Samsung’s new offering: Galaxy Note II with Jelly Bean

Berlin: Samsung unveiled the second generation of its popular Galaxy Note phone-cum-tablet, setting high hopes for its success.

“I am pretty confident it will even outsell its predecessor,” said JK Shin, Samsung’s chief of mobile business.

Samsung has sold some 10 million of its original Galaxy Note devices, creating a new product category which has smaller screen than tablets, but bigger than smartphones.

Samsung hopes the new device will take the focus away from its loss of the court case. Apple is now seeking speedy bans on the sale of eight Samsung phones, moving swiftly to turn legal victory into tangible business gain.

The Galaxy Note phablet, one of the most popular Samsung devices after its flagship Galaxy S, is not included in the list of the potential US sales ban, and Samsung hopes the phablet upgrade will lift any post-Apple gloom at the South Korean group.

Samsung unveiled the second generation of its popular Galaxy Note phone-cum-tablet, setting high hopes for its success. AP

“There won’t be huge innovative changes in design, but the Note II will feature quite a few improvements and enable Samsung to carry on its strong sales momentum in the category,” said Lee Sun-tae, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities. “With the launch, Samsung will also be trying to turn around downbeat sentiment after the US legal defeat.”

The new version of the Note will feature a thinner and slightly bigger 5.5-inch screen, powerful quad-core processor, the latest version of the Android operating system called Jellybean, and improved stylus function.

“The Galaxy Note II is a strong successor to its surprise hit predecessor. Its clear differentiation is a big advantage in a congested fourth quarter market,” said CCS Insight analyst Geoff Blaber.

Reuters