Samsung Galaxy Alpha official

[MRU]

I'm in two minds about it to be honest. I actually like the look of it and don't mind a 4.7" screen. My issue remains, battery on a 801 chipset with a 1800mah battery, and lack of expandable storage on a Samsung device given how much Samsung uses of its own leaving only around 8gb free to user after unboxing....



16gb on this thing is a joke, 32gb should be standard. How much 4k video are you going to shoot after installing all your apps and sticking some music on there with the 16gb model.. 5 mins 4k video space left ....



If they release a 32gb here for €450 I would sell my S5 for it. But as a 16gb for €599 going on the UK price of £499, I would pass....



The S5 has had so many cuts in price, on contracts here the phone is free on nearly all plans.

 

[jolux]

So, Samsung's lost a significant portion of their shame in copying Apple after their infringement penalty was so greatly reduced.

Seriously, does no one else realize they're trying to make a near-identical copy of the iPhone 6 based on rumors? 4.7 inch display, metal edges, nobody? Why else would they decrease the screen size like that?

 

[jamezr]

So, Samsung's lost a significant portion of their shame in copying Apple after their infringement penalty was so greatly reduced.

Seriously, does no one else realize they're trying to make a near-identical copy of the iPhone 6 based on rumors? 4.7 inch display, metal edges, nobody? Why else would they decrease the screen size like that?

Or......you could say IF Apple is to release a larger screen iPhone they are the ones copying the rest of the smartphone market. Since they have never before had a 4.7 or a 5.5 inch phone.......just saying.....knife cuts both ways......

 

[Shuri]

So, Samsung's lost a significant portion of their shame in copying Apple after their infringement penalty was so greatly reduced.

Seriously, does no one else realize they're trying to make a near-identical copy of the iPhone 6 based on rumors? 4.7 inch display, metal edges, nobody? Why else would they decrease the screen size like that?

I'm all in for Samsung bashing, but this is ridiculous..

What you say is: if BMW releases a car with 3 seats and 200 hp, anyone releasing a car with close "specs" would be copying them, just because there are people who want to buy a car which is built like this?

Sure, Samsung is aiming this directly at users who want something like the iPhone (Size and Material for example), but this is competition: Aiming at the same user-base, not copying...

 

[jolux]

Or......you could say IF Apple is to release a larger screen iPhone they are the ones copying the rest of the smartphone market. Since they have never before had a 4.7 or a 5.5 inch phone.......just saying.....knife cuts both ways......

Well certainly. But last time I checked, Samsung has a history of making phones that get bigger and more plasticky with each release, not smaller and less.

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I'm all in for Samsung bashing, but this is ridiculous..

What you say is: if BMW releases a car with 3 seats and 200 hp, anyone releasing a car with close "specs" would be copying them, just because there are people who want to buy a car which is built like this?

Sure, Samsung is aiming this directly at users who want something like the iPhone (Size and Material for example), but this is competition: Aiming at the same user-base, not copying...

How is it ridiculous? Name another reason why they'd do this. Do you think anyone would notice the difference in screen size if it were 4.8 inch? No. This is a blatant ploy for customers who would otherwise buy the 4.7 inch iPhone IF it comes out.

 

[jamezr]

Well certainly. But last time I checked, Samsung has a history of making phones that get bigger and more plasticky with each release, not smaller and less.

Not true.....Samsung has a history of releasing a phone for well just about every conceivable market they can think of. They probably release more phones than any other smartphone maker. They have the S4 and the S4 mini and rumored to release an S5 mini too.

How is it ridiculous? Name another reason why they'd do this. Do you think anyone would notice the difference in screen size if it were 4.8 inch? No. This is a blatant ploy for customers who would otherwise buy the 4.7 inch iPhone IF it comes out.

So now they are copying an UNRELEASED PHONE?
Its called smart business....beating your competition to market......

 

[jolux]

Not true.....Samsung has a history of releasing a phone for well just about every conceivable market they can think of. They probably release more phones than any other smartphone maker. They have the S4 and the S4 mini and rumored to release an S5 mini too.

But the bigger one always comes out first. How do you know this isn't a device aimed at iPhone customers? It's the most blatant copy they've made so far.

 

[Cnasty]

Not true.....Samsung has a history of releasing a phone for well just about every conceivable market they can think of. They probably release more phones than any other smartphone maker. They have the S4 and the S4 mini and rumored to release an S5 mini too.

So now they are copying an UNRELEASED PHONE?
Its called smart business....beating your competition to market......

