One of Samsung's many alleged handsets is now pegged for a launch as early as August 4. According to reports the Samsung Galaxy Alpha will be the Korean phone-maker's first metal-built handset.
The word comes via reputable Samsung tech news site SamMobile, which writes that it is able to "confirm that the device will be officially announced on August 4th, instead of sometime in mid-August as other leaks had mentioned." No sources, anonymous or otherwise, are cited on this occasion.
The emergence of the Galaxy Alpha is somewhat confusing, as it follows repeated reports of a Galaxy F model which the rumour mill has frequently claimed will be made of metal and would be a more "premium" edition of the Galaxy S5.
However, while reports of the Galaxy F seem to imply it will feature a fully metal construction, the Galaxy Alpha has been shown in leaks with a non-metallic back panel. It appears the handset has a metal frame surround rather than Samsung's usual chromed plastic setup.
Assuming SamMobile's information is accurate though, there's a reason for this. The site claims the Galaxy Alpha is "not meant as a flagship device," adding that it will be "a mix of high-end and mid-range hardware."
That spec includes a 4.8-inch 720p display, 32GB of onboard storage with no microSD slot, and the Galaxy S5's fingerprint scanner. We've also previously heard it may have the heartbeat sensor. Leaked images of the Galaxy Alpha show it looking a bit like the old Galaxy S2, as it's much squarer than the current flagship.
This spec and the lack of a metal back panel leaves the door wide open for the Galaxy F to still be on the way as a "premium" alternative to the Galaxy S5. The Galaxy Note 4 is on the way at IFA 2014 in September, taking place in Berlin, Germany - Samsung has used this venue to launch a new Note handset every year since the brand's emergence. Some rumours suggest that if the Galaxy F is real it may be launching at the same time as the next Note.
Launching the Galaxy Alpha earlier does give a bit of breathing room before the Note 4, and possibly Galaxy F, appear in September. Some rumours suggest the Alpha will be the first of a new Alpha range of Samsung devices.
by pbriden via Featured Articles
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