Apple and Samsung set to unveil flagship devices early September

by Mark Tyson on 6 August 2014, 13:15

Tags: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Samsung (005935.KS), PC

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qachhb

Add to My Vault: x

Rivals Apple and Samsung have reportedly both scheduled big media events for early September for the launch of key flagship devices. Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone 6 on 9th Sept and Samsung hosts its Unpacked launch event in three cities simultaneously worldwide on 3rd Sept.

Apple iPhone 6

Re/code claims that Apple has planned this event, related to the iPhone, without referring to any sources. However it fits the usual timeline, as Apple traditionally launches its newest version of iPhone in September. Going by past releases, the iPhone 6 could be set to go on sale to the public from Friday 19th Sept giving the company 9 days to generate revenue for its September quarter.

It is unclear if we will be seeing both the rumoured 4.7 and 5.5-inch models, but as usual, Apple is keeping the lid sealed and has not yet officially confirmed the date, nor any information about its new smartphone. The upcoming handset will be Apple's ninth iPhone model since the original launched back in 2007. Many have speculated that the smaller version will be made available first.

Samsung's Unpacked event

Samsung has sent out official invites for an upcoming Unpacked event, which is also scheduled for early September, on the 3rd. The South Korean tech giant tends to hold two Unpacked events each year and this one will be held simultaneously in three cities: Berlin, Beijing and New York at 9am ET. If you don't live in any of these cities you can catch the action via Live Streaming on Samsung Mobile's YouTube Channel.

At the upcoming show the company is expected to show off both its Galaxy Note 4 phablet and the Galaxy Alpha, a premium metal bodied version of the current S5 flagship. The invite contains a sketch of the Air Command menu, giving more than a subtle hint that a new Galaxy Note device will be the star of the event. Other devices such as smart watches, bands and headsets may feature at the event as Samsung continues to try and create a breakthrough device which will find the wearables market's seam of gold.



HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
Pretty happy with my LG at the moment, so I'm not an Alpha or iPhone6 prospective customer, (although the Alpha is supposedly Snapdragon 805-based but if LG want to do an 805-based G3 then I'd maybe consider an upgrade)

Instead there's two items of interest to me:
1. That Samsung might push the Note as the main launch at this event - kind of a tacit admittance that the S5 hasn't been as successful as previous models;
2. Large screen iPhone (iPhone6-Max?). Having a 5.5“ screen'd phone, I'd obviously be curious to see how the ”market leader" is for handle-ability. LG did a pretty good job (imho) with the G3.
With Samsung and Apple not selling as many phones as the previous years, and HTC, Sony and LG not really selling many more than usual - makes you wonder if people are hanging onto the likes of their S3, Note 2 etc and opting for cheaper contracts as these phones still do everything that a 2014 phone will do.

Personally , I've had my Note 2 for 22 months, Sim Free on a rolling month by month contract for £12.90 with unlimited data and I've no interest in upgrading as nothing, literally nothing it can't do any different than the latest 2014 phones.
Sony might have something to show too..
Brewster0101
With Samsung and Apple not selling as many phones as the previous years, and HTC, Sony and LG not really selling many more than usual - makes you wonder if people are hanging onto the likes of their S3, Note 2 etc and opting for cheaper contracts as these phones still do everything that a 2014 phone will do.

Personally , I've had my Note 2 for 22 months, Sim Free on a rolling month by month contract for £12.90 with unlimited data and I've no interest in upgrading as nothing, literally nothing it can't do any different than the latest 2014 phones.
I know where you're coming from. The main reason I got rid of my S3 for a G3 because some Samsung update made it run like a complete dog, and maybe if Samsung had done the Kitkat update then perhaps I would have kept it. That said, I've got no app that needs Kitkat - and with the SD card issues perhaps it could be argued that KK is a retrograde step!

Samsung in particular have problems when you hear comments that the S5 is “just this years spin on the S2 design”. And personally if the headline item for a new phone is “fingerprint scanner” then I think the manufacturer has run out of steam.

Your point about the contracts is also interesting - as it's definitely bad news for the mobile phone networks who, I believe, make a good amount from using contract phones as a way to lock in their customers. A SIM free customer on the other hand is usually a lot more difficult to snare. I'm a case in point - my S3 has been on 3, T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile and I'd not regard myself as an aggressive switcher. I wouldn't buy a contract phone - it's a bad fit for me.
I've had my Galaxy Note for nearly 3 years now and it's starting to show. Along with the RAM that cannot be TRIMmed due to a fault with it (cannot have android 4.2 which has TRIM support as it will brick the phone.. again with that fault). it's just plain old slow. It needs replacing and the Note 4 is just the device to do it.

I already have the funds in my bank account. Roll on September!! Yay.