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Samsung could soon introduce a third premium smartphone experience to complement the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note family, says an industry source (translate).
According to ETNews, the so-called Galaxy F could feature cutting-edge hardware specifications and materials that trump those in its current portfolio. Key among the rumored details are an octa-core processor, a 16-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, and a metal case. This design could see Samsung pushing further into the curved display technology.
Although rumors point to the Galaxy F as an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean device, I suspect that by the time it arrives (if it arrives), it will at least carry Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and hopefully Android 4.4 KitKat.
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I don’t know about you, but the idea of a premium metal Samsung smartphone sounds very expensive. With the plastic Galaxy S4 fetching over $600 retail and the Galaxy Note 3 coming in at around $700, depending on the region, the Galaxy F could cost $800 or more without a contract.
This is, however, assuming that Samsung doesn’t lower the pricing structure of the previous lineup to reflect this potential new player.
With nearly all other handset makers now producing aluminum or metal bodies with nonremovable batteries, it should not come a surprise that Samsung might take a crack at the same. One of the first things people notice about the HTC One and the Sony Xperia Z is the way they feel in hand. A new Galaxy F series could put an end to the complaints of Samsung’s plastic ways without changing the Galaxy S series.
If the F comes to be, it will be interesting to see just how many of these phones sell and what sort of market availability Samsung envisions. It’s one thing to release a special gold version of an existing device; it’s something entirely different to introduce a brand-new line.
