Galaxy Nexus has been Apple-proofed, Samsung says
Samsung reportedly designed its latest smartphone to circumvent any patents Apple has accused it of infringing.
The Apple-Samsung patent war rages on, but Samsung apparently believes its new Galaxy Nexus will zoom above the fray.
According to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, Samsung mobile president Shin Jong-kyun told reporters that his company's latest smartphone was designed around the patents Apple has cited in lawsuits against the company's other smartphones, including the Galaxy S and Galaxy S II. However, Jong-kyun acknowledged, according to Yonhap, that he's not sure "if (the Galaxy Nexus) will be 100 percent free" from the slings and arrows of Apple's legal arm.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus was unveiled yesterday. The smartphone will be the first to launch with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and boasts a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. In addition, the device has a large, 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display and a near-field communication chip to deliver support Google's mobile-payment service, Wallet.
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Jong-kyun's comments reflect the trouble Samsung has faced trying to sell its devices around the world. In the Netherlands, Samsung was forced to update its Galaxy S, Galaxy S II, and Ace smartphones after a judge found the devices in violation of Apple patents. The company's tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, has also come under fire in Germany, Australia, and the U.S. with courts in each of those countries saying it violates Apple patents.
Samsung, of course, argues the opposite. But so far it hasn't had much luck carrying the day in court. According to Jong-kyun, "what we are losing (with the court battles) is the pride in our brand."
But Samsung isn't just a helpless victim--it's also counterpunched at Apple around the world. Earlier this week, for example, and just a few days after Apple launched the device, Samsung took to the Australian federal court to file an injunction request barring the sale of the iPhone 4S in the Land Down Under, arguing that Apple's latest handset violates three patents it holds in Australia. The company also included the iPhone 4S in an injunction request in Japan, saying that Apple's handset violates four of its patents in that country.
Jong-kyun said that his company's legal battle with Apple "is just a start and will last for a considerable time."
Apple did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on whether or not it plans to include the Galaxy Nexus in a new lawsuit against Samsung.