth noting. Also at Samsung and B&H.

    SanDisk microSD Express Card (256GB) for $60 at Amazon ($8 off): Like the offers above, this discount matches the best price we’ve seen for SanDisk’s 256GB microSD Express card. Again, there isn’t much point in grabbing it as long as cheaper options are in stock, though this is technically the fastest all-around model we’ve tested when it comes to transferring games to and from the Switch 2’s built-in storage. (Within games, however, the difference is still minimal.) We’ll note it here just in case the other Express models completely sell out.

    Best Black Friday internal SSD deals

    SK Hynix Platinum P51 (1TB) PCIe 5.0 SSD for $110 at Newegg ($60 off): Most people don’t have to pay extra for the top-tier performance of a PCIe 5.0 SSD like the Platinum P51, but if you need something for more intense workloads or just want the comfort of owning a more futureproof SSD, reviews around the web suggest this is one of the better options available. Just make sure you have a compatible motherboard and CPU first. This offer ties the lowest price yet for the 1TB model. Use the code BFEFE96 to get the full discount at checkout.

    Image for the small product module

    Crucial

    If you need a bit more space from a PCIe 5.0 drive, the Crucial T705 is a slightly older but still highly rated alternative with blazing-fast speeds. This discount comes within $10 of the 2TB version’s all-time low. Also at B&H.

    $160 at Amazon

    Crucial T710 (2TB) PCIe 5.0 SSD with heatsink for $190 at Best Buy ($130 off): The T710 is Crucial’s successor to the T705. Most reviews suggest it isn’t a massive leap over the older version in real-world performance, but it’s generally quicker, and it’s a more noticeable improvement in terms of power efficiency. If you’re willing to spend a little bit extra, this is the best price we’ve tracked for the 2TB model with a heatsink, which isn’t 100 percent essential for everyone but helps minimize thermal throttling all the same. It’s usually retailed for $250 in recent months. Also at B&H. If you don’t want the heatsink, the drive alone is on sale for $10 less.

    Samsung SSD 9100 Pro (8TB) PCIe 5.0 SSD for $750 at Amazon ($250 off): Yes, we realize this is a ton to spend on a new SSD, but if you’re in the niche that wants a PCIe 5.0 drive with as much capacity as possible, it ties the lowest price we’ve tracked for the 8TB variant of Samsung’s top-end model. Most reviews say that the 9100 Pro is outpaced by the WD Black SN8100 at the enthusiast end of the market, but it’s still competitive, and the 8TB version of that WD drive is priced $250 higher as of this writing. Most other direct rivals, meanwhile, aren’t yet available with this much space. Also at Best Buy.

    Crucial P310 (2TB) M.2 2230 SSD for $130 at Amazon ($110 off): The P310 is a small-size SSD you can slot in certain thin and light notebooks or gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck. It uses cheaper QLC memory, not the faster and more durable TLC, but most reviews say it performs well for what it is. This discount is a few bucks above the largest drop to date for the 2TB model, but it’s still about $20 off the drive’s usual street price. Also at B&H.

    Best Black Friday portable SSD deals

    Crucial X10 (1TB) portable SSD for $85 at Amazon ($13 off): The X10 is a newer iteration of the Crucial X10 Pro, which itself is a variant of the Crucial X9 Pro, the top pick in our guide to the best portable SSDs. It uses the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which few PCs and no Macs support, so most people won’t see a difference between it and more traditional USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives like the X9 Pro. (Pricier USB4 and Thunderbolt models, meanwhile, are much faster and generally easier to utilize.)

    If the X10 is on sale for much less than the X9 Pro, however, there’s little reason to not buy it instead. That’s the case as of this writing. Plus, like our top pick, the X10 is rugged, impressively compact and fast enough for most people’s needs, though it doesn’t support hardware-based encryption. This deal is $3 more than the 1TB model’s all-time low but still $15 off its typical going rate. Other capacities are on sale as well, including the extra spacious 8TB model for a new low of $385. Also at Best Buy and B&H.

    Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox (2TB) for $200 at Amazon ($30 off): Annoying as it is, the only way to fully add storage to an Xbox Series X or Series S is to use a proprietary expansion card. Only two of those exist, and they’re both expensive compared to traditional SSDs. Still, they’re dead simple to set up, and this Seagate model holds up well compared to the consoles’ internal storage. While this deal for the 2TB version isn’t an all-time low, it’s about $20 off the card’s usual going rate over the last few months. The 4TB variant is also discounted at $380 — that’s a ton to spend on one of these things, but it does match the lowest price we’ve tracked for that particular model. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

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    Jeff Dunn

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  • Samsung Black Friday deals: Odyssey gaming monitors are up to $350 off

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    If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your gaming setup, now’s the time. Samsung’s Odyssey G8 monitor is on sale for $950 for Black Friday, a $350 discount off its regular price. It’s one of the best 32-inch gaming monitors on the market, combining stunning picture quality with ultra-smooth performance.

    The 32-inch Odyssey G8 has earned high marks for its blend of image quality and gaming performance. Its 4K OLED panel produces deep blacks and bright highlights, with 99 percent DCI-P3 color coverage for vibrant visuals. The 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time deliver exceptional smoothness in fast-paced games, while AMD FreeSync Premium Pro keeps everything tear-free.

    Samsung

    Design-wise, it’s sleek and minimal, with a slim metal frame that looks just as good in a work setup as it does in a gaming room. The monitor supports DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 inputs, plus USB-C connectivity for charging and data transfer. Built-in speakers and Smart TV features let you stream directly from apps like Netflix or Prime Video without connecting to a PC or console.

    You also get Samsung’s SmartThings integration, so the Odyssey G8 can double as a smart home hub, controlling compatible IoT devices from lights to thermostats. It even supports cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass and NVIDIA GeForce Now, meaning you can play high-end titles without extra hardware. The combination of OLED contrast, motion clarity and built-in streaming makes it one of the most versatile monitors in Samsung’s lineup.

    If you want something even larger, the Odyssey G9 is also discounted by $300, bringing the 49-inch curved DQHD model down to $700. It offers a wide field of view and 144Hz refresh rate, making it a great pick for simulation and racing fans.

