The world is gradually evolving as modern things arise every day. Introducing any modern thing definitely means that the older has been replaced. This exact scenario happened with IR blasters. Once upon a time, IR blasters were ruling the world of mobile phones. This was a phone feature that was so common in most Android phones. This hardware would help to send commands to other electronic devices, most especially a television. It was used synonymously with a remote control to change TV channels and add volume, among other commands.
Regardless of these incredible benefits, it’s unfortunate that phone manufacturers have stopped embracing this feature. In fact, phone manufacturers like Samsung stopped embedding this hardware in their devices. However, just as the saying “old is gold” a lot of phone users still cling to this feature. Despite the fact that Samsung introduced incredible phones with breathtaking features, it’s in our understanding that some customers are still in search of older Samsung phones with IR blaster. Today we come with good news that although Samsung stopped manufacturing these phones, it’s still possible to find one in the market. If you are desperately in need of Samsung phone with IR blaster, we conducted this research for you. In this page, we will bring you a list of Samsung phones with IR blaster and other brands of phones with this feature. We will also help you know what to expect when using this feature and all the precautions to take. Kindly stick with us and learn more.
What Is An IR Blaster On A Phone?
Before we expound on our topic “Samsung phone with IR blaster”, we will first help you understand what this feature means. IR is short-formed from the word infrared, forming the word infrared blaster. Just as aforementioned, infrared blaster is hardware that was once inscribed in many phones to transmit infrared signals to other electronic devices. This feature was meant to send infrared signals to several electronic devices but most users would use it with a television. Most televisions, especially Samsung smart TVs were compatible with IR Blasters. With an IR blaster feature in your phone, you would be able to change your TV channel, Switch it on or off among other commands.
Besides televisions, IR blaster on your phone would be able to control your computers and other external devices like Blu-ray player, DVD, set-top box, air-conditioning units and cable box. An IR blaster on your phone literally doubles it up as a universal remote. As long as your electronic device is compatible with IR blaster, you will be able to enjoy unmatched convenience.
Which Samsung Phone Comes With IR Blaster
As aforementioned, Samsung stopped embedding IR blasters on their phones. This tells that only older models of this brand that has an IR blister. The sad fact is that newer Samsung phone models lack IR blasters. Below is a list of all Samsung phones that has IR blaster.
- Samsung Galaxy J
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
- Samsung galaxy round
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3
- Samsung SHG-E715
- Samsung Galaxy S6
- Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini
- Samsung SGH-X200
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
- Samsung SPH-i700
- Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
- Samsung Galaxy S6
How Do I Know If My Phone Has IR Blaster?
It’s no doubt that IR blaster on phones was so common in the old days. This however, doesn’t mean that all phones come with this feature. If you are set to buy a phone with an IR Blaster, it’s important to first check whether it has this feature or not. Luckily, our research will come through for you. Through following the following tips, you will be able to establish whether your phone has an IR blaster before purchase:
- Try locating it: One good thing about IR blasters is that they are normally located on the top edge of your phone and thus easy to locate. More often than not, IR blasters are represented by a rectangle or circle looking indent on top of your phone. However, this tip is not so efficient because your phone might have other similar indents for other functions.
- Confirm from your phone’s manual: When you buy a phone, it usually comes with manual with detailed information about your phone. This manual has all the features and specifications of your device. If your phone has an IR Blaster therefore, it must be indicated in the manual.
- Research on your phone’s specifications: You can know whether your phone has IR blaster by researching online. You can consult your phone’s manufacturer’s official website online or on other reliable sites.
- Use third-party apps: If the above tips are not effective, you can install a free third-party app, Phone Tester, from your google play store. This app will identify an IR sensor on your phone. Apart from third-party Apps, you can consult sites like GSMArena.com and establish whether your phone has this feature. Alternatively, you can check our list of phones with IR blaster below to confirm whether your phone in the list:
How Can I Enable IR Blaster On My Samsung Phone
If your Samsung phone has an IR blaster, it should have an in-built IR blaster for control. To enable IR blaster on your Samsung phone, use the following procedure depending with the model of your phone:
- On your phone, open your IR app. If it’s pre-installed, go ahead and install it.
- On your App, you will be asked whether it’s your first time opening your IR blaster. Follow all the on-screen instructions to grant any required permission.
