Galaxy S5 sold 40 percent fewer units than Samsung predicted: WSJ

[Sensamic]

On the low end customers prefer Xioami, Huawei, etc. They are cheap and have better build quality than Samsung's low end phones and most of them offer a better software experience too. Samsung has to learn this the hard way. They are doing so many things wrong for such a long time...

On the high end customers have more choices than ever: M8, G3, OnePlus, Z3, etc.

I've got a SGS5 and it's a great phone, but design, build quality and software could be better (although I have no lag whatsoever. I mean UI design and all).

 

[gotluck]

Lol Rogifan found another negative article

Yes it is fully relevant, but just annoying that it was rogifan

As far as samsung goes, I won't buy another one of their mobile devices until they make another google play edition

There is much less brand loyalty on the android oem side, generally a blessing if you are a consumer, or a curse as an investor

 

[Ccrew]

Meaning: Best Buy is buried in Gear 2 returns and is frantically trying to offload them as refurbs. So desperate they'll throw in a free one!

I'd be pissed if I'd paid full price just a few months ago.

I think that smart watches in general are a device in search of a market. I had a Gear 2 Neo, and returned it also simply because I didn't need a notification device which was essentially all it was. I now have a Gear S, and the jury is still out on that. Personally I think the Apple watch is going to see a crazy high return rate also unless they find some magic bullet to define it's need. It will get bought, yes, but I don't think it'll sustain itself.

Samsung I think is throwing a lot of stuff at the fan hoping something sticks.

 

[adammr]

Doesn't seem to affect iPhone sales.
Now back on topic, doesn't explain why s5 sales are faltering.

I just posted a thread as I have been switching to Apple devices. The only switch I haven't made is my S4 since my contract lasts another 6 months. If I were to end up sticking with Android it is highly unlikely to be with Samsung.

It has a ton of glitches just using it day in and day out. The most frustrating thing is when I try to listen to Spotify or view pictures (stored on the SD card) and an error comes up saying the SD card cannot be found. I bought an iPod for this error alone.

Samsung just fills up the phone with a bunch of crap people don't want. For almost every Google app (that of course is installed on every Android phone) there is a Samsung app...Calendar, Memo, Voice, Samsung App store, etc. A total waste of memory especially considering none of the Samsung apps are better than Google or what you can get from the Play store.

Oh and the combination of Samsung and Verizon means that you are highly unlikely to see any updates. So if there are any bugs with the phone when you buy it you better be able to live with it.

Samsung doesn't implement features as well as other OEMs...best example is the fingerprint scanner.

IMHO the current HTC, LG, and even Motorola phones are better buys overall. Samsung has its advantages but not enough to make up for the glitches imo.

 

[Rogifan]

Lol Rogifan found another negative article

Yes it is fully relevant, but just annoying that it was rogifan

As far as samsung goes, I won't buy another one of their mobile devices until they make another google play edition

There is much less brand loyalty on the android oem side, generally a blessing if you are a consumer, or a curse as an investor

No what's annoying is this forum which should be about non-Apple products just ends up being a place people can go to bash Apple.

 

[mi7chy]

The most frustrating thing is when I try to listen to Spotify or view pictures (stored on the SD card) and an error comes up saying the SD card cannot be found.

I know it sounds obvious but did you try a quality SD card?

 

[samcraig]

No what's annoying is this forum which should be about non-Apple products just ends up being a place people can go to bash Apple.

Why should this forum topic be different than the others?

Wouldn't it be most appropriate for any bashing TO be in this topic vs others?

 

[gotluck]

No what's annoying is this forum which should be about non-Apple products just ends up being a place people can go to bash Apple.

I thought it was a place for people with experience with all platforms to share their thoughts.

Lately there has been an influx of hyperdefensive iOS only users that can't handle even this alternative section being tarnished with alternative opinions.

 

[Ccrew]

Lately there has been an influx of hyperdefensive iOS only users that can't handle even this alternative section being tarnished with alternative opinions.

I think this sums it up pretty well.

 

[FFR]

I just posted a thread as I have been switching to Apple devices. The only switch I haven't made is my S4 since my contract lasts another 6 months. If I were to end up sticking with Android it is highly unlikely to be with Samsung.



It has a ton of glitches just using it day in and day out. The most frustrating thing is when I try to listen to Spotify or view pictures (stored on the SD card) and an error comes up saying the SD card cannot be found. I bought an iPod for this error alone.



Samsung just fills up the phone with a bunch of crap people don't want. For almost every Google app (that of course is installed on every Android phone) there is a Samsung app...Calendar, Memo, Voice, Samsung App store, etc. A total waste of memory especially considering none of the Samsung apps are better than Google or what you can get from the Play store.



