Latest news with #GalaxyA16
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
2025's best-selling Android phone just got even better with the One UI 7 update
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The Galaxy A16 5G has started getting the One UI 7 update based on Android 15. It is the best-selling Android phone of this year so far. The One UI 7 update for the Galaxy A16 5G reportedly fixes the UI and navigation lags users experienced on One UI 6.1. One of Samsung's cheapest Galaxy phones was recently crowned as the best-selling Android phone of 2025 so far by Counterpoint Research. We're talking about the Galaxy A16 5G — a phone that sells for just $199 and is one of the best budget Android phones you can buy right now. For all of you who have already fought the Galaxy A16 5G, the good news is that the phone is now starting to get the One UI 7 update. Users in multiple countries are reporting that their Galaxy A16 5G has received the One UI 7 update. Tipster Tarun Vats reported that the update has landed in India, while a Redditor in the Philippines also received it. It looks like updates are still pending for the Galaxy A16 models in the US and Europe for now, but given that the rollout has started, it shouldn't be too long before those devices also get it. The One UI 7 update for the Galaxy A16 5G comes with build numbers A166PXXU4BYE6/A166PODM4BYE5/A166PXXU4BYE5, depending on the region. It weighs about 2.9GB, but continues on the April 1 security patch. The Galaxy A16 5G is on Samsung's quarterly security update schedule, so the older security patch was expected. The next one should only arrive in July. Meanwhile, those who have received the One UI 7 update on their Galaxy A16 5G say that it fixes UI lags and improves navigation compared to the One UI 6.1 update. With One UI 7 now rolling out for the phone, the Galaxy A16 5G is left with five more big Android updates in its software update schedule. The phone promises an impressive six years of software updates, which means it will get Android 20 in 2029!
GSM Arena
19-05-2025
- GSM Arena
One UI 7 reaches the Samsung Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A16
Peter 19 May 2025 Samsung Android Firmware Updates One UI 7 has started rolling out to entry-level Galaxy phones – reports from Korea indicate that the Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A16 (the 4G models) are now seeing the update. Both phones launched with Android 14/One UI 6.1 and this is their first major OS update. The A15 will get three more, while the A16 gets the premium treatment and can expect five more. Both phones use the Helio G99, by the way. Samsung Galaxy A15 and A16 are now getting the One UI 7 update We're not seeing reports about the Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A16 5G yet, but they can't be far behind. They also launched with Android 14 and will receive 4 and 6 OS updates, respectively. They do have newer chipsets – Dimensity 6100+ for the A15 5G and Dimensity 6300/Exynos 1330 for the A16 5G. There's also the question of when other regions will see the update. It's usually a gradual rollout, in case of issues. According to the official roadmap, the Galaxy A15 was supposed to get the update in June, so this is ahead of schedule (the A16 was planned for May). The roadmap doesn't list the 4G and 5G models separately, though, suggesting that they are meant to launch at the same time. Source 1 | Source 2 Samsung Galaxy A15 Samsung Galaxy A16 Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Troomi Debuts Samsung Galaxy A16 with Troomi OS™ to Redefine Safe Tech for Parents and Tweens
OREM, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Troomi, a pioneer of the safe smartphone movement and leader in family‑focused digital wellness and safety, today announced the launch of the Samsung Galaxy A16 with Troomi OS, a purpose‑built smartphone designed to balance children's preferences with parental oversight. Troomi was built from the ground up to foster healthy tech habits, protect childhood, and strengthen family connections. That mission feels more urgent than ever now that 51% of children eight and younger own a mobile device, while 62% of parents worry about excessive screen time and exposure to inappropriate content. By integrating Troomi OS with premium Samsung hardware, we're offering families a device that kids will embrace and parents will trust Share 'Parents need solutions that respect their child's desire for contemporary tech while ensuring safety,' said Bill Brady, CEO of Troomi. 'By integrating Troomi OS with premium Samsung hardware, we're offering families a device that kids will embrace and parents will trust.' With other smartphone ecosystems deeply embedded in tween and teen culture, many families feel compelled to make what industry research terms 'peer‑pressured parental purchases.' Nearly half of parents (48%) report buying tech and fashion items they might otherwise forgo, simply to keep pace with their child's social group. At the same time, studies link social media use to increased rates of depression and anxiety among adolescents. To maximize healthy outcomes, researchers like Dr. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, recommend delaying full smartphone use, starting instead with devices that limit screen time and provide for parental involvement. Troomi OS is Troomi's proprietary operating system, built from the ground up to support healthy digital habits and age-appropriate tech use. Unlike conventional mobile platforms,Troomi OS excludes social media, restricts and prevents exposure to harmful content before a child sees it, and empowers parents with real-time visibility and control from any phone. It runs seamlessly on select Samsung devices and leverages AI to continuously adapt to each child's needs, offering a safer, smarter smartphone experience that grows with the user. 