Samsung hopes to take bite out of Apple with Alpha

The battle to dominate the smartphone market has taken another twist with Samsung unveiling a new smartphone just weeks before rival Apple is expected to do the same.

The Korean phone manufacturer has announced the new Galaxy Alpha, confirming the device will go on sale at the beginning of September. Leaked images of the phone appeared online earlier this month, with some comment on social media suggesting it looked similar to an iPhone.

The new Galaxy Alpha from Samsung

This is down to the new metal frame, which is flatter and as a result looks similar to that on Apple’s smartphone.

The new device will have a 4.7-inch screen, which is slightly smaller than the screen on the Galaxy S5 which was released in April. The Alpha is also more than a millimetre thinner than the S5, making it one of the slimmest devices the company has ever made.

However, Samsung confirmed that all existing technology like the finger print scanner would also be present in the new phone, despite also weighing around 30 grams less that the S5.

The camera also contains a new feature called Beauty Face, which could further fuel the selfie craze.

Will Findlater, editor-in-chief of gadget magazine, Stuff, believes the design of the Alpha is squarely aimed at tackling Apple.

“There are some physical similarities with the iPhone 5s, but also several Samsung Galaxy hallmarks — this isn’t a phone that’s going to get confused with an Apple device. But it is gunning for the next iPhone,” he said.

“All the leaks to date have suggested the iPhone 6 will have a 4.7in screen — the same size as the Alpha’s. Both devices have slim aluminium bodies, and both seem to focus less on bleeding-edge specifications than user experience — a change in tack for Samsung.”

Oliver Hill, senior staff writer at Android Magazine, said the power of the Alpha is what will make it stand apart.

“The look is indeed very iPhone like, but we’ve been saying that for a good few years. It’s testament to Apple’s strong design that many companies want to follow suit; including Samsung. But the pure power of the Galaxy Alpha is what really stands it out from the iPhone. On paper it’s noticeably faster, more powerful and thinner than Apple’s current offerings,” he said.