As speculations have been mounting that Samsung Electronics’ flagship smartphone Galaxy S6 is posting disappointing sales against early expectations, Samsung’s mobile chief J.K. Shin came forward and denied the speculation on Wednesday.
When Samsung’s ambitious smartphones Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge were first rolled out in March by the South Korean tech giant, they were well received by media at home and abroad.
Samsung's President of Mobile, J.K. Shin had said with confidence, “Galaxy S6 will become a new shock to the mobile market. Its sales will exceed those of Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4,” at the launch event in Seoul.
However, unlike the early expectations, the sales of Galaxy S6 has been lagging behind its rival Apple’s iPhone 6 in the domestic market. According to the local telecom industry, the company sold 300,000 units of Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge within two weeks since the roll-out on April 10. This is a lower figure compared to Apple’s iPhone, which sold 200,000 units within three days since the roll-out last December.
Sales of Galaxy S6 in the global market appears not impressive either. Samsung Electronics has so far shortened the period of reaching sales of 10 million units with new phones launched. It took seven months and five months for Galaxy S and Galaxy S2 each to reach 10 million unit sales. Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5 shortened the period to 28 days and 25 days respectively.
However, unlike Samsung’s argument that “Galaxy S6 is outselling Galaxy S5,” the sales of Galaxy S6 did not reach 10 million within 25 days, according to market watchers.
As the speculation about the weak sales is mounting, Samsung’s mobile chief J.K. Shin came forward, denying the rumors, saying, “(The news reports) are incorrect.”
Analysts say there are two reasons why Samsung Electronics needs to boost the sales of Galaxy S6. The tech giant needs turnaround from the sluggish sales the firm posted last year. While Samsung Group hasn’t yet secured its next generation products, the weak sales of its flagship products might shake the entire group.
Further, the sales boost is necessary for Samsung Electronics’ vice president Lee Jay-yong to have soft landing for the smooth power succession from his sick father. Lee reportedly was much involved in the development and design of Galaxy S6 and the phone is dubbed “Lee Jay-yong phone,” here in Korea.
By Yeon Choul-woong
