The countdown to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) is on with just a month left to go. And over the past few days, rumours surrounding
Samsung's next line of devices are beginning to churn out pretty fast. (
Also see:
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 image leaked, likely to compete with iPad mini)
The latest one, as reported by Samsung prominent blog
SamMobile indicates that the Galaxy S IV has now been codenamed "Altius" and is expected to go on sale in April.
The blog mentions that Samsung is indeed planning to "ship the Altius starting from week 16, which simply means April 15". It goes on to say that the Korean manufacturer is likely to announce the device at a special mobile unpacked event at MWC or maybe sometime in March in London or New York.
Furthermore, the blog claims that
earlier rumours suggesting that the smartphone will support wireless charging are in fact real. The company plans to sell a separate dock and a back cover with wireless charging capabilities for the device. The wireless charging kit is expected to be made available a couple of weeks later after the Galaxy S IV goes on sale.
This means that the successor in the Galaxy S line will have a removable back cover, just like company's current flagship device the Galaxy S III.
An earlier report mentioned that Samsung plans on using an alternate technology based on resonant magnetic coupling that is different from the electromagnetic induction found in the current wireless chargers. It also stated that the Galaxy S IV will not come integrated with wireless charging compatibility, but will rather sell the charger and a backplate, which is required to enable wireless charging separately.
Other rumoured specs of the device so far include a
4.99-inch Super AMOLED display with full-HD resolution,
13-megapixel rear autofocus camera, Android Jelly Bean,
Exynos 5 Octa chipset and an
S-Pen stylus.
As far as confirmed specs are concerned, the blog claims 100 percent confirmation on the following specs for the company's next flagship device:
Code Name: Altius
Model Number: GT-I9500
Colours: Black / White
Battery Capacity: 2600 mAh
Special: Wireless Charging Kit
Additionally, the blog also reports via
TuttoAndroid that an alleged press shot of the Galaxy S IV has been found on Picasa. Folks at SamMobile are quick to point out that it's a fake based on the UI and design of the device.