14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung could not wait for IFA 2014 to bring out its premium Galaxy Alpha and decided that the smartphone was worth its own dedicated event and a special announcement.
This is why Samsung Galaxy Alpha went official ahead of IFA 2014, but the trade fair was the first to offer the handset maker the chance to showcase the smartphone for a larger audience.
We had the chance to take it for a spin, and at first glance Samsung did a wonderful job with the Galaxy Alpha when it comes to design.
While the device bears the same distinctive mark of all Galaxy S flagship smartphones launched by Samsung in the last couple of years, the Alpha seems more akin to Galaxy S II’s design.
The usual Home screen that’s part of Samsung’s Galaxy S smartphones is present in this model as well, along with the back cover that features that same perforated pattern that got introduced with the Galaxy S5.
However, the phone’s entire chassis features an aluminum frame. The handset looks and feels compact in hand, and thanks to the fact that it’s smaller than the Galaxy S5, you get a better grip. The perforated pattern on the back cover improves the grip over the phone as well.
Overall, the design screams minimalistic look and this is something that Samsung tried to achieve with its latest Galaxy S smartphones, but the Galaxy Alpha is the first that makes this statement clearly.
Samsung Galaxy Alpha looks a lot like the old Galaxy S II
While Samsung has been accused many times in the past of copying Apple’s design and implementing it into its products, it appears that Galaxy Alpha is trying to distance itself from these allegations.
Paradoxically, it achieves that by borrowing a lot from the Galaxy S II, but there are some similarities with the iPhone 5s that Apple fans will probably point out, saying that Galaxy Alpha is another Samsung copycat.
The candybar form factor is the first thing that comes to mind when comparing the two smartphones. But then there’s the aluminum frame that keeps together the phone’s chassis, which is similar to that of the iPhone 5s.
Obviously, Apple and Samsung used different technologies to obtain these brushed aluminum edges and one will notice which of the smartphones is holding up better during daily use.
The rounded corners are another aspect that could be borrowed from iPhone 5s’ form factor, though there are many other smartphones featuring a similar design.
All in all, we’re still undecided whether or not Samsung Galaxy Alpha copied the iPhone 5s, but one thing is certain, and that’s the fact that Galaxy Alpha does look gorgeous. Do you see any other similarities between the two smartphones? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