    The Odyssey G7 is another strong choice, now $600 after a $300 discount. This 37-inch 4K display runs at 165Hz with a curved design and supports both HDR and AMD FreeSync for smooth gameplay.

    Finally, Samsung’s Smart Monitor M9 is available for $1,300, $300 off its regular price. It combines 4K OLED visuals with built-in streaming and AI-powered vision tools, making it a good all-rounder for work and entertainment.

    Image for the mini product module

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    Georgie Peru

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  • The best Black Friday deals on SSDs, microSD cards and other storage devices we could find for 2025

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    If you’re looking to grab a new SSD for a PC, PS5, gaming handheld or any other gadget, Black Friday is typically a good time to take the plunge. To help you separate the fake discounts from the stuff worth your time, we’ve picked through the many sales going on now and rounded up the best Black Friday SSD deals and other storage discounts we could find below. The offers include a handful of well-reviewed SSDs, external drives, microSD cards and more, but we’ll update this post as new standouts pop up.

    Best Black Friday microSD card deals

    Samsung

    We recommend the Evo Select in our microSD card buying guide for those on a tight budget. It has mediocre write speeds, so it’s not ideal for a camera, but it should be serviceable for most people just looking to add space to an Android tablet or original Nintendo Switch on the cheap. (Note that this is a standard UHS-I card, not an Express one.) This deal matches the lowest price to date for the 512GB variant of the latest model. Also at Samsung and B&H.

    $33 at Amazon

    Lexar Play Pro (256GB) microSD Express card for $49 at Amazon ($11 off MSRP): The only reason to buy a super-fast (but pricey) microSD Express card is to expand the storage of a Nintendo Switch 2, which requires the newer format. In our guide to the best Switch 2 microSD cards, we found each model we tested to perform similarly in actual games, so your best bet is to buy whichever one you can find in stock at the lowest price. Nintendo has already announced that Samsung’s 256GB Express card will be available for “$20 off MSRP” on November 30, which should bring it down to $40. If you can wait to pounce on that offer, you should. But if you can’t for some reason, or if that discount quickly sells out, this is only $2 more than the best price we’ve seen for Lexar’s equivalent model.

    Samsung P9 Express (512GB) microSD Express Card for $75 at Amazon ($25 off): If you want more space for a Switch 2, the 512GB version of Samsung’s P9 Express microSD Express card is also on sale for a new low of $75. Full disclosure: Samsung launched this card a couple of weeks ago, and we only just got it in for testing. But given the trend of similar Switch 2 performance we’ve seen with other Express cards thus far, and the fact that this is easily the cheapest 512GB model we can find in stock as of this writing, we figure it’s worth noting. Also at Samsung and B&H.

    SanDisk microSD Express Card (256GB) for $60 at Amazon ($8 off): Like the offers above, this discount matches the best price we’ve seen for SanDisk’s 256GB microSD Express card. Again, there isn’t much point in grabbing it as long as cheaper options are in stock, though this is technically the fastest all-around model we’ve tested when it comes to transferring games to and from the Switch 2’s built-in storage. (Within games, however, the difference is still minimal.) We’ll note it here just in case the other Express models completely sell out.

    Best Black Friday internal SSD deals

    SK Hynix Platinum P51 (1TB) PCIe 5.0 SSD for $110 at Newegg ($60 off): Most people don’t have to pay extra for the top-tier performance of a PCIe 5.0 SSD like the Platinum P51, but if you need something for more intense workloads or just want comfort of owning a more futureproof SSD, reviews around the web suggest this is one of the better options available. Just make sure you have a compatible motherboard and CPU first. This offer ties the lowest price yet for the 1TB model. Use the code BFEFE96 to get the full discount at checkout.

    Image for the small product module

    Crucial

    If you need a bit more space from a PCIe 5.0 drive, the Crucial T705 is a slightly older but still highly rated alternative with blazing-fast speeds. This discount comes within $10 of the 2TB version’s all-time low. Also at B&H.

    $160 at Amazon

    Crucial T710 (2TB) PCIe 5.0 SSD for $180 at Best Buy ($120 off): The T710 is Crucial’s successor to the T705. Most reviews suggest it isn’t a massive leap over the older version in real-world performance, but it’s generally quicker, and it’s a more noticeable improvement in terms of power efficiency. If you’re willing to spend a little bit extra, this discount is still within $10 of the best price we’ve seen for the 2TB variant. It’s usually retailed for $230 over the last couple of months. Also at Amazon and B&H.

    Crucial P310 (2TB) M.2 2230 SSD for $130 at Amazon ($110 off): The P310 is a small-size SSD you can slot in certain thin and light notebooks or gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck. It uses cheaper QLC memory, not the faster and more durable TLC, but most reviews say it performs well for what it is. This discount is a few bucks above the largest drop to date for the 2TB model, but it’s still about $20 off the drive’s usual street price. Also at B&H.

    Best Black Friday portable SSD deals

    Crucial X10 (1TB) portable SSD for $85 at Amazon ($13 off): The X10 is a newer iteration of the Crucial X10 Pro, which itself is a variant of the Crucial X9 Pro, the top pick in our guide to the best portable SSDs. It uses the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which few PCs and no Macs support, so most people won’t see a difference between it and more traditional USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives like the X9 Pro. (Pricier USB4 and Thunderbolt models, meanwhile, are much faster and generally easier to utilize.)

    If the X10 is on sale for much less than the X9 Pro, however, there’s little reason to not buy it instead. That’s the case as of this writing. Plus, like our top pick, the X10 is rugged, impressively compact and fast enough for most people’s needs, though it doesn’t support hardware-based encryption. This deal is $3 more than the 1TB model’s all-time low but still $15 off its typical going rate. Other capacities are also on sale, including the extra spacious 8TB model for a new low of $385.

    Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox (2TB) for $200 at Amazon ($30 off): Annoying as it is, the only way to fully add storage to an Xbox Series X or Series S is to use a proprietary expansion card. Only two of those exist, and they’re both expensive compared to traditional SSDs. Still, they’re dead simple to set up, and this Seagate model holds up well compared to the consoles’ internal storage. White this deal for the 2TB version isn’t an all-time low, it’s about $20 off the card’s usual going rate over the last few months. The 4TB variant is also discounted at $380 — that’s a ton to spend on one of these things, but it does match the lowest price we’ve tracked for that particular model. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

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    Jeff Dunn

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  • Black Friday TV deals from Samsung, LG, TCL and more include some of this year’s lowest prices

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    Generally speaking, there are two ideal periods to buy a TV: the late spring stretch when new models are announced and last year’s sets are heavily discounted to clear out inventory, and the holiday shopping season, right around Black Friday. We’re firmly in the latter now, so if you’ve been thinking about making that big living room upgrade, it’s OK to take the plunge.

    To help you out, we’ve sorted through the many sales already floating around the web and picked out the best Black Friday TV deals we could find below. The current selection includes several well-reviewed sets from Samsung, LG, TCL and Hisense, but we’ll update this post through Black Friday itself as more deals pop up.

    Best Black Friday TV deals: Under $500

    TCL

    The QM6K is widely regarded as one of this year’s better TV bargains. As a more budget-friendly model, it won’t get you top-notch contrast, color volume, brightness or HDR performance, but its quantum-dot color, mini-LED backlighting and full-array local dimming help it more than hold its own for the money. It’s also a nice buy for gaming on a budget, since its input lag is relatively low and it has a fast 144Hz refresh rate that can reach as high at 288Hz if you play in 1080p. This deal marks a new all-time low. The 65-inch and 75-inch models are also at their best prices to date at $498 and $698, respectively. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

    $398 at Amazon

    Hisense U65QF (55-inch) for $428 at Amazon ($372 off MSRP): The U65QF is another entry-level LED TV with generally positive reviews. Most feedback around the web suggests that it can’t match the QM6K in terms of contrast, gaming features and overall accuracy, so TCL’s model should be a better buy for most. This iteration also uses Amazon’s Fire TV platform instead of the cleaner Google TV. It can achieve a higher peak brightness, however, so it’s worth considering if you get particularly bad glare in your living room. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for the 55-inch model, but the 65-inch ($548), 75-inch ($748) and 85-inch ($998) models are also at all-time lows. Also at Best Buy.

    Best Black Friday TV deals: Between $500 and $1,000

    Image for the small product module

    TCL

    The TCL QM7K is a fairly sizable step-up over the QM6K, with noticeably improved contrast, brightness and color volume. It has a 144Hz refresh rate with 288Hz@1080p support as well, though like the budget model it’s limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports. And like most LED TVs, it can’t compete with a good OLED set when it comes to colors and viewing angles. This deal matches the all-time low for the 65-inch model. The 55-inch version is $30 above its previous best at $598. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

    $798 at Amazon

    LG B5 (55-inch) for $897 at Amazon ($100 off): The B5 is LG’s entry-level OLED TV for 2025. It gets you the core benefits of any OLED TV — excellent contrast, wide viewing angles, smooth motion and so on — but it can’t get as bright as the higher-end LG C5, so it doesn’t look as colorful. (The C5 isn’t significantly discounted as of this writing.) It’s technically limited to a 120Hz refresh rate instead of 144Hz, too, though that isn’t a big deal unless you plan to play PC games on your TV. While not huge discount, this matches the lowest price we’ve seen for the 55-inch model. Also at Best Buy and LG.

    Hisense U75QG (55-inch) for $528 at Amazon ($386 off): The Hisense U75QG is a close competitor to the QM7K. Its main advantage is that it can get much brighter than TCL’s model, which can make HDR content look more dynamic. This set also comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports instead of two, which is nice for those with multiple game consoles and a soundbar. That said, some reviews say its contrast falls short of the QM7K and that it can make HDR content too bright to be fully accurate. It also suffers from more noticeable motion blur, which means it’s not the best choice for fast-paced games. So you may only want to grab it if you’re determined to stay in this price range and have your TV in an especially bright room. Nevertheless, this is the best price we’ve seen for the 55-inch set. The same goes for the 65-inch ($748) and 75-inch ($998) models. Also at Best Buy.

    Best Black Friday TV deals: $1,000 and up

    Image for the small product module

    Samsung

    The S90F is notable for using a QD-OLED panel, which mixes the usual perks of OLED TVs with a layer of quantum dots. That helps it produce a wider gamut of more vivid colors compared to traditional WOLED TVs. It also has a fast 144Hz refresh rate and four HDMI 2.1 ports. No Samsung TV supports Dolby Vision HDR, and some reviews we trust say that LG’s C5 — a competing WOLED TV — can retain darker black tones in a bright room. Still, this set should provide a more colorful image in most conditions.

    This 65-inch model very briefly fell to $1,248 last week, but this is its lowest price to date otherwise. The 77-inch version is also down to a low of $1,998. Just make sure you only grab the 55-, 65- or 77-inch model, though, as those are the only ones sold with the superior QD-OLED panel in the US. Also at Samsung and Best Buy.

    $1,398 at Amazon

    Samsung S95F (65-inch) for $2,298 at Amazon ($700 off): The S95F is a premium model that has received almost universally stellar reviews for being especially bright among OLED TVs while keeping the bold colors and contrast expected from a QD-OLED panel. That brightness, combined with the display’s matte finish, means it’s especially adept at fending off glare in a bright room. It also has a 165Hz refresh rate for gaming. That said, there’s still no Dolby Vision HDR, and the matte coating means that black tones won’t look as deep in a bright room. It’s not cheap, but this is the lowest price we’ve seen for the 65-inch model. Also at Samsung and Best Buy.

    TCL QM8K (75-inch) for $1,398 at Amazon ($602 off): If you’re willing to pay an OLED-level price but want the increased brightness of a high-end LED TV, the TCL QM8K is worth a look. It won’t be as good in a dark room as something like the Samsung S90F or LG C5, as its contrast isn’t as deep and black tones aren’t as uniformly dark. Its viewing angles are clearly worse, too. But reviews say it still performs excellently compared to other LED sets, and since it gets way brighter than most OLED alternatives (especially with non-HDR content), it can better withstand glare. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate with support for 288Hz at 1080p, though it only comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports, and it’s not available in a size smaller than 65 inches. This is the best price we’ve seen for the 75-inch variant. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

    Best Black Friday streaming device deals

    Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for $25 at Amazon ($25 off): The newly rebranded Fire TV Stick 4K Plus offers the same core experience as the more expensive Fire TV Stick 4K Max, only it has a slightly slower processor, half the storage space (8GB) and Wi-Fi 6 support instead of Wi-Fi 6E. For most people who just want to stream casually, those shouldn’t be huge losses. Just keep in mind that its Fire OS interface is still fairly ad-heavy and prioritizes Amazon’s own apps over everything else. This deal is $3 more than the device’s all-time low but ties the best price we’ve seen in the past year. Also at Best Buy.

    Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35 at Amazon ($25 off): If you want the best Amazon streaming stick possible, the 4K Max gets you faster hardware than the Plus model and may be worthwhile if you have a Wi-Fi 6E router at home. This deal isn’t an all-time low, but it matches the best price we’ve seen over the past year. Also at Best Buy and Target.

    Amazon Fire TV Stick HD for $18 at Amazon ($17 off): The Fire TV Stick HD is the budget pick in our guide to the best streaming devices. It only streams up to 1080p and runs a bit choppier than Amazon’s 4K models since it has a slower chip and a meager 1GB of RAM. The usual complaints with Fire OS still apply, too. But if you just want to add streaming apps to an aging TV for as little as possible, it’ll work well enough. This discount matches the best price we’ve tracked. Also at Best Buy and Target.

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    Jeff Dunn

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  • Samsung Credit Card, Add Passport to Apple Wallet, TSA Accepting Tips & More

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    News Roundup

    You can stay in touch with us on Facebook/Twitter/Threads/Bluesky, or you can join the discussion with 5,000+ members in our DDG Facebook Group. You can also subscribe to get all news/deals via one daily email, or choose instant notifications for time sensitive deals. As always, thank you for reading and supporting the site!

    News Roundup

    This is a roundup of news and other interesting pieces that I’ve come across over the last few days. I thought they are worth sharing so I hope you enjoy reading them. And here’s a quick tip if you come across a paywalled article. Copy/paste URL here and you will likely be able to read it for free.

     

    Samsung Wants to Launch a U.S. Credit Card

    Samsung has ambitions to become a bigger player in American consumers’ everyday financial lives—something its archrival, Apple, has accomplished with offerings like its credit card and digital wallet. While Samsung’s digital wallet is popular in its home market of South Korea, its consumer financial products lag behind Apple’s in the U.S.
    ➡️ Read more at WSJ

     

    iPhone Users Can Now Add Their Passport to Apple Wallet

    iPhone users can now add a Digital ID to Apple Wallet by using their US passport. Apple launched the feature Wednesday, which allows people to use their iPhone or Apple Watch to get through TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the US for identity verification.
    ➡️ Read more at CNET

     

    Alaska opens ticket sales for new nonstop flights between Seattle and Rome

    Alaska Airlines is now selling tickets to Rome from our expanding global gateway in Seattle – another milestone as a growing global airline. We’ll offer daily, seasonal summer service between Seattle and Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport in Rome beginning on April 28, 2026.
    ➡️ Read more at Alaska Airlines

     

    Lessons from the Buyer’s Group Graveyard

    “One of the myriad techniques of generating spend on credit cards is buying something, shipping it to a buyer’s group, then getting paid back by the group.”
    ➡️ Read more at MEAB

     

    Capital One Debit-Card Users Aren’t Happy After the Switch to Discover

    Complaints about the change have cropped up on social media, with users lamenting the switch based on perceptions that Discover might not be widely accepted. Most places in the U.S. now take Discover, but sporadic problems with the new cards are fueling concerns among customers more familiar with Visa and Mastercard.
    ➡️ Read more at WSJ

     

    Earn free Enterprise Car Rental points with Plus Your Points promotion

    Enterprise Car Rental is back with its yearly promotion called “Plus Your Points” that will run through the end of February 2026. While there’s nothing about it that will knock your socks off, there are some easy opportunities to earn free Enterprise points, as well as make car rentals more rewarding with double points and gamified “badges.”
    ➡️ Read more at FM

     

    Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardmember Experiences at Miami Art Week

    Chase Sapphire Reserve will be back in Miami as the presenting sponsor of Faena Art Week December 2-6. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can level up their experience with Ultimate Rewards packages.
    ➡️ Read more at Sapphire Experiences

     

    Capital One Adding New Transfer Partners?

    Capital One added three dummy transfer partners to its site, so they might working on adding new partners, and it may just be nothing. See image below that was shared on reddit.

     

    TSA Accepting Tips

    Here’s another image that was shared on reddit, showing a tip box at checkpoints at LaGuardia airport.

     

    Guru’s Wrap-up

    Let me know if you enjoyed these articles and comment with any opinions you might have. You can also share any other interesting articles about deals, travel, credit cards and more.

    Use the social media buttons below to share this article. Your support and engagement is always greatly appreciated.

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    DDG

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  • Samsung is working on HDR10+ Advanced to take on Dolby Vision 2

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    Dolby unveiled Dolby Vision 2 in September, and Samsung has already fired back with its own upgrades to its image quality format. The company is a key player in the consortium behind the HDR10 and HDR10+ standards, and this week it announced that the group is developing a version called HDR10+ Advanced. Amazon Prime Video has already signed on to support this format when it becomes available.

    Forbes reported on the six upgrades that are in the works with HDR10+ Advanced. The revised standard is expected to have an increased brightness range, genre-based options for tone mapping and picture processing, intelligent motion-smoothing options, a mode for cloud gaming, more zones for local tone mapping, and more advanced and accurate color performance. According to the publication, HDR10+ Advanced will likely debut on Samsung’s 2026 TV lineup. If that is the case, we can expect to hear more about HDR10+ Advanced in January at CES 2026 when the company usually unveils the year’s TV models.

    Samsung is also collaborating with Google on an audio project that would be a counterpart to Dolby Atmos called Eclipsa Audio, but the details on that have been a little sparse since a brief announcement at CES 2025.

