Samsung has reportedly decided to move up the launch of its new Galaxy Note 4 smartphone following a positive reaction and strong first week sales from Apple’s new larger iPhones 6 models.The KoreaTimes cited an unnamed employee in Samsung’s marketing department who said “the positive reaction from consumers to those two Apple devices prompted us to launch the Note 4 earlier than previously scheduled.”
The same employee added that the company will be “aggressive in promoting the Note 4 as it’s true that we are being challenged and pressured amid a difficult situation.” Another Samsung employee reportedly told the publication that Samsung hopes to ship 15 million Note 4 units in its first month of sales. Apple this week announced it had sold 10 million iPhone 6 models during its first weekend and said it “could have sold many more iPhones with greater supply.”
Perhaps Samsung hopes it can sway undecided consumers looking to upgrade to a larger smartphone by moving up the launch. The new Note 4 features a 5.7-inch display comparable to Apple’s largest 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus model.
The company previously planned to launch the device in October in Korea but is scheduled to announce a new September 26 launch date on carriers in the country later this week. That’s the same day Apple is starting its second wave of iPhone sales in over 20 countries around the globe. The Galaxy Note 4 is available to preorder stateside as of last week with the device expected to ship mid-October.