Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra gets its biggest price cut yet — ₹55,000 off on Amazon! Why you should still buy it in 2025
One of the most significant deals in this sale is on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G. The 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant of the handset, originally priced at ₹ 1,34,999, is now available for ₹ 79,999, a direct reduction of 40 per cent. Additionally, Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card holders can earn cashback on the purchase: Prime members receive five per cent (up to ₹ 2,399), while other cardholders get three per cent. The cashback offer excludes EMI transactions and purchases made through Amazon Business.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display offering up to 2,600 nits peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Armour, designed to reduce reflections by up to 75 per cent under various lighting conditions.
Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with Adreno 740 graphics, the device is paired with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. It runs on One UI 7, based on Android 15, with Samsung confirming an upgrade to Android 16-based One UI 8 in the near future. The company has pledged five more years of operating system updates for the model.
The camera system includes a 200MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP periscope lens capable of 5x zoom. A 12MP front camera is provided for selfies and video calls.
The handset houses a 5,000mAh battery supporting 45W wired charging and Qi wireless charging. With an IP68 rating, it is resistant to dust and water, and can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 metres of water for up to 30 minutes.
While Samsung's latest Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces a newer processor and some additional AI tools, the S24 Ultra retains many of the same display, camera, and battery features. For those using older smartphones, the discounted S24 Ultra may present a more cost-effective option than moving directly to the S25 Ultra.
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
I reclaimed my health with the Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and it made me more disciplined
At 35, you have two options: evolve and become more conscious of your health, or continue living as you are, waiting for a major health issue to disrupt your life. I prioritised a healthy lifestyle above all else, and while I could manage on my own, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic became a crucial health tool that helped me tune into my inner consciousness and identify where I had been going wrong with my health over the years. For days, I wore the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic on my wrist, and it stayed on almost the entire day, even after I went to bed. Here's my review. What: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic| Price: Rs 46,999 onwards I have worn almost every smartwatch that's hit the market over the past decade, and honestly, I'm fed up with seeing Apple Watch clones everywhere. Luckily, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic keeps its distance from that clone territory and offers a distinct design choice. Instead of the typical square or circular base seen on most smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a squircle base with a round watch face on top, complete with a rotating bezel. The bezel is mechanical, and yes, it actually rotates (in case you are new to Samsung's Galaxy Watch line). Rotating the bezel and navigating through the watch's user interface is satisfying. I would say the rotating bezel is a truly novel experiment in shaping how users engage with a smartwatch. The whole idea of a mechanical bezel feels old, new, slightly expensive, and accessible too all at once. But more than anything, it brings me a lot of joy and a sense of fun with gadgets that's often missing these days. This time, not only is the bezel much thinner, but the watch itself feels more high-end with a stainless steel build and is comfortable to wear. It's a great fit for anyone, whether you are a startup founder meeting an investor at a hotel coffee shop in Gurugram for the first time, or a runner or cyclist looking for a lightweight smartwatch. The Watch 8 Classic comes in a 46mm case, which is a bit large for my taste. I wish Samsung had also made a version in a 38mm or 40mm case. That would have helped broaden the appeal of the smartwatch. Currently, the Watch 8 Classic appears to be either too masculine or intended for those with larger wrists. For a change, Samsung has moved away from the universal strap system and introduced a new Dynamic Lug system. Instead of using a tiny pin to swap bands, you simply slide and click to attach or remove the proprietary bands. It's a similar system introduced on last year's Galaxy Watch Ultra, as well as on Apple Watches. The watch comes in two colours: silver and black. I went with the silver, as it gives a more premium look and works well with both casual and office attire. My review unit came with a high-quality band that's comfortable enough to wear all day. I have very sensitive skin, and in the past, I have experienced rashes during the summer when wearing smartwatches all day. The Watch 8 Classic also comes with an IP68 rating and a 5ATM water resistance rating, meaning you can swim with the watch but diving is not advised. For that, you should consider the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is designed for serious athletes and those who are a bit more adventurous. Personally, I don't place much emphasis on the looks of a smartwatch. However, I do expect it to be lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for extended periods so that I can track important