'When my daughter Lauren turned 12, our conversations became less frequent,' said Nicole, a mother from Pennsylvania and Troomi user. 'Troodi, Troomi's AI‑powered companion, became her 'virtual friend,' offering encouragement and advice. It reinforced the values I've taught her and opened the door for us to reconnect on difficult topics—in effect strengthening our bond.' The Galaxy A16 with Troomi OS offers a middle path by combining premium Samsung hardware with Troomi's proprietary safety suite: Premium Hardware: A 6.7‑inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display, kid safe Eye Care Display with 78% blue light reduction, Exynos 1330 Octa‑Core processor, and 5G connectivity—providing a modern, high‑performance experience that meets tween expectations. Durability: IP54‑rated splash and dust protection plus a reinforced frame to withstand drops and daily wear. Curated App Access: Pre‑approved access to educational and entertainment apps such as Spotify, Audible, Kindle, and Duolingo—without access to unrestricted app stores. No Social Media: The device excludes social‑network apps entirely, limiting exposure to peer comparison and cyberbullying. AI Content Filtering: Machine‑learning algorithms run in the background to block inappropriate texts, images, and apps, before your kids see them—keeping parents informed and alerting them when attention is needed. Parent Portal Controls: A web‑based dashboard for real‑time monitoring of calls, messages, screen time, and usage reports, that works with any parent phone. Customizable Experience: Parents select which contacts, websites, messaging, calling and apps features are available, tailoring the device to each child's maturity level. Availability The Samsung Galaxy A16 with Troomi OS is available beginning May 15, 2025, on Amazon or through Troomi's online store at About Troomi Wireless Troomi Wireless is committed to empowering families with technology that prioritizes digital wellness, safety, and meaningful connection. Through a combination of hardware, software, and AI‑driven tools, Troomi delivers solutions that foster healthy screen habits and strengthen parent‑child relationships. Learn more at
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple's India iPhones Boost U.S. Shipments by 30%
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) saw its India-made iPhone shipments jump as total U.S. smartphone volumes surged 30% year-over-year in March amid a tariff-avoidance rush, Counterpoint Research reports. OEMsincluding Apple, Samsung (SSNLF) and Motorolahurried inventory into the U.S. ahead of April 2 tariffs, driving U.S. inventories up 51% year-over-year for the month. India's share of U.S. smartphone shipments climbed to 26% in Q1, from 16% a year ago, with Motorola nearly tripling its India output and Samsung leaning on its Indian Galaxy A16 line. China's share dipped to 52% from 56%, while Vietnam fell to 21% from 27%, underscoring a broader shift in production mix. Apple's sell-in jumped 42% in March as it pre-stocks U.S. channels, compared to Samsung's more modest 4% gain, thanks to Samsung's diversified supply base and midyear device lineup. Counterpoint Senior Analyst Gerrit Schneemann notes the March build-up will help insulate Apple from immediate pricing impacts through mid-to-late summer, and predicts that if tariffs remain unresolved by the iPhone 17 launch, India will become the primary source for U.S.-bound units. Over the weekend, Washington and Beijing agreed to slash reciprocal tariffsU.S. cuts from 145% to 30% and China from 125% to 10% for 90 daysoffering a temporary reprieve that Samsung hopes will avert price hikes. Why It Matters: Shifting production to India and front-loading shipments may shield Apple from tariff headwinds, while broad inventory builds signal how OEMs are hedging policy risk in global supply chains. Investors will be watching April shipment data and tariff negotiations over the next 90 days to see if India's role solidifies and pricing pressure eases. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Daily Maverick
30-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Malatsi's smartphone tax break gets a mixed reception
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi's flagship initiative to waive the 9% ad valorem excise duty on smartphones costing less than R2,500 has industry players divided on whether it's a good idea. 'Affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to digital access, especially for low-income households,' the minister of communications and digital technologies, Solly Malatsi, declared at the 45th Southern Africa Telecommunications Association annual conference. He also proclaimed, once again, that 'the South African government has removed the 9% ad valorem excise duty on smartphones priced below R2,500'. The policy targets entry-level smartphones that predominantly offer 4G connectivity — a critical step in South Africa's transition away from 2G and 3G networks. With 87% 4G coverage in the country, the government has identified affordability, not infrastructure, as the primary obstacle to universal connectivity. The digital economy's contribution has reached 10% to 15% of South Africa's GDP, resulting in Malatsi framing smartphone access as 'a gateway to economic opportunity' that could expand participation in education, e-commerce and government services. Enthusiasm, meet scepticism The initiative has exposed a stark divide among industry stakeholders. Samsung, the biggest smartphone vendor in SA by value (and mostly volume, depending on how the market is sliced), can see the vision, but doesn't agree with the method. Justin Hume, Samsung South Africa vice-president of mobile, sees particular potential in mid-tier devices such as the Galaxy A16, which the company will now reduce from about R4,000 to R3,499. 