Oh and the combination of Samsung and Verizon means that you are highly unlikely to see any updates. So if there are any bugs with the phone when you buy it you better be able to live with it.



Samsung doesn't implement features as well as other OEMs...best example is the fingerprint scanner.



IMHO the current HTC, LG, and even Motorola phones are better buys overall. Samsung has its advantages but not enough to make up for the glitches imo.

I agree with you, and the data supports your claim.
There seems to be a lot of fed up Samsung users converting to the iPhone 6/6+ or to other android vendors, such as lg and xiaomi.

 

[jamezr]

I just posted a thread as I have been switching to Apple devices. The only switch I haven't made is my S4 since my contract lasts another 6 months. If I were to end up sticking with Android it is highly unlikely to be with Samsung.

It has a ton of glitches just using it day in and day out. The most frustrating thing is when I try to listen to Spotify or view pictures (stored on the SD card) and an error comes up saying the SD card cannot be found. I bought an iPod for this error alone.

Samsung just fills up the phone with a bunch of crap people don't want. For almost every Google app (that of course is installed on every Android phone) there is a Samsung app...Calendar, Memo, Voice, Samsung App store, etc. A total waste of memory especially considering none of the Samsung apps are better than Google or what you can get from the Play store.

Oh and the combination of Samsung and Verizon means that you are highly unlikely to see any updates. So if there are any bugs with the phone when you buy it you better be able to live with it.

Samsung doesn't implement features as well as other OEMs...best example is the fingerprint scanner.

IMHO the current HTC, LG, and even Motorola phones are better buys overall. Samsung has its advantages but not enough to make up for the glitches imo.

I agree with you on some very good points. Samsung didn't do very good job with the fingerprint scanner. They are losing sales to other vendors. The TW on the S4 is not up to par.
The Note 4 does a lot better job with the problems you listed above. I hope the message was received loud and clear to Samsung. After the improvements to the Alpha and Note 4 i can't wait to see what the Galaxy S6 brings!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I agree with you, and the data supports your claim.
There seems to be a lot of fed up Samsung users converting to the iPhone 6/6+ or to other android vendors, such as lg and xiaomi.

I suppose it only takes a bad experience or a desire to try something else to sway a consumer, and its a decision that can be completed in minutes. You can hit buy or upgrade and choose a device in minutes. Once the custom has gone it is often for at least 12 months too. I can't see Samsung falling out of favour completely, but I think the days of total domination at the higher Android end could be a thing of the past. Other companies like LG, HTC and Xiaomi have almost used Samsung as their market tester to see what consumers want and its now a market they have to share, but with reduced appeal.

No company is immune from this as we well know and if anything I think it will force companies to innovate in their methods of giving consumers what they want.

 

[FFR]

Where are the sales numbers for the Note 4? You can't really say that until you see the numbers. The real problem is that samsung has overextended themselves by releasing so many handsets this year, and not really having that much differentiation between them? I mean, where does the Alpha land? It's like a mixture of the Note 4 and S5, so who is supposed to buy it?

That, plus the Chinese companies selling Android handsets like crazy, is not helping Samsung in the least. They need to scale back and focus on the handsets that make them money and not oversaturate the market and confuse buyers.

Just saw this on twitter:

If the Galaxy s5 is any indication, it does not look good for the note 4, historically the note line has sold considerably less than the Galaxy.

 

[jamezr]

Just saw this on twitter:

If the Galaxy s5 is any indication, it does not look good for the note 4, historically the note line has sold considerably less than the Galaxy.

It is also worth noting.....Samsung does not sell just one phone. They sell more phones than anyone else. this lead has diminished a little. But they still lead global sales by such a HUGE margin. But the recent design change trends of the Note 4 and Alpha seem to indicate Samsung is changing things up.
the chart below speaks for itself....

 

[mclld]

I personally do not care how many phones they sell as long as they keep making them. I do not understand the mentality of people caring like they are receiving a cut of profits or as if a phone they dont like sells well it will be bad for them. If anything this would be a plus for people who get bumhurt about Samsung making so many models, this might cause them to cut back and the people who care could finally rest easy at night

 

[mercuryjones]

It is also worth noting.....Samsung does not sell just one phone. They sell more phones than anyone else. this lead has diminished a little. But they still lead global sales by such a HUGE margin. But the recent design change trends of the Note 4 and Alpha seem to indicate Samsung is changing things up.
the chart below speaks for itself....

Image

What Samsung is running into is the law of diminishing returns. Sure, they make and sell the most phones out there, but if the high end sales start dropping and they are only selling low end phones like crazy, then profits drop. Doesn't matter how many phones you sell at that point, except if you live and die on marketshare, which means nothing unless you own the backend too (Google and Amazon).

