Samsung unveils F480, its iPhone challenger

First, a caveat. Before you create a stampede to the nearest local Samsung mobile phone outlet due to the gorgeous F480 you see here, bear in mind that last week’s launch in South Korea was the phone’s global debut — not an introduction to the Philippine market.

Which means that it won’t necessarily be on display at your neighborhood cellphone tiangge if you rush there right now. Or even next week.

With the F480, Samsung aims to consolidate its position as a leading player in the exponentially growing touch-screen mobile market, which was given a major kick-start with the revolutionary interface found in Apple’s iPhone.

“The F480 is a significant addition to our touch-screen mobile portfolio, bringing a totally new and exciting user experience,” said Geesung Choi, president of Samsung’s telecommunications business.

“The F480 is just the first in a series of touch-screen mobiles we are launching this year, to provide our consumers with a more rewarding and engaging user interface: one that’s more fun, easier to use and more personal,” Choi said.

The slim and upscale-looking F480 combines Samsung’s new and unique TouchWIZ user interface, which uses specially designed widgets to customize and personalize the way you use your phone.

The quick and simple drag-and-drop feature lets users have instant access to their favorite functions at a touch.

A unique menu of widgets displays functions such as the clock, radio player, music player and more personal elements including photos and birthday reminders, which users can drag and drop onto their home screens to suit their personal needs.

Samsung’s differentiated tactile technology also gives users a tangible and pleasing feedback sensation when items are selected.

“Samsung’s F480 has been designed with its users in mind, ensuring that its aesthetically pleasing design was equally matched when it came to the way that users interact with the mobile,” said Jay Kim from Samsung’s UX Design Team.

The ultra-slim credit card-size and refined texture make the F480 smooth and stylish. The svelte, brushed metal finish gives it visual sophistication, further enhanced by its premium leather case, which serves to protect the touch-screen when you’re on the move.

The smart and “emotional” touch interface coupled with its sophisticated design should appeal to users looking for the latest functionality while expressing their individuality.

Despite its slim 11.6-mm body, the F480 boasts all the multimedia functions you would expect from a premium handset. This includes 240MB of internal music memory, a memory card with up to 8GB storage, an integrated FM radio, a five-megapixel camera featuring auto-focus, and a CMOS video lens.

In addition, the phone also offers high-end camera features like automatic face detection and a sophisticated image stabilizer.

Making a first appearance on a mobile phone is the F480’s intelligent “smile shot” mode, which enables the camera to detect when the subject is smiling and automatically takes a picture.

The F480’s high-speed Internet access (via HSDPA) and USB 2.0 connectivity enables users to transfer and download data faster. Whether they are music or video files, customers can enjoy all the benefits of being online on the go.

The F480 will be hit major European markets this June and will be available in other GSM regions, including the Philippines, soon after.