Samsung and LG are apparently getting ready for a smartphone display war this summer, with both companies expected to launch handsets with 2K displays in the coming months, including the Galaxy S5 and the G3, respectively. The Korea Herald has learned from a source at Samsung that the original Galaxy S5 was supposed to pack a higher-definition display, but the feature was ultimately scraped because of its cost.
“Samsung Electronics was supposed to use a QHD [2560 x 1440] display for its Galaxy S5, but it failed due to the high cost,” the source said. “As the Galaxy S5 Prime will be rolled out in small quantities, it is highly likely that QHD will be adopted.”
The publication also revealed that the Galaxy S5’s QHD OLED display is more expensive to mass-produce than the G3’s QHD LCD display.
The Galaxy S5 Prime, which was detailed in many reports despite Samsung denying it, is said to undergo an interoperability test this week, with the test expected to last for one or two months.
Meanwhile, the G3, which is supposed to be one of the most important Galaxy S5 rivals this year, has already been confirmed for a late May launch, as LG has sent out media invites for a massive press event that will take place in six cities around the world. The phone is supposed to hit international markets “within a month after it is rolled out in Korea,” according to a source.
The Korea Herald has further explained that LG is reportedly launching the G3 earlier as it wants to avoid competing with Apple’s iPhone 6 this September. However, a simultaneous launch with the Galaxy S5 Prime would not be beneficial for the G3 either.
