Analysts expect Samsung to launch the Galaxy Note 6 early to replicate the success of its flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge models. Robust sales of the S7 and S7 Edge are estimated to have increased Samsung’s profits to $5.2 billion in the first quarter. The Korean company will release its preliminary Q1 earnings on April 7. Though Samsung has not revealed its sales figures, channel checks suggest it sold close to 9.5 million units of the S7 and S7 Edge in the first quarter, reports Bloomberg.
Samsung found a perfect launch window for Galaxy S7
That is much higher than the initial expectations of 7 million units. In contrast, Samsung had sold only about 3 million units of Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in the same period last year. The massive success of Galaxy S7 can be attributed to multiple factors, even though the device brings nothing revolutionary. Samsung has brought back the microSD card slot and waterproofing capabilities.
The new flagship has received glowing reviews from critics. The Korean electronics giant has also reduced the price of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, making them more affordable. On average, the new phones are 8% cheaper than their predecessors. Finally, Samsung had found the perfect timing to launch Galaxy S7. The device was announced in February and went for sale in early March. The Chinese vendors have yet to release their flagship phones that could rival the S7, and Apple’s next flagship iPhone 7 is several months away.
Galaxy Note 6 to launch 1-2 months before iPhone 7
Neil Mawston, the executive director of Strategy Analytics, told Bloomberg that Samsung will use the same playbook with its upcoming Galaxy Note 6. Mawston expects the Note 6 to arrive one or two months before the iPhone 7 to “grab that window of opportunity.” However, he noted that Galaxy S7 will remain by far the world’s best-selling Android smartphone in 2016.
The Galaxy Note 6 is rumored to feature a 5.8-inch Quad HD pressure-sensitive display, up to 256GB UFS flash memory, 6GB RAM, 12-megapixel main camera, and Android N software out of the box.
