As Samsung was unveiling the Galaxy S IV in New York, HTC President Jason Mackenzie and his team stood outside Radio City Music Hall demoing the latest One series while handing out $100 coupons and hot cocoa to reporters and consumers gathering there. Mackenzie also took interviews, reiterating that HTC remained hopeful on its latest flagship smartphone.
HTC Chief Marketing Officer Benjamin Ho also sent out an email just hours after the Galaxy S IV launch. “With a continuation of a plastic body, and a larger screen being the most obvious physical change, Samsung’s new Galaxy pales in comparison to the all-aluminum uni-body HTC One,” said Ho in the email. “This is more of the same. HTC remains the best option for those people looking for the best technology wrapped in premium design.”
This is a significant shift, as the Taiwanese firm has never commented on rival’s products before. The change is reflective of the company’s own tenuous position, after net profit shrank to the lowest in more than five years to a point where investors worry the company may soon slip into the red.
IDC states that the Galaxy S IV stands out with its software capability, although its plastic backing with a metal band is still not fancy enough compared with phones from HTC and other rivals. “The company has utilized the device sensors, including new features like temperature and humidity, to gain an advantage by differentiating from its competitors,” the IDC said. “Samsung clearly needs to innovate its device materials to keep up with the developments seen from HTC Sony , or even Nokia.”
Galaxy IV is set to hit the market in April, around the same time as HTC’s One.
Source: WSJ.com
