Share

Samsung unveils new phablets

Berlin - South Korean giant Samsung unveiled the next generation of its pioneering "phablet" and "smartwatch" gadgets at the IFA consumer electronics fair on Wednesday in a bid to keep ahead of arch-rival Apple.

It also surprised technophiles with a virtual reality headset, the Samsung VR.

As media hype builds over the Apple's latest launch next week, Samsung pulled out all the stops to push its own new Galaxy Note 4 at a special event held two days before the IFA officially opens its doors.

Berlin was the launch pad three years ago for Samsung's first-ever "phablet" - a cross between a smartphone and tablet computer - the original Galaxy Note.

And the new devices are taking the markets by storm, particularly among mobile gamers in Asia.

The Galaxy Note 4 is "more enjoyable and more efficient" than its predecessors, said sales and marketing chief DJ Lee.

The new phone has been given a new design with a metal casing, a more resistant screen with better resolution.

Its built-in camera and microphone and its battery have also been optimised.

The Galaxy Note 4 comes with an electronic pen with which the user can multi-task between different applications and move pictures and deposit them where they want on the screen.

Simultaneously, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note Edge, which is another new version of its iconic device with a curved screen.

"Because the mainstream flagship smartphones have grown bigger, it is becoming harder for Samsung to differentiate the Note," said IHS analyst Ian Fogg.

Another exciting new move by Samsung was its VR virtual reality headset, developed in collaboration with the Californian start-up Oculus Rift.

The headset acts as an add-on to the Galaxy Note 4, turning the image on the phone onto the immersive 3D display and is targeted primarily at the video game market, said IHS analyst Piers Harding-Rolls.

The shadow of Apple is looming large over this year's IFA - which opens on Friday - even though the iconic US brand traditionally snubs the five-day event, Europe's biggest.

Apple has sent out invitations to a mystery unveiling of its own on September 9 and that is likely to upstage any of the announcements made by its rivals at the Berlin show, analysts said.

Rumours about Apple's plans have been swirling for months, with many observers expecting it to unveil an iPhone 6, marking a move into the "phablet" sector.

But Apple might also unveil an "iWatch", a wrist-worn device that links wirelessly to its iconic iPhones or iPads.

Samsung pioneered both the phablet and the smartwatch and presented a new version of the latter, the Galaxy Gear S, on Wednesday.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.97
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.97
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.48
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.4%
Platinum
907.94
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.30
+1.3%
Gold
2,215.39
+0.9%
Silver
24.91
+1.1%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders