A first for PC.com, we have attended numerous launches by Samsung Mobile since the first flagships came out and not once an event was held at a concourse of a shopping mall. For the upcoming introduction of Galaxy Note 5 and Edge 6+ the event will be held at Sunway Pyramid come the 4th of September, 5 days before Apple announces the facelift models to its very successful iPhone 6 range.
Samsung has planned a series of road shows at various location across the country to show their latest wares, an attempt to get as much eyeballs for the new devices.
Push with deals- pick up a second unit of Note 5 for 50% off declared the ad and this is only during the road show and limited to first 100 who queue up with other locations following suit. Offers continue with free battery pack and wireless charger worth RM538. Could all this be in interest to shore up sales after the mid year slump?
Prices on the all metal shiny Galaxy S6 Edge has come down and the new Edge 6+ is priced competitively for the 32GB variant giving users an alternative option compared to other branded flagships, but all’s not well in Samville, numbers have been dwindling. The once android favourite of the world is losing its lustre. “Overpriced, claimed an ex-Samsung user PC.com spoke to, I can get a good phone like Xiaomi or OnePlus for just half the price now”.
Trouble Started
Apple phones operates in its own controlled eco-system and despite having only 18% market share in smartphones shipped early this quarter,Tim Cooks company made an astounding 92% in profits. Android on the other hand is Googles open for all OS giving the opportunity to anyone to make phones resulting in the rise of many China made brands. Samsung came in at a distant second with15% market share of shipment for Q1 2015.
The likes of OnePlus, Xiaomi (number 4 in the world) OPPO and Huawei have garnered strong following for their devices offering affordable phones with high specifications a formula that has worked wonders for these brand and caused disruptions to Samsung’s.
The formidable fortress is cracking: Malaysians are savvy people, looking out for features and functions at the right price point compared to few years ago when brand and glamour was the deciding factor. Now, Samsung is seen as just another android phone in the pond swimming with the likes of Lenovo, OnePlus, Huawei, Honor, Oppo, Xiaomi, LG, Sony Xperia, HTC, Nexus and others.
Attempts to revive the smartphone division started with Galaxy S6, but the response has been lukewarm are these dipstick test for the overall feel for the company’s phones? Mobile business once contributed 60% to Samsung Group showing a significant chuck to the overall organisations revenue, declines can cause severe impact to the Korean giant which is also responsible for 20% of the country’s GDP.
CEO, Jong- Kyun Shin will have to come up with more tricks if he wants to reclaim the throne as supreme leader in smartphone market, time is of the essence as more new brands are set to roll out like Ex Apple CEO inspired Obi WorldPhone and Turing which are also looking at capturing a piece of the already crowded space.
