Samsung promises phone made from ‘new materials’ to counter competition
Samsung has confirmed that it will launch a smartphone made from “new materials” within the next six months to counter increased competition. The announcement comes a day after sources revealed Samsung’s plan to launch the Galaxy Alpha, a device made out of metal, just next week.
During an earnings call in South Korea on Thursday, Samsung senior vice president of mobile Kim Hyun-joon confirmed that the company’s net profit fell for the first time in nearly three years in the second quarter thanks to weaker-than-expected smartphone sales.
Kim promised two “high-end” smartphones before the end of the year that hope to keep Samsung ahead amid tougher competition from rivals. In addition to the handset made from new materials, there will also be another with a “large screen,” The Wall Street Journal reports.
Kim didn’t share any details about these devices, but we can assume the handset with a large screen will be Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy Note 4, which is expected to make its debut at IFA 2014 in Berlin this September. Specifications could include a flexible display and a new ultraviolet sensor that will help users stay safe in the sun.
As for the phone made from new materials, that’s likely to be the Galaxy Alpha, which will make its debut on August 4, according to the reliable SamMobile. Unlike its siblings, the Alpha is expected to have a metallic chassis that provides a more premium look and feel – but it will retain the flimsy plastic back panel synonymous with Samsung devices.
Samsung has received lots of criticism for its devotion to tacky plastic while competitors like Apple and HTC have embraced aluminum and other premium materials. Back in May, the company replaced the head of its mobile design center, Chang Dong-hoon, with former vice president of mobile design Lee Min-Hyuk.
