Samsung Q1 and U4 MP3 players launch

IFA 2008: New audio offerings

29 August 2008 10:47 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Samsung has launched two new MP3 players at IFA with the introduction of the U4 and the Q1 due to be available in August and October respectively.

The YP-U4 "Litmus" is apparently inspired by the colour gradation on litmus paper. Dodgy science design concepts aside, the USB form factor player gets DNSe 2.0 sound technology, FM radio and a one and a bit inch grey OLED display plus three LED lights.

Measuring 27 x 83 x 13mm and weighing in at 27 grams, it will be available in 2GB and 4GB capacities in rose, purple and blue. Battery life is a claimed 16 hours and there's support for MP3, WMA, OGG.

Samsung says the Q1 "Diamond" is aimed as being the "World Best Sound Quality" MP3 player. It does offer DNSe 3.0 sound technology including an audio upscale function, which claims to restore missing sound range.

The Q1 also analyses the MP3 file’s "mood and genre" and applies the appropriate EQ effect automatically.

The video playback capable player offers a 2.4-inch TFT LCD display and a claimed 30 hours of playback for music.

The Q1 will launch in three colours - black, white, silver - and will be available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB memory variations.