Samsung Is Said to Plan Camera Revamp for Aug. 9 Note Unveiling

(Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co. plans to highlight an upgraded camera when it unveils its next Galaxy Note smartphone on Aug. 9, according to people familiar with the matter.

The new model, likely to be called the Note 9, will look similar to last year's model, but will also include an upgraded processor from Qualcomm Inc. for some markets, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private information.

Samsung's “Unpacked” event, which will be held in New York according to one of the people, comes about two weeks earlier this year than a similar occasion last year. The South Korean company aims to release the new model as early as the end of August, the people said, though plans could still shift. A Samsung spokesperson declined to comment about the event.

Samsung had 23 percent of the smartphone market in the first quarter versus 16 percent for Apple Inc., according to data from IDC. Earlier this year, Samsung released the Galaxy S9 phone with an upgraded camera, which has been well received by consumers.

The Note phone line helped usher in the large-phone format, a growing category that appeals to single-device consumers. Apple, which for years resisted making a large-screen iPhone, changed course in 2014 with the iPhone 6 Plus. Later this year, Apple plans to launch its biggest smartphone yet, a model with an almost 6.5-inch screen that looks like a bigger iPhone X.

Samsung is also working on a smart speaker coupled with its digital assistant Bixby, taking on Amazon.com Inc.'s Echo line of devices and Apple's HomePod, Bloomberg News reported last year.

--With assistance from Ian King and Sam Kim.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Gurman in San Francisco at mgurman1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Molly Schuetz, Anne VanderMey

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