 

[jamezr]

What Samsung is running into is the law of diminishing returns. Sure, they make and sell the most phones out there, but if the high end sales start dropping and they are only selling low end phones like crazy, then profits drop. Doesn't matter how many phones you sell at that point, except if you live and die on marketshare, which means nothing unless you own the backend too (Google and Amazon).

I think that is obvious is it not? They cannot continue to lose market share and still maintain the profits they are used to. But that goes for every company......
But Samsung is not doomed...... They also do not just sell phones....

 

[pdqgp]

What Samsung is running into is the law of diminishing returns. Sure, they make and sell the most phones out there, but if the high end sales start dropping and they are only selling low end phones like crazy, then profits drop. Doesn't matter how many phones you sell at that point, except if you live and die on marketshare, which means nothing unless you own the backend too (Google and Amazon).

What is gleaming is that Samsung sells way more phones overall and at least has devices covering the full spectrum from low to high priced devices. Apple does not. It's also clear that Samsung isn't losing share to Apple but rather the others in their space. So while Apple is enjoying the iP6 sales, it's not taking them from Samsung. At least the market share data isn't showing it. The market share is however showing the lower end devices are where it's at. And they can and are profitable areas too.

What also shows through is that the two big boys still don't own the other 50% or so of the market that is going to other manufacturers. Samsung however is poised better than Apple to get that. Not only from a production and product standpoint, but also since those low end phones are Androids, not iOS. Thus if you're not making a lower price point Android phone, you're not likely even going to have much of a shot. The second chart of operating system market share is pretty telling.

In the end, I could care less how many phones any manufacturer sells. I buy a platform not a brand of hardware. Android is killing it world wide and gaining ground in the US too. That to me says a lot. And IMO it's a far better more customizable platform overall.

Apple is doing well, but nearly 50% of their revenue comes from the iPhone. That's scarey. Especially when you look at the slide the iPad has taken over the past year. At least Samsung and the rest aren't as dependent on phone sales. Again, enjoy the iPhone sales but beware, the Android OS demand and growth is not letting up nor leaving much room for iOS which is shrinking and clearly not taking any share from Android.

Personally, I'm very happy with my Note 3 and have no interest in upgrading to the Note 4. Perhaps the 5; but even then, it will be interesting to see what the competition in the Android space offers in late 2015.

Operating System Market share:

 

[mercuryjones]

What is gleaming is that Samsung sells way more phones overall and at least has devices covering the full spectrum from low to high priced devices. Apple does not. It's also clear that Samsung isn't losing share to Apple but rather the others in their space.

What also shows through is that the two big boys still don't own the other 50% or so of the market that is going to other manufacturers. Samsung however is poised better than Apple to get that.

In the end, I could care less how many phones any manufacturer sells. I buy a platform not a brand of hardware. Android is killing it world wide and gaining ground in the US too. That to me says a lot.

Apple is doing well, but nearly 50% of their revenue comes from the iPhone. That's scarey. Especially when you look at the slide the iPad has taken over the past year. At least Samsung and the rest aren't as dependent on phone sales.

Personally, I'm very happy with my Note 3 and have no interest in upgrading to the Note 4. Perhaps the 5; but even then, it will be interesting to see what the competition in the Android space offers in late 2015.

Why does the proliferation of Android devices make you happy? If half of them run an OS that is over 3 years old, that should tell you something. That's like Dell selling 50% of their systems with Windows Vista still on them. No one wants that.
Samsung is not going anywhere, since they are a much larger company and are diversified because of it. Apple isn't going anywhere either. They are well entrenched in a business that they weren't even in 7 years ago. I have faith that Apple will continue to move into new markets and keep growing. Please don't tell me you are one of the "Apple is doomed!" crowd.

 

[I7guy]

What is gleaming is that Samsung sells way more phones overall and at least has devices covering the full spectrum from low to high priced devices. Apple does not. It's also clear that Samsung isn't losing share to Apple but rather the others in their space. So while Apple is enjoying the iP6 sales, it's not taking them from Samsung. At least the market share data isn't showing it. The market share is however showing the lower end devices are where it's at. And they can and are profitable areas too.

What also shows through is that the two big boys still don't own the other 50% or so of the market that is going to other manufacturers. Samsung however is poised better than Apple to get that. Not only from a production and product standpoint, but also since those low end phones are Androids, not iOS. Thus if you're not making a lower price point Android phone, you're not likely even going to have much of a shot.

In the end, I could care less how many phones any manufacturer sells. I buy a platform not a brand of hardware. Android is killing it world wide and gaining ground in the US too. That to me says a lot. And IMO it's a far better more customizable platform overall.

