Samsung takes stab at iPhone 4S with Galaxy S II comparison sheet

Reports emerged late Tuesday that the South Korean electronics maker had sent out emails with a chart trumpeting the relative merits of the Galaxy S II over the iPhone 4S, as noted by The Unlockr.

Apple announced its much-anticipated next-generation iPhone on Tuesday, but some customers were disappointed when it was revealed that the device is an iPhone 4S and carries the same form factor as the iPhone 4. Wall Street analysts were subdued about the handset, though they remained optimistic about the likelihood of Apple continuing to exceed sales expectations for the iPhone.

In the email, Samsung highlighted the fact that its smartphone has 4G data in the form of WiMax, HSPA+ 42 or HSPA+ 21 mbps compared to the 3G HSPA 14.4 connectivity on the iPhone 4S. The company also boasts that its Super AMOLED Plus screen is "preferred 2 to 1 against other leading displays by Strategy Analytics."

Other features touted by the rival include: the larger screen (4.5 or 4.3 inches), 2-megapixel front camera, 1080p High Profile video capture, lighter weight (4.3 oz compared to 4.9 oz), removable battery and HDTV remote control functionality. Samsung also points out that, unlike Apple, it will begin selling the device on the T-Mobile network next week.

The email went on to remind that screen size benefits scale by area, not just diagonally. "Tthe AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy S II has 42% more screen area and Sprint / T-Mobile versions of Galaxy S II have 58% more screen area than the iPhone 4S," Samsung reportedly wrote.

Despite having lost out against Apple for the title of "thinnest smartphone" in the U.K., the electronics maker put forth its Galaxy S II as "the thinnest smartphone design with the fastest network speed on each of the networks carrying the smartphone."

The company also boasts that its smartphone operates within an "open ecosystem" because consumers can buy music from a variety of music services and use multiple cloud music services and video chat clients. "The Samsung Galaxy S II is not limited to a single manufacturer’s storefront or app store," the email read.

Samsung appears to have had it in for the iPhone 4S before it was released. In September, unnamed company officials indicated plans to target Apple's next-generation iPhone as the next stage in a legal struggle between the two companies.

"Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here [in Korea], Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents," said one executive. "For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights."

Additional reports had suggested that Samsung will take its fight against the new iPhone to Europe and around the globe.

The company had previously asked to see advance copies of its Apple's next-generation iPhone as part of an ongoing lawsuit, but a judge denied the request.

The rivalry between the two companies is further complicated by the fact that Apple is specifically targeting the Galaxy S II in some of its lawsuits against Samsung. In August, a Netherlands judge issued a temporary ban on sales of three Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy II S.

After informal talks between the two companies over alleged patent infringement broke down, Apple fired the first shot in April, accusing its rival of "slavish" copying of the look and feel of itsi Phone and iPad.