Rival South Korean consumer electronics companies Samsung and LG are both said to be prepping the launch of new spinoffs based on their flagship smartphones Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge and the G4 respectively. While Samsung is said to be getting ready to introduce high-end models like the much-rumored Galaxy S6 Plus and the S6 Edge Plus, LG is said to be in the process of getting a mid-range device called the G4 Beat ready for launch sometime later this year. Industry sources have claimed that Samsung has apparently already been showcasing the upcoming models to its partners, and it shouldn’t be long before the company introduces the models officially to the media.
According to the report from Business Korea, Samsung is currently developing ‘Project 2’, which is said to come with the model number SM-G928, and is thought to be the spinoff of one of the Galaxy S-series flagship devices. The smartphone is said to be a phablet, measuring 151 mm by 71 mm, and carrying a 3000 mAh battery. If the report turns out to be true, it would be interesting to see where Samsung positions the upcoming devices, seeing as the Galaxy Note 5 and maybe even the Note Edge 2 are scheduled to take their places at the top of the pile when launched later this year. The company meanwhile, already has a Galaxy S6 spinoff in the US market. The device is called the Galaxy S6 Active, and is aimed at the outdoorsy types. The smartphone is a rugged version of the Galaxy S6, and comes with a larger 3,500 mAh battery along with water and dust-proofing unlike the original Galaxy S6.
As for LG Electronics, the company is expected to introduce the mid-range G4 Beat as a successor to last year’s G3 Beat, to markets in South America, Asia and Europe. The device is said to feature a 5.2-inch full HD IPS LCD display, and come with a 1.5 GHz octa-core processor of undisclosed make. The handset will reportedly come with curved 2.5D glass and a 3D-patterned back cover for a premium feel. The smartphone maker has already introduced some G4 spinoffs this year including the G4 Stylus and the G4c, and while they share some of the characteristics of the flagship G4, they’re significantly cheaper than the original.