Why Apple's Special Event Will Outshine Samsung's Unpacked

Apple and Samsung just can't seem to get out of each other's way. Samsung recently announced that it was planning to hold its Unpacked event on September 3, where it will unveil the products it anticipates carrying it through to the end of the year and beyond. Apple, meanwhile, announced on Thursday that it, too, would be holding a special press event on September 9. Like Samsung, Apple will show off wares that will carry the company through the end of the year.

Of course, the fact that Samsung and Apple are competing for attention is nothing new. The companies have, for the last few years, been arch-enemies, trying to beat the other in court, at the register, and everywhere in-between. Apple and Samsung can't stand each other. And along the way, the companies have continued to find ways to go head-to-head.

But rather than focus on the past, let's look to the future. As mentioned, Samsung has its event scheduled for September 3, and Apple is going with its own event on September 9. The big question on everyone's mind, therefore, is which firm will make the biggest impact?

I can say, unequivocally, that Apple will take the day.

Let's start with Samsung. While the company is still a prominent player in the technology industry, it has watched its mobile business start to stagger a bit at the hands of increased competition. In the tablet market, Samsung does little to differentiate itself, and even in smartwatches, where it has been especially aggressive, the firm doesn't seem to have all it takes to be especially successful.

Watch Wars: LG, Samsung and Motorola arm-wrestle pre-IFA

Apple, on the other hand, has all of the pieces in the place to outshine Samsung and its Unpacked event. Beyond the fact that Samsung has become a bit boring, Apple is also unveiling a major update to its iPhone and is reportedly working on a smartwatch in the iWatch that could steal the show.

There's also the element of timing. While Samsung will be getting off first, much of the discussion surrounding its event will be about its products and then, shortly after, a talk of Apple planning to bust up its party with its own slate of devices. Being first, in other words, puts Samsung in Apple's looming shadow.

For Apple, the timing, again, is important. Apple is second, which allows it to cast that shadow over Samsung and see what its competitor has up its sleeve. Better yet, Apple can monitor Samsung's event and plan its own event accordingly.

Why a delayed iWatch destroys all competitors

But in the end, Apple's success and ultimate victory over Samsung will come down to one, simple thing: it's Apple. Samsung might be a really big and popular company, but it's not Apple. And it doesn't get the kind of respect Apple engenders. Simply put, compared to Apple, it's an also-ran.

So, in the end, it's hard to see how Samsung can really expect to have a good showing at Unpacked. Sure, there will be some compelling products, but Apple is still Apple and that company's products are far more interesting to the average consumer.

It's unfortunate, but Samsung just doesn't have what it takes to make a splash in September. And it's all Apple's fault.