SAMSUNG REPORTEDLY LAUNCHING SMARTWATCH AND NEW PHABLETS THIS WEEK

Samsung’s big gamble ... facing increasing threat, Samsung is planning to launch a range of new products this week. Picture. AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JE Source: AFP

SAMSUNG will go on the attack this week, fast-forwarding the launch of its latest smartphone to beat rival Apple and give users more time to consider switching
camps.

The South Korean technology giant is expected to reveal a redesigned version of its large screen Galaxy Note device in the early hours of Friday morning, as well as possibly its first round-faced smartwatch and a new premium tablet computer.

But experts have warned that Samsung will need to deliver thoroughly new products with standout features to convince users to upgrade their handsets, trade-in their iPhones, or ignore strong competition from Google Android rivals.

Samsung is almost guaranteed to launch a Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ Plus at its New York City event on Friday at 1am, Australian time, after a series of leaks appeared to reveal most of the phones’ details.

Current rumours have Samsung releasing two phablets with 5.7-inch (14.5cm) touchscreens, 16-megapixel cameras, redesigned glass and metal bodies, and, unlike its smaller flagship phones, expandable memory.

Looking for the great leap forward ... consumers have to be given compelling reasons in order to upgrade their phones, new market research suggests. Pictures. AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JE Source: AFP

The Galaxy Note 5 is tipped to feature a five-megapixel camera upfront for selfies, an extra 1GB RAM for faster multi-tasking, and a substantial 4100mAh battery.

The Galaxy S6 Edge+, as the new curved screen model has been dubbed, is forecast to feature a smaller battery and a lighter weight at just 156g.

Samsung may also use the event to show off its first round smartwatch, the Gear A, and an update to its premium tablet computer named the Galaxy Tab S2.

The leading smartphone maker has typically used the Berlin technology tradeshow IFA to reveal its large flagship smartphones, but Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said Samsung’s decision to bring its announcement forward was in line with the company’s traditional approach to technology.

Cool cachet ... DJs spin at a Samsung event during Lollapalooza in Chicago, earlier this month. Picture:. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Samsung Source: Getty Images

“Samsung has always shown that it has a preference to get out in front when it comes to new product launches, whether it’s with smartwatches or even with its previous phone models, trying to get out in front of the competition,” he said. “That has been its strategy.”

Mr Fadaghi said the new phones would need to deliver “compellingly different” features, however, as Samsung’s market share was under threat from its closest rival, Apple, as well as advanced models from its Android rivals like LG, Sony and Chinese phone makers.

“If we see incremental upgrades, whether they are bigger memories or slightly better cameras, that will not be enough for consumers to upgrade,” he said.

“It is coming at a time when even (Samsung’s) own existing products are strong competitors. The Note 3 phone is a strong competitor to the Note 4, for example. Consumers could skip upgrades on a standard, two-year replacement cycle.”

But Samsung was smart to fast-forward its phone launch this year, Mr Fadaghi said, as Apple was expected to deliver small upgrades in an iPhone 6S and 6S Plus later this year. The phones are expected to add a Force Touch screen, as seen on the Apple Watch.

Technology pundits predict Apple will hold a press event to announce its phones on September 9, giving Samsung almost a month to convince users to back its smartphones instead.