Samsung Galaxy

Manufacturer	Samsung Electronics
Type	Smartphone Tablet Ear buds Smartwatch Laptop
Release date	29 June 2009; 14 years ago (2009-06-29)
Units sold	2 billion Galaxy phones (as of February 2019)[1]
Operating system	Android Microsoft Windows Tizen ChromeOS
System on a chip	Samsung Exynos Qualcomm Snapdragon MediaTek Intel Core AMD Ryzen Spreadtrum NovaThor Marvell Nvidia Tegra Broadcom

Samsung Galaxy (Korean: 삼성 갤럭시; stylized as SΛMSUNG Galaxy since 2015 (except Japan where it omits the Samsung branding),^[2] previously stylized as Samsung GALAXY; abbreviated as SG) is a series of computing and mobile computing devices that are designed, manufactured and marketed by Samsung Electronics. The product line includes the Samsung Samsung Galaxy S series of high-end phones, Samsung Galaxy Z series of high-end foldables, Samsung Galaxy A series of Mid-range phones, the Samsung Galaxy Book, the Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab series, the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds series and the Samsung Samsung Galaxy Fit.

Samsung Galaxy devices with a user interface called One UI (with previous versions being known as Samsung Experience and TouchWiz). However, the Galaxy TabPro S is the first Galaxy-branded Windows 10 device that was announced in CES 2016.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch is the first Galaxy-branded smartwatch since the release of later iterations of the Gear smartwatch from 2014 to 2017. In 2020, Samsung added the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2-in-1 laptop running ChromeOS to the Galaxy branding lineup.^[3] The follow-on Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 was released in 2021.^[4]

Definitions

Categories

Current

• Samsung Galaxy Z series, high-end foldable devices
• Samsung Galaxy S series, the flagship series with the newest features
• Samsung Galaxy A series, a midrange series with more features than the M series
• Samsung Galaxy M series, a slightly more budget alternative to the A series
• Samsung Galaxy F series, another A series alternative sold in developing countries
• Samsung Galaxy Xcover series, rugged business phones with lower specifications

Discontinued

• Samsung Galaxy Note series, devices with a large screen and a stylus (discontinued in 2021). Replaced by the S Ultra models.
• Samsung Galaxy J series, low-end devices (discontinued in 2019). Merged with Galaxy A.
• Samsung Galaxy Y Series, small smartphone device (discontinued in 2014).

Hierarchy

The main 2024 lineup of Galaxy smartphone models looks like this:

1. Galaxy S24 Ultra
2. Galaxy S24+
3. Galaxy S24
4. Galaxy Z Fold 5
5. Galaxy Z Flip 5
6. Galaxy A55 and Galaxy M54
7. Galaxy A35 and Galaxy M34
8. Galaxy A24
9. Galaxy A14 and Galaxy M14
10. Galaxy A04s
11. Galaxy A04 and Galaxy M04

Model numbers

Since September 2013, model numbers of devices in the Samsung Galaxy series are in the "SM-ABCDE" format (excluding the Galaxy J SC-02F, Galaxy Centura SCH-S738C, and SGH-N075T), where A is the model series, B is the device class, C is the generation, D is the device type, and E is the country/region that is made for (if applicable). Previously, from 2009 until September 2013, the model numbers were in the "GT-XXXXX" format.

Phones

• SM-Sxxx – S series model from S22 and later
• SM-Gxxx - S series (S5 - S21), F series model
• SM-Nxxx – mainstream Note model (New type of model number)
• SM-Axxx – A series model
• SM-Mxxx – M series model
• GT-Sxxx2/ SM-Gxxx/DS / SM-Gxxx/DD SM-Gxxx2 Dual-SIM "Galaxy Duos" model
• GT-Nxxx0/GT-Nxxx5 – Galaxy Note 1 and 2 (International 3G/4G, respectively)
• GT-Nxxx3 – Unlocked Galaxy Note 1 and 2 (US/Canada)
• GT-Ixxx0/GT-Ixxx5 – Galaxy S4 and earlier models (International 3G/4G LTE, respectively)
• GT-Ixxx3 – Unlocked Galaxy S4 and earlier models (US/Canada)
• SGH – GSM handset
• SPH – Sprint handset
• SCH – Verizon/US Cellular handset
• SHV/SHW – Korean handset

Tablets

• SM-Xxxx – Tab S models from S8 and later
• SM-Txx0/1/5/6 – mainstream Tab model (Tab 3 to Tab S7)
• SM-Pxx0/5 – mainstream Tab with built-in S Pen stylus model (Note 10.1 2014, Tab A 10.1, etc.)
• SM-Wxxx – Microsoft Windows model (i.e., Galaxy Book)
• GT-Nxx00/GT-Pxx20 – older mainstream Tab with built-in S Pen stylus model (Note 8.0 and 10.1, 3G/4G LTE respectively)
• GT-Nxx13 – older mainstream Tab with built-in S Pen stylus model (Note 8.0 and 10.1, US/Canada Wi-Fi)
• GT-Nxx10 – older mainstream Tab with built-in S Pen stylus model (Note 8.0 and 10.1, International Wi-Fi)
• GT-Pxx00/GT-Pxx20 – older mainstream Tab model (Tab 1 to Tab 3, 3G/4G LTE respectively)
• GT-Pxx13 – older mainstream Tab model (Tab 1 to Tab 3, US/Canada Wi-Fi)
• GT-Pxx10 – older mainstream Tab model (Tab 1 to Tab 3, International Wi-Fi)
• GT-Snnn5/GT-Nnnn5/GT-Pnnn5/GT-Innn5/SM-NnnnF/SM-Tnn5/SM-GnnnF – 4G/LTE model

