This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33859952
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 unveiled | Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 unveiled |
(34 minutes later) | |
Samsung has announced two new large high-end Android handsets: the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5. | |
Both phones have 5.7in (14.5cm) screens and are going on sale earlier in the year than their previous generations. | Both phones have 5.7in (14.5cm) screens and are going on sale earlier in the year than their previous generations. |
The launches follow five successive falls in Samsung Electronics' quarterly profits. | The launches follow five successive falls in Samsung Electronics' quarterly profits. |
Analysts say the popularity of mid-range phones from Chinese rivals, and Apple's shift to bigger iPhones, have dented demand for Samsung's devices. | Analysts say the popularity of mid-range phones from Chinese rivals, and Apple's shift to bigger iPhones, have dented demand for Samsung's devices. |
However, the firm remains the world leader in terms of overall smartphone shipments. | However, the firm remains the world leader in terms of overall smartphone shipments. |
The announcements were made at a press conference in New York. | The announcements were made at a press conference in New York. |
The company also revealed that its smart wallet service, Samsung Pay - which allows the phones to trigger payment card transactions - would go live in South Korea on 20 August. | The company also revealed that its smart wallet service, Samsung Pay - which allows the phones to trigger payment card transactions - would go live in South Korea on 20 August. |
That service will be extended to the US on 28 September and then to the UK and Spain at an unspecified date. | |
No Note for Europe | No Note for Europe |
Like previous versions of the Note, the new version comes with a stylus - which Samsung says makes it suitable for productivity tasks. But the phone now has metal edges and a glass back to give it a more "premium" feel. | Like previous versions of the Note, the new version comes with a stylus - which Samsung says makes it suitable for productivity tasks. But the phone now has metal edges and a glass back to give it a more "premium" feel. |
In a change of strategy, the South Korean firm has no plans at present to release the Note 5 in Europe - a decision it says is purely for marketing reasons. | In a change of strategy, the South Korean firm has no plans at present to release the Note 5 in Europe - a decision it says is purely for marketing reasons. |
One company-watcher said that could be a mistake. | One company-watcher said that could be a mistake. |
"The Note would have been a good fit for Europe's enterprise market, and if Samsung expects the S6 Edge+ to attract the same business users I don't believe it will succeed," commented Francisco Jeronimo from market research firm IDC. | "The Note would have been a good fit for Europe's enterprise market, and if Samsung expects the S6 Edge+ to attract the same business users I don't believe it will succeed," commented Francisco Jeronimo from market research firm IDC. |
Unlike last year, there is no "edge" edition of the Note. | Unlike last year, there is no "edge" edition of the Note. |
Instead, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is targeted at those who want a "phablet"-sized handset with curved sides. | Instead, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is targeted at those who want a "phablet"-sized handset with curved sides. |
The "plus" in its name refers to the fact that its screen is both 0.6in (1.5cm) larger than the earlier edition and more scratch-resistant. | The "plus" in its name refers to the fact that its screen is both 0.6in (1.5cm) larger than the earlier edition and more scratch-resistant. |
It now has an extra gigabyte of memory, taking it up to 4GB of RAM to aid multi-tasking, but uses the same in-house Exynos processor as before. | It now has an extra gigabyte of memory, taking it up to 4GB of RAM to aid multi-tasking, but uses the same in-house Exynos processor as before. |
This marks a change from the S5 Plus, which was the same size but contained a faster processor than the original S5. | This marks a change from the S5 Plus, which was the same size but contained a faster processor than the original S5. |
The two new phones also introduce a couple of new features: | The two new phones also introduce a couple of new features: |
Ahead of Apple | Ahead of Apple |
The decision to host a standalone press conference for the handsets marks a change of strategy for Samsung. | The decision to host a standalone press conference for the handsets marks a change of strategy for Samsung. |
All the previous versions of the Note were unveiled at Germany's annual Ifa tech show, which is still three weeks away. The S5 Plus was announced last October in a low-key press release. | All the previous versions of the Note were unveiled at Germany's annual Ifa tech show, which is still three weeks away. The S5 Plus was announced last October in a low-key press release. |
One of the benefits of announcing the new models together at this point is that it should give Samsung about a month's lead on Apple - reports suggest the US firm will update its own smartphones on 9 September. | One of the benefits of announcing the new models together at this point is that it should give Samsung about a month's lead on Apple - reports suggest the US firm will update its own smartphones on 9 September. |
Samsung acknowledged its schedule had been influenced by its rival's diary. | Samsung acknowledged its schedule had been influenced by its rival's diary. |
"Of course, we're not alone in the market and we take the whole [sector] into consideration to find the best opportunity," Jean-Daniel Ayme, vice president of Samsung Electronic's European telecom operations told the BBC. | "Of course, we're not alone in the market and we take the whole [sector] into consideration to find the best opportunity," Jean-Daniel Ayme, vice president of Samsung Electronic's European telecom operations told the BBC. |
"It's fair to say that we're in a market which has competition, and we welcome that - it's a maturing market all around the world and we thrive in developing new opportunities, new devices that will grow the business." | "It's fair to say that we're in a market which has competition, and we welcome that - it's a maturing market all around the world and we thrive in developing new opportunities, new devices that will grow the business." |
One tech industry analyst addressed the point more directly. | One tech industry analyst addressed the point more directly. |
"Mid-August is an unusual time for a launch - it's a quiet month when half of Europe is on holiday," said Ian Fogg from IHS Technology. | "Mid-August is an unusual time for a launch - it's a quiet month when half of Europe is on holiday," said Ian Fogg from IHS Technology. |
"One reason Samsung may have done this was to get the announcements out ahead of all the other smartphone makers - both those at Ifa and Apple afterwards. | "One reason Samsung may have done this was to get the announcements out ahead of all the other smartphone makers - both those at Ifa and Apple afterwards. |
"The other rationale is that it needs to get these new models into the market quickly because it's under competitive pressure, and has accelerated its launch plans." | "The other rationale is that it needs to get these new models into the market quickly because it's under competitive pressure, and has accelerated its launch plans." |
Samsung's launch, however, has coincided with Xiaomi's surprise unveiling of a new phablet - the Redmi Note 2 - earlier in the day at a Beijing event. | Samsung's launch, however, has coincided with Xiaomi's surprise unveiling of a new phablet - the Redmi Note 2 - earlier in the day at a Beijing event. |
Mr Fogg added that he too believed the decision not to launch the Note 5 in Europe was "surprising and "disappointing". | Mr Fogg added that he too believed the decision not to launch the Note 5 in Europe was "surprising and "disappointing". |
"One of Samsung's challenges is that although both products will not be available globally, the announcement will be communicated globally," he said. | "One of Samsung's challenges is that although both products will not be available globally, the announcement will be communicated globally," he said. |
"One of the risks is that consumers will learn of both products, not be able to buy one of them in certain geographies and then defer their purchase." | "One of the risks is that consumers will learn of both products, not be able to buy one of them in certain geographies and then defer their purchase." |
The new phones go on sale on 21 August. |
Previous version
1
Next version