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  • Gear News of the Week: Withings Launches Its Pee Scanner, and Samsung Shows Off a Trifold Phone

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    A few weeks ago, bathroom and plumbing company Kohler debuted the Dekoda, a health and wellness sensor that lives on your toilet bowl and records signs of your gut health and hydration. Now, Withings has launched the U-Scan. First shown at CES in 2023, the U-Scan also sits inside the toilet bowl. A thermal sensor detects when a fresh, er, sample is being deposited. The U-Scan takes a small sample and analyzes it on-site with miniature biochemical sensors inside an interchangeable cartridge.

    There are two separate U-Scans. U-Scan Nutrio analyzes your diet, checking for biomarkers like bio-acidity, hydration status, and ketone levels, which shows that you’ve started burning body fat instead of sugar. U-Scan Calci also checks for calcium, which is a sign that you might have kidney stones. Results are then transmitted via Wi-Fi to the Withings app.

    The cartridges are replaceable, and the sensor comes with a docking station to clean and recharge the sensor. Purchasing the U-Scan comes with a complimentary subscription to Withings+, the company’s upgraded app, which also includes a free consultation with a nutritionist.

    The U-Scan packages start at $380, which comes with one U-Scan, either Nutrio or Calci, one cartridge, and two to four scans weekly (each cartridge lasts about 2.5 months). For more intensive monitoring, the Intensive package includes two cartridges for five to seven weekly measurements. Replacement cartridges are $100 for one cartridge or $180 for two, and Withings sends you the cartridge automatically depending on which package you select. The U-Scan is now available at Withings.com. We’ll be testing it soon. —Adrienne So

    Samsung Brings Its Browser to Windows, and Teases a Trifold Phone

    Samsung has long offered its own browser on its smartphones—Samsung Internet—but now the app is finally available on another platform: Windows. Considering Samsung makes Windows laptops and Android phones, this move allows folks who use the company’s browser to share their browsing history and bookmarks between phone and laptop, and if you have saved passwords with Samsung Pass, you can use it to autofill passwords on websites.

    The company is taking this opportunity to bring some Galaxy AI features over as well, including Browsing Assist, which lets you instantly summarize webpages or translate them to another language. Samsung says its browser also blocks third-party web trackers, and there’s a Privacy Dashboard that lets you see what has been blocked.

    Samsung Internet for PC is only available as a beta right now, but anyone in the US or South Korea on Windows 11 or Windows 10 (version 1809 and above) can download it now.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • Samsung is using NVIDIA chips to build its new AI chip factory

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    NVIDIA has teamed up with with South Korea’s biggest companies and the country itself, as they build out their AI infrastructure. One of those companies is Samsung, which is building a new AI factory that will use 50,000 NVIDIA Blackwell server GPUs and other NVIDIA technologies to make its own chips. This “AI-driven semiconductor manufacturing,” as the companies call it, will help Samsung improve its processes, better predict maintenance needs and improve the efficiency of its autonomous operations. NVIDIA will help Samsung adapt its chipmaking lithography platform to work with its GPUs, and it will apparently result in 20 times greater performance for Samsung.

    Korean carmaker Hyundai will also use 50,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs to develop its AI models for manufacturing and autonomous driving. Meanwhile, the SK Group conglomerate, which includes SK Telecom and DRAM and flash memory chip supplier SK Hynix, will use 50,000 NVIDIA Blackwell server chips to launch an industrial AI cloud. The facility, NVIDIA says, will power the “next generation of memory, robotics, digital twins and intelligent AI agents.” As Bloomberg reports, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, who’s in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit, was recently photographed with Samsung’s Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai’s Chung Euisun in a local restaurant.

    Finally, NVIDIA is working with the South Korean government for its sovereign AI infrastructure, or AI it will have control over. The Korean government will deploy 50,000 NVIDIA GPUs to the National AI Computing Center it’s establishing, as well to facilities owned by local companies that include Kakao and Naver.

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    Mariella Moon

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  • Disney+ begins rolling out HDR10+ support

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    Disney+ is making its first foray into HDR10+ content, but access to this content will be limited at the start. About 1,000 shows from Hulu will be available with this HDR standard, although other programming under the Disney umbrella will add support at an unspecified later date. Samsung, which is a major player behind this standard for high dynamic range video, announced the news. Disney+ will first offer the HDR10+ content on Samsung Crystal UHD TVs and above for models dating back to 2018, as well as select on Samsung Smart Monitors.

    HDR10+ builds on the HDR10 tech for image quality. It’s an alternative to Dolby Vision, and both technologies offer viewers a wider range of contrast, brightness and colors on a scene-by-scene basis. (Assuming you have a screen that supports it, of course.)

    Netflix announced the addition of HDR10+ support in March, but a handful of platforms have supported the standard for much longer.

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  • Samsung’s web browser arrives on Windows, with an AI future on its radar

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    On Thursday, Samsung launched a desktop version of its web browser. Why bother putting its mobile browser on Windows? Well, the company offers a hint in describing Samsung Internet as “evolving from a PC browser that waits for input to an integrated AI platform.” So, surprise, surprise: It’s about AI.

    As one would imagine, Samsung Internet on Windows supports cross-platform syncing of data like bookmarks, browsing history and autofill. The company says it also prioritizes privacy and security, offering standard features like tracker blocking and a privacy dashboard.

    But those aren’t likely the main reasons Samsung is launching a desktop web browser in 2025. (Incidentally, Samsung briefly launched Samsung Internet for Windows in 2024, before pulling it from the Microsoft Store without fanfare.) Instead, this launch appears to be about positioning it in the rapidly emerging landscape of AI browsers.

    AI browsers have been all the rage lately. Samsung’s move follows the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Atlas, Microsoft’s Edge Copilot Mode updates, Opera Neon’s early access and general availability for Perplexity’s Comet browser. Samsung says its cross-platform browser will advance its “vision for ambient AI,” anticipating your needs and offering more personalized assistance. If Samsung wants to be part of that fray, it makes sense for its software to be available on the desktop, too.

    Samsung Internet is available (via a beta program) for Windows 11 and Windows 10 (version 1809 and up). You can sign up on the product page.

