Samsung unveils Galaxy Alpha smartphone

Many see the Galaxy Alpha as Samsung's answer to the upcoming iPhone 6 because of its use of a metal frame, ditching the plastic build of previous Galaxy smartphones including the Galaxy S5. It does, however, still feature a soft-touch rear panel.

The new smartphone features a 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED display, either a 1.8GHz octa-core or 2.5GHz quad-core processor as well as 2GB of RAM. It also supports Cat 6 LTE connectivity, which means it can deliver up to 300mbps internet speeds. It also sports 32GB of onboard storage but unfortunately no microSD card expansion port.

A 12-megapixel camera can be found on the back. This features real-time HDR, meaning users can see light balancing on the screen before a photo is taken. A standard 2.1-megapixel camera is on the front. A 1850mAh battery rounds off the tech specs.

The same fingerprint and heart-rate sensors found on the Galaxy S5 can also be found on the Galaxy Alpha along with an Ultra Power Saving Mode, which claims to last a full day on just 10 per cent of battery.

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha will be available from September running Android 4.4 Kit Kat. It will arrive in Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver and Scuba Blue finishes. Pricing details have yet to be announced.

MORE: Best smartphones to buy 2014

Max Langridge

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.

Latest in Smartphones
The Google Pixel 9a being held horizontally at waist-height so only the back is visible.
The Google Pixel 9a launches at £100 less than the iPhone 16e with a better screen
iPhone 16 Plus smartphone
Got an old iPhone? We'll help you decide on how to upgrade
iPhone 16e in black and white on a white background
iPhone 16e vs Sony Xperia 10 VI: what are the differences?
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e's downgrades are in all the right places if, like me, movies on the move are your priority
iPhone 16e on white background
Apple officially unveils the affordable iPhone 16e complete with an OLED display and Dolby Atmos support
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: what's the difference, and which one should you buy?
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position