3 major premium phone focus points

[Digital Times, Kim Ji-yeong] The launch of Samsung Electronics` premium smartphone Galaxy Note 8 in the second half of the year will kick in the second half of the year for premium smartphones. Major manufacturers are expected to compete more intensely in the second half of this year as they are lucrative in their strategic smartphone sales.

According to industry sources on August 21, Samsung Electronics unveiled Galaxy Note 8 at Park Avenue Amori in Manhattan, New York, at 11 am (local time). LG Electronics will unveil `V30` at IFA 2017 in Berlin, Germany. The Apple iPhone 8 does not have a specific release and release schedule, but the industry expects it to be in early and mid-September. Strategic smartphone market penetration in the second half of the year and is expected to be a key factor in the future of each company`s smartphone business.

The Galaxy Note 8 is a sequel to the Galaxy Note 7, which was prematurely terminated by a battery. In the first half of the year, the Galaxy S8 series received a positive response and no additional safety problems occurred. However, since Galaxy Note 7 has a big gap in the notebook series, the role of Galaxy Note 8 is important. Samsung Electronics emphasized that the battery capacity of the Galaxy Note 8 is 3300 mAh, which is lower than the previous version and enhanced safety.

The iPhone is also under pressure to show new innovations. In the case of the iPhone, the iPhone 6 launched in 2014 and the sequels to the iPhone 7 were not so much different from each other in terms of functions. It was said that they did not meet expectations. The iPhone is on its 10th anniversary and it is hoping Apple will show it again. In particular, sales of the iPhone 7 have recently declined, as the industry is analyzing expectations for the iPhone 8. It is noteworthy that the V30 will serve as an opportunity for LG`s smartphone business to move away from the deficit. Smartphones are the key to success in order for LG Electronics to improve earnings. Accordingly, the mobile communication (MC) division, which is responsible for smartphones, posted a loss of KRW 132.4 billion in the second quarter. The `V30`, which is being released this time, is a product that has been carrying out a task to raise up LG Electronics` smartphone business which is suffering from sluggishness.

Especially, the premium phones launched in the second half of the year, including the Galaxy Note 8, V30, and the iPhone 8, are expected to be equipped with dual cameras with a bezelless design with almost no bezel on the big screen. Fingerprint, iris, facial recognition, security functions, simplified payment, and voice secretary are key points.

Consumer choice is likely to be different for each company. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to power multitasking with the S Pen. The iPhone 8 is expected to be equipped with a `3D sensing camera module` capable of facial recognition. The front dual camera on the iPhone 8 will recognize 3D space. 3D self-camera shooting as well as AR (Augmented Reality) service will be available. The V30 is equipped with a rear dual camera with an aperture value of F1.6, the highest level of brightness among smartphone cameras. It is about 25% brighter than the existing F1.6.

An industry expert said, "Fierce competition is expected as key makers put out smart phones with intensive know-how." Loyalty to the brand will surely work, but the market reaction will be broken according to consumers` usage patterns and needs."

By Kim Ji Yeong kjy@


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