- Most apps come with a built-in list of compatible devices. On the list, select the brand and model of the device you want to control with your IR blaster. Note that some apps will require you to enter your component’s universal code. Worry not because you can search these codes on the internet.
- Once you select your device, your app will display instructions on how to link them. Follow these on-screen instructions to set up your device.
- The final step is to point your phone on the device you want to control for your IR blaster to work.
Which Samsung Phone Does Not Come With IR Blaster
The newer models of Samsung phones do not come with IR blaster. Mostly, Samsung phones with IR blasters are phones released from the year 2013 to 2015. Therefore, Samsung phones released after 2015 lack an IR blaster. These are phones like:
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
- Galaxy A73 5G
- Galaxy A13
- Galaxy A23
- Galaxy A33 5G
- Galaxy A03
- Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Samsung S9
- Samsung S10
- Samsung Galaxy S22+ and so on.
Can I Install IR Blaster On My Samsung Phone?
It’s not really possible to install IR blaster on your Samsung phone. As we mentioned earlier, IR blaster is hardware and not software. This means that this feature comes installed in your phone right from the manufacturer.
Note that some phones already come with an inbuilt IR blaster APP if your phone lacks this app, perhaps the app is pre-installed. In this case, it will be so easy to install in your phone from the google play store. However, this is only possible if your phone has the feature inscribed right from the manufacturer.
Why Does Samsung No Longer Include IR Blasters In Their Phones And Tablets
There are several speculated reasons as to why Samsung stopped including IR blasters on their phones. However, Samsung has not given an explanation for their actions yet. One of the many possibilities is that Samsung introduced smartThing. This is an open platform that now controls most of their electronic devices. Samsung TVs, washing machines and other products have smartThings ecosystem that doesn’t require IR blasters to operate. Therefore excluding IR blasters from their phones was a selling point for Samsung smartThing electronics.
List Of Other Android Phones That Comes With IR Blaster
Besides Samsung, there are other models and brands of phones that come with an IR blaster. These are phones like:
- Motorola A760
- Motorola A925
- Nokia 8810
- Nokia 8910
- Nokia E66
- Redmi 10
- Redmi 5
- Redmi 3
- Redmi note 4
- Redmi note 5
- LG G5
- LG GX
- LG Optimus G pro
- LG V10
- LG v20
- Huawei P10
- Huawei P30
- Huawei mate 9
- Honor 7
- Honor 8
- Honor 8 pro
- HTC One M9
- HTC One Max
Can I Use My Samsung Phone As A Remote Without IR Blaster?
Yes. Fortunately, there are other third-party solutions that you can use to command your electronic devices with a Samsung phone even without an IR blaster. For instance, you can consider busing a dongle, adapter or plug-in. This will help you to use your phone as a remote even without an IR blaster,
How Do I Control AC With IR Blaster?
If you have an IR blaster in your phone and want to control an AC, download AnyMote Smart Remote and use in to control your air conditioning system.
Advantages Of Using An IR Blaster On A Phone
The main advantage of using an IR blaster on your phone is that you can use it to control your older electronic devices that lack wireless connections or the SmartThing technology. Below are other advantages associated with this hardware:
- It is user friendly
- With it, you can handle all your electronic devices in a room while just seated
- This feature can be configured to work with specific devices
- IR blaster gives you the much needed freedom to control connected devices through voice or gesture
- You can control several units with one device at a time
Precautions While Using An IR Blaster On A Phone
While using an IR blaster on your phone, please take the following precautions:
- Make sure your phone with an IR blaster is located close to an external device that is connected to your television
- Make sure there is no block or obstacle between your phone with an IR blaster and the external device that is receiving demands.
- While using your IR blaster to control units, the recipient devices must be in line of sight
Disadvantages Of Using An IR Blaster On A Phone
- The effectiveness of an infrared blaster is easy affected or hindered by objects
- Although IR blaster can control several objects at a time, it’s hard to control objects that are not in line of sight
- IR blaster mostly supports shorter ranges only
Is IR Sensor Harmful To Eyes?
Yes. Looking directly into the light emitted by your IR sensor can cause impaired visions or other related eye problems. Therefore, it’s important to wear safety glasses as a protective measure.
