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fter much speculation and considerable buildup, Samsung announced the latest update to its flagship smartphone line, the Samsung Galaxy S4. Introduced at a theatrical presentation at New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall, the Galaxy S4 delivered a bigger screen, more processing power and a few unconventional features. Now the spotlight turns to the other smartphone giant. Analysts expect Apple to update the redesigned iPhone 5 later this year. The device is reportedly the last designed under the late Steve Jobs, but it’s not expected to turn heads with new hardware. Cupertino-based Apple is the only tech-king vying for mobile attention. After acquiring Motorola, Google could make a mobile splash as soon as next month, when it hosts the Google I/O conference.
Zuckerberg’s announcement of the “Facebook Phone” (which is actually an HTC device optimized for the new Facebook software) capped off a busy spring in the mobile world. Mark your calendars for the next notable dates as the mobile arms race unfold.

April 12

HTC released the HTC First, equipped with Facebook Home and Mark Zuckerburg’s April 4 presentation. The HTC First is a mid-level smartphone with high-level social media capabilities, including chat bubbles that will pop up right on the home screen.

Late April

Expect Samsung’s Galaxy S4 around the last week of April. This powerful device plans to go toe-to-toe with Apple in the 2013 mobile sales cycle. Big, fast and more powerful than many computers, the S4 is just as ideal for watching movies as it is for researching American Express Business credit cards. Samsung is sure to see a spike in sales as consumers flock to the latest “iPhone killer.” They might even have lines out the door.

May 15-17

With its Nexus line, Google announced itself as a player in the mobile market. Many expect Google to announce its next big play at this year’s Google I/O conference.
Dubbed “X Phone” in the online rumor mill, Google could announce its first phone since acquiring Motorola in 2012. Google co-founder Larry Page offered a hint as to where Google would take its mobile line. “We shouldn’t need to worry about constantly charging our phone,” Page commented, according to Digitaltrends.com. He also mentioned that phones shouldn’t “go splat” when dropped.

Summer 2013

Experts eager to write off Apple as a fading company may want to wait until summer, when most expect the “Think Different” brand to release its updated iPhone. This isn’t the first time a mobile provider has claimed reign over the mobile market only to have Apple put them in their place months later. Rumor has it the upcoming device is the last Steve Jobs’ design, according to Cbsnews.com. Samsung and other providers are riding a wave of momentum now, but Apple might one up them again come summer.

Fall 2013

Thus far, Apple has released iPhone updates at the same price point — starting at $200 with a new contract. That could change in the fall, when many expect Apple to release a less-expensive iPhone, according to Wsj.com. An economy device would attract consumers scared by the hefty price tag and could reassert Apple’s place as king of the mobile hill.