Samsung South Africa is putting safety and peace of mind directly into customers’ hands with the launch of Samsung SOS+* campaign, running from 18 May to 30 June 2026. Customers who purchase the new Samsung Galaxy A57 5G or Galaxy A37 5G during the promotional period will qualify for 12 months of free access to Samsung SOS+, an on-demand emergency response subscription provided by AURA.
Designed for those navigating busy lifestyles, late-night commutes, family responsibilities, travel, and unexpected emergencies, Samsung SOS+* transforms the smartphone into more than just a communication device. It becomes a personal safety companion that is always within reach.
In an emergency situation, Samsung SOS+* immediately geolocates the user and dispatches traceable private security and medical emergency services in real time. Available 24/7 across South Africa, the service gives users direct access to rapid support when every second matters.
To activate the offer, customers simply need to purchase a Galaxy A57 5G or Galaxy A37 5G device, redeem the offer via Samsung Members app, register, and enjoy a full year of emergency assistance at no additional cost. Customers will have until 31 July 2026 to redeem the offer through Samsung Members.
Samsung SOS+* is provided by AURA, South Africa’s leading emergency response platform. Since 2017, AURA has focused on transforming emergency response through technology, connecting users to real-time, efficient medical and armed response services. The partnership combines Samsung’s trusted mobile innovation with AURA’s advanced emergency response capabilities to create an integrated safety solution that fits naturally into modern life.
The campaign reinforces Samsung’s commitment to making meaningful innovation more accessible, bringing premium experiences and practical everyday solutions to more consumers through the Galaxy A Series.
“Smartphones have become central to how we live, work, connect, and move through the world. With Samsung SOS+*, we are extending that experience even further by offering our customers an added layer of safety and reassurance. The new Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G are designed to deliver powerful everyday experiences, and through this partnership with AURA, they now also provide immediate access to trusted emergency support when it matters most,” says Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa.
Whether users are travelling alone, waiting for a ride, managing school runs, or simply wanting greater peace of mind for themselves or their loved ones, Samsung SOS+* offers reassurance in the palm of their hand.
The latest Galaxy A Series devices continue to deliver popular Galaxy experiences including advanced camera capabilities, intelligent AI (artificial intelligence)-powered tools, long-lasting performance, and enhanced connectivity. With the addition of
To activate, you must install the Samsung Members app, find the SOS+ banner, and register on the linked AURA platform to complete the process. After registration, it's recommended to also download the separate Samsung SOS+ app and save the toll-free number for full access to the emergency response service.
Terms and Conditions Apply. Offer has to be redeemed by 31 July 2026.
AURA has partnered with the best private security & medical companies across South Africa to ensure that you have help wherever you may be. AURA has a live coverage map to see specifically where the services cover you based on your location. AURA currently covers all population centres including all major cities, towns and even certain informal settlements
Last night I attended the Samsung Unpacked event for 2026 in Hyde Park, Sandton. The event was a bold step for the brand as they unleashed a new era for their mobile phone outlook for the future. As CEO of Samsung South Africa put it "We are moving away from the smartphone and welcoming the AI phone". The launch gave us the first look of the all-new Galaxy S26 series which consists of 3 devices, the S26, the S26+ and the S26 Ultra.
So before I dive into the AI bits of the device, lets look at the physical characteristics of the phone. Samsung have moved away from the titanium body and opted for the aluminium unibody design which not only keeps the device lighter but thanks to the new vapour chamber, also keeps the device cooler. The screen is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass that is the strongest one yet. Inside the Galaxy S26 Ultra we have the latest Snapdragon 8 processor which enables the phones top performance whilst still being able to cope with all the AI background workings. The screen is a 6.9-inch AMOLED 2x Display that provides in depth performance for gaming an faster refresh rate but the biggest feature form the screen is the Privacy Mode, where one can activate it on demand or program it for certain applications or notifications to keep away prying eyes.
The camera remains mostly the same with the front facing camera gaining some extra AI features like auto editing to minimise glare and increase the details. The video is the biggest gainer from the AI features, with a better Nightography setting that allows you to video in the dark with a lot more detail and light with less of the grain that we are used to on devices of old. The video also has an increase stabilization with Super Steady feature and horizontal lock which means you dont have to make sure your phone is level when recording.
