There has been a lot of excitement in the market about the next iPhone launch on Sept 10. Apple is rumoured to be launching two smart phones, one for the low end market and the other for the premium segment. The launch is expected to take on the rivals both in terms of features as well as price. Samsung and Sony are reported to be launching devices of their own, before the Apple event. Will this pre-empt Apple's efforts to make a huge splash with its devices?

According to a report by Bloomberg, Samsung will be launching the Galaxy Gear and Note 3. Sony on the other hand will be launching the latest Xperia smartphone. Both the companies are reported to be launching their devices on Sept 4. The launch date is two days before the IFA consumer electronics show which will be held in Berlin. More importantly the launch is about a week before the big Apple event.

Samsung and Sony will only be able to steal the thunder from Apple's event if their devices provide exciting features. The features should be exciting enough to shadow the excitement for the new iPhones, so far that has not happened.

The Samsung Galaxy Gear is a device which is reported to be both a wrist watch as well as a smartphone. This marks a departure from the handheld smartphone devices customers are used to. There may be some resistance to be expected from the customers to shift from hand held smartphones to the wearable device.

The new Xperia from Sony is reported to come with a "X-Reality" chip for enhanced picture quality for its cameras. Sony has been known to provide good quality cameras in the smartphone market. It remains to be seen if this feature will attract the customers enough to lure them away from Apple.

The battle for one-upmanship among the smartphone competitors is all set to increase in September. This month is turning out to be an important one for the smartphone market.

Will the devices launched by Samsung and Sony dampen the Apple event or will the Apple event be a spectacular one, leaving the rivals' launch seem like a dud? All the questions will be answered after the Sept 10 event.