Local players confident of beating iPhone 5 with high-tech features

New iPhone meets chip plant in Xian industry expectations but lacks new concepts


Local handset makers have expressed their delight to join the LTE handset race with the new iPhone 5 as the new gadget has failed to offer knockout features to the awaiting crowd.

Apple presented its new iPhone 5 to the world early Thursday with the LTE-enabled handset to go head-to-head with contenders such as the already-released Galaxy S3 of Samsung Electronics.

The latest iPhone will also have to battle with Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 as well as LG Electronics’ Optimus G, which is expected to be unveiled to the press next Tuesday.

Apple touts that the iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone the company has ever built.

“What makes the iPhone 5 so unique is how it feels in your hands,” said Jony Ive, senior vice president of design at Apple.

Ive’s comment stresses that the new iPhone has gotten taller but not wider, leading many to think that Apple is paying more attention to its competitors’ smartphones that present larger displays.

Samsung Galaxy S3 is equipped with a 4.8-inch High Definition Super AMOLED display, whereas the upcoming Galaxy Note 2 features a 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED display.

LG’s most anticipated Optimus G is also coming with a 4.7-inch True High Definition IPS Display.

With the iPhone 5 presenting a taller 4-inch Retina display, it also missed to have any jaw-dropping features that were yet to be presented by its rivals.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 shook the crowd at its mobile unpack event in Germany with its new S Pen stylus and camera as well as near-field communication feature. It also claimed to be the first to bring the new Windows 8 smartphone dubbed ATIV S.

Optimus G by LG, to be released later this month, is also the world’s first LTE smartphone that is carrying Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon S4 processor.

When looking at the battery life, Apple’s iPhone 5 falls behind Samsung and LG’s flagship handsets with a 1,440 mAh ― 8 hours with LTE and 10 hours on wireless Internet networks.

The Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 and Optimus G have extended-life 3,100 mAh, 2,100 mAh and 2,100 mAh batteries, according to companies’ officials.

However, the iPhone 5 differentiates itself from its previous model ― iPhone 4S ― by operating on the upgraded iOS 6 and the new A6 chip. Its package also comes with new accessories such as a new dock connector and earphones.

But its release date in Korea is another hurdle, for it is expected to go on sale after the launch of the Galaxy Note 2 and the Optimus G.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)