If you don't think they are attempting to sway some of the iPhone customers with a near identical design of an iPhone you are in Samsung/Android denial.

Of course they are copying an unreleased phone. Why is it sooooo shocking?? Everyone knows there will be a 4.7 and a 5.5 inch iPhone. They are trying to get some of those iPhone buyers which love that premium non-plastic Samsung feel to their side.

As you put it, beating your competition to market.

 

[jamezr]

But the bigger one always comes out first. How do you know this isn't a device aimed at iPhone customers? It's the most blatant copy they've made so far.

Dude......it is aimed at potential iphone buyers!!!! Its called smart business.

 

[jolux]

If you don't think they are attempting to sway some of the iPhone customers with a near identical design of an iPhone you are in Samsung/Android denial.

Of course they are copying an unreleased phone. Why is it sooooo shocking?? Everyone knows there will be a 4.7 and a 5.5 inch iPhone. They are trying to get some of those iPhone buyers which love that premium non-plastic Samsung feel to their side.

As you put it, beating your competition to market.

Last time I checked, smart business actually involved having good ideas and turning them into good products. The Galaxy Gear is pretty evident that Samsung has neither of those.

 

[jamezr]

If you don't think they are attempting to sway some of the iPhone customers with a near identical design of an iPhone you are in Samsung/Android denial.

Of course they are copying an unreleased phone. Why is it sooooo shocking?? Everyone knows there will be a 4.7 and a 5.5 inch iPhone. They are trying to get some of those iPhone buyers which love that premium non-plastic Samsung feel to their side.

As you put it, beating your competition to market.

I have said as much already.......the Alpha is aimed at potential iphone buyers.......

It is not shocking to me at all. This happens in business all day long.......if you can get to market with something first before your competition.........it is called smart business.

Jolux said they were copying the IP6.......i said how can you copy what hasn't been announced(specs) or released

 

[Shuri]

Well certainly. But last time I checked, Samsung has a history of making phones that get bigger and more plasticky with each release, not smaller and less.

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How is it ridiculous? Name another reason why they'd do this. Do you think anyone would notice the difference in screen size if it were 4.8 inch? No. This is a blatant ploy for customers who would otherwise buy the 4.7 inch iPhone IF it comes out.

So because Apple's marketing decides that there is a market for 4.7" Screen Phones (Which they certainly weren't the first to do), Samsung should just give them that piece of pie? Aren't they allowed to compete directly with Apple and let the customer decide (Which, I'm sure, will go for the iPhone 6, while the Alpha will stay niche)?

As long as you cannot confuse both phones (telling from the pictures it would be hard to do so) I don't see anything condemnable..

 

[jamezr]

Last time I checked, smart business actually involved having good ideas and turning them into good products. The Galaxy Gear is pretty evident that Samsung has neither of those.

LOL.....considering they sell more smartphones than anyone else in the world......your comment makes perfect sense.
Such a Samsung hater.........wow.

 

[jolux]

I have said as much already.......the Alpha is aimed at potential iphone buyers.......

It is not shocking to me at all. This happens in business all day long.......if you can get to market with something first before your competition.........it is called smart business.

Jolux said they were copying the IP6.......i said how can you copy what hasn't been announced(specs) or released

They did the same with the Galaxy Gear. I elsuppose it's just a massive ****ing coincidence that they released a 4.7 inch phone with a metal frame right before the 4.7" iPhone 6 is released.

 

[Shuri]

They did the same with the Galaxy Gear. I elsuppose it's just a massive ****ing coincidence that they released a 4.7 inch phone with a metal frame right before the 4.7" iPhone 6 is released.

No it's not and nobody claims that. But it is normal in every business and it is a great chance for us end users.

IMO the Gear is crap as it is now. I like the idea of the fit though, but it's still too clunky. But this is a great opportunity for Apple to show what they can do, if they manage to make an iWatch that is astonishing. So everything's fine.

 

[jamezr]

They did the same with the Galaxy Gear. I elsuppose it's just a massive ****ing coincidence that they released a 4.7 inch phone with a metal frame right before the 4.7" iPhone 6 is released.

No...it is not. It is directly aimed at potential iphone buyers. No coincidence at all....... It is smart business. It happens all over the world every single day.


So what about the Galaxy Gear???? What Apple product did they copy with that?
I don't like the Gear and have no use for it but c'mon.....Apple doesn't even make a competing product.

 

[Shanghaichica]

No...it is not. It is directly aimed at potential iphone buyers. No coincidence at all....... It is smart business. It happens all over the world every single day.