'We're forecasting a nearly 200% increase in sales on that product when we move it to that price point because suddenly it moves into the realm of affordability,' Hume said during an interview at the recent Samsung Galaxy A56 launch event in Johannesburg. 'You're getting a great camera, great memory and processing capability that customers have never experienced before — and it's now affordable.' Although Hume strongly disagreed with her representation, Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association of Communications and Technology (ACT), presented a more nuanced view of the industry's response to the tax exemption. Batyi said Samsung was 'really, really, really excited' about the tax exemption, but she noted that other stakeholders were significantly less enthusiastic. 'Cellular providers and manufacturers based in South Africa don't see the impact yet,' she said. 'No one really knows the impact except the likes of Samsung.' The affordability conundrum At the heart of South Africa's digital divide is the prohibitive cost of modern smartphones. Batyi herself illustrated this through personal experience: 'I have a 4G handset that I've had for the past seven years because I refuse to pay R30,000 for a new handset. It just doesn't make sense, but everyone aspires [to] the better handset, isn't it?' This aspirational gap represents a key challenge for Malatsi's policy. Simply removing a 9% tax on entry-level devices may not address the fundamental pricing structures that keep premium features out of reach for most South Africans. Batyi pointed out that even for low-end manufacturer Mobicel, which produces 4G and 5G handsets that would benefit from this exemption, the devices would primarily be distributed through bulk government contracts rather than retail channels. 'There is no person who walks into a store and says, 'I want the Mobicel 5 handset,'' she said, highlighting the disconnect between local production and consumer buying patterns. Is Malatsi's move enough? The ACT's position on the tax waiver was diplomatically cautious. 'For the tax relaxation for all devices, we approached National Treasury. We are happy that he [Malatsi] took that on, and we're like, okay, it's something,' Batyi acknowledged. But she immediately followed with a more ambitious proposal: 'If South Africa is serious about the digital economy and serious that [it wants] to transform, the luxury tax can be relaxed for a period of two years [on all 4G and 5G components] and just test the market…' This suggestion, that a more comprehensive, if temporary, tax holiday might yield more significant results, represents a widespread industry concern that Malatsi's initiative, although welcome, may be insufficient to create transformative change. Where do the numbers make sense? Understanding why the tax cut affects different price points differently requires unpacking smartphone economics in South Africa. Hume explained that the 9% ad valorem duty — essentially a luxury tax — applied to the import price of devices, not the retail price consumers see. For ultra-budget smartphones retailing at R1,000 to R1,200, a 9% reduction translates to barely R90 to R100 off — hardly enough to sway purchasing decisions. The real sweet spot, according to Samsung, appears to be in the R3,000 to R4,500 range, where the tax waiver creates enough of a price reduction to bring formerly premium features within reach of aspirational buyers. Hume also pointed to device financing as the 'critical multiplier that could amplify the impact of the tax cut'. When smartphones fall below certain psychological price barriers, they become eligible for more attractive instalment plans, effectively expanding the market of potential buyers. 'As you bring products into the realm of device financing opportunities, that's where the real growth will come from,' said Hume. 'Not simply because of the retail price reduction, but because more consumers qualify for financing at those lower price points.' The grey area problem Another dimension often overlooked in discussions about smartphone affordability is the significant grey market for imported devices. Parallel imports — phones brought into the country through unofficial channels — undermine legitimate businesses and government revenue. Industry representatives argue that making legal imports more affordable through tax cuts like Malatsi's could help combat this problem by narrowing the price gap between official and unofficial channels. Closing the digital gap Despite these limitations, Malatsi's initiative represents a concrete step towards addressing what he called 'one of the biggest barriers to digital access'. As the policy takes effect in the coming months, its true impact on SA's digital landscape will become clearer. Whether this represents a transformative moment in digital inclusion or merely a symbolic gesture will ultimately depend on how consumers respond — and whether price reductions actually translate to increased adoption of 4G technology among previously disconnected South Africans. The luxury tax waiver may be just the opening move in what needs to be a much longer game of digital empowerment. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