Lets look into the AI, along with Google Gemini the Samsung Galaxy S26 series becomes one of the most powerful AI phones on the market. With features such as "Now Brief" which gives you a summary of things for the start of your day that is in curated for your interests, like weather, news, traffic, health etc. Then you get "Now Nudge" which dives into your phone and assists when you need push info on request. For example, when you chatting on text and someone asks you if you free for dinner on Saturday, it will check your calender and notify that you are free or ask you to view calendar. Circle search can now search multiple things in a single pictures. Gemini can also run tasks in the background whilst you are busy doing other things on your phone, like read through your messages to curate and order to your favourite delivery app, when its done, it will ask you to confirm order and pay.
The Knox security has stepped up a notch giving you unparalleled layer of protection as its a physical barrier against hackers. Overall the device has exceeded expectations and we hoping we can get a hands on feel with the phone to review soon.
Pricing starts from:
Samsung Galaxy S26 - R20,999
Samsung Galaxy S26+ - R25,999
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - R30,999
If pre-ordering the 256GB, Samsung will double your storage for the same price! So take advantage of this great offer.
Samsung Electronics has announced the new Galaxy A17 as the latest addition to its Galaxy A Series range. It’s designed for individuals who are often on the move, running businesses, chasing goals, and managing life on the go. The Galaxy A17 delivers what you need to stay connected and productive.
Whether you’re running your own hustle, engaging with clients, or balancing everything in between, this device is built to keep up with your grind.
Packed with awesome features and built-in safety, security, and reliability, the Galaxy A17 offers a powerful, optimised experience at an accessible price point. Integrated with Awesome Intelligence, it helps you do more, better and faster than the model it replaces, so you can stress less and keep moving forward.
“At Samsung, we understand that your smartphone is more than just a device, it’s an essential tool for people who are constantly on the move and rely on their phones to manage work and life. The Galaxy A17 strikes the perfect balance of innovation, security, reliability, and value. Empowering hustlers to stay productive on the go, and thrive with confidence,” said Justin Hume, Vice President: Mobile Experience at Samsung South Africa.
With Samsung Wallet, the Galaxy A17 transforms your phone into a powerful mobile payment tool. Whether you’re paying for supplies, grabbing a quick coffee, you can Samsung SOS+ tap and pay effortlessly. The Galaxy A17 supports your hustle by making transactions seamless, secure, and stress-free, so you can run much of your business straight from your phone.
The Galaxy A17 was built tough to withstand everyday challenges, which makes it awesome for your daily hustle. As you go about your grind, you can count on the phone’s IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, which offers durability that stands up to life’s unexpected spills, splashes, and scrapes. Samsung’s defense-grade security platform, Samsung Knox, ensures your private data remains protected from hackers and malware. The device also comes with six years of OS upgrades, and a two-year warranty, giving users lasting protection and performance.
For users’ security and peace of mind, the Galaxy A17 comes with Samsung SOS+, a free-to-use, 24/7 private emergency response service, available exclusively to new Galaxy A Series devices with 12 months of free access. In the event of an emergency, the service geolocates the user and dispatches private security and medical assistance on demand, anywhere in South Africa. For added peace of mind, users can opt into Samsung Care+1, protecting their device against accidental screen damage from just R99 per month.
The Galaxy A17 comes equipped with a 50MP OIS Triple Camera for sharp, blur-free shots – even in motion – making it perfect for capturing fast-paced moments, taking spontaneous selfies and documenting your everyday hustle. Its advanced low-light performance helps photos and videos look stunning, day or night. For Hustlers on the move, the Galaxy A17 offers more than just a camera, it’s a powerful content creation companion. Whether you’re showcasing products, capturing behind-the-scenes moments, or producing professional social media content on the go, the A17 helps you present your brand with clarity, and confidence.
Amongst other awesome features, the Galaxy A17 comes with Circle to Search, an intuitive AI-powered tool that lets you instantly search anything on screen with a simple gesture – unlocking smarter ways to explore and discover. On its large 6.7” Super AMOLED display, content shines with vibrant clarity, delivering an immersive viewing experience.
