There are so many great smartphones in the market now that competition is stiffer than ever before, and to be in the lead requires fast-paced technological improvements and groundbreaking features. 2013 has seen more than 10 notable launches already and the best are yet to come. The top two smartphone makers, Apple and Samsung, will soon be launching their flagship phones – the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 and the Galaxy S IV respectively, and the whole world is curiously waiting for what is in store for them.
Samsung has sent out invites for its Mobile Unpacked Event in New York on Thursday night and the S IV is expected to be the star of the show. The launch of the phone in Apple’s home ground is clearly an open challenge to Apple, who is expected to come out with its next upgrade to the iPhone in a few months time, probably in July or August as there are rumours that it is already under production in China.
Some of the interesting new features rumoured to be in Galaxy S IV include wireless charging, floating touch technology and eye-controlled features like Eye scroll and Eye Pause. Wireless charging will not be a totally new feature; just an addition as it already exists in some smartphones. The new floating touch technology will allow users to operate the phone by just directing their fingers a few centimetres above the screen. In addition, the phone is also expected to have a ‘green screen’ with energy saving PHOLED material embedded in the AMOLED display.
On the other hand, the next update from Apple may not be a tremendous upgrade from its previous model, but may just include or modify a few features. Wireless charging is high on the wishlist with the iPhone 5S, although that is doubtful. Some other interesting features anticipated include a fingerprint reader, advanced timer shoot, 3D photography using multiple sensors and cameras, facial recognition and improved processing power. The possibility of the inclusion of a fingerprint reader is a result of Apple’s acquisition of the company AuthenTec in July. Timer photography will also be taken to a next level if rumours are to be believed, as the new technology camera is expected take shots and recognize the photographer’s face in the group irrespective of the time delay!
Samsung seems to be on a war footing, which is evident from the packed features and the surprisingly low pricing of $499 for 16GB model, which may not fetch the company much profit. Unfazed, Apple is expected to sell its iPhone 5S 16GB model at $649.