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    Will Shanklin

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  • Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Only Have One Shot at Challenging AirPods Pro 3

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    Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro wireless earbuds haven’t been announced yet, but evidence of their arrival is starting to pile up. Last week, it was an icon spotted inside a leaked build of One UI 8.5 by Android Central, which sparked speculation that Samsung could be headed toward a potential redesign, and now, there are even more drips about some potential battery life improvements.

    According to a report from GalaxyClub, the Galaxy Buds 4 (and presumably the Buds 4 Pro) will get a battery bump with a case that comes with a 530mAh battery as opposed to the Galaxy Buds 3, which have a rated case battery capacity of 500mAh. That’s not a massive leak by any means, but there is one more detail that emerged via Android Central that could give a better indication of what direction the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro are headed. Codenames spotted inside One UI 8.5 show references to “Handel” and “Bach,” who are both classical composers and likely refer to the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro.

    That’s notably a departure from the codenames of previous wireless earbuds, which included “Berry” and “Jelly.” Does that mean there’s going to be a heavy audio focus that leans towards hi-fi? Maybe. Are we reading too much into an unofficial codename? Also possible. In either case, when the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro do eventually arrive on the scene (potentially next year, along with the Galaxy S26), they’ll have some tough competition in Apple’s AirPods Pro 3.

    AirPods are always tough competition in the wireless earbud market—for Samsung and everyone else—but it’s going to be even tougher when comparing the two head-to-head. The reason? Apple managed to push the boundaries of what we even thought wireless earbuds could do. Its main method of doing that has been health features that include a way to monitor your heart rate while you listen to music. It’s a small step towards making AirPods part health wearable, but I sincerely doubt that Apple is done adding health features, meaning its abilities as a fitness wearable could expand even further in the next generation.

    What does that mean for Samsung? Depending on whether Apple’s health tracking appeals to you, it could mean that the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro are behind, and Samsung wouldn’t be alone in its lack of health sensors, either. It’ll be worth watching if Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 push the rest of the wireless earbud market toward health tracking in an effort to maintain feature parity. That’ll likely depend on whether people actually use health tracking features, but also whether makers of wireless earbuds even have the resources and infrastructure to make health tracking work. If there’s one company that could make it work, it’s Samsung, but we’ll have to wait until next year to find out, most likely.

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    James Pero

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  • The Pepsi Man Is Coming to Save Samsung From Boring Design

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    Samsung has one of the biggest product line ups of any tech brand, yet when it comes to design, it’s consistently seen as an “also-ran.” While other companies have forged distinctive and instantly recognizable design languages, such as Nothing, Samsung has found itself behind in the style stakes. When you’ve got Apple as one of your biggest competitors, that’s not a great position to be in.

    That’s not to say there haven’t been improvements in the last decade, and the occasional flashes of promise—most notable in its collaborations with external designers, like the Bouroullec brothers, who fashioned the Serif TV for the South Korean company. But that hasn’t stopped complaints of boring and unoriginal design, both internally and externally, and an inertia when it has led, leaving other companies to close the gap.

    Being defined by performance over personality has hardly done Samsung’s bottom line any harm—it recently regained its lead from Apple in global smartphone market share and has been the global leader in TVs for almost two decades. But, in 2025, it looks there’s finally a clear desire from Samsung to bridge the gap between form and function, by giving design the focus it’s been lacking for far too long at the company.

    Back in April, Samsung hired Mauro Porcini, its first ever chief design officer. Porcini has spent more than 20 years building award-winning design teams at 3M and PepsiCo, most recently leading a successful global rebrand for Pepsi—the company’s first in 14 years.

    For a company as big as Samsung, this hire feels late. Apple created the same position for Jony Ive a decade ago, around the same time it was reported that innovation at Samsung was being stifled beneath layers of management. With those structural issues supposedly unpicked, Samsung now has work to do—something Porcini is keen to acknowledge.

    Late to the Party

    “We are in a moment of change, where the way people interact with any kind of machine or electronic device is going to be radically different in the coming years,” Porcini tells me. “These machines will change the way people live, work, and connect with each other—the way people fulfil their needs. For a company like Samsung, having design at the top, involved in the way you define the future of the portfolio based on those needs—it’s more important than ever.”

    The march of AI is, of course, a helpful hook upon which to tie this long overdue move, but Yves Béhar, the founder and principal designer at Fuseproject who worked with Samsung on The Frame TV, tells me this has been years in the making, and something Samsung had initially looked externally to help put the wheels in motion.

    “When we started working with Samsung on The Frame [released in January 2017], the CEO at the time, HS Kim, came to us and said—look, we want to transform ourselves from a consumer technology company, into an experience business,” says Béhar. “So we helped them set some principles around that, and worked on getting that message out into the business—of what it means to think about experience versus tech. This is exactly what we did with The Frame TV.”

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    Verity Burns

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  • The Morning After: Samsung’s Galaxy XR enters the chat

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    This week, Samsung showed off , its Vision Pro-troubling headset, and you can bet we’ve done a deep dive. .

    The headset is lighter, more comfortable and easier to live with than Apple’s Vision Pro, even if it lacks many of its headline features. The software ecosystem is already pretty broad, thanks to Google making a real effort with Android XR, but dedicated apps are still a bit rare.

    Samsung’s entry into the market might provide some much-needed impetus for this type of augmented reality headset. That it’s half the price of Apple’s Vision Pro may also loosen some wallets eager to get into this world.

    But it’s hard not to see this as Samsung running down the same cul-de-sac Apple is now lurking at the end of. It has allowed other companies, like Meta, to waltz in and grab an early lead in the much more useful smart glasses market.

    — Dan Cooper

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    The news you might have missed

    The GPU is the star here.

    Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

    Apple’s online-only announcement of the new vanilla M5 MacBooks might have been a sign the new models were no big deal. But , and the M5’s faster GPU has the chops to go toe-to-toe with a gaming PC.

    It wants to offer a better alternative to your smartphone.

    Image of the new RAV 4

    Toyota isn’t happy folks just default to CarPlay or Android Auto for their in-car infotainment. That’s why it’s chosen to Tim Stevens has ridden the new whip and has plenty of opinions on whether it’s worth your time or, you know… you’ll just default to CarPlay or Android Auto.

    Image of the iPad Pro M5 on a table.

    Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

    As much as I may want an iPad Pro, it wouldn’t play a role in my life that would get anywhere near to justifying its extortionate price. Consequently, I shall just live vicariously through Nathan Ingraham, who . But, you know, it has a price so eye-watering that nobody who’s on the fence about owning one should bother. Then, Nate pivoted to writing about how the .

    It plans to replace more than half a million employees.

    Amazon may be planning to use automation to eliminate more than half a million jobs in the next few years. The New York Times claims to have seen and the PR operation that’ll get underway ahead of time to quell public anger.

    Nothing to see here, move along.

    Maybe there’s nothing interesting about the fact despite pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. I mean, yes, Zhao has ties to World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture linked to the Trump family. But that’s not uncommon, is it? Surely everyone would use the privilege of high office to exonerate people with whom they potentially have fruitful relationships. Right?

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    Daniel Cooper

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  • Samsung’s Galaxy XR doesn’t give me much hope for Android XR

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    So Samsung made a “Vision Pro Lite.” That was my immediate takeaway after this week’s debut of the Galaxy XR, the first Android XR device to hit the market. While Samsung deserves credit for offering something close to the Vision Pro for nearly half the price, an $1,800 headset still won’t get mainstream consumers rushing out the door to experience the wonders of mixed reality. And with the limited amount of content in Android XR at the moment, the Galaxy XR is in the same position as the Vision Pro: It’s just a well-polished developer kit.

    The only logical reason to buy a Galaxy XR would be to test out apps for Android XR. If you just want to experience VR and dabble in a bit of augmented reality, you’re better off spending that money on a gaming laptop and the excellent $500 Meta Quest 3. (The Meta Quest Pro, the company’s first high-end mixed reality device, was unceremoniously killed after launching at an eye-watering $1,500.)

    But even for developers, the Galaxy XR feels like it’s lacking, well, vision. Samsung has done an admirable job of copying almost every aspect of the Vision Pro: The sleek ski goggle design, dual micro-OLED displays and hand gesture interaction powered by a slew of cameras and sensors. But while Apple positioned the Vision Pro as its first stab at spatial computing, an exciting new platform where we can use interactive apps in virtual space, Samsung and Google are basically just gunning to put Android on your face.

    There aren’t many custom-built XR apps, aside from Google’s offerings like Maps and Photos. (Something that also reminds me of the dearth of real tablet apps on Android.) And the ability to view 360-degree videos on YouTube has been a staple of every VR headset for the last decade — it’s not exactly notable on something that costs $1,800. Samsung and Google also haven’t said much about how they plan to elevate XR content. At least Apple is attempting to push the industry forward with its 8K Immersive Videos, which look sharper and more realistic than low-res 360-degree content.

    For the most part, it seems as if Google is treating Android XR as another way to force its Gemini AI on users. In its press release for the Galaxy XR, Samsung notes that it’s “introducing a new category of AI-native devices designed to deliver immersive experiences in a form factor optimized for multimodal AI.”

    …What?

    In addition to being a crime against the English language, what the company is actually pitching is fairly simple: It’s just launching a headset that can access AI features via camera and voice inputs.

    Who knows, maybe Gemini will make Android XR devices more capable down the line. But at the moment, all I’m seeing in the Galaxy XR is another Samsung device that’s shamelessly aping Apple, from the virtual avatars to specific pinch gestures. And Google’s history in VR and interactive content doesn’t inspire much hope about Android XR. Don’t forget how it completely abandoned Google Cardboard, the short-lived Daydream project and its hyped up Stadia cloud service. Stadia’s death was particularly galling, since Google initially pitched it as a way to revolutionize the very world of gaming, only to let it fall on its face.

    There’s no doubt that Samsung, Apple and Meta have a ton of work left ahead in the world of XR. Samsung is at least closer to delivering something under $1,000, and Meta also recently launched the $800 Ray-Ban Display. But price is only one part of the problem. Purpose is another issue entirely. After living with the Vision Pro since its debut, I can tell that Apple is at least thinking a bit more deeply about what it’s like to wear a computer on your face. Just look at the upgrades its made around ultra-wide Mac mirroring, or the way Spatial Personas make it feel as if you’re working alongside other people. With Android XR, Google seems to just be making a more open Vision Pro.

    Honestly, it’s unclear if normal users will ever want to use any sort of XR headset regularly, no matter how cheap they get. The experience making these headsets could help Google, Apple and Meta develop future AR glasses, or eyewear that offer some sort of XR experience (Samsung already has something in the works with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster). But while Apple and Meta have broken new ground in XR, Google and Samsung just seem to be following in their footsteps.

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  • Samsung is working on XR smart glasses with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster

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    As part of its Galaxy XR headset presentation, Samsung also briefly teased another wearable product. It’s working in collaboration with two eyewear companies, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, on AI-powered smart glasses to go up against Meta’s Ray-Ban models, Samsung’s head of customer experience Jay Kim announced at the end of the livestream.

    “We’re also really excited about the AI glasses that we’re currently building together with Google,” Kim said. “We’re working with two of the most forward-thinking brands in eyewear, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, to introduce new devices that fit into your lifestyle.”

    Samsung will focus on two different markets with those brands, though both will include “cutting-edge” AI features co-developed with Google. With Gentle Monster, it’s developing “fashion-forward” glasses that will likely be aimed at the higher end of the market. The Warby Parker collaboration, meanwhile, will yield eyewear designed for general consumers, probably at a lower price point.

    Samsung only said that the AI glasses will bring “style, comfort and practicality” to everyday life via Android’s XR ecosystem. As we saw in May with Google’s prototype XR smart glasses, it will likely employ a Gemini-powered display that will show notifications and small snippets of info from your apps, like the music you’re listening to or turn-by-turn GPS directions. It should also have a built-in camera, of course, along with speakers and a microphone.

    Design and appearance will also be key, but Samsung has yet to show any images of the upcoming smart glasses and didn’t reveal a release date. However, it will have a tough climb against Meta’s lineup given the Ray-Ban branding and that company’s head start on the technology. Last week, Meta introduced its Ray-Ban Display model that includes a screen for a true extended reality experience.

