The biggest consumer electronics show in Europe was saturated with new smartphones, huge bendable TVs, the newest crop of wearables and some truly innovative gadgets headlined by the big players in the sphere. Samsung, one of the biggest players, was in Berlin last week debuting four new devices that prove bigger isn’t always better and that virtual reality may finally be going mainstream. The company was also putting all its chips on the table, showing itself capable of anticipating Apple’s next move while keeping up with a new crop of manufacturers.

The pace of mobile development is only speeding up. While there’s a chance Samsung could fall behind, their big IFA reveals suggest that won’t happen any time soon. Here are just a few of the devices the company’s competitors need to watch out for:

Galaxy Note 4

With a forecasted October release, the flagship phone was announced without a lot of noise. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot to offer, though. There’s a faster processor, spruced up software, a better screen and a more powerful camera, plus a revamped S Pen stylus. That’s a lot of upgrades, which makes sense considering that screen size may no longer be the deciding factor in the Android vs. Apple wars.Want to know when the Note 4 hits the market? Sign up for T-Mobile’s alert here.

Galaxy Note Edge

It’s essentially the Note 4 but there’s one big difference in the form of a seamless second screen that pushes the boundaries of today’s handheld display technology. Alerts, apps, functions and more are accessible without any interruption to more enjoyable mobile experiences like watching movies, playing games and browsing. Phone locked and case closed? No problem. A thumb swipe brings up messages and other minutia on the Youm flexible display. It also comes equipped with a full array of sensors, from a barometer to a hall sensor and UV detector, heart rate monitoring and more.Watch for the Edge near the end of 2014 along with – hopefully – apps that take advantage of it.

Gear S (aka Solo)

Samsung’s third smartwatch is slated for an October release and brings something new to the table. Unlike other smartwatches that are used along with phones, the Gear S is a standalone device that’s a lot smarter than the competition. It has its own apps and with 3G capabilities can even be used to text and make calls. With a dual-core 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage, plus GPS, an accelerometer, UV detector, barometer and a heart rate monitor, it’s pretty clear the Gear S is going to be a big deal. It’s also just plain big, with a 2-inch curved screen.

Gear VR

Another end-of-year addition to the Samsung lineup is the Gear VR, an eye-catching virtual reality headset powered by the Note 4. The immersive experience comes not from the headset – which looks like something straight out of sci-fi – but from the Note 4, which slips right in to provide visuals and audio. The outside world is quickly replaced by amazing 3D game environments, concert halls and cinema-like settings and tours of air, sea and space. Whether your interests are educational or strictly entertaining chances are there will be something right up your alley.

For now in the mobile and wearable wars, the money is on Samsung. The competition is racing to keep pace and the rest of us have plenty to look forward to this fall.

About the author -:

Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer who enjoys writing about gadgets, apps and the latest tech news. Follow her on Twitter.