Samsung out to steal iPhone’s thunder on domestic market

By Kim Yoo-chul

Staff reporter

Samsung Electronics has teamed up with Google and SK Telecom in an attempt to dethrone Apple as the leader on the domestic smartphone market.

"Samsung can take on Apple and the Galaxy S will lead the way," Shin Jong-kyun, president of Samsung's mobile division, said in a news conference unveiling the latest Samsung smartphone. Top executives from Google and SK Telecom were also present.

The unveiling came on the heels of Steve Jobs' presentation of the latest iPhone 4 model. KT, Apple's Korean partner, said that the smartphone will be marketed here from July.

The Galaxy has everything Samsung can throw into the smartphone: It has a "Super AMOLED" screen, which makes the gadget more power-efficient and gives sharper pictures.

The 1GHz processor provides an improved touch-screen experience, and talks are underway with Google to offer more customized applications.

"The Galaxy S involved cooperation with 110 overseas partners," Shin said. It is already available in Singapore and today's unveiling targeted domestic consumers ahead of its debut in North America.

Pricing and subscription plans will be made public later.

Despite the fanfare, it remains to be seen whether the Galaxy S will turn out to be an "iPhone killer."

The 9.9 millimeter-thin handset, while considered an engineering marvel, is still larger than the iPhone 4's 9.33 millimeters.

The new iPhone features a 3.5-inch LCD screen based on IPS screen technology with a 960X640 pixel resolution using a 1,500mAh battery. The Galaxy has as an 800X480 pixel 4.0-inch AMOLED screen, and uses the same battery.

"When we review the specifications of the Galaxy S and iPhone 4, it's difficult to say the former is strong enough to outpace the Apple product," Min Chun-hong, an analyst at KTB Investment, wrote in a memo to clients.

In late Monday's presentation at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Jobs touted the "retina display" as something unprecedented.

Apple procures displays from LG Display. LG's IPS-based screen refreshes images regardless of angles.

"The Galaxy S will put Samsung's smartphone skills to the test," said a senior executive at SK Telecom.

To be sure Android coalitions will keep up the pressure on Apple.

Samsung, LG Electronics, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, HTC of Taiwan and Pantech are on the side of the Google-powered Android operating platforms.

A KT spokesman said it has sold nearly 750,000 3G iPhones since its debut in November last year.

삼성, 국내 아이폰 아성에 도전장

삼성전자가 국내 스마트폰 시장의 왕좌를 차지한 애플을 끌어내리고 선두주자가 되기 위해 구글, SK텔레콤과 손잡았다.

신종균 삼성전자 무선사업부 사장은 겔럭시S를 공개하는 행사에서 "삼성전자는 곧 애플을 따라잡을 것이며 겔럭시 S가 신호탄이 될 것"이라고 말했다. 이 행사에는 구글 모바일 플랫폼 부대표와 SK텔레콤 사장 또한 참석했다.

삼성전자의 새 스마트폰은 스티브 잡스 애플 최고경영자가 최신 모델인 아이폰4G를 발표한 직후 뒷따라 공개됐다. 애플의 국내 공급업체인 KT는 오는 7월 아이폰 4G가 국내시장에 출시 예정이라고 밝혔다.

겔럭시S폰은 스마트폰에 집어 넣을 수 있는 삼성전자의 모든 기술을 집대성하고 있다. 이 기기는 전원절약과 선명한 화질을 보이는 슈퍼아몰레드 스크린을 탑재하고 있다.

또 장착된 1GHZ 프로세서는 사용자들에게 좀 더 부드러운 터치감을 제공하며 삼성전자는 현재 겔럭시폰에 최적화된 애플리케이션 개발을 위해 구글과 협상 중이다.