Samsung's
upcoming new and improved tablet phone will have little hardware overhaul as
the world's top smartphone vendor is focused on highlighting some improved
software-related features.
Edge screen, water resistance and iris scanning could be the three main points
that Samsung plans to highlight at the company's unpacked event on Aug. 2 in
New York, said officials, last week.
"Simply put, the Note 7 is an expanded version of the Galaxy S7 edge
smartphone. The Note 7 will only be available with a curved screen in
accordance with Samsung's latest strategy to promote mobile devices with
breakthrough form factors," said a Samsung official.
The large-display phone with a stylus for handwriting is expected to have a
5.8-inch screen.
The Note 7 will be the first in the Note series to have the water-resistant
feature.
More importantly, users will be able to use the "S-Pen" even
underwater, according to executives at Samsung's first-tier local component
suppliers.
The new product will also be equipped with iris scanning recognition
technology, although initial use of the software is expected to be limited
given the scarcity of services using the eye-scanning technology.
It's unlikely that the Note 7 will have a dual-camera as the company's strategy
is to cut manufacturing costs. The S-Pen will be embedded in the bottom of the
device.
The Note 7 will support the Samsung Pay service.
The Note 7 is the successor to the Galaxy Note 5. Samsung has already confirmed
that it will skip the name "Galaxy Note 6" in order to line up its
next device with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge flagships.
But it remains to be seen whether the Note 7 will appeal to consumers if it
does not awaken idling demand for Samsung devices in target markets.
The unit price of the Note 7 will be between 7 percent and 8 percent higher
than the previous version.
Given some new additions, such a price hike won't greatly kill consumer
appetite as Samsung plans to offer subsidies to mobile carriers in countries
where the Note 7 will be available.
Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note 5 for 890,000 Won in Korea and $699 in the
United States without subsidy plans.
The company said its mobile chief Ko Dong-jin will handle the upcoming unpacked
event.
"Samsung's premium handset replacement program ― Galaxy Club ― will be
applied to the Note 7," Ko said in a recent meeting with local reporters.
The executive remains confident the Note 7 will compete with Apple's
soon-to-be-released mobile phone ― tentatively named iPhone 7 ― in major
markets. The "iPhone 7" is expected to be released in the latter half
of the year.
"We have to admit that Samsung's smartphone business is under pressure.
But I think Samsung will be fine," said the senior executive, adding an
upgraded Gear VR headset will also be launched soon.
KT
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