health metrics. That's the point why average people buy a smartwatch. From a hardware point of view, not much has changed: except for the new 3nm chip, an upgraded 64GB of storage, and the addition of dual-frequency GPS using both L1 and L5 bands. The chip offers faster performance (though you probably won't notice much difference). The display is now rated at 3,000 nits of peak brightness, a significant boost from the 2,000 nits on the Galaxy Watch 7. The 1.34-inch Super AMOLED panel is sharp and colourful, with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protection. I found it easy to read notifications and check the time even in bright sunlight. That being said, the 1.34-inch display feels a little cramped but it's not a dealbreaker. While the regular 44mm Watch 8 has a 1.47-inch display, the Watch 8 Classic, despite having a larger 46mm case, actually has a smaller screen. The larger Watch 8 Classic is powered by a 445mAh battery, which gave me close to a day and a half of use per charge, including at least one morning workout and overnight sleep tracking with the always-on display enabled. I typically put the watch on my wrist at 6 am every day (I wake up early and go for a walk at 7 am), and it easily lasts all day, even through the night while I sleep. The watch usually holds out for a few more hours, up until around 12 noon the next day. In comparison, when I wear the Apple Watch, I have to charge it overnight and more often than not, I forget to. I can't deal with that extra hassle when my days are already long and exhausting. A big reason why I liked the Watch 8 Classic is the user interface, thanks to the new One Watch UI 8. It's Samsung's custom interface layered on top of Google's WearOS, but the Watch 8 Classic feels noticeably different from other WearOS-powered smartwatches. For example, Samsung moves away from the typical full-screen experience and instead allows multiple tiles to appear on a single screen. The deeper you explore, the more you'll notice that tiles now come in two sizes (small and large) and you can add multiple tiles to a single page. In contrast, on most other WearOS smartwatches, tiles and widgets usually take up the entire screen. This makes interacting with tiles much simpler. Now, for instance, you can have a dedicated 'Health' page that includes all your health-related tiles without needing to scroll through 10 different pages. The Now Bar feature is a nice touch, appearing at the bottom of the Watch 8 Classic during different types of live activities. It may seem like a small feature, but it's actually quite useful in daily use. For example, just by glancing at the watch, you can see how much time is left on a timer without needing to keep the timer app open. I have always had a conflicted idea of how voice assistants work on smartwatches. That's mostly because I have been an Apple Watch user, and Siri is, quite honestly, a bare-bones assistant. However, using Google's Gemini on the Watch 8 Classic was a very different experience and it works well most of the time. I mean, Gemini makes a lot of sense on the watch. It's smart enough to find useful information, possibly even a lifesaver when you need it most, without having to take your phone out of your pocket. It can pull up the right landmarks when you are new to a city and exploring unfamiliar places. It's pretty neat, I would say. I am glad that Gemini on the Watch isn't being used for gimmicky features like image creation. On the Watch 8 Classic, Samsung has introduced a new Quick Button, located on the side of the watch body. It can be programmed to launch workouts, open apps, or act as a shortcut to Gemini. However, keep in mind that Gemini requires an internet connection (Wi-Fi or LTE) to work. So, Bluetooth-only Watch 8 Classic users will need to have their phone nearby, or opt for the Watch 8 Classic with LTE connectivity, which costs Rs 50,999. When I wore the Watch 8 Classic at the Unpacked event in New York in June, I had already made up my mind that I wanted to use the watch more as a health tool than just for timekeeping. I was very clear about this because I had already started taking my health seriously and was in the midst of a transition. Smartwatches are jam-packed with sensors and health features, but how that data is delivered to you and what you do with it is what really matters. The Watch 8 Classic feels like a much more mature smartwatch compared to Samsung's last few models. Its health features, though abundant, are less finicky and more data-driven. That said, not all of its health features are perfect. You get new metrics for cardiovascular health, a skin-based antioxidant index, improved bedtime guidance, and a personal running coach. All these tools take advantage of Samsung's advanced BioActive sensor, which is available only on the Series 8 models (and the Ultra). That said, none of these features is medical grade, and it's always advisable to consult a doctor. The Watch 8 Classic's step count and heart rate tracking are almost spot-on, and even the sleep tracking, for that matter, matches what I get from my Apple Watch. The dual-band GPS has also been consistent, quickly getting a signal and accurately mapping my outdoor runs and walks without any major issues. However, I did experience problems with the SpO2 tracking on the Watch 8 Classic. It felt inaccurate and inconsistent at times. The Watch 8 Classic also features the world's first antioxidant reader, which measures the level of antioxidants in your blood through a thumb reading. You receive a score between 0 and 100, which falls into one of three categories: very low, low, or adequate. The Watch 8 Classic indicated that my Antioxidant Index was low, despite my maintaining a balanced diet. I am still unsure whether to rely on this index or take it with a grain