Samsung Galaxy S5 outsells Apple iPhone 5s in the US on launch weekend

Samsung is on a roll with the Galaxy S5, even though reports prior to the launch indicated that sales would be slow for the global smartphone leader.

A new report by iQmetrix highlights that Samsung sold more units of the S5 during its launch weekend (April 11-13, 2014), compared to Apple’s iPhone 5s (September 20-22, 2013).

During the launch period, the Galaxy S5 comprised 23 percent and 18 percent of the total phones sold in the US and Canada respectively. On the other hand, the iPhone 5s comprised just 18 percent of total phones sold in the US and 13 percent in Canada, during its launch weekend.

Breaking down the Galaxy S5 sales by region – it comprises 41 percent of phones sold during April 11-13 in the Southern US region, 30 percent in the Northeast, 23 percent in the Midwest, 21 percent in the West and 18% in Canada.

Another interesting bit the report highlights that despite the upcoming Galaxy S5 launch, Galaxy S4 sales were at its peak during the 2013 holiday season and also in January 2014. On the other hand, during the six month period prior to the iPhone 5s launch, the iPhone 5 sales dropped progressively.

It’s been just under two weeks since Samsung brought the Galaxy S5 to markets around the world. Samsung has been gung-ho about the prospects of the S5 since day one and has proclaimed that it will outsell the Galaxy S4. Check out our Galaxy S5 unboxing video.

Moreover, a recent report revealed that the S5 accounts for nearly one percent of the entire Android market, in mere two weeks. The Samsung Galaxy S5 now makes up about 0.7 percent of the entire Android market, according to the report. That’s a staggering figure which proves that sales are well on track for the global smartphone leader.

Report Claims iPhone 6 Will Feature Curved Display, All-Aluminum Rear Shell

Apple's next-generation iPhone may feature rounded edges and a curved glass display, according to a new report from Mac Otakara 

   

 
                                                 The Squair Curvaceous Bumper

 Citing "reliable sources", the publication notes that the iPhone 6's cover glass will sit flush with the device's rounded corners, departing from the straight edges seen on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5s. The report likens the device's profile to the Squair Curvaceous Bumper, a Japan-made aluminum bumper for the iPhone that features a rounded housing. 

The report also claims that Apple will do away with the rear glass antenna breaks found on the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s in favor of an all-aluminum design. Such a move would likely mean that Apple is incorporating significant changes to its overall antenna layout, perhaps positioning current radios in different locations. 

Throughout the past few months, various reports have indicated that the iPhone 6 may feature slightly rounded edges. However, only a few reports have claimed that the device will feature a curved glass display, with Bloomberg noting last December that the company was working on two iPhones with large curved screens for this year. That account however was contrasted by The Wall Street Journal this past January, which said that Apple would not be using a curved display in its devices. 
 

           Renderings of the iPhone 6 (4.7'') and iPhone 6 (5.7'') based on leaked schematics

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 6 later this year in two different sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. It is also likely that the smaller 4.7-inch version of the phone will ship first in the third quarter of this year, while the larger version is estimated to ship later due to challenges with the device's display technology and battery life. 

In addition to a larger display, both versions of the iPhone 6 are expected to include a thinner, bezel-free design, faster A8 processor, Touch ID fingerprint sensor and an upgraded camera with optical image stabilization. The device is also expected to debut with Apple's latest iOS 8 mobile operating system, which will likely feature enhancements to Maps, Siri, and iCloud in addition to a new "Healthbook" app. Apple is also said to benegotiating with carriers to increase the price of the iPhone 6 by $100.