So what about the Galaxy Gear???? What Apple product did they copy with that?
I don't like the Gear and have no use for it but c'mon.....Apple doesn't even make a competing product.

Samsung have a time machine. They go forward in time, see what Apple have released and then come back to our present and then copy Apple.

It baffled me how Samsung were able to copy Apple with the galaxy note series (as stated on Mac rumours forum) but I finally Sussed it out

 

[tbayrgs]

I have no problem whatsoever with Samsung offering the Alpha--as many have stated, they're in the business of selling smartphones and will do what they think they need to do to compete.

I just think this shows that Samsung really has no idea why customers choose an iPhone over one of their devices, that's all.

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Samsung have a time machine. They go forward in time, see what Apple have released and then come back to our present and then copy Apple.

It baffled me how Samsung were able to copy Apple with the galaxy note series (as stated on Mac rumours forum) but I finally Sussed it out

Thanks--made me chuckle out loud.

 

[jrswizzle]

I have no problem whatsoever with Samsung offering the Alpha--as many have stated, they're in the business of selling smartphones and will do what they think they need to do to compete.

I just think this shows that Samsung really has no idea why customers choose an iPhone over one of their devices, that's all.

I have a problem with it. A company that large and successful is so many areas should be able to come up with something innovative and original. Not shamelessly play off their main competitor....

Despite my distaste for Samsung, I do have respect for the company overall. Perhaps I just think their better than this. There are glimpses they are capable of putting together something revolutionary - the Note series being the prime example.

But the Galaxy Alpha SCREAMS "We're have trouble and the iPhone 6 is going to obliterate anything we put out....might as well try to mimic it as best we can and maybe that'll stop the bleeding."

But the reality, as you say, is they haven't the foggiest idea why people buy Apple. And that's really a shame.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I have a problem with it. A company that large and successful is so many areas should be able to come up with something innovative and original. Not shamelessly play off their main competitor....

Despite my distaste for Samsung, I do have respect for the company overall. Perhaps I just think their better than this. There are glimpses they are capable of putting together something revolutionary - the Note series being the prime example.

But the Galaxy Alpha SCREAMS "We're have trouble and the iPhone 6 is going to obliterate anything we put out....might as well try to mimic it as best we can and maybe that'll stop the bleeding."

But the reality, as you say, is they haven't the foggiest idea why people buy Apple. And that's really a shame.

You can't mimic something you haven't seen yet. Of course the alpha is to combat the iPhone 6, but isn't the 4.7 and 5.5 iPhone 6 meant to combat the larger screened android devices?

They all try to guess what the other one is going to do and try and out do them or at least equal their main competitors.

 

[daveathall]

I have a problem with it. A company that large and successful is so many areas should be able to come up with something innovative and original. Not shamelessly play off their main competitor....

Despite my distaste for Samsung, I do have respect for the company overall. Perhaps I just think their better than this. There are glimpses they are capable of putting together something revolutionary - the Note series being the prime example.

But the Galaxy Alpha SCREAMS "We're have trouble and the iPhone 6 is going to obliterate anything we put out....might as well try to mimic it as best we can and maybe that'll stop the bleeding."

But the reality, as you say, is they haven't the foggiest idea why people buy Apple. And that's really a shame.

I could not mistake the Samsung Alpha for an iPhone, it is just too big, it's as simple as that. If I was walking past someone making a call on an Alpha I would not mistake it for an iPhone.

 

[jrswizzle]

You can't mimic something you haven't seen yet. Of course the alpha is to combat the iPhone 6, but isn't the 4.7 and 5.5 iPhone 6 meant to combat the larger screened android devices?

They all try to guess what the other one is going to do and try and out do them or at least equal their main competitors.

Difference with Samsung being they've had a pretty big role in the Apple supply chain for years.

And the Alpha is design more like the 5S than what we've seen leak about the 6. I was merely referring to the display size (4.7").

And yes, Apple has finally succumb to the growing popularity of the larger display. While I have always liked the 4", I'll admit I'm extremely glad they are playing in the larger display arena.

But Apple isn't "combating" anything. The iPhone still is and has been the best selling smartphone on the planet. It's Samsung and HTC and others who are trying to make a phone as popular. Why on earth would Apple need to be like their competition when they are ahead of their competition? I think it's pretty clear Apple isn't looking to just "one-up" their competitors. They been ahead on some things, far behind on others. They do things on their own timeline.