With 128GB of internal storage, 4+4GB RAM, and expandable storage up to 2TB, the Galaxy A17 ensures that you’ll never need to delete a memory. From playlists and project files to treasured photos and videos, everything you love stays safe in one place.
If you’re looking for an awesome, hustle-worthy device, the Galaxy A17 is built for you. Available in South Africa starting 1 October 2025, at Samsung retail stores, online, the Samsung Shop App, and through leading retailers and network operators, at the recommended retail price of R3,999
Samsung having been leading the way in foldable devices since the introduction of their Flip and Fold range which is already 6 years old already! While competitors have mimicked some of their creations, there isn't a doubt form the market who is the preferred brand to opt for when looking for a folding smart phone. There range which includes the flip which is a handy pocket size device that can fit into your shirt pocket and opens up onto your average size smart phone and the Galaxy Fold which is the size of your average size smart phone but opens up into a mini tablet. Depending on your use, but the Flip and Fold are great devices but they do come with a hefty price tag, with this in mind Samsung decided to launch their Galaxy Flip 7 device in a Fan Edition spec which offers the consumer the versatility of the folding feature but at a more attractive price range. I spent some time with it to see what its all about.
PROCESSING
The Flip7 FE uses Samsung’s Exynos 2400 chipset paired with 8 GB of RAM (FE positioning: “fan edition” / value tier). In normal phone tasks — social apps, scrolling, streaming, light gaming — the phone feels smooth and responsive thanks to the 120 Hz panel and Samsung’s software optimizations. However, the Exynos 2400 is a step down from the newer Exynos 2500 / flagship Snapdragon silicon in the non-FE Flip 7; under sustained heavy loads (long gaming sessions, big multi-tasking) you’ll see higher thermals and occasional frame drops compared with the flagship Flip 7. If raw GPU/NPU power for the most demanding mobile games or intense on-device AI tasks matters to you, the FE is competent but not class-leading.
SCREEN
Samsung carried over the Flip series’ core display hardware: a 6.7″ main AMOLED with 120 Hz refresh and a larger cover screen than older flip-style phones (the FE’s cover screen is smaller than the top Flip 7’s but still very usable for notifications, quick replies and camera previews). Build quality follows Samsung’s usual standard — a refined hinge mechanism and durable materials — but the FE intentionally trims some premium bits (simpler color options and fewer RAM/SoC upgrades) to hit a lower price. Expect the usual foldable tradeoffs: an ever-present crease, a careful approach to dust/water ingress compared to non-foldables, and the same sort of careful handling you’d give any recent foldable. What that means day-to-day: the panel is bright, smooth at 120 Hz, and the cover screen makes selfies + quick tasks genuinely faster than always opening the phone. If you’re new to foldables, this is one of the more approachable options.
CAMERA
Hardware: a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide, and a 10 MP selfie — the FE reuses much of the Flip 6/series camera recipe rather than radically upgrading sensors. The phone benefits from Samsung’s image processing and some of the newer ProVisual / AI processing tricks Samsung introduced across the 2025 lineup, but the FE’s less powerful NPU means some advanced AI features are less snappy or slightly less capable than on the flagship Flip 7.
Features you’ll actually use: single-take style shots, decent night modes, and strong daylight HDR. The outer cover screen is very useful for high-quality selfie framing with the main camera (saving you from the lower-quality internal selfie when you want the best results).
CAMERA QUALITY
Daylight / good light: Images are sharp, with solid detail from the 50 MP main sensor and pleasant colors that follow Samsung’s slightly punchy but generally pleasing tuning. Ultrawide is usable and well matched for perspective shots. Overall, very capable for social sharing and everyday photography.
Low light / night shots: The camera holds up reasonably well thanks to computational stacking and night modes, but you’ll notice more noise and occasional softness compared to top flagship foldables with the newest imaging engines. The FE’s chipset and thermal envelope limit how aggressively Samsung can push multi-frame processing.