Regions

• A: AT&T
• P: Sprint
• R4: US Cellular
• T: T-Mobile
• V: Verizon
• U: USA carrier locked
• U1: USA factory unlocked
• N: Korea
• W: Canada
• 0: China mainland (phones)
• C: China mainland (tablets)
• B: International 5G
• F: International 4G/LTE
• H: International 3G

Firmware numbering

The following is a list of known firmware regions.

Korea

• KS: Korea (phones)
• KO: Korea (cellular tablets)
• XX: All Wi-Fi tablets

India

• IN: India (all phones)

Americas

• SQ: USA (carrier locked phones)
• UE: USA (carrier unlocked phones and Wi-Fi tablets), Canada (Wi-Fi tablets)
• VL: Canada (all variants except Wi-Fi tablets)
• UB: Latin America & Caribbean
• XX: All Wi-Fi tablets

China

• ZC: China mainland (all devices)
• ZH: Hong Kong/Taiwan (all phones)
• XX: Hong Kong/Taiwan (all tablets)

Background

The original Samsung Galaxy was launched in June of 2009 as Samsung's first Android powered device. At the time, the brand's flagship smartphone was the Samsung Omnia and its successor, powered by Windows Mobile.^[5] Omnia had been the second full-touch Samsung device running the TouchWiz user interface (after the Tocco), but the Galaxy had an unmodified Google Android interface; the TouchWiz UI made its way to the Galaxy series with the Samsung Galaxy S.^[6] The Galaxy S and its successor Galaxy S II became very successful, eclipsing the company's other lines and operating systems.^[7] During the decade, the Samsung Galaxy phones "became the company's most-praised products [and] also were among the best-selling smartphones in the world."^[8]

Devices

Phones

Samsung Galaxy Z (Zen) series

The Galaxy Z series is a line of high-end foldable smartphones. The line started in 2019 with the Galaxy Z Fold. The latest phones from this series are the Galaxy Z Flip5 and the Galaxy Z Fold5, both released in July 2023.

Samsung Galaxy S (Super Smart) series

The Galaxy S series is a line of high-end smartphones. The latest models are the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra, released in January 2024.

Samsung Galaxy A (Alpha) series

The Galaxy A series is a line of mid-range to high-end Android smartphones manufactured by Samsung Electronics. The Galaxy A series is similar to the high-end Galaxy S series, but with lower specifications and features. The latest models are the Galaxy A34, and Galaxy A25.

Samsung Galaxy M (Millennial) series

The Galaxy M series is a line of online-exclusive, mid-range smartphones; considered the successor to the Galaxy J and Galaxy On series.

Samsung Galaxy F (Fun) series

The Galaxy F series is a line of low-end phones.

Galaxy XCover series

The Galaxy XCover series is a line of rugged "business" phones, which have low-end specifications but with stronger build quality and durability. The latest in common is the Galaxy Xcover 7.

Discontinued lines

Samsung released multiple series of smartphones, often overlapping with each other. Most of these series were dropped.

• The Galaxy Note series was a line of high-end devices primarily oriented towards pen computing. The line was replaced by the Galaxy S Ultra series after 2022.
• The Galaxy Core/Grand series is a line of mid-range devices released between 2013 and 2015. The line was replaced by the J series.
• The Galaxy J series was a line of entry-range phones, replaced by the Galaxy A series in 2019.^[9][10][11]
• The Galaxy Mega series was last updated in 2014 with the Samsung Galaxy Mega 2. The line's successor is the Galaxy M series.
• The Galaxy On series is a line of online-exclusive phones. The series was replaced by the Galaxy M series.^[12]
• The Galaxy Mini series was last updated in 2012 with the Samsung Galaxy Mini 2.
• The Galaxy Trend series was last updated in 2015 with the Samsung Galaxy Trend 2 Lite.
• The Galaxy Ace series was last updated in 2014 with the Samsung Galaxy Ace 4.
• The Galaxy R Series was last updated in 2012 with the Samsung Galaxy R Style.
• The Galaxy Young Series is a low-end line. It was last updated in 2014 with the Samsung Galaxy Young 2.
• The Galaxy Pocket series was last updated in 2014 with the Samsung Galaxy Pocket 2.
• The Galaxy C series was a line of upper mid-range devices for specific markets. The latest device released under this line is the Samsung Galaxy C8.
• The Galaxy E series was replaced by the Galaxy F Series.

