A Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Smartphone
A visitor holds a new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge smartphone after its presentation at the Unpacked 2014 Episode 2 event ahead of the IFA Electronics show in Berlin, September 3, 2014. Reuters/Hannibal Hanschke

There was a time when tablets seem like on top of the world giving smartphone sales a run for its money. That era is over as recent figures and estimates see a bleak future for computer slates. In a new report by International Data Corporation (IDC), tablet shipments increase from 2013 to 2014 at 8 percent but sales took a huge dive by the end of the year. Tablet shipments posted 76.1 million units in the fourth quarter of 2014 accounting for -3.2% growth.

Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker Senior Research Analyst Jitesh Ubrani shares: "The tablet market is still very top heavy in the sense that it relies mostly on Apple and Samsung to carry the market forward each year." The analyst also adds that Apple's move to expand its iPad series and lower prices was not enough to bring back momentum in its sales. This does not appear to bug down manufacturers like Apple and Samsung as both companies focus their efforts on other product releases particularly on their smartphone offerings.

The two even reportedly joined forces to create the A9 system-on-chips (SoC) for the upcoming iPhone 7 according to Forbes. Samsung will be manufacturing majority of the chips. This supports previous reports about Apple's plans on unleashing an iPhone 7 version following the success of its iPhone 6 series. Whereas, there are still no details about the iPhone 7, Samsung's Galaxy S6 specs appear to leak out everyday.

According to an exclusive report from BGR, the Samsung Galaxy S6 will feature a 20MP camera complete with optical image stabilization. The site goes to describe the phone as one of the most amazing handsets for release. While the site is not allowed to publish the photos from a credible source, it did provide a rundown of what people can expect:

· 64-bit eight-core 14nm CPU which is 50% faster

· 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with a 577ppi density, stunning outdoor visibility, super dim mode for late night.

· A huge 20 megapixel OIS camera sensor and a 5 megapixel f/1.8 front-facing camera with real-time HDR

· 32 / 64 / 128GB of storage

· 2550mAh battery

· Built-in wireless charging

· Four hours of usage on a 10 minute charge

· Quick connect charging

· Samsung Pay: works with 90% of existing magnetic stripe payment terminals, and NFC payment terminals

· Metal and glass body

· Gorilla Glass 4

· Cat 6 LTE

The Samsung Galaxy S6 will be reportedly announced this March. To report problems or leave feedback on this article, email: p.silva@ibtimes.com.au.