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Galaxy S3 to hit Chinese tech stores

June 6, 2012 - 19:10 By Park Hyung-ki
Samsung also plans to release the latest smartphone in Korea, U.S. this month


Chinese consumers will be able to get hold of Samsung Electronics’ new flagship smartphone “Galaxy S3” this weekend as Korea’s biggest tech firm secured mobile carrier deals with China’s three telecom giants.

Samsung Electronics will offer TD-SCDMA 3G smartphones with China Mobile, CDMA phones with China Telecom and WCDMA with China Unicom, it said in a press release.

“We have been closely collaborating with China’s mobile carriers to release the Galaxy SIII to Chinese consumers,” said Shin Jong-kyun, president of the company’s mobile communications division, at a world tour event in Beijing on Wednesday.

Coming with various applications, the smartphones, offered in pebble blue and marble white, will simultaneously hit Chinese tech stands this Saturday.

Before its tour in China, the tech giant said on Tuesday in the U.S. that it plans to introduce the 4.8-inch phone through five carriers ― AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular.

Unlike in the Chinese market, Samsung will release the new Galaxy phones “step by step” with the carriers in the U.S. this month, the company said.

The company’s recent tours followed last month’s “Mobile Unpack” event in London where Samsung began introducing the white and blue smartphones with active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays.

It noted the features of its Galaxy S3, running on Google’s Android platform, which include eye tracking and direct calling functions. It also introduces “S-Voice,” allowing users to control and direct the mobile phones through voice communication systems such as raising the volume or asking questions.

The company released the new phones in 28 markets in Europe and the Middle East in late May, and plans to introduce them in 145 more markets by July, while Korean consumers are expected to see its 3G products next week, and LTE phones late this month.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)