You know how Samsung has introduced the past couple iterations of its Galaxy S flagship in the spring? Well apparently the company isn't going to mess with its strategy in 2014. Samsung has told Bloomberg that it is "targeting" a launch of the Galaxy S5 around the March or April timeframe and that it plans to launch an updated version of its Galaxy Gear smartwatch at the same time.
Lee Young Hee, Samsung's mobile EVP, teased that the design of the Galaxy S5 is going to be different than its predecessors, explaining that consumer reaction to the Galaxy S 4 wasn't as big as it could've been because the device looked so similar to the Galaxy S III. "For the S5, we will go back to the basics. Mostly, it’s about the display and the feel of the cover," Lee said. The exec didn't offer any specific details about the S5's design or features, but she did say that Samsung is "studying the possibility" of including iris-recognition tech in its high-end handsets.
Meanwhile, a new Galaxy Gear is expected to debut alongside Samsung's next flagship phone. The wearable will feature a less bulky design and "more advanced features" than its predecessor. Those will include a heavy focus on health, including the ability to count calories, monitor heart rate and check the wearer's stress levels.
In other not-totally shocking news, Samsung is planning to introduce an updated Galaxy Note smartphone in the latter half of 2014. The phone will target the high-end of the market, including consumers that want a more "professional" device and are willing to pay extra for it. Samsung is considering adding a three-sided, wraparound display to the next Galaxy Note that would enable messages and other content to be read from an angle.
Much of the wireless world operates on a yearly product cycle, just as we've seen from Apple and Samsung in recent years, and so it's no surprise to learn that Sammy is targeting a spring release for its Galaxy S5 and a fall debut for the Galaxy Note 4. One interesting tidbit is Lee's tease that the next Galaxy S will feature an updated design to help it stand out from its predecessors, but because the exec didn't offer up any details on what that design might look like, we'll just have to use our imaginations. Perhaps something close to the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy NotePRO/TabPRO, with a square look and faux leather? That'd certainly be different than the rounded, slick plastic design of past Galaxy S models.
If you were in charge of designing the Samsung Galaxy S5, what would you do to make it stand out from the Galaxy S III and Galaxy S 4?
Via Bloomberg
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