LG Electronics introduced its ambitious V20 equipped with a dual camera that was first introduced in a V10 model last October. (image: LG Electronics)
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung has impressed consumers with iris-scanning technology and dust and water-proof enclosures in its premium phones, and LG, with its dual camera and improved audio capabilities (in the new V20). But how long will these latest technologies remain as signature features exclusive to individual models of premium smartphones?
Thinking outside the box is not easy, and neither is innovation, which is why smartphone manufacturers tend to adopt technology introduced by other manufactures, leading to the standardization of premium smartphones.
On Wednesday, LG Electronics introduced its ambitious V20 equipped with a dual camera that was first introduced in a V10 model last October. The dual camera, as the name suggests, allows one to take two separate photos from two different angles, with one often used to capture other data such as depth perception.
The technology has been widely acclaimed since its introduction, and has quickly been adopted by smartphone manufacturers, including HTC in its HTC One (M8) smartphone.
Apple, which will be announcing the iPhone 7 on Wednesday, is also expected to have equipped the new phone with a dual camera. Although detailed specifications of the new iPhone’s imaging components have yet to be revealed, the camera is likely to allow up to 3x optical zoom, offer lower noise levels and clearer pictures in darker surroundings.
Smartphone-specific styluses are another feature that has become popular among phone manufacturers.
Samsung’s latest phablet, the Galaxy Note 7, comes with an improved stylus called the S Pen. For a finer and more precise writing or drawing experience, the S Pen has 4,096 different levels of pressure sensitivity, with a tip diameter of only 0.7mm.
For a finer and more precise writing or drawing experience, the S Pen has 4,096 different levels of pressure sensitivity, with a tip diameter of only 0.7mm. (image: Samsung Electronics)
Similarly, there has been speculation that the upcoming iPhone will also come with an Apple Pencil. Despite the late Apple founder Steve Jobs’ clear disdain for styluses, Apple Pencil was introduced in September 2015 alongside the new iPad Pro.
Dust and water-proof construction is becoming universal as well.
Samsung, for instance, first introduced improved resistance to the elements with its Galaxy S5. And although the S6 and S6 Edge were launched with metal bodies that lacked protection against dust and water ingress, environmental protection was in high demand, and reappeared in the S7 series and the Note 7, with even better performance.
Predictably, the iPhone 7 is also anticipated to have embraced this type of construction, and according to a number of IT media reports, the new smartphone will have IPX7 water resistance, allowing for underwater submersion of up to 30 minutes at a depth of one meter.
“With major smartphone manufacturers adopting the best technology from each other, the disparity in technical functions between premium smartphones is disappearing,” said an electronics industry official. “Short of new groundbreaking innovations, this trend is likely to continue.”
Meanwhile, the battle between the three tech giants – Samsung, LG, and Apple – will heighten in October with the release of LG’s V20, Apple’s iPhone 7, and the resumed sale of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 following the phablet’s global recall.
By Joseph Shin (jss539@koreabizwire.com)