of salt. There's also a new metric called Vascular Load, which measures the strain on your heart during sleep. These readings are presented on a low-to-high scale to help you understand how certain behaviours like alcohol intake may be contributing to your long-term risk of heart disease. I plan to continue monitoring this feature to see how useful it proves to be over time. I spent a lot of time testing Running Coach, a virtual coach that gives you personalised training plans and real-time feedback to help you get back in shape. It starts with a brief questionnaire on your phone about your running and workout habits. Then, it asks you to log your longest run in the past three months. The idea behind Running Coach is to first understand your physical condition, and based on that, assign personalised workout plans. The runs are pace-based, with Running Coach providing on-screen guidance and audio cues to help you stay on track. Look, Running Coach isn't aimed at advanced runners. It's more for people like you and me. It encourages and pushes you while helping you become more aware of where you have been going wrong. It also helps you start understanding your running data so you can get fitter over time. However, the results don't show immediately; it takes time for Running Coach to improve and adjust your training plan as it gathers more data from your runs. I think there's a lot of potential in Running Coach, and it will only get better if Samsung continues to update it with new features. All of this information is then visible in the Samsung Health app. What makes the Watch 8 Classic exciting is that it sits at the intersection of both strong hardware and thoughtful software. Of course, it doesn't have Garmin's advanced fitness software, but I think Samsung has succeeded in making it simple to interact with the smartwatch and track your health metrics, that's what really works here. The Watch 8 Classic is genuinely refreshing, bringing together a cool, innovative mechanical rotating bezel design and a wide range of health features in one place. That being said, none of these health features are clinically verified, and they aren't meant to replace medical-grade tests. Still, I would urge you to start taking your health more seriously and become better at understanding your health data. That's what the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is trying to be: not your doctor, but a health coach that guides you to get fitter and take action before it's too late.
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- The Hindu
Trump's Tariff Threat Tests India-US Relations
Published : Aug 16, 2025 19:25 IST - 6 MINS READ There is a distinct souring of sentiment in the narrative across India's 24-hour news channels. A news anchor opens her piece with a sarcastic diatribe on how, if only Trump were president of the USA in the past, so much could have been avoided through history; the First World War, the Second World War, all of it. The screen behind her displays an image of the US president with the text 'Earth is spinning better, thank Trump!'. The title of this video op-ed piece is 'Why Trump Should Never Win the Nobel Peace Prize'. It is a marked departure from the rapturous reception a second Trump term got only nine months back. A statement released then by India's External Affairs Ministry described how the two leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership and agreed to remain in touch and meet soon. Social media and news coverage were awash with praise both for this sweeping victory and the warm and cordial relations between Mr Trump and Mr Modi. President Trump's decision and threat to now impose a 50 per cent tariff by the end of August because of India's purchase of Russian oil has escalated a stand-off over trade and led to a spiral of news flow; the US will regret treating India this way, warns one piece; US-India relations are at their worst, bemoans another. The social media clarion has sounded—it is time to ditch American products and companies like McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Amazon; although how exactly that will be done remains unclear. All this unfolding while a fresh deadline to this hefty tariff clocks down. So much has changed in nine months. India has for now been steely in its response; but both choices present hard outcomes. Global commodity data shows India imported about 1.8 million barrels per day of Russian crude in the first half of the year, which is about 37 per cent of its total imports. Since 2023, India has been the biggest market for Russian crude, and between the two largest buyers of Russian crude, India and China, it is India that is clearly more dependent. According to data and analytics company Kpler, India imported 89 million tonnes (seaborne crude) last year, which was more than China's import. Switching crude oil varieties and buyers is neither going to be easy nor practical for India's refineries, aside from the fact that it also threatens to ratchet up prices. Also Read | America's melting ice cube and other tariff fairy tales On the flip side, the collateral damage of a 50 per cent tariff slap will be large. There are a number of export-oriented industries that are already feeling jittery; textiles, for one, the gems and jewellery sector, another, where the US makes up 30 per cent of its exports. Many export-oriented industries are in fact also labour-intensive industries, and a hit to their fortunes will have a massive knock-on effect on jobs. The list of vulnerable companies includes the big gun, Reliance Industries, which signed a 10-year contract to buy nearly 5,00,000 barrels a day of crude from Russia's state-owned Rosneft, making it the biggest-ever energy agreement between the two nations. Reliance has been exporting its refined products to both