Samsung Galaxy S4 an evolution of S III, not revolution?
NEW YORK: Samsung unveiled a slim, feature-rich Galaxy S4 as its new champion to take on Apple in the fiercely competitive smartphone arena.
While some industry analysts gave a thumbs up to the new phone and the plethora of features it boasts of, others refrained from terming it as a path-breaking product. Comparing it to Samsung Galaxy S3, technology analyst Jeff Kagan said, "The Samsung Galaxy S4 is very good, but looks like an evolution to the S3, not a revolution."
"It is now clearly Samsung's flagship device; jam-packed with technology," said Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg. He also added, "the question is how many of these features will resonate with consumers."
Samsung played up its online hub for music, books, and video and the ease with which the S4 can share video with televisions made by the company.
"At this point, smartphones are all about software and ecosystems; showing up with compelling hardware is the expected starting point," Gartenberg said.
"This is about a Samsung ecosystem that happens to be built on Android."
S4 features include a high-definition, five-inch (12.7-centimeter) screen, enhanced picture-taking capabilities and the capacity to translate to and from nine languages.
"For each of us, life is a journey," said Samsung mobile communications division head JK Shin. "What we want is a device that can join us on that journey; a companion that helps us experience life in the fullest."
Samsung has become the top smartphone maker worldwide with a 29 per cent market share, according to IDC, while in the US market Apple remains the king and sells more than one of every three mobile phones.
While some industry analysts gave a thumbs up to the new phone and the plethora of features it boasts of, others refrained from terming it as a path-breaking product. Comparing it to Samsung Galaxy S3, technology analyst Jeff Kagan said, "The Samsung Galaxy S4 is very good, but looks like an evolution to the S3, not a revolution."
"It is now clearly Samsung's flagship device; jam-packed with technology," said Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg. He also added, "the question is how many of these features will resonate with consumers."
Samsung played up its online hub for music, books, and video and the ease with which the S4 can share video with televisions made by the company.
"At this point, smartphones are all about software and ecosystems; showing up with compelling hardware is the expected starting point," Gartenberg said.
"This is about a Samsung ecosystem that happens to be built on Android."
S4 features include a high-definition, five-inch (12.7-centimeter) screen, enhanced picture-taking capabilities and the capacity to translate to and from nine languages.
"For each of us, life is a journey," said Samsung mobile communications division head JK Shin. "What we want is a device that can join us on that journey; a companion that helps us experience life in the fullest."
Samsung has become the top smartphone maker worldwide with a 29 per cent market share, according to IDC, while in the US market Apple remains the king and sells more than one of every three mobile phones.
