Samsung launches its latest ‘phablet’

SEOUL - Agence France-Presse

Samsung President Lee presents the new phablet Galaxy Note 4 at the Unpacked 2014 Episode 2 event ahead of the IFA Electronics show in Berlin. REUTERS Photo

South Korea’s Samsung launched the latest version of its oversized Galaxy Note smartphone earlier than expected Sept. 23 after U.S. rival Apple reported record sales of its latest iPhone 6.

Samsung said the Galaxy Note 4 – initially scheduled for launch in October – would hit stores in South Korea and China this week before being sold in 140 nations by the end of next month.

It would be the first time a flagship Samsung product has gone on sale in China ahead of other markets, reflecting the firm’s desire to battle growing competition from cheaper Chinese-made rivals.          

The decision to bring forward the launch also came after rival Apple reported a record opening weekend for its latest range of iPhones, including the iPhone 6 Plus – the U.S. firm’s first foray into the big-screen market.

Sales topped 10 million in just three days following Sept. 19’s launch in the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore.

Samsung initially pioneered the market for the “phablet” devices – sized between a smartphone and a tablet computer –when it introduced its Galaxy Note series in 2011.