The Samsung S5 is rumored to have premium materials like stainless steel or aluminum when it is released in 2014. (Click Image To Enlarge)
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a terrific smartphone, and it’s already a massive success. But it received lots of criticism following its launch earlier this year because of Samsung’s decision to stick with plastic and not adopt premium materials like stainless steel or aluminum. But the company may finally be looking to change that next time around.
According to a new report from Korea, Samsung will introduce a metal chassis for the next-generation Galaxy S5, and to ensure there are no production problems, it’s going to start making it later this year.ETNews reports that Samsung hopes to improve its competitive strategy and “enhance the premium brand image” with a metal Galaxy S5, which hopes to better compete with aluminum smartphones from the likes of Apple and HTC when it comes to design and build quality. It’s thought the company has already had samples produced in Europe and sent to Samsung factories in Vietnam.
However, Samsung is weary about the problems that metal smartphones can suffer from — such as the “antennagate” issue that plagued the iPhone 4. It is also said to be concerned about eliminating certain benefits — such as the removable battery — that come with plastic smartphones.
As such, it is reportedly spending a lot of time and effort on getting the design right, and could begin producing the device as early as this fall in an effort to minimize the impact that could be caused by production problems.
This isn’t the first time this kind of rumor has surfaced, though. We heard similar things before the launch of the Galaxy S III, and again ahead of the launch of the Galaxy S4 — both of which are made completely from plastic like the rest of Samsung’s smartphone lineup.
What’s more, Samsung has been keen to point out the advantages of using plastic, such as its flexibility.
With that said, take this report with a pinch of salt for now. There’s still a long way to go before we see the Galaxy S5 — the Galaxy S4 hasn’t been on sale all that long — and a lot could change between now and then.
COMMENTARY: According to Korea-based Yonhap News reports, Samsung has shipped 20 million of its Galaxy S4 smartphones since its debut on April 26, 2013. The Galaxy S4 is selling 1.7 times faster than Samsung’s last generation smartphone, the Galaxy S III.
In contrast, Apple sold about 47.8 million iPhones in the quarter following the release of the iPhone 5 on September 21, 2012. However, Apple does not break down iPhone sales figures by model, so this number also likely includes some older generation iPhones.
Samsung had previously announced Galaxy S4 sales of approximately 10 million about a month after its debut. However, a mid-June report from J.P. Morgan that suggested Galaxy S4 sales were unexpectedly slow recently sparked a 6.2 percent drop in the Korean company’s stock.
Samsung has plans to sell approximately 100 million of the devices. However, J.P. Morgan estimates that the company is only likely to sell about 60 million.
Apple most recently reported iPhone sales of 37.4 million in the second quarter of this year. Sales of new smartphone models typically drop off after the first several months. Samsung’s product launch dates appear to be taking advantage of Apple’s somewhat predictable product refresh cycle.
Apple is widely expected to launch the next iteration of its flagship smartphone, also known as the “iPhone 5S,” in September. There are also widespread rumors and leaks that suggest the company will soon be unveiling a low-cost iPhone, or “iPhone lite,” that will be available in multiple colors.
Source: Courtesy of an article dated August 29, 2013 appearing in Cult of Android and an article dated July 4, 2013 appearing in Wall Street Cheat Sheet
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