[NewsPoster]

Samsung may be preparing to borrow a feature from Apple for its smartphones, with a rumor claiming it is planning to add pressure sensitivity to its next flagship Galaxy device. It is alleged the electronics giant will be implementing its own version of 3D Touch from the iPhone 6s in the Galaxy S7, something which many may criticize the manufacturer for copying instead of coming up with its own original features, if found to be true.


The rumor surfaced via a "leaker" account on Weibo, reports Phone Arena, with Synaptics said to be working with Samsung to roll out its pressure-sensitive touchscreen technology, ClearForce. Announced last week, the system adds the ability for the operating system to detect how hard the user is pressing into the screen at certain positions, allowing for contextual menus and more advanced stylus input options to be implemented.

Synaptics is apparently aiming for the first force-enabled smartphones to ship in early 2016. This seems to align neatly with Samsung's own hardware release schedule, as it typically launches its Galaxy S flagships in February or March.

While Samsung may be accused of jumping on the pressure sensitivity bandwagon, copying a feature Apple has already implemented, it certainly wouldn't be the first to do so. Huawei launched the Mate S smartphone at the start of last month, preempting Apple's iPhone 6s launch, with it including similar pressure-related gestures and capabilities to Apple's own 3D Touch, as well as the claim it can provide the weight of objects placed on the screen.

[mac_in_tosh]

I don't understand the last paragraph in the article. Huawei launched a phone with pressure sensitivity before Apple's launch of the iPhone 6s, but the article is about Samsung copying Apple?

[pairof9s]

Samsung is, if nothing else, predictable.

So let's see what name Samesong will come up with: Force Feel, Pressure Touch, S Force, ForceTouch, Forse Tuch, Better Than iPhone, ...

[jpellino]

"as well as the claim it can provide the weight of objects placed on the screen"

"Yes, sir, that crate's over the 70 lb limit." "Are you sure?" "Here, let me prove it with the screen of your Mate S phone." "OK"

[Grendelmon]

Originally Posted by pairof9s 

Samsung is, if nothing else, predictable.

Yup. Just like Apple. Everybody copies everybody now.