What that you must know
- A report from the Korean media outlet E-At the moment claims that Samsung is exploring a brand new smartphone model to exchange or be a part of the Galaxy model.
- The article compares Samsung’s concepts of a model addition to the automotive business, the place longtime automaker Hyundai efficiently added a luxurious Genesis model.
- For the reason that Samsung Galaxy model is used for units below $200 and over $2,000, it is not solely used for premium merchandise.
Following a firm apology and disappointing monetary outcomes, Samsung could also be seeking to shake issues up. In keeping with a report from Korean media outlet E-At the moment, noticed by Jukanlosreve on X (previously Twitter), the South Korean electronics firm could also be exploring the concept of introducing a brand new smartphone model. This recent model would be a part of or exchange Galaxy, which has been a staple of Samsung telephones relationship again to 2009.
“Samsung Electronics is understood to be finding out numerous concepts for altering or including smartphone manufacturers and the professionals and cons of launching new manufacturers,” the article explains, translated from Korean to English.
The primary inkling that Samsung may be wanting into altering up its electronics branding got here at CES 2024, when Lee Younger-hee, the pinnacle of Samsung Electronics’ international advertising and marketing, acknowledged the concept of a brand new identify. “I do know that Galaxy has so many lineups that they count on a brand new identify when there may be an progressive turning level,” Lee Younger-hee stated.
It is unclear what sort of “progressive turning level” would immediate Samsung to launch a brand new model, however Younger-hee has the best thought. If the corporate merely launched a refreshed model that encompassed the identical Galaxy merchandise, with solely a brand new identify to separate them, the rebrand possible would not be as profitable.
Contemplating that the Galaxy “S” lineup’s innovation has stalled over the previous couple of years, it might stand to purpose that this type of innovation would come from foldables. Samsung is reportedly exploring rollable and tri-fold telephones, for instance.
Android Central has reached out to Samsung in regards to the E-At the moment report and its accuracy, and they didn’t get again to us in time for publication. We are going to replace this text as soon as now we have extra info.
Samsung may be taught from Apple
It is simple to see why the Samsung Galaxy model won’t be as sturdy because it was, say, a decade in the past. At the moment, there are tens — if not lots of — of merchandise which can be referred to as “Galaxy.” They vary from telephones to wearables to even full-fledged laptops. It is a stark distinction in branding in comparison with Apple, arguably Samsung’s greatest competitor. The iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods are all distinctive, distinct, and profitable.
Whenever you hear the “Galaxy” model, you are not fully certain what it means. It may seek advice from a smartphone, laptop computer, or a pair of earbuds. Even when you slim it all the way down to the smartphone class, a Galaxy telephone may seek advice from a $200 Samsung Galaxy A15 5G or a $1,900 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. A part of Samsung’s total success has been its willingness to fulfill shoppers the place they’re, at each worth level, in nearly each market. That is why Samsung normally ships extra smartphones every quarter than some other producer on the planet.
Folks (wrongly) assume every little thing Apple makes is premium, however it’s as a result of Apple received branding. There isn’t any firm that does it higher. To compete with the iPhone, one of many strongest manufacturers to ever exist, Samsung would possibly want a brand new one. When that “progressive turning level” comes, I feel the corporate ought to create one thing distinctive. If for no different purpose than simplifying issues and eliminating the S, A, M, F, and Z lettering, Samsung would do proper to introduce distinct branding.
Samsung ought to strive a brand new model — however it won’t work
Whether or not a brand new model will assist clear up Samsung’s issues or probably not comes down to 1 key query. Is Galaxy the model, or is it Samsung? You do not hear many individuals name it the Apple iPhone, however you do hear folks name telephones Samsung Galaxy units. Actually, I usually hear folks seek advice from Galaxy telephones as merely Samsung telephones, dropping the Galaxy moniker altogether, though there are lots who will simply name it “a Galaxy.” If my suspicion is appropriate, and Samsung is the model, swapping out “Galaxy” for an additional model will not do a lot.
The Google Pixel model is the proper instance of how a reboot might be profitable and unsuccessful. It is true that Pixels efficiently usurped Nexus, turning into a distinct factor fully from early Nexus telephones and incomes business respect. Nevertheless, Google Pixel market share remains to be minuscule in comparison with that of Apple and Samsung market share. It was arduous to rebrand in 2016 when Google launched the Pixel, and it is even more durable at the moment.
That is why area of interest smartphone producers have been pressured to change gears or shutter their telephone initiatives altogether. Asus and Sony each supply distinctive telephone manufacturers, however the Zenfone is not distinctly compact anymore, and the Xperia model is struggling. LG’s “ThinQ” branding was additionally extremely awkward (it nonetheless is) when it debuted and did nothing to assist the corporate regain market share. The corporate additionally failed so spectacularly with the Wing that it stopped making telephones altogether lower than a yr after the telephone debuted.
In 2024, I am not satisfied {that a} new smartphone model would meaningfully assist Samsung in its battle in opposition to Apple and the iPhone. It definitely cannot harm, although.
