Samsung Galaxy Alpha launches with iPhone 6 in its sights

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha is finally here - a premium Galaxy smartphone that shares some similarities to the flagship Galaxy S5 while also ploughing its own furrow.

It's the metal framed chassis which Samsung is putting the main emphasis on here, as it looks to bring a higher class look and feel to the handset.

The Galaxy Alpha won't be competing with the likes of the HTC One M8 or Sony Xperia Z2 however - the 4.7-inch, Super AMOLED 720p display links this particular handset more closely with the upcoming iPhone 6.

A super slim, 6.7mm body wrapped in a band of metal is reminiscent of Apple's design, although Samsung's new soft touch, dimpled polycarbonate rear still sneaks its way onto the back of the device.

While the screen may not live up to the full HD offerings we're now accustomed to, the octa-core (quad 1.8GHz + quad 1.3GHz), 2.5GHz quad-core (depending on which country you're in) processor and 2GB of RAM is certainly up there with the best of them.

Finger scannin' good

The Galaxy Alpha also inherits the fingerprint scanner under the home key and the heart rate monitor on the rear from the Galaxy S5, but there are no water or dust resistant features in play here.

Another area that takes a bit of a spec hit is the camera, with a 12MP snapper adorning the rear, while on the front you'll find a 2.1MP offering.

In terms of storage there's 32GB of internal space to play with, but in an interesting twist Samsung has decided not to put a microSD slot into the Galaxy Alpha.

There doesn't appear to a SIM tray round the outside of the handset, so we're still hopeful the rear cover will come off providing access to that and the 1860mAh battery - although we'll have to wait for confirmation.

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha release date is set for the start of September and it will be available in Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver and Scuba Blue, although we currently have no word on price.

SOURCE-TECH RADAR