Samsung Electronics plans to unveil the latest in its
Galaxy line, the S4, at a European technology exhibition in February,
according to company officials and local parts suppliers for the
technology giant.
The timetable was released just three days after rival Apple introduced
the iPhone 5, which has received a mixed response from industry experts
and consumers as it is seemingly lacking in innovative features.
``Samsung is ready to unveil the next Galaxy smartphone _ the Galaxy S4 _
at early next year’s mobile world congress (MWC) in the Spanish city of
Barcelona,’’ said an official from the firm asking not to be
identified, Sunday. The new device is expected to hit shelves globally
in March at the latest.
MWC is the biggest exhibition in the world for telecom companies and Samsung, will exhibit the new Galaxy at its booth.
The new Galaxy, expected to be the firm’s most powerful handset yet in
terms of hardware specifications and software advancement, will help the
Suwon-based outfit further cement its leadership in the global
smartphone market.
The official said that the smartphone, due out nine months after the May
debut of the Galaxy S3, will be more than enough to curb Apple’s latest
iPhone, compatible with long-term evolution (LTE) networks.
In Europe, Samsung is gaining a bigger share of the smartphone market.
The Korean company was involved in patent disputes with Apple in
Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. A recent ruling in the
U.K. said Samsung didn’t infringe on Apple’s design patents.
Executives from Samsung’s local parts suppliers said the company’s new
flagship smartphone will ``definitely use’’ LTE networks. It will also
sport its in-house Exynos-branded application processors and quad-core
chips. The S3 is using both Samsung’s Exynos and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon
processors depending on the country.
``Samsung is asking Apple to pay more to use its mobile application
processors produced at its plant in Austin, Texas. The release of the S4
means more market share for Samsung as it is the only firm that can
guarantee on-time delivery, output commitment and better pricing for
mobile application processors,’’ said one executive.
The screen size of the S4 is expected to reach 5-inch from the the
current 4.8 screen size of the S3, while it will use Google’s Android
software and sport an OLED display, said the officials.
"Unbreakable" OLED display manufactured from plastics rather than
glass. Indeed, the 4.99-inch display is expected to be Samsung's first
handset at 1080p, with a pixel density of 441 ppi.
But Samsung has yet to decide whether it will use flexible display
technology for the upcoming Galaxy due to production problems
encountered by Samsung Display.
Samsung Display officials declined to comment on the new Samsung smartphone project.
``Samsung wants to keep its one-year product schedule and the Galaxy S4
will be the first to match that strategy. The S4 will see some external
changes but retain its popular rectangular shape with rounded corner
concept,’’ said an official from one of Samsung’s local partners.
Samsung is currently in talks with major American carriers to apply modified phone designs.
Market analysts and experts view the S4 as a ``clear message’’ to Apple.
``Samsung’s edges in manufacturing will further shine after the patent
disputes go further on. In markets, Samsung is confident to widen its
lead over Apple, though the legal fight is a totally separate issue,’’
said an industry executive who is familiar with the matter.
Samsung expects sales of the S3 to pass 30 million by the end of the
year. It has already sold 20 million in just over three months.
The S4 will help Samsung take on Apple in the United States, according
to officials. Market research firm IDC shows Samsung has a 30 percent
share, globally, while Apple has 16 percent. But NPD’s recent data shows
Apple controls 31 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, followed by
Samsung on 24 percent.
The S4 plans come amid escalating patent disputes between the two
technology giants in 50 different cases on four continents. Apple won a
victory last month after a United States jury found the Korean firm
copied key features of the iPhone and awarded Apple $1.05 billion in
damages.
Last week, the International Trade Commission (ITC) of the United States
backed the verdict, ruling Apple didn’t violate patents owned by
Samsung Electronics in making the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad.
U.S. Federal Judge Lucy Koh is scheduled to hold a hearing on Dec. 6 to
consider Apple’s request for a permanent U.S. sales ban of eight Samsung
smartphone models and the firm’s tablet following the jury’s verdict.
Seven of the eight smartphones that Apple is seeking to ban are part of
the Galaxy line.
Samsung Teaser : http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/?p=20738
POST Source: Korea Times
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