Samsung is looking to consolidate its position in the smartphone market by introducing improved Android OS based smartphones for the mid-range and lower end segment. Rival smartphone developer LG is also planning to adopt a similar policy as it has announced new models for the lower as well as higher end segment. Samsung will be updating the hardware configuration of some of its existing smartphones in order to attract customers whereas LG is providing Android Ice Cream Sandwich in some of its new models.
Samsung has revealed two new models- the Galaxy Mini 2 and the Galaxy Ace 2. Samsung has put in a faster processor in the new Galaxy Mini 2 which runs at 800 MHz compared to the previous model’s 600 MHz. The internal memory of the smartphone has also been increased to 4 GB from 160 MB. The Galaxy 2 Mini has a smaller screen than the Ace 2 model and supports a display resolution of 480×320 pixels. The smartphone will come out of the box with Android 2.3 Gingerbread with a possible upgrade to the Android 4.0 ICS (though highly unlikely). Samsung has revealed that the Galaxy Mini 2 will be first released in France in March before becoming available in international markets.
Samsung has place importance on decreasing the thickness of all its new smartphones as thin devices are quite popular among the consumers. As a result, the Galaxy Ace 2 is 1 mm thinner than its predecessor Galaxy Ace. The Ace 2 also features a wider display which can accommodate a higher screen resolution of 800×480 pixels. Samsung has also equipped the Ace 2 with a faster 800 MHz dual core processor which is an odd processor speed for a dual core chipset. It is expected that the next generation of high end smartphones will feature quad core processors and analysts have predicted that dual core processors will become standard in lower end devices. Connectivity options in the Ace 2 have been extended to HSPA. The phone will come with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and is expected to hit the United Kingdom by April.
On the other hand, LG has announced three new models Optimus L3, L5 and L7. LG has also made an effort to reduce the thickness of the new smartphones while retaining the same sharp-cornered look of the newly announced LG Optimus Vu. The Optimus L5 and L7 smartphones are mid-range devices which will come with 4.0 and 4.3 inch screens and will ship with Android 4.0 ICS when they hit the market later this year. The Optimus L3 is aimed at lower end consumers and features a smaller 3.2 inch screen. Both LG and Samsung have not revealed any information about the pricing of these phone models.
