Samsung Electronics has launched 'Destination: tgeltaayehxnx', i.e. the next Galaxy.

Galaxy S 3 specs confirmed by Samsung are:

Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE), 3G (HSPA+ 21Mbps), 4G (Dependant on market)

Display:4.8" HD Super AMOLED (1280x720), covered by Hyperglaze which brings a textured surface.

Processor: 1.4 GHz Exynos 4 Quad-core system on a chip (SoC) processor for international version/ Qualcomm's dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor for U.S. version.

OS: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Camera: Main: 8mp Auto Focus with flash, zero shutter lag and BSI

Front: 1.9mp HD recording @30fps with flash, zero shutter lag and BSI

Video: Full HD (1080p) Recording and Playback

Connectivity: Wi-Fi- a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi HT40, GPS/GLONASS, NFC, BT4.0(LE)

Internal storage: 16GB / 32GB / 64GB

External memory: microSD Slot (SDXC 64GB exFAT Support)

Size: 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6mm, 133g

Battery capacity: 2,100 mAh

Color: Blue or Marble WHite

The overwhelming hype for the Galaxy S 3 proves how Samsung managed to catch up with, or probably overtake, rival Apple Inc. in terms of mobile innovation.

Weeks -- or months (more likely) -- after the Galaxy S 3 launch date, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) will finally unveil iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 will have major improvements from the previous model -- the sixth generation iPhone is expected to have a 4-inch-plus display, which is a first for an iPhone (previous models had a 3.5-inch screen real estate). The iPhone 5 is also expected to have a higher resolution "retina display", a bigger battery, a quad-core processor, and a new design.

Until and unless the mythical iPhone 5 shows up, the Galaxy S 3 will be competing with the smaller and much maligned iPhone 4S.

Although the iPhone 4S has outsold any other smartphone in the market, the device has been hit for its recycled design, lack of 4G LTE support and it's "small" 3.5-inch display. The faster processor, bigger screen, and other Galaxy S3 specs should entice some iPhone users to switch to a Galaxy S3.

But the overwhelming success of the iPhone 4S prove that Apple need not put heavyweight improvements to prior models to maintain its dominance in the market. Apple sold 4 million units of the iPhone 4S in the first three days of release in October (figures achieved by the Galaxy S2 in three months). Apple sold more than 65 million iPhones in the past six months. Nonetheless, the iPhone 5 could have the biggest launch in iPhone history, as it is expected to be radically different from the iPhone 4S and other prior iPhone models.

The iPhone 5 is expected to have a 4-inch-plus Retina display, and could have a 4.6-inch screen (if South Korea's Maeil Business Newspaper is correct). There have been reports that Apple has been working on a bigger iPhone but the late Apple founder Steve Jobs scrapped the project because it "fragmented iPhones." But Apple may be forced to join the bandwagon as phones with bigger screens continue to gain following.

The iPhone 5 should have the external design changes fans have been looking for in last year's iPhone. The fifth generation iPhone would also have 4G support, albeit Apple is a couple of years late with the technology. The iPhone 5 is also expected to have a quad-core processor, although a dual-core chip with a quad-core graphics processor like the new iPad would be more likely.

Despite its superior specs, can the Galaxy S 3 outsell the iPhone 5?