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iPhone 6 Killers? Samsung, Sony And LG Ready Their Rival Devices For IFA 2014

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As Apple reportedly gears up for its September iPhone 6 launch, every other smartphone manufacturer will be watching with a close eye from IFA 2014 in Berlin. The annual consumer electronics show will take place in two weeks and we’re expecting to see a host of new TVs, smartphones, tablets and wearable tech.

We’ve already seen the Samsung Galaxy Alpha announced, and there’s no doubt that the Korean manufacturer has more up its sleeve at its Samsung Unpacked event on September 3rd.

Sony , LG, Nokia , and others are looking to make headlines with some new tech too, all of which I’ll be poised to report on with my pen and paper direct from Berlin.

In the meantime, here’s a rundown of what we’re expecting to see at IFA 2014.

Sony

Sony is looking to continue its six month smartphone release schedule by launching the anticipated Xperia Z3, following its predecessor the Z2 which was released earlier this year. The Z3 isn’t likely to be much of an upgrade on the Z2, but given that smartphone technology hasn’t improved much since March, that isn’t a surprise.

The Z3 is rumoured to follow along the lines of the Z2 with the same 1080p screen, 20.7-megapixel G-lens camera and the familiar oblong design that’s synonymous with the Xperia range. Rumours have long suggested that the Z3 will be a slight upgrade on the Z2, with most of the improvements happening in the chassis. The Z3 is tipped to include a 2.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 420 graphics chip.

There’s also a chance that Sony will set the compact smartphone pace with the Xperia Z3 mini, which may include a 2.5GHz processor, 20-megapixel camera, 2GB of RAM and a 4.7-inch screen.

We may also see the Smartwatch 3 unveiled at Sony’s conference, according to source Digi-Wo. Features could include improved resolution, a new transflective screen for better visibility in direct sunlight and its own Wi-Fi chip to give it some independence from a smartphone. Despite the launch of Android Wear this year, Sony will likely stick with its own wearable operating system.

Samsung

Samsung has jumped the IFA gun and launched its new flagship the Galaxy Alpha, a more powerful, all metal, version of its Galaxy S5 in an attempt to eat into the heavily leaked iPhone 6 sales.

It’s not uncommon for Samsung to launch a number of devices at once, and to be constantly working and releasing new products to flood the market. Samsung’s pre-IFA event on the 3rd September is expected to follow suit with a new Galaxy Note 4 and a Gear Solo smartwatch.

The Note 4 is tipped to have a 5.7-inch QHD screen like the LG G3, retina scanner, UV sensor and be available in two versions - standard and curved screen. Under the hood, reports say that it will have a 16-megapixel camera, 4GB of Ram, the new Snapdragon 805 processor and an Andreno 420 graphics chip.

There’s also the Gear Solo, a new smartwatch, which has been named as such because it’s reportedly going to feature a SIM card slot and work independently of a smartphone.

LG

LG could be shaping up to launch its second G-watch only months after the original G watch was released. According to the Korean Times, an LG spokesperson confirmed the existence of the new smartwatch, which is scheduled for an IFA unveiling.

LG Electronics has apparently teamed up with LG Display, LG Innotek, LG Chem (responsible for batteries) and “top watchmakers” to build a premium smartwatch - which may include an OLED screen - to compete with the much rumoured Apple iWatch.

LG is also looking to do a Samsung and launch a souped version of the successful LG G3 called the LG G3 Prime, which will be largely similar to its predecessor except for a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 CPU and 3Gb of RAM.

A new L series of budget smartphones will be launched at IFA too, LG announced today, with the manufacturer looking to capitalise on emerging markets with cheaper devices. The new devices will have the same rear-button layout as the high-end LG series and feature modest specifications that keep the cost down. The LG L Bello and LG L Fino will debut in Latin America.

A separate LG event could launch a range new 4K and curved displays, including its first ever 4K digital cinema monitor.

Motorola

Motorola could also launch a smartphone and smartwatch duo at IFA this year. The Moto 360 smartwatch may finally make an appearance after it was unveiled at Google I/O in June. Best Buy briefly listed it at $250 (before pulling it from the site) and said that it will ship with a “dock”, which is tipped to be its wireless charging accessory.

The Best Buy listing also claims that it will have a 320 x 290 resolution and 205 ppi, a built-in pedometer, heart rate monitor and it will be waterproof for up to 30 minutes in 3.3 feet of water.

We might also see an upgraded Moto X with some improved specs. And there’s an outside chance that Motorola might present its upgraded budget handset the Moto G, with a few new added fascias available.

Nokia

Nokia could be gearing up to launch the Lumia 1020 at this year’s IFA. The invite that was sent out to journalists gives away a few hints as to what to expect from the conference.

The invite indicates that a sequel to an existing device will be on the way by saying “ready for more”. Some have speculated that the “o” in “more” bares a resemblance to the camera of the Nokia 1020, which was launched in summer last year.

Reports also suggest that the pictures that were leaked on Chinese social networking site Weibo could be the rumoured ‘selfie phone’. It’s tipped to have a 5-megapixel front facing camera, a 5-inch display and a 6.7-megapixel rear camera.