Europe and North America. A breakdown in ties with Western countries will mean significant changes in its business and perhaps its profitability in the months to come. India's domestic advantage with a large consumer market has been pointed to, but whichever way you cut it, a tariff hike of this quantum will see economic damage and dented investor sentiment for the country. There are counter-arguments to the possibility of a grim reset in Indo-US ties. One, that this will be yet another flip-flop by the US President, where a resolution of some sort will be cobbled together before the end of August, which is the deadline set by him. Two, that the two countries are now intertwined across too human and financial capital strands; Indian tech firms have long been present in America's industry through its services and its engineers. Money now flows both ways through venture capital and significant equity market exposure. Ripping all that apart will take more than tariff sabre-rattling. All or some of this may prove to be true. But there are also two clear questions here that need to be reckoned with. India was used to being the 'pick me' candidate when it came to China, where there was tactical and strategic advantage in building strong relations with India to offset China's growing strength in the region. Many nations, the US included, are having a rethink about that approach. China is no longer taboo, and India is no longer the counterfoil to China's regional dominance. Worse yet is the distinct turn in relations between the US and India's other neighbour, Pakistan. What started with a rather embarrassing display of cornering credit, President Trump claimed he was the one to put a stop to an imminent war between India and Pakistan—a claim that has been consistently repeated while speaking on the subject. While Indian diplomatic channels frantically tried to belie that take, Pakistan not only concurred with the US President's statement, it went on to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Relations between the US and Pakistan have been on the upswing since then, ranging from private lunches with Pakistan's top military brass and talks about potentially boosting trade and commercial ties. It has left the Indian government with egg on its face and a disgruntled domestic mood. India and Pakistan, to America's mind are now firmly re-hyphenated. Also Read | Modi's foreign policy in shreds as non-alignment becomes multi-alignment How did it all turn sour so quickly when the singular narrative so far has been Prime Minister Modi's outstanding personal equation with Trump—from walking out hand in hand to address a rally in Houston, Texas a few years ago, to what is now being termed the lowest point in Indo-US ties in many decades; the 'great friendship' has not yielded any joy on economic ties. Perhaps the first lesson then is when policies—foreign, national, or economic—are built around personalities rather than nations, egos tend to get in the way. Especially when there is a domestic fan base that has been cheering the 'strongman' approach to cater to. There is also a view that this could be the moment India dives into structural reforms. In other words, this will be the catalyst for the great reset. As we wait on that outcome to emerge, it gives rise to the second question: Was that not the plan with the 'Make in India' campaign launched a decade ago? What has gone so sorely wrong ten years into its launch, where is the performance audit on the promised nation-building initiatives, the manufacturing thrust, more jobs for more people? This present round of tariff threats and ultimatums could go in any direction. Frankly, it does not even matter. The economic ground is shifting beneath the feet of both leaders. Time to see who has feet of clay. Mitali Mukherjee is the Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford. She is a political economy journalist with more than two decades of experience in TV, print and digital journalism. Mitali has co-founded two start-ups that focussed on civil society and financial literacy and her key areas of interest are gender and climate change.
Economic Times
13 hours ago
- Economic Times
Samsung expanding manufacturing portfolio in India: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Synopsis Samsung is increasing its manufacturing efforts in India, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The company already has its second-largest mobile phone manufacturing facility in India and is the second-largest exporter of handsets. Samsung is also preparing to manufacture laptops in India and makes all smartphones it sells in the country. ANI Samsung Electronics South Korean electronics major Samsung is expanding its manufacturing portfolio in India, union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. Globally, Samsung has its second largest mobile phone manufacturing unit in India and it is the second largest exporter of the handsets from the country after Apple. "Samsung continues to expand manufacturing of its advanced technology devices in Bharat, driven by talent and innovation. Its research unit in Bharat has more than 7,000 engineers," Vaishnaw said in a social media post. The minister on X posted a photo of his meeting with Samsung Southwest Asia, President and CEO, JB Park and Samsung Southwest Asia, Corporate Vice President, SP Chun. Earlier this year, Samsung Electronics President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business TM Roh had said the company is preparing for manufacturing laptops in India. The company continues to make all smartphones that it sells in India including latest flagship smartphones Galaxy Z Fold7, priced in the range of Rs 1.74 lakh to Rs 2.11 lakh apiece and Galaxy Z Flip7 which is priced in the range of Rs 1.09 lakh to Rs 1.22 lakh apiece.
