Exynos 8890: Samsung’s Powerful Flagship Chipset Is Official

We all knew how powerful the Exynos 7420 was (present in the likes of Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Galaxy Note 5). But now we have a successor for this chipset- the Samsung Exynos 8890. Unlike Exynos 7420, Exynos 8890 is processed on the 14nm FinFET LPP architecture (its predecessor was made on the 14nm FinFET LPE process), making it even more efficient. Another difference over here is that the newly announced chip is an integrated ‘one-chip’ solution.

In short, what this means is that everything is going to be present in a single die, making it much more energy efficient than its predecessors. Dr. Kyushik Hong, the Vice President of System LSI, stated:

• “The Exynos 8 Octa is a leading-edge application processor for next-generation mobile devices that incorporates Samsung’s mobile technology leadership in CPU, ISP, and modem as well as process technology. With our custom designed CPU cores and the industry’s most advanced LTE modem, consumers using mobile devices with the Exynos 8 Octa will experience a new level of mobile computing.”

The chip is also going to be the first to feature Samsung’s custom developed cores and apart from this, the chipset will have a Category 12 LTE modem in order to deliver the best possible download and upload speeds while connected to a LTE network. This will obviously depend on the maximum download and upload speeds provided by your service provider, but it is safe to say that Samsung is progressing further than the other chipset manufacturers out there.

Huawei’s Kirin 950 will definitely have some competition when it squares off against Exynos 8890 and Snapdragon 820, which is also made on the same 14nm FinFET LPE manufacturing process as Samsung’s newly announced chipset. With 30 percent more processing power and 10 percent more energy efficient than Exynos 7420, it looks like Samsung’s upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S7 will feature the new chipset. Exynos 8890 features an octa-core processor. Four of those processing cores belong to Samsung, while the remaining four belong to ARM Cortex-A53.

We are sure that Exynos 8890 will not only be limited to Galaxy S7 as Samsung will be looking to partner up with several smartphone manufacturers as well. Regardless of what the company’s decision will be, Samsung has shown once more that it is a force to watch out for in the mobile chipset industry.

Zong Holds Ceremony for the Launch of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

Zong marked the official launch of latest iPhone 6s and 6s Plus for its customers at a ceremony arranged at company’s Experience & Service Centre in Islamabad.

As per set pattern prescribed by Apple, Zong has been given special mandate to launch Apple’s latest smartphones in Islamabad. A number of Zong customers that had pre-booked their latest iPhones one week prior to its official launch along with other senior officials including Babar Bajwa, Chief Commercial Officer Zong gathered at Zong’s Experience Center to witness the occasion.

Mr. Liu Dianfeng, CEO Zong, along with officials of the company, present at the launch of iPhone 6S and 6S Plus in Islamabad

Babar Bajwa CCO Zong handed-over first iPhone 6s to a customer that is resident of Islamabad.

Speaking at the occasion Mr Bajwa said, “We, at Zong, endeavor to bring innovative solutions through latest technologies to our customers in Pakistan. We are proud that we have taken another leap forward by bringing the world’s latest smartphone devices with distinction. Our customers now can experience the true speed of 4G/LTE on latest smartphones by iPhone which is a perfect technology match”.

Babar Bajwa, Chief Commercial Officer, Zong, handing over iPhone 6S to Shumail Khan company’s first iPhone 6S customer at Zong’s Experience Center in Islamaba

First 100 iPhone customers received Mifi devices worth Rs 6,000/- from Zong that was an add-on for them. Most of the customers immediately unsealed their iPhones and started enjoying fastest internet speed besides taking selfies and sharing with their near and dear ones.

iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will soon be available on selected Zong Customer Service Centres nationwide paired with official warranty.

Zong is offering iPhone 6s and 6s plus on 6% and 10% discount with 3 months and 6 months 

Govt to Giveaway Laptops by Slashing Budget for Water Development, Social Projects

As a looming water crisis faces the whole country due to the lack of access to clean drinking water, the government is slashing budget for water and social services to make room for the “Prime Minister’s Youth Package”, states a recent World Bank report.

Minister of Federal Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, had previously warned about the looming water crisis but still couldn’t get the required funds for the water development sector.

A Look at Some Numbers

Youth Laptop schemes and infrastructure projects (e.g. Metro Bus, Orange Line) have been adjusted into this fiscal year’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

PSDP is allocated for the development of public services to improve the living standards of the general population.

According to the report, federal public sector development budget is Rs 700 billion for the fiscal year 2015-16. Out of the listed budget, a whopping Rs 386 billion (55%) have been allocated to infrastructure projects like roads, bridges and similar construction projects. PM Youth Scheme (Laptop scheme) has been allocated the second highest amount with Rs 120 billion (17%).

In comparison, budget for water has been reduced by close to 50 percent, comprising a mere 4.3 percent (Rs 30.4 billion). Social sector budget was already a scanty 10 percent during the previous year, which has now been cut to just 6.2 percent (Rs 43.6 billion).


Higher Education, which should have been the highest priority for any government, has seen its funds reduced yet again. The Higher Education sector was already getting a small share from the federal budget but now it has been slashed to a mere 2.9 percent, down from 3.8 percent. The declining Railways sector has seen a cut in its budget to 5.9 percent (Rs 41 billion) from 7.5 percent.

During the two phases so far, Prime Minister’s laptop schemes have used up over Rs 44 billion since the  year 2013. The Punjab Chief Minister’s laptop schemes have also been funded by billions of rupees over the past few years.

Similarly, Rawalpindi’s Metro Bus Project saw Rs 1 billion transferred from the District Fund resulting in the abandonment of a Holy Family hospital in Rawat, a Burn Unit in Rawat, Park at Rawal Road and water supply schemes for Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan and Murree.

A Worrisome Trend

Infrastructure and PM laptop schemes now comprise almost three-fourths of the whole PSDP budget. World Bank’s report states that infrastructure development and youth schemes have been priorities over basic necessities.

Sources from the Planning Ministry claim that projects from the previous government’s tenure have been quietly wound up. Not only has the diversion in budget priorities left little for other sectors, currently active projects have also slowed down or shut down due to lack of funds.

World Bank also criticises use of vertical health programmes. Vertical programmes are special projects funded temporarily until the programme has completed its objective. Currently, the Federal government is funding 16 vertical programmes including 9 health schemes. Instead of improving the health sector as a whole, the government is focused on vertical programmes outside of the current system.

Finally, the World Bank report ends with criticising the violation of the 18th Amendment vis-a-vis the 7th NFC Award. The Federal Government, in direct contravention of the Constitution, retained control of major vertical programmes from the provincial government.


It’s disappointing to say the least that the government chose to quietly cut down on basic necessities just to power infrastructure and laptop schemes. In the long run, this could hurt the progress of the country and its population.