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    Steve Dent

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  • Google and Samsung’s first Android XR headset is the $1,800 Galaxy XR

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    We’ve known for a while that the first extended reality (or XR) headset from Samsung and Google would debut in 2025. During an event on Tuesday night, Samsung at long last shared more details about the first Android XR device that you’ll be able to purchase.

    The company got really wild and original with the headset’s name. You’re truly not going to believe what it’s called… Actually, it’s got the most unsurprising name of all time: Galaxy XR. What’s more, you can buy the headset right now in the US and Korea for $1,800. That’s just over half of what the Apple Vision Pro costs.

    Samsung

    The first Android XR device is here, and it’s Samsung’s $1,800 Galaxy XR headset.

    $1,800 at Samsung

    Aside from an Android-powered headset that looks very much like an Apple Vision Pro, you might be wondering exactly what you’ll be getting in return for forking over 1,800 smackeroos. As expected, Galaxy XR is powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset. Qualcomm worked with Samsung and Google on the headset.

    The micro OLED display has 29 million pixels (6 million more than the Apple Vision Pro), a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840 and 96 percent of the DCI‑P3 color gamut — four percent more than the Vision Pro. Where Apple does have Samsung beat on the display front is with the refresh rate: the Galaxy XR tops out at 90Hz and the Vision Pro can hit 120Hz.

    Galaxy XR has dual high-res passthrough cameras to support mixed reality use, six other external cameras for tracking things in the environment and two eye-tracking sensors. The device supports iris recognition for unlocking the headset and entering passwords in some apps. As with the Vision Pro, you can capture 3D photos and video using the headset.

    A look at the Galaxy XR headset from behind, with the device's optical lenses shown.
    Sam Rutherford for Engadget

    The cameras allow for hand tracking and gesture control, though it’s possible to operate Galaxy XR with physical controllers as well. If you prefer, you can pair a keyboard and mouse to the headset or link it to your PC and access your desktop that way.

    The dual speakers support Dolby Atmos and there are six microphones built in. As for battery life, Samsung says you’ll get up to two hours of general use and 2.5 hours of video playback on a charge. That matches the original battery life promises of the original Vision Pro, but Apple said its latest model (which has the new M5 chipset) offers an extra 30 minutes or so of usage.

    The interpupillary distance of the Galaxy XR’s optics is 54~70mm, and it’s possible to buy insertable prescription lenses if needed. As for connectivity, the headset supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Even with a forehead cushion attached, Galaxy XR weighs 545g (1.2lbs), while the latest Apple Vision Pro has a minimum weight of 750g (1.7lbs). The Galaxy XR’s battery pack — as with competitor’s offerings, the battery is external — weighs 302g (0.7lbs).

    Samsung claims the Galaxy XR was designed with comfort in mind. “The headset’s ergonomically balanced frame distributes pressure across the forehead and the back of the head, minimizing facial discomfort while providing steady support,” the company said in a press release. There’s also a detachable light shield that you can employ to block out external light.

    The Coliseum in Rome in Google Maps XR

    What you can actually do with Galaxy XR

    There are no prizes for guessing that Google’s generative AI chatbot Gemini is at the heart of Android XR. “Android XR is the first Android platform built entirely for the Gemini era, and we are incredibly excited to take a significant leap forward today with the launch of Galaxy XR,” Sameer Samat, Google’s president of Android Ecosystem, said.

    Every Google Play Store app works out of the box on the headset, though of course Google has reworked some for mixed reality. You can use Gemini to navigate Google Maps and ask for personalized recommendations while checking out 3D visuals with Immersive View. Google Photos can bring an extra dimension to 2D photos and videos via auto spatialization.

    On YouTube, you can ask Gemini to find videos and tell you more details about what you’re watching. And, while using the passthrough mode, you can look at any object in your environment and use Circle to Search to look up more info about it. Google has also made new versions of Google TV, Chrome and Meet (because what is mixed reality for if not conference calls?) for Android XR.

    Multitasking is a factor here as well. The operating system allows users to have multiple, resizable apps open at once. These can be arranged in a virtual space, or you can simply ask Gemini to do that for you.

    On the entertainment front, you’ll be able to stream shows and movies in 4K in a virtual theater setting. You’ll have access to a library of 180-degree and 360-degree VR content, and you can view 3D content via a “spatial” tab. Some streaming platforms have reworked their apps for Android XR, including Crunchyroll, HBO Max and Peacock.

    There’s a multi-view option for watching sports, with apps from the likes of MLB and Fox Sports available. With Adobe’s Project Pulsar (an immersive video editing app), you’ll be able to add 3D depth to videos and seemingly place captions behind subjects with ease, if that’s something you’re interested in.

    A side view of someone wearing the Galaxy XR headset.
    Sam Rutherford for Engadget

    Galaxy XR has games too. NFL Pro Era — an NFL-licensed virtual reality title that’s also on Meta Quest, PlayStation VR and Windows — is available for Android XR. So too is Inside [JOB] by Owlchemy Labs (Vacation Simulator, Job Simulator). For compatible games, Samsung says Gemini can offer real-time coaching, tips and “enhanced gameplay experiences.”

    The arrival of Galaxy XR is an important next step for Google and its grand vision of an Android XR ecosystem. But the company isn’t stopping with headsets. It’s also making smart glasses, a product category that Meta has been trying to conquer. Samsung and Google are working with Warby Parker on Android XR smart glasses. At I/O earlier this year, we got some hands-on time with a prototype of Google’s Android XR glasses.

    Once again, Galaxy XR will run you $1,800, and Samsung is offering financing options. The Galaxy XR Travel Case and Galaxy XR Controller will each run you $250 — at those prices, they almost need financing options too. Ouch.

    Anyone who buys Galaxy XR by the end of this year will get an Explorer Pack at no extra cost. This includes 12 months of access to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium and Google Play Pass. The NFL Pro Era, Project Pulsar, Calm and Asteroid apps are bundled in too. You’ll also get NBA League Pass access for the 2025-26 season in the US or 12 months of the Coupang Play Sports Pass in Korea. Charging $1 for each of the first three months of YouTube TV seems a little cheap considering the outlay for Galaxy XR, but it’s still a decent perk. YouTube TV typically costs $83 per month.

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    Kris Holt

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