Diversifying the iPhone line will allow them to gain more overall marketshare, just as releasing a cheap iPhone would. It would seem Apple is willing to back off the "perfect screen size" to grab (likely dominate) the larger display segment. They have yet to compromise on the cheap end.

Despite what people here say, larger phones (those over 5") are not the majority. They make up a majority of flagships released (read high-end models) but Apple dominates the high-end market.

Android and OEMs like Samsung have their marketshare because of price. They pump out tons of cheap products. Some are big, some are small but they're all cheap and that's what appeals to a large group of consumers. Take out that group and you'd be left with a very different marketshare picture.

I doubt Apple will ever enter the low-end market. They haven't with Macs.

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I could not mistake the Samsung Alpha for an iPhone, it is just too big, it's as simple as that. If I was walking past someone making a call on an Alpha I would not mistake it for an iPhone.

Ahh but we're talking about Samsung attempting to get the jump on Apple - all rumors and indications are we will have a 4.7" iPhone come September 9th.

At that point, the size would be the same. The Alpha is modeled more like the 5/5S so I'll probably agree that when the 6 comes out, it will look different than the Alpha.

And that's what's so funny....Samsung releases what we all can agree is a somewhat awkward attempt to supplant the iPhone 6 based on what they think they know....and it will undoubtedly come up a huge failure.

And we're talking real failure here, not iPhone 5C failure. Honestly, if the GS5 hadn't been the disappointment it has been, I wonder if they would've released this. They need to be careful....HTC got itself in trouble trying to create too many "flagship" class devices and it eventually contributed to their downfall.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Difference with Samsung being they've had a pretty big role in the Apple supply chain for years.

And the Alpha is design more like the 5S than what we've seen leak about the 6. I was merely referring to the display size (4.7").

And yes, Apple has finally succumb to the growing popularity of the larger display. While I have always liked the 4", I'll admit I'm extremely glad they are playing in the larger display arena.

But Apple isn't "combating" anything. The iPhone still is and has been the best selling smartphone on the planet. It's Samsung and HTC and others who are trying to make a phone as popular. Why on earth would Apple need to be like their competition when they are ahead of their competition? I think it's pretty clear Apple isn't looking to just "one-up" their competitors. They been ahead on some things, far behind on others. They do things on their own timeline.

Diversifying the iPhone line will allow them to gain more overall marketshare, just as releasing a cheap iPhone would. It would seem Apple is willing to back off the "perfect screen size" to grab (likely dominate) the larger display segment. They have yet to compromise on the cheap end.

Despite what people here say, larger phones (those over 5") are not the majority. They make up a majority of flagships released (read high-end models) but Apple dominates the high-end market.

Android and OEMs like Samsung have their marketshare because of price. They pump out tons of cheap products. Some are big, some are small but they're all cheap and that's what appeals to a large group of consumers. Take out that group and you'd be left with a very different marketshare picture.

I doubt Apple will ever enter the low-end market. They haven't with Macs.

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Ahh but we're talking about Samsung attempting to get the jump on Apple - all rumors and indications are we will have a 4.7" iPhone come September 9th.

At that point, the size would be the same. The Alpha is modeled more like the 5/5S so I'll probably agree that when the 6 comes out, it will look different than the Alpha.

And that's what's so funny....Samsung releases what we all can agree is a somewhat awkward attempt to supplant the iPhone 6 based on what they think they know....and it will undoubtedly come up a huge failure.

And we're talking real failure here, not iPhone 5C failure. Honestly, if the GS5 hadn't been the disappointment it has been, I wonder if they would've released this. They need to be careful....HTC got itself in trouble trying to create too many "flagship" class devices and it eventually contributed to their downfall.

HTC were never as big as Samsung are now.

 

[jrswizzle]

HTC were never as big as Samsung are now.

Hmm, true - but they were the top Android OEM when Android rose and passed iOS.

Smartphones weren't as popular as they are now either, so there's a portion of it that comes with the overall growth of the market.

Regardless, companies who try to release too many flagships seem to have issues....Apple in the 90s, HTC in the 2000s, Samsung in the 10s?

 

[daveathall]

Ahh but we're talking about Samsung attempting to get the jump on Apple - all rumors and indications are we will have a 4.7" iPhone come September 9th.

No we are not, Samsung aren't attempting to get the jump on Apple, they jumped nearly two years ago with a phone about 4.7", who's following who? There seems a double standard at play here, when it comes to shape then it's disgusting that Samsung have copied, but when it comes to size, well, it's just Apple evolving. Sorry JR, you can't have it both ways mate.

They are all at it.