Enter 2021.03.20 06:00
S-series in the first half, full revision of note strategy for the second half
The’S Pen’ will be built-in from next year’s Galaxy S22
According to the industry on the 20th, the top model of the Galaxy S series will take over the functions and roles of the Galaxy Note in the future, and it is observed that the Galaxy Note 20, which was released last year, will be the last note series.
Ko Dong-jin, president of Samsung Electronics’ IM (IT Mobile) Division, asked a shareholder’s question about the discontinuance of Galaxy Note at the regular shareholders’ meeting held at Suwon Convention Center on the 17th. Replied. This is the first time that Samsung Electronics has officially announced its official position on the discontinuation of’Galaxy Note’.
Samsung Electronics’ unpacking formula, which unveiled new S series in the first half and note series in the second half, is broken.
Earlier in the industry, weight has been put on the discontinuation of Galaxy Note. In general, in the case of Samsung smartphones, news of development has been heard mainly from overseas bloggers 6 to 8 months before launch, but no information has yet been confirmed.
The Galaxy Note series has sold nearly 20 million units each year, and along with the Galaxy S series, it has been the two pillars of Samsung Electronics’ smartphone business. However, the need to simplify this has been raised several times as the Samsung Electronics smartphone lineup has become complicated due to foldable phones (smartphones with foldable displays).
Currently, Samsung Electronics is focusing on developing foldable phones instead of Galaxy Note. However, as the foldable phone market is not yet large, in the second half of the year, the Note series will be supplemented with the Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition). It is expected to release three new foldable phones from June to July, and the Galaxy S21FE in August.
An official from the telecommunications industry said, “For Samsung, who wants to lead the market by quickly popularizing foldable phones, if the Galaxy Note continues to be released, it is a natural step to discontinue its end-of-life due to a drop in attention from consumers and a decrease in sales volume.”
In addition, as the smartphone market has recently been reorganized to focus on low- and mid-priced phones, which are popular models, the necessity of sticking to the Note series has disappeared from the perspective of Samsung Electronics.
According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Samsung Electronics took the top spot in the global smartphone market last year with 19% market share, but lost the top spot to Apple in the fourth quarter. Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo are also expanding their presence in Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia instead of Huawei, which necessitates a strategic revision.
Accordingly, on the 17th, Samsung Electronics held the first unpack of the Galaxy A series of mid-range phones.
President Ko drew a line about the discontinuation of the Galaxy Note, but the industry analyzed that if Samsung Electronics’ new lineup strategy this year succeeds, there will be no new Galaxy Note launches next year.