1. Samsung smartphones
The Samsung range offers a variety of products: from the classic entry-level model for first-time smartphone users to the designed high-end variant, every customer will find the right model for themselves and their needs. Samsung smartphones are highly popular in Kenya due to their high quality. Since 2009, the South Korean manufacturer has brought more than 100 different models onto the market. The most common operating system is Android; such models are designated with the addition “Galaxy” . In addition, Samsung also sells cell phones with Bada or Windows.
Below is a review of the different Samsung phones in Kenya including their deisgnations and specifications
The decoding of the letter marking provides an overview of the range of functions, technology and price segment :
Designations until 2016
| “S” | “Super Smart”, high-end Galaxy series products |
| “R” | “Royal”, formerly upper-class cell phones with a variety of features |
| “W” | “Wonder”, mid-range cell phones with good basic features |
| “M” | “Magical”, inexpensive entry-level models |
| “Y” | “Young”, inexpensive cell phones for the young target group |
| “Grade” | Devices with stylus pens |
| “Per” | Smartphones with hardware keyboard |
In order to ensure clarity of the product range, Samsung reduces its series to three or four common standard names:
Designations from 2016
| “S” | “Super Smart”, high-end Galaxy series products |
| “A” | “Aluminum”, mid-range cell phones with aluminum casings |
| “J” | Inexpensive cell phones for the young target group, entry-level models |
| “Grade” | Devices with stylus pens |
2. Samsung cell phone models
Below we will introduce you to some popular smartphone series from Samsung.
2.1 Samsung Galaxy S
The Samsung S series devices are among the high-end Samsung cell phones . In many different versions with different features, they are suitable for both long-term smartphone users and beginners.
Samsung Galaxy S6
The smartphones in the S6 series were among the most powerful cell phones on the market until 2016 and are characterized by a variety of technical details . Samsung’s sixth generation smartphones stand out from the competition, particularly thanks to their high-resolution display and high sound quality. Compared to the previous model, Samsung cell phones from this generation are made of elegant metal and robust glass.Mini series (Galaxy S mini) are currently no longer available; instead, the
mid-range smartphones have been sold under Samsung’s so-called A series since 2016.
In addition to the high-end standard model, Samsung launched two more examples of the new S6 generation in 2015:
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
- Design variant of the Samsung Galaxy S6
- Curved display: Rounded edges where important apps can be placed
- Additional display functions
- Lower weight
- Hardly any changes in the technical details
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge + : The latest device in the series is characterized by a larger display (5.7 instead of 5.1 inches)
Significant differences to the previous model
- Permanently installed battery
- Metal and glass housing
- Higher battery capacity
- Gorilla Glass 4
- Wireless charging possible, charged for four hours in 10 minutes
- Octacore: for computing-intensive games as well as for image and video editing
Samsung Galaxy S7
The successor to the S6, the Samsung Galaxy S7 , differs from its predecessor not only visually. A clear difference lies in the change in the camera: Although the resolution of the rear camera has been reduced from 16 to twelve megapixels, the aperture number on the Samsung Galaxy S7 is significantly larger, which, together with the optical image stabilizer and dual pixel technology, ensures particularly sharp images ensures.
The device was launched on the German market in 2016 and continues to receive updates to the current Android operating system (Android Oreo).
The Samsung Galaxy S7 is also available as an Edge version (S7+).
Significant differences to the previous model
- Camera with a larger aperture number
- Memory card slot allows up to 200 GB of external storage
- Increased RAM from 3 to 4 RAM
- Larger battery extends running time
Samsung Galaxy S8
The release date of the Samsung Galaxy S8 in Germany was April 28, 2017 . Compared to its predecessor, both the S8 and the S8+ are equipped with a curved display edge, so the Edge version is no longer available. Both successor models are larger at 5.8 and 6.2 inches. In addition, for the first time, a smartphone from the S series can be charged with a USB-C cable.
Significant differences to the previous model
- Front camera improved from 5 to 8 MP
- No physical home button
- Voice assistant Bixby
Samsung Galaxy S9
The successor model Samsung Galaxy S9 is the consistent further development of the S8 and came onto the market in March 2018. It’s not just the position of the fingerprint sensor that has changed: probably the biggest difference compared to the Samsung predecessor is the improved camera. In order to be able to take razor-sharp photos even at dusk, the Samsung Galaxy S9 has two aperture settings (f=1.5 or f=2.5).