Video: Stable, sharp in good light; slightly less headroom in extreme low light or long recording sessions versus the Flip 7. AF and stabilization are solid for everyday clips.
The camera hardware is very good for the price tier. If absolute best camera in class is your priority, flagship Flip 7 / Fold 7 or other flagships still edge it — but for most users the Flip7 FE’s camera will be more than satisfying.
BATTERY
The Flip7 FE packs a 4,000 mAh battery. In real-world testing and in Samsung’s own claims the phone typically delivers a full day of mixed usage (web, social, streaming, spot gaming), but it won’t match the endurance of larger-battery foldables (some competitors and the regular Flip 7 with its 4,300 mAh cell will last longer under heavy use). Charging is capped at ~25 W wired (15 W wireless, reverse wireless supported) — fine for overnight top-ups and medium-speed top-ups during the day but not “super-fast” compared to some non-foldable flagships.
If you’re a very heavy user (lots of gaming, long camera/video shoots or extended screen-on streaming), plan on topping up during the day. For light–moderate users, the FE will comfortably make it to bedtime.
Stylish Acessory
VERDICT
The Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is a smart, value-focused foldable: it brings the fun and convenience of Samsung’s Flip form factor and very good cameras into a lower price bracket, while accepting a few sensible compromises (mid-tier Exynos 2400, slightly smaller battery, more limited finishes). For most users who want a stylish, pocketable foldable for daily life and social photography, it’s an excellent pick — but power users and photo/video obsessives should compare it against the non-FE Flip 7 (and competing foldables) before deciding
Pricing is at R24,359 from Samsung Store but third party retailers have it priced cheaper.
Samsung's Galaxy S range has always been a favourite with most tech fundies and widely admired in the smart phone space. They normally set the standard of what should be norm in a phone and all their competitors keep a keen eye on their unboxing events when the latest S series is being debuted. The range topping Galaxy S Ultra devices are aimed more at the business folk who require a phone that can cope with the demands of phone calls, emails, messaging and view documents while on the go, but having the battery life to last more than a full working day. The latest version of this device which was launched earlier this year had Samsung fanboys drooling at what it had to offer, from the Galaxy pen which is integrated to the device to the telephoto zoom camera, it seems like the complete package, I got to experience the device first hand for a few weeks to see if it lived up to the hype.
WHATS IN THE BOX?
Like many other manufacturers, the boxes are getting smaller and smaller with less and less things inside, for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, its no different. It comes with a USB C charging cable, a pin to remove the SIM card slot and a booklet for the device and that's it. The Galaxy Pen is built-in to the device so its already inside. The box is pretty cool, but most of the people will just chuck it away.
DESIGN
The design of the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains that sleek uni-body design of old with slightly more detail and less of a bezel than before. While it is quite big in size, measuring in at 162.8mm x 77.6mm x 8.2mm, the device doesn't feel to cumbersome in hand like the previous Ultra's, weighing in at 218g its also not that heavy. The Display measures in at 6.9-inch and has a 92.5% screen to body ratio which ensures ultimate viewing. The material of the screen is the trusted Corning Gorilla Amror 2 Glass and it also features a glass back made from Gorilla Glass Victus 2, all of this is put together with a titanium grade 5 frame. It has a IP68 rating that is dust tight and water resistant, the device is immersible up to 1.5m for 30 minutes.
PERFORMANCE
Performance on the Galaxy S25 is driven by next-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processing unit that maximises on efficiency. The device has 12GB RAM with options ranging from 256GB to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage, this particular model was the 256GB which seems like a lot of space but once you start downloading applications, taking videos and pictures, it does tend to fill up pretty fast. What was great though, is that I had installed a lot of RAM intensive applications, like photo editors and video editors, the device coped just fine with these and didn't flinch at all when processing large documents. Thermal Management is controlled with an improved vapor chamber cooling to maintain sustained performance during gaming and multitasking. Real-world performance will be snappy and fluid, handling everything from high-end mobile gaming to 4K video editing with ease. AI-assisted performance optimization via Samsung Gauss will also become more prominent in managing resources and enhancing app performance over time. While I only had three weeks with the device, I can't fault the performance on it at all during my time with it and even though it can handle some high quality games, I only downloaded 8 Ball Pool and let me tell you, playing it on that huge screen was pretty awesome.
