Samsung to unveil LTE versions of Galaxy S II and Tab

Despite a temporary Europe-wide ban on its Galaxy smartphone, Samsung will nevertheless reveal 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) versions of its Galaxy S II smartphone and Galaxy Tab 8.9 media tablet devices at this week’s IFA consumer electronics extravaganza in Berlin.

“With the introduction of Galaxy S II LTE and Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE, we will take the capabilities of these devices to a whole new level,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business.

“LTE redefines the user experience made possible by these devices and opens entirely new possibilities in terms of content viewing, sharing, quality and connectivity,” Shin said.

“This is a milestone in our commitment to lead the charge in 4G mobile telephony around the world, both in terms of back-end network solutions for service providers and the development of powerful consumer handsets,” Shin added.

LTE technology allows portable devices to download high-quality files at speeds of up to 100Mbps, and to upload at speeds of 50Mbps theoretically – five times faster than even the quickest HSPA+ connection.

This means that a four-minute long MP3 track can be downloaded in 0.3 seconds, or an entire film file in less than two minutes.

Samsung says the enhanced connectivity afforded by LTE technology opens up a range of possibilities for users: features like social gaming, video conferencing and high-quality media streaming can all be enjoyed seamlessly, with vast improvements in download times and connectivity.

4G technology also enables the seamless and near-instant sharing of multimedia content with friends and family, ensuring that users can share the experiences they love whenever they want.

The addition of LTE to the Samsung GALAXY portfolio also opens further opportunities for mobile application and content developers creating a new generation of mobile services that take full advantage of increased bandwidth and improved connectivity.

Galaxy S II LTE

The Galaxy S II LTE will be powered by a 1.5GHz dual core processor, promising superior 3D graphic performance which makes games and video consumption fast and smooth. It will run on Google’s Android 2.3 operating system.

A 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display provides stunning visual clarity, with HD video and images taken on the device’s 8MP camera displayed in full vivid colour.

The Galaxy S II LTE also offers a rich content experience, with social, game and music hubs all included, while a Readers Hub will be available for download after launch. These are in addition to a number of enterprise solutions aimed at increasing productivity. Running on Android 2.3, the GALAXY S II LTE is easy and intuitive to use.

The GALAXY S II LTE can also be connected to up to eight devices via Wi-Fi, meaning that files can be quickly and seamlessly synchronised with laptops, tablets and other smartphones.

Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE

The LTE edition of the Galaxy Tab 8.9 measures just 8.6mm thin while weighing only 455g.

LTE capabilities enable video conferences to be held without need to worry about failing connections, while the 8.9-inch screen enables easy rendering of business content such as presentations. The TouchWiz interface enables an intuitive user experience, enhanced by the space and freedom provided by the large display.

Whether writing emails on a trip or reading an eBook in bed, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 LTE provides the ultimate tablet experience without compromising mobility.