Fingers crossed for the Samsung Galaxy S3? Stand by to be disappointed: reports suggest it's not turning up in the next month as expected.
The S3, the expected follow-up to the hugely popular Samsung Galaxy S2, won't be among the swathe of new phones announced in February at Mobile World Congress, the traditional launchpad of the year's new mobiles, according to sources cited by The Verge.
As long ago as last summer we saw possible leaks of the S3. With the S2 possibly the best smart phone on the market right now -- it was our favourite mobile of 2011 and certainly the fiercest rival to the iPhone -- to say the S3 is hotly anticipated is an understatement.
But sources say the S3 won't make its debut at Barcelona-based trade show Mobile World Congress, the annual phonefest where phone companies usually show off their wares. If the S3 doesn't take a bow in Barcelona it's because either it isn't ready, or Samsung feels the S3 is bigger than Mobile World Congress.
After all, Apple doesn't reveal the new iPhone surrounded by hundreds of other phone companies at a trade show -- it has its own launch. And if any phone has the big-name perception to challenge the iPhone, it's the Galaxy S3.
Samsung could also be trying to synchronise international release dates. The S2 arrived in Britain in May last year, but only hit US networks late in 2011. US S2 fans with AT&T contracts only got their hands on the phone in November, eight months after the phone was announced. Samsung may want to narrow that gap by announcing the S3 later, closer to an actual release.
The S3 will help drive Android generally: we reckon the S2 played a big part in keeping Android ahead of the game here in the UK while the iPhone overtook Android in the US.
The S3 may not be at MWC, but we certainly will. CNET will be at MWC in force to bring you all the news, reviews and videos of the latest phones and tablets from the show.
Are you looking forward to the S3? In the absence of the Galactic superstar, who will dominate the news in February? Tell us your predictions down in the comments or on our Facebook page, then watch our video roundup of the rumours surrounding one of the biggest phones of the year.
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Comments 10
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anonymous 26 January, 2012 16:15
"while the iPhone overtook Android in the US."
This my friend is a failed statement....
anonymous 26 January, 2012 16:44
Fanatastic news for me,since my GS contract is not up till Sept any delay that holds it's launch until nearer then is most welcome.
anonymous 26 January, 2012 18:21
I agree with the comment below, since when did Apple overtake Android in the US Market? So many people confuse operating systems with phone manufactures. The IPhone is probably the most popular smartphone handset in the USA, but as far as operating systems goes Android clearly dominates. Granted someone could argue that Android is on so many different types of phones (Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, Sony, and etc.), but isn't that the purpose of an operating system? Apple chooses to be exclusive to their own phones, tablets, and etc, and in doing so they have been successful, but that exclusiveness has allowed Android the operating system to flourish.
Rich Trenholm 27 January, 2012 09:22
Since the last quarter of 2011, Anonymous 3. Sorry to disapoint you chaps, but I'm afraid the iPhone has indeed overtaken all Android phones in US market share. Apple took 44.9 of the smart phone market, and Android phones made up 44.8 per cent. It's close, but Apple indeed edges it.
anonymous 27 January, 2012 12:28
one of my upgrades is in April so looking good 4 nice shiny s3 then :) hopefully!! cant w8, as a vintage customer with orange i got the s2 4 free last year in june for £26pm with insurance & unlimited min/txt 500mb. :) xperia x10 2 upgrade next.
anonymous 27 January, 2012 16:37
i wish they release the s3 when iphone 5 is out
the s3 will kill that device
myproffs 28 January, 2012 16:23
[Update] Samsung: We are still reviewing the Galaxy S 3 launch
http://myproffs.co.uk/index.php/home/1615-update-samsung-we-are-still-reviewing-the-galaxy-s-3-launch
myproffs 28 January, 2012 16:24
Samsung Galaxy S III Appears on Samsung’s Website?
http://myproffs.co.uk/index.php/home/1619-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-appears-on-samsungs-website
anonymous 29 January, 2012 00:45
Quote "i wish they release the s3 when iphone 5 is out. The s3 will kill that device"
Haha too right. I hope SGS3 would launch and go head to head against iphone5 at the same time just to give the ifaggots a proper beatdown lol. But then again, even in the face of lacklustre tech, there is very little doubt in my mind that isheeps will somehow continue to justify or defend half assed specs with delusional fervour and continue to brush aside the many inadequacies of iphones under the carpet on things such as…
Tiny ass screen
Inadequate RAM
No external SD support
Fragile screens which cracks easily with the slightest drop
Lack of choice other than defaults and user customisability, from custom launchers, to widgets and so on
Crap multi-tasking, no quick toggle of various settings and notification system etc.
isheeps will be isheeps, just you watch lol!
Sayittomyface 29 January, 2012 14:13
Samsung fanboys. You all know that Apple has influenced EVERY Smartphone there is today. Companys like HTC were already making amazing phones before the iPhone, thats correct yeah. But the way the iPhone has been promoted etc has caught the eye of everyone. But it is ONLY Samsung who copied Apple, the S1 menu was identical, even the camera snapper sound and animation. Where we have seen Microsoft, LG, HTC all take steps into a different direction, I do not doubt for a minute that the S3 will be somewhat related to Apple, simply because Samsung cant make their own ideas. I've only used an Android device once, I hated it. The amount of lag, and the constant freezing of messages drives me insane, the iPhone 5 may suprise you all, once all you samsung fanboys realise that the whole Android operating systems a joke. You'll turn to either Windows Phone or Apple.