SEOUL: Samsung Electronics, which is losing ground to Apple’s iPhone 6, has decided to release the Galaxy Note 5 next month ahead of schedule. Also, the company will launch the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, which has a bigger screen than its popular Galaxy S6 Edge model, next month ahead of schedule as well. It is believed that Samsung tries to not only check Apple, which threatens its number one position in global smartphone market share, but also capture consumers before the release of the iPhone 6S in Sept.
According to industry sources on July 21, Samsung Electronics will hold an event in New York on Aug. 13 to unveil the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.
Recent reports suggest that the Galaxy Note 5 will feature a 5.7 inch QHD Super AMOLED display, its own Exynos 7422 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 16 megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), along with a stylus pen. The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus will be the Note without a stylus. It will feature a 5.7 inch display, Exynos 7420 processor, 3GM of RAM, and 16 megapixel main cameras.
The release of the Galaxy Note series in Aug. is very exceptional for Samsung Electronics. Until now, the company has launched the Galaxy Note series after making the products debut in IFA, the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, which takes place in Germany every Sept. However, the company decided to move up the release date of the Galaxy Note 5 by a month this year. Also, this is the first time for Samsung to launch a “Plus” version of the Galaxy S series.
Samsung is releasing the two strategic smartphones early due to its competitor, Apple. As Apple posted good sales of the iPhone 6, the company shared first place in terms of global smartphone market share in the fourth quarter last year, along with Samsung Electronics. This year, Samsung is maintaining the number one spot with 24 percent in the first quarter and 26.8 percent in the second quarter, beating Apple with 18 and 16.4 percent. However, the Galaxy S6, Samsung’s representative smartphone, is not selling well compared with Apple’s iPhone 6.
It is inevitable that Samsung will take the bet with the Note 5 and the Edge Plus, its large-screened popular products, to deal with the iPhone 6, which will be out in Sept. Industry watchers say that this is why the company decided to lower the price of the Galaxy S6 Edge three months after release.