Other phones

Tablets

Samsung Galaxy Tab Series

The Samsung Galaxy Tab series is a line of Android-powered tablets that debuted in 2010.^[8] There are two sub-categories currently under this series:

• The Galaxy Tab S is a line of high-end tablets, with a focus on productivity and pen computing. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9+ & S9 Ultra are the latest devices, released in July 2023.
• The Galaxy Tab A is a line of mid-range to low-end tablets.

Wearables

Smartwatches

Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy Gear, a smartwatch running Android 4.3, on 4 September 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung's only smartwatch to feature Galaxy branding; later Samsung smartwatches use the Samsung Gear branding. The Gear series was later succeeded by the Samsung Galaxy Watch series.

In a software update in May 2014, Samsung replaced the operating system of the Galaxy Gear from Android to Tizen.^{[citation needed]} Samsung's One UI, which is running on newer Samsung Galaxy devices released after 2019, is available to Samsung Galaxy Watch on 20 May 2019.^[13][14]

Activity trackers

Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy Fit, an activity tracker positioned below the Galaxy Watch line. The first iteration was released on 2019.^[15] Samsung later announced the Galaxy Fit2, which is a follow-up of their first tracker from 2019.

Wireless earbuds

Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy Buds, which is the new replacement to the Samsung Gear IconX.^{[16][better source needed]}. The first iteration was released on 20 February 2019. Subsequent Galaxy Buds iterations will be revealed during the Galaxy Unpacked event annually.

Laptops and convertibles

The Galaxy brand is also extended in laptops, notebooks, and 2-in-1 convertibles. The Samsung Galaxy Book consists of products based on Microsoft Windows, while the Galaxy Chromebook line is based on ChromeOS.

Other

Media player

• Samsung Galaxy Player

Cameras

• Samsung Galaxy Camera
• Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
• Samsung Galaxy NX

Projectors

• Samsung Galaxy Beam i8520
• Samsung Galaxy Beam i8530

Software

Samsung Galaxy smartphones run the Android operating system under the Google Mobile Services platform, however Samsung and third-parties have bundled various other software in them too. The TouchWiz interface was used until 2017, replaced by Samsung Experience. This was then replaced by One UI in 2019.

The company has created many apps and services under the Galaxy brand specifically for these devices - many of which come preloaded - including the Galaxy Store which provides apps and customizations. Since late 2019, several Microsoft apps like Outlook also come preloaded^[20] on Galaxy as a result of a Samsung-Microsoft partnership.^[21][22]

Interoperability

Samsung have made several tools for making various Galaxy devices like phones, tablets and watches, work closer together. Samsung Flow is a feature allowing content to be synced with a PC, such as notifications, replying to messages and authenticating from a PC, and sharing content.^[23] It was announced in November 2014,^[24] released in a preview form in May 2015^[25] and final released in May 2016.^[26] Microsoft's Phone Link also comes on Galaxy smartphones since 2019.^[27]

Another feature named Multi Control allows controlling of a Galaxy smartphone with a Galaxy Book keyboard and mouse, and drag and drop files between them.^[28] Device Control is another feature in the quick panel that can control SmartThings and other devices.^[29]

Release history

The following is a table showing the full initial release history of every Galaxy device since 2009.

Region locking and CSC codes

Starting from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung phones and tablets contained a warning label stating that it would only operate with SIM cards from the region the phone was sold in. A spokesperson clarified the policy, stating that it was intended to prevent grey-market reselling, and that it only applied to the first SIM card inserted. For devices to use a SIM card from other regions, one of the following actions totaling five minutes or longer in length must first be performed with the SIM card from the local region:

• Make calls on the phone or watch from the Samsung Phone app
• Use the Call and Text on Other Devices feature to make calls

With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S8 series in 2017, that process has changed. Due to the fact that many variants use a Multi-CSC, it will only work with SIM cards from the same CSC group. For example, an AT&T SIM card will not work on cellular-based Galaxy devices sold in Europe and other countries.

Over the Horizon

"Over the Horizon" is the trademark sound for Samsung smartphone devices, first introduced in 2011 on the Galaxy S II.^[83] It was composed by Joong-sam Yun and appears as music in the music library of most Samsung phones released since 2011.^[84] Prior to 2011, "Beyond Samsung" served as Samsung's trademark music track, while "Samsung Tune" was used as the default ringtone. The sound appears as the default ringtone, as well as the sound when the phone turns on or off (a snippet is used), and as a notification sound. While the basic composition of the six-note tune has not changed since its inception, various versions of different genres have been introduced as the product line evolved.

While the first two versions were created in-house at Samsung, later versions were outsourced to external musicians. The sound has been covered by various popular artists who have released their own arrangements and remixes of the song, such as Quincy Jones, Icona Pop, Suga of BTS, and various K-Pop artists. In Samsung's U.S. registration of the trademark for the sound, it is described as "the sound of a bell playing a B4 dotted eighth note, a B4 sixteenth note, an F#5 sixteenth note, a B5 sixteenth note, an A#5 eighth note, and an F#5 half note".^[85]