Samsung plans camera revamp for Galaxy Note 9

Samsung plans to highlight an upgraded camera when it unveils its next Galaxy Note smartphone on August 9, according to people familiar with the matter.

The new model, likely to be called the Note 9, will look similar to last year’s model, but will also include an upgraded processor from Qualcomm for some markets, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private information.

Samsung’s annual “Unpacked” event, which will likely be held in New York, comes about two weeks earlier this year than a similar occasion last year, with the aim of releasing the new model as early as the end of August. A Samsung spokesperson declined to comment about the event.

Samsung held 23 percent of the smartphone market in the first quarter versus 16 percent for Apple, according to data from IDC. Earlier this year, Samsung released the Galaxy S9 phone with an upgraded camera, which has been well received by consumers.

The Note phone line helped usher in the large-phone format, a growing category that appeals to single-device consumers. Apple, which for years resisted making a large-screen iPhone, changed course in 2014 with the iPhone 6 Plus.

Later this year, Apple plans to launch its biggest smartphone yet, a model with an almost 6.5-inch screen that looks like a bigger iPhone X.

Samsung is also working on a smart speaker coupled with its digital assistant Bixby, taking on Amazon’s Echo line of devices and Apple’s HomePod.