Special features of the Samsung Galaxy S9 series
- 5.8 inch OLED Infinity display (1,440 x 2,960 px)
- WQHD resolution with 571 ppi pixel density
- 16 megapixel rear camera with bright aperture
- Super slow motion function: Videos are recorded at 960 frames per second
- 64 GB storage space in the basic version (256 GB possible for an additional charge)
- Battery capacity: 3,000 mAh
- IP68 certification protects the phone from dust and water
- Also available as a Duos version for using two SIM cards
- Iris Scanner: Intelligent Scan detects users
- Surround sound for playback of Dolby Atmos sound
Significant differences to the previous model
- The fingerprint sensor is located in the middle under the camera
- Better camera: new aperture function and super slow motion mode
- Narrower display edge (infinity display)
The Samsung Galaxy S9+ is a slightly improved or larger version of the S9 model. The hardware differs from the Galaxy S9 in the following points:
- 6.2 inch OLED Infinity display (pixel density: 529 ppi)
- 6 GB RAM memory
- 3,500 mAh battery capacity
- Dual camera with main and telephoto sensors
Samsung Galaxy S10
The Samsung Galaxy S10 is considered the South Korean manufacturer’s current flagship and is in direct competition with the current Apple iPhones. The cell phone came onto the German market at the beginning of 2019 and has clear differences compared to the S8/S9 models. These include, for example, the following:
- Infinity-O display: The front camera is located in the right corner of the display
->Approximately 90 percent of the smartphone is covered by the display (S9: approximately 84 percent) - Flat display edges, no edge design (S10e)
- Screen diagonal 5.8 inches
- The fingerprint sensor is again on the front (except for the S10e, where it is located in the on/off switch on the right side)
- Wireless Powershare: Other devices can be charged wirelessly with the S10
- 8-core processor Exynos 9820
- Up to 12 GB of RAM
- Device storage is expandable up to 1.5 TB
- Exclusive feature: Digital Wellbeing
The Galaxy S10 is available in four (instead of the original two) editions. In addition to the classic version, the S10e, a smaller and technically reduced version, and the S10+ are available. In addition, the S10 5G is a smartphone with a particularly fast internet connection.
2.2 Samsung Galaxy Note
The models in the Samsung Galaxy Note series are characterized by a particularly large screen diagonal , which is why the models are also referred to as phablets (a cross between phone and tablet). They were developed primarily for the business sector. Compared to conventional smartphones, they are often operated with a digital pen (S Pen). In addition, Galaxy Note smartphones have font recognition and the ability to create handwritten notes and graphics.
The latest model in the series is the Samsung Galaxy Note10, which, in addition to the basic version, is also available as Note10+ and Note10+ 5G. The Note10 offers you a 6.3-inch display, which is protected with particularly robust Gorilla Glass 6. The housing itself is made of metal on the smartphone.
In the basic configuration, the Note10 offers eight gigabytes of RAM, the other two models even have 12 GB of RAM. The internal memory with 512 gigabytes offers plenty of space for photos, videos and other files – it can also be expanded by up to one terabyte using a microSD card.
2.3 Samsung Galaxy A
The Samsung Galaxy A line is the successor to the Mini series and the consequence of the customer’s desire to make the Samsung cell phone product series clearer. The new smartphones have been available since 2016 and impress with their very good price-performance ratio and compact dimensions. Just like the premium models of the S series, the Samsung A cell phones are made of robust Gorilla Glass in combination with aluminum. An improved edition of the A series comes onto the market every year. Until 2017, the Samsung Galaxy A series is available in the following versions:
- Samsung Galaxy A3
- Samsung Galaxy A5
- Samsung Galaxy A7
As of 2018, the models have been replaced by the new Galaxy A6 and A6+. In addition, the A8 model has been on the market since the beginning of 2018. The new 2018 models of the A series are the Samsung Galaxy A7 and the Samsung Galaxy A9.
Samsung currently sells the following devices in this model series:
- Galaxy A20e
- Galaxy A30s
- Galaxy A40
- Galaxy A50
- Galaxy A70
- Galaxy A80
- Galaxy A90 5G
We have summarized the highlights of these models for you – the features may vary depending on the device:
- 32 to 128 GB storage
- Ultra wide angle camera
- Infinity display
- Octa-core processors
- Up to 8 GB RAM memory
2.4 Samsung Galaxy Fold
The Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G is the flagship smartphone from the Korean manufacturer. The foldable Infinity Flex Display offers a total area of 7.3 inches or 18.81 centimeters. This means it has enough space to run up to three apps in parallel. For example, you can watch a movie and send messages in WhatsApp at the same time.
However, when closed, the cell phone has very compact dimensions, so it can easily be used with one hand or stored in your pocket. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Fold offers 512 gigabytes of internal memory for images, videos, apps and other files as well as 12 gigabytes of RAM to run even complex programs smoothly.
The foldable smartphone’s battery is divided into two cells, which have a total capacity of 4,235 milliamp hours.
3. Operating systems
Most Samsung smartphones have Google’s Android operating system installed. Occasionally you can still find old models that were operated with Windows, for example the Windows Omnia 7. Samsung also attempted to develop its own operating system in 2009: Bada only runs on a few outdated cell phones today, as the self-programmed program only found little popularity among app developers and customers.In 2016, Samsung started a new attempt to become independent of Android. However, the
Tizen operating system is currently only running on a few devices in India. The long-term development of the software remains to be seen.
Android
Google’s operating system is the global market leader with a share of almost 80 percent. All Galaxy cell phones also run on this software.
Advantages
- Open system, software can be viewed by anyone
- Many app offers (around 2.5 million)
- Personalizable
Disadvantages
- Updates depend on the manufacturer, not Google: Only rarely current versions for outdated models
Windows
Occasionally you can still find old Samsung devices that run on Windows. These are also known as Windows Phones . Many Samsung tablets were also operated with this software.
Advantages
- Intuitive and simple operation
- Mobile browser automatically synchronizes with the PC
Disadvantages
- Low app supply (350,000)
- Support will be discontinued on December 31, 2019
