Samsung’s recently-launched Galaxy S9 range of smartphones has apparently joined the iPhone X in its sales struggles. According to The Investor, sales of Samsung’s latest smartphone have hit record lows in Korea. 476,000 units were sold in March and 231,000 in April, a far cry from the million Galaxy S8s sold during its first two months on sale. That’s still more than the iPhone X, which has reportedly sold 475,000 units in Korea since its November launch. In February, only 70,000 iPhone Xs were sold.
There has been a lot of industry chatter that the Galaxy S9 has been performing below expectations. Just last month, rumours surfaced that the production of the company’s next flagship phablet, the Galaxy Note 9, is being pushed forward, now slated for release at least a month ahead of schedule. (Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to Release Earlier Than Usual?)
One of The Investor’s sources commented:
“We don’t see the slowing sales as a one-time event. This could become a long-term trend in the market. There are no immediate signs that the premium smartphone market will gain momentum any time soon”.
Analyst Comment
It shouldn’t be a great surprise that sales have not been dramatically fast. Current smartphones are not that much different than those of two or three years ago. They are better, but a good smartphone from three or four years ago is not that different. The camera will be better, but the photos probably are not. To develop beyond a certain levels, you really have to start to develop your eye and understanding of how to use the camera, not just have better technology. The displays are better, as Ray Soneira has reported, but they were already pretty good. (BR).
