Samsung Unveils Galaxy Note 4

The electronics giant aims to make a big splash again in the global market with the fourth sequel in its Galaxy Note series, after the Galaxy S5 failed to enjoy as much popularity as the company had expected.

“The Galaxy Note series represents the mobile innovation that we have presented so far,” said Shin Jong-kyun, CEO of Samsung Electronics’ mobile business division. “With our technology that realized pen writing and handwriting for mobile devices, the series has created a new market segment for ‘note-type’ smartphones. The Galaxy Note 4 will offer a chance to experience our most sophisticated and advanced technologies.”

The company held unpacking events simultaneously in Berlin, Beijing and New York City. This may indicate that the company is pursuing a more aggressive marketing strategy for its latest smartphones in the world’s three biggest markets: China, Europe and the United States.

Samsung Electronics said the Galaxy Note 4 boasts top-class hardware specifications.

With a sleek metal frame and curved glass, its 5.7-inch quad high-definition (QHD) Super AMOLED display panel, made by Samsung Group’s display manufacturing arm, Samsung Display, provides a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and can produce screen images with twice the clarity of displays that were previously available.

The 160-million-pixel rear camera is equipped with a function called a “Smart Optical Image Stabilizer,” which minimizes shaking when it is used to take pictures in the dark. Its front camera has 3.7 million pixels and supports apertures up to f/1.9, helping users produce better “selfies,” the company said.

The Galaxy Note 4′s pen-writing device, the “S Pen,” allows more natural handwriting on its screen because its pressure sensors are twice as complicated as those of earlier models.

Alongside the Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Electronics showcased another handset, dubbed the “Galaxy Note Edge,” which is equipped with a curved-edge display. Smart wearable gadgets such as the smartwatch “Gear S,” the virtual-reality (VR) head-mount display “Gear VR,” and a necklace-type wearable device called the “Gear Circle” were also released.

The Galaxy Note Edge is the first handset that shows information not only on the front screen but also on the right side edge. The company said users could check text messages and emails using the side display, while at the same time using the front panel to play videos. Users can also use the side panel to control frequently used applications without opening the smartphone’s cover.

Of the devices on display, the Gear VR showed the company’s advanced VR technology, which has been developed in tandem with its mobile and wearable devices.

The Gear VR fully supports the three-dimensional version of the Galaxy Note 4′s QHD display, allowing users to better concentrate on the content.

Sources said earlier that the device was likely to be priced at $199.

The company said it planned to release the Galaxy Note 4 on the global market in October.

Meanwhile, Apple is expected to unveil its new smart devices, including the sequel to its smartphone iPhone 5s, in an event slated for Sept. 9.