With Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:0059935) having already released its latest Galaxy S5 smartphone, the company has been clarifying some of the early sales figures of this flagship device, as well as musing a little on the future direction of Samsung today. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Lee Younghee, vice president of Samsung’s mobile division, discussed some of the specific details regarding the forthcoming Galaxy Note 4, Samsung’s tablet computer rival to the Apple iPad.
Samsung Galaxy S5 sales promising
On the sales front, things are looking pretty good the Galaxy S5, according to the figures released by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:0059935). The smartphone is already outpacing the older Galaxy S4 device, with Samsung very enthusiastic about the early sales figures posted by the newer Galaxy S5 model. The company’s mobile CEO JK Shin stated that the Galaxy S5 has sold 11 million units worldwide so far, which represents a 10 percent increase over the Galaxy S4, which had shifted around 10 million at a similar stage in its life cycle.
This is encouraging news for Samsung, which has already signaled its intent to displace Apple at the top of the smartphone sellers’ chart. Additionally, there is big pressure on the likes of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung to shift a lot of their flagship devices in order to demonstrate that there is still significant potential for growth in the premium smartphone market. Increasingly, Samsung are going to find their market share targeted by cheaper alternatives, particularly in the East Asian marketplace where Samsung has fared particularly well.
With regard to the Galaxy Note 4, the Wall Street Journal reports Samsung’s Younghee stating that a final design for the device has yet to be decided. But one of the key elements to the Note 4 which Samsung is currently considering is a flexible display. This could possibly be seen as a direct response to the news emanating from Apple yesterday which indicated that the iPad might be able to run multiple programs simultaneously in its next iteration.
Google Glass rival?
The Galaxy Note is traditionally unveiled in September. The venue for this is IFA trade show in Germany, and it is looking increasingly possible that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:0059935)’s Galaxy Note 4 could be unveiled alongside a Gear Glass smart eyewear product. Bgr.com is reporting today that Samsung will release its own version of the infamous Google Glass product sometime this year, and that is could be viewed very much as a companion to the Galaxy Note 4.
One possible issue on the horizon for this scheme, though, could be the release of the iPhone 6. We’re still waiting for confirmation of the date of release – or for that matter the existence – of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s eagerly awaited smartphone, but ears to the ground have indicated that this may very well be in September. Would Samsung be comfortable and confident about going head-to-head with an iPhone release? This would presumably really test their bravado about fighting Apple head-on.
Regardless of their long-term strategy, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:0059935) has announced its intention to hold a special media event on June 12 at Madison Square Garden, New York, during which it will unveil a new line of tablets. We’ll learn more then…
