San Francisco (AFP)

Samsung presented Tuesday four new smartphones, including a folding, under the sign of the convergence between 5G, artificial intelligence and internet of things, with the aim of regaining first place in the race for best sales.

The South Korean telecoms giant dominates the smartphone market, but in the last quarter of 2019, Apple sold more phones than it - 74 million compared to 70 million for Samsung, according to the firm IDC - thanks to the success of the iPhone. 11 during the holiday season.

Technologically, Samsung has taken several steps ahead of its American competitor, in particular thanks to the integration of the ability to use 5G networks, optional on its new flagship range, the Galaxy S20.

"They are clearly trying to leverage their momentum on the 5G side as a telephone operator," said Caroline Milanesi, an analyst at Creative Strategies.

South Korea is the most advanced country in the world in terms of deployment and uses of the new generation of mobile communications.

"This is the first phone with real 5G, which works whatever the type of frequencies," she continues. "So from the consumer's point of view, these are the only smartphones compatible with future network developments".

- "Risky" -

After the Galaxy S10, also presented in San Francisco a year ago, Samsung goes directly to the Galaxy S20, S20 + and S20 Ultra, all equipped with the 8K definition. The "Ultra" model has a zoom of up to 100x.

All include optional 5G and will be available for sale on March 6 starting at $ 1,000 for the S20 and $ 1,400 for the S20 Ultra.

Samsung has announced in parallel a drop in prices for the S10 range, which now starts at $ 600.

"The prices are going down, the experiences are getting better, that's what it takes to get back in the lead, I don't think Apple will have anything similar for 3 to 5 years," commented Patrick Moorhead , analyst at Moore Insight & Strategy.

The American brand does not yet offer 5G on its smartphones, and none is folding.

"I feel like Apple is a little concerned about taking risks these days," said Patrick Moorhead. "Folding phones are still a risky bet because of friction."

The South Korean company is launching its second smartphone of its kind, the Galaxy Z Flip. Optimized for making video calls, square in shape when closed in half, it looks like a pocket mirror.

It will go on sale from February 14 from $ 1,380, and succeeds the Galaxy Fold, unveiled a year ago, which had experienced some setbacks.

- "sexy" -

This time, the screen is made of ultra-thin glass, and "it is so durable that you can fold it over 200,000 times," said Rebecca Hirst, group director for the United Kingdom.

"You defy the rules of physics every time you open it. It's an icon, a smartphone for people who want to stand out," she said.

According to analyst Jack Gold, Samsung now covers the entire market, from the low end to the top of the basket. "These devices are going to make a massacre on the side of the players. However the use" video games "is that which is growing the fastest on the smartphone market today, before the social networks", he comments. "As for the Flip, it's just cool and sexy."

The South Korean group has also announced several partnerships. Owners of one of the 4 new smartphones will thus have access to bonuses on the Netflix streaming platform.

The Galaxy Z Flip and the three S20s will include a four-month subscription to YouTube Premium, the paid version of Google’s video platform, and Google Duo becomes the default video calling interface on these devices.

"Given the difficulties with Huawei at the moment, they have no doubt seen the advantage of strengthening their relationship with Google," notes Caroline Milanesi, referring to the trade tensions between the United States and China, which are hurting the Chinese giant. telecoms on the American market.

In terms of connected accessories, Samsung is releasing new wireless headphones, the Galaxy Buds +, on sale on February 14 at $ 150.

© 2020 AFP