Samsung Galaxy SII was released last Friday to Sprint, and yesterday to AT&T users in the United States. Experts predict that it will surpass the iphone, which is currently the most popular smartphone in the market, but the Galaxy’s popularity will depend on how consumers respond to the controversy between Samsung and Apple products.
Earlier this year, Apple filed a lawsuit against the Galaxy phone for “copying” their products – the iphone, ipad, and itouch. “Samsung products appear to be actual Apple products,” said Apple in its complaint. But the “look” and “feel” may not be Apple’s true concern. The new Galaxy SII has features that rival those of the iphone 5 that is yet to be released.
According to the International Business Times, Galaxy offers higher quality pictures and video-taking, and is four times faster than iphone 5. Some Galaxy users world-wide – in South Korea, England, and other European countries where the phone was released earlier this year – have even tried comparing the two phones side-by-side and posting the videos on Youtube. The results? The reviews and comments seem favorable for Galaxy, but will it be able to compete with the iphone that has long captured the hearts of American consumers?
Apple products have long conquered the markets of smartphones and computers. In the US, the popularity of iphones is comparative to that of Jansport and Hollister, brands that are popular among teenagers, particularly California. No other smartphone, mp3 player, or tablet has been able to rival with those of Apple. And no other company has been filed a lawsuit by Apple for producing products with similar functions. Is this a sign that Galaxy be the game changer? Sixteen year-old Francisca Lujano disagrees.
“It’s all the brand,” she says. “Whatever trend there is, people just go with that, period.”
