The rivalry between Apple and Samsung has intensified over the years especially following a patent feud. Tech companies are now more particular in striving to differentiate against an increasingly saturated market. With Apple and Samsung both set to release their next flagship smartphones, patent filings for both companies have been sighted. Based from the patents, it appears both tech giants want to make sure their smartphones are as powerful as they could get.

Which smartphone shows better potential? Which smartphone secured the better patents: iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S5?

Reports about the Samsung Galaxy S5 surged even more following details that Samsung will announce the device around February 23 or 24. Some reports claim the Korean tech giant will hold an event on the 23rd of the 24th of February to announce its latest smartphone. Reuters reported Samsung giving away invites for a February 24 event. The invites were reportedly emblazoned with the number five. Apple, on other hand, will reportedly release its iPhone 6 around June or September.

Some analysts think Apple will announce the device during the Worldwide Developers Conferences. Others think the company will stick to its September timeline. Regardless of the release dates, the market is keen to know what both companies have in store.

Reported Samsung Patents

Sammy Today published a report saying that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) approved Samsung's new design patent. According to the office, the patent describes a Samsung smartphone without front panel buttons.

The company has also been considering to include a fingerprint sensor on the device similar to Apple's Touch ID on the iPhone 5s. Ubergizmo also reported that the USPTO granted Samsung another patent featuring a smartphone with a larger display. According to the design patent No. US D697,886 S, the device also does not have front hardware buttons. The patent also describes a device with a sensor evident from the front top of the handset. The report did not elaborate what these sensors will be for.

Design and Trend, on the other hand, reported about a European patent application under Samsung featuring head tracking via the phone's front camera. According to reports, the patent was filed following the release of the Galaxy S4. People may well see the head tracking sensor on the Galaxy S5. The sensor will help the device identify is the user is facing the handset. It may turn off or close apps not in use to save battery life.

Reported Apple Patents

AppleInsider has reported about two patents granted to Apple last January 28. The patents describe various ways of connecting the camera modules and lenses to a portable electronic device. There is also a magnetic solution that includes motor allowing physical optics adjustments. The two patents granted to Apple are Apple U.S. Patent No. 8,638,369 (Back panel for a portable electronic device with different camera lens options) and No. 8,639,106 (Magnetic add-on lenses with alignment ridge).

Based on previous reports, Apple filed for a similar patent in 2012 for a device similar to the iPhone. Analysts believe the company is gearing up to include the approved patens for its upcoming iPhone 6. The patents include a subsystem forming the foundation of the camera system. This includes the lens and image sensor. This should improve the camera and photography functions of the iPhone.

There were also reports about another patent granted to Apple describing built-in pressure sensors. The built-in sensors will work with the touch screen input for better UI experience and navigation. The patent is called "Gesture and touch input detection through force sensing." The patent involves a device that can implement the standard multi-touch displays found on the iPad and the iPhone.

Likewise, just recently, a new wireless charging dock has been sighted. According to the patent, the dock can execute wireless charging and other smart features depending on the orientation of the mobile device. While reports say it is for iWatch, analysts believe the technology can find its way to the iPhone 6.

People will have to wait for final announcements from both companies for the final list of features.