USER INTERFACE
Samsung's One UI 7.1, based on Android 15, is expected to be one of the S25’s key strengths. Samsung continues to lead with a feature-rich but refined interface. Customization: One UI now offers deeper lock screen and home screen customization, including dynamic theming and AI-generated wallpapers. AI Features: AI-driven suggestions for messaging, summarizing documents, live translation in calls, and camera scene optimization will be deeply integrated. Continuity: Samsung continues to integrate better Galaxy ecosystem continuity — seamless device switching, auto hotspot, and Samsung DeX improvements. Updates: Samsung will provide 7 years of software support, setting a new industry standard alongside Google. One UI remains one of the most polished Android skins, and with the S25’s AI and hardware backing, it’s expected to be even more responsive and intuitive.
CAMERA
Camera performance is often where Samsung shines, and the S25 Ultra sure does live up to the expertations with it having a triple main camera system consisting of a main lens that is a 200MP f/1.7 with a new custom ISOCELL GN6 sensor, offering better light sensitivity and sharper detail in low-light scenarios. Second lens being an Ultra-Wide 10MP sensor with enhanced distortion correction. And the third being a periscope telephoto 5x optical zoom via 50MP lens, with better stabilization, I tested this while driving and it was unreal how stable the footage was when zoomed in. The front facing camera is a 12MP punch-hole with improved AI-assisted portrait mode. This also helps in terms of light control and adjusts the glare if there is too much to give you the perfect selfie all the time. Some key features on the camera are AI Zoom Refinement, Samsung's AI will improve sharpness during digital zoom beyond 3x.Nightography 2.0 enables better low-light and astrophotography features. The video is what blew me away, it has 8K video at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, with Auto Frame and Voice Zoom enhancements. I took a few videos and one of the video review on the new E-Class which is up on the Blog Instagram page, which was completely shot on the S25 Ultra. Compared to the S24, the S25’s camera system focuses less on sensor count and more on software smarts, AI post-processing, and scene recognition to deliver DSLR-level results from a phone.
BATTERY
With it being a phone aimed at high earners whom are most likely professionals who are always on the go, the battery needs to be able to last more than your usual 8 hour working day, and the folks at Samsung had this in mind when they fitted the S25 Ultra with a 5000mAh in the base mode Charging features a 45W wired, 25W wireless, and reverse wireless charging supported. Smart battery optimization learns your usage patterns to extend life and slow down battery aging. Real-world usage: Expect 6.5–7 hours of screen-on time, which is solid for a compact flagship, I manged to get up-to 20 hours of usage on the device, my day usually starts at 5am and by 6am I'm at the gym watching Youtube as I train, then into the car, I'm connected to the car via Andriod Auto, during the day making multiple calls, using social media, taking the odd picture of my coffee, then back into the car for the commute home, more social media scrolling and messaging at night before its time to hit the bed by 11pm, by then most of the time there was still 30% of battery left. This is all thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4’s energy efficiency, paired with Samsung’s adaptive refresh rate and AI optimization that enhances the battery performance.
VERDICT
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a refined and intelligent flagship that continues Samsung's trend of blending cutting-edge hardware with smart software. While not revolutionary in design, it introduces meaningful upgrades in performance, AI integration, camera software, and battery efficiency. It has a lot going for it and as an iPhone Pro Max owner, when I posted I was reviewing this device on my social streams, I had a lot of iPhone owners asking me how is this device because they were bored of what Apple is offering at exorbitant pricing. I know exactly how they feel because I'm going through the same thing. The Pro's of the S25 Ultra are endless, such as excellent build and design refinement, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 ensures top-tier performance, its strong, long-lasting software support, the great camera system with enhanced AI and of course, the smooth, polished One UI 7.1 experience. Some things that I didn't like was the charging speed, compared to the Chinese products offering up to 120W charging, this seems to be lagging behind. Not much has changed in terms of the design and its hard to differentiate from the previous model and the pricing, while might be a bit more competitive to Apple, is till pretty pricey.
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