Apple is doing well, but nearly 50% of their revenue comes from the iPhone. That's scarey. Especially when you look at the slide the iPad has taken over the past year. At least Samsung and the rest aren't as dependent on phone sales.

Personally, I'm very happy with my Note 3 and have no interest in upgrading to the Note 4. Perhaps the 5; but even then, it will be interesting to see what the competition in the Android space offers in late 2015.

Operating System Market share:

Sure, their chip manufacturing, cameras and TV business could support Samsung as their profits from smartphones goes downhill. I only buy Samsung tvs., btw.

I'm not worried in the least about apples finances, doesn't seem Wall Street is either. In spite of the fact it seems the largest market for android is on low-end phones.

 

[pdqgp]

Why does the proliferation of Android devices make you happy? If half of them run an OS that is over 3 years old, that should tell you something. That's like Dell selling 50% of their systems with Windows Vista still on them. No one wants that.

Makes me happy because I support Android as an overall better platform. Why do I care if half run on older OS versions? I still have two PC's in my house that run XP and run it just fine. I have a 7yr old Minivan that does just fine. You don't NEED to upgrade to the latest OS to be considered a winner. The fact that 50% are NOT on the latest OS does tell me something....that the owners are running a solid product as-is. My main desktop runs Win 7 64 bit and I have no need to go to 8 or 9 yet. My Note 3 runs Kit Kat and will get 5.0 Lollipop if I CHOOSE to go that route. Nothing wrong with any of that. In fact my Note 3 even on it's original OS did more and allowed for more than my wife's new iP6 on iOS 8.

Samsung is not going anywhere, since they are a much larger company and are diversified because of it. Apple isn't going anywhere either. They are well entrenched in a business that they weren't even in 7 years ago. I have faith that Apple will continue to move into new markets and keep growing. Please don't tell me you are one of the "Apple is doomed!" crowd.

Did I say Apple was doomed? Did I imply that? Or did I just note some facts and you made that implication. I certainly didn't. Apple is expanding into other markets and acquiring new companies to prepare for changes and to grow. Smart moves. They certainly don't want to repeat the mid 90's that's for sure.

 

[Oletros]

Why does the proliferation of Android devices make you happy? If half of them run an OS that is over 3 years old, that should tell you something.

What?

 

[mercuryjones]

Makes me happy because I support Android as an overall better platform. Why do I care if half run on older OS versions? I still have two PC's in my house that run XP and run it just fine. I have a 7yr old Minivan that does just fine. You don't NEED to upgrade to the latest OS to be considered a winner. The fact that 50% are NOT on the latest OS does tell me something....that the owners are running a solid product as-is. My main desktop runs Win 7 64 bit and I have no need to go to 8 or 9 yet. My Note 3 runs Kit Kat and will get 5.0 Lollipop if I CHOOSE to go that route. Nothing wrong with any of that. In fact my Note 3 even on it's original OS did more and allowed for more than my wife's new iP6 on iOS 8.



Did I say Apple was doomed? Did I imply that? Or did I just note some facts and you made that implication. I certainly didn't. Apple is expanding into other markets and acquiring new companies to prepare for changes and to grow. Smart moves. They certainly don't want to repeat the mid 90's that's for sure.

Because the latest OS usually introduces new technologies. One of the main problems with Windows is that it has to support the legacy stuff, and that's why it doesn't always run the best it could.
Bt whatever. Enjoy Android and I'll enjoy iOS.

 

[jamezr]

Why does the proliferation of Android devices make you happy? If half of them run an OS that is over 3 years old, that should tell you something. That's like Dell selling 50% of their systems with Windows Vista still on them. No one wants that.
Samsung is not going anywhere, since they are a much larger company and are diversified because of it. Apple isn't going anywhere either. They are well entrenched in a business that they weren't even in 7 years ago. I have faith that Apple will continue to move into new markets and keep growing. Please don't tell me you are one of the "Apple is doomed!" crowd.

Is this a personal attack? He never said anything like what you wrote and are accusing him of!

 

[pdqgp]

Because the latest OS usually introduces new technologies.

Of course the new OS's introduce new technologies. However, that has zero bearing on the guy running a 2yr old phone on an older OS. The new technologies and new OS's still come out and still benefit others who do choose to upgrade. Lollipop is a HUGE upgrade for Android and is not at all being held back or holding anyone back. I'm just not following you on that point.

One of the main problems with Windows is that it has to support the legacy stuff, and that's why it doesn't always run the best it could.

so what you're saying is you support and OS that DOESN'T support Legacy hardware? What? Not me, I'd prefer to have an OS that requires a bit more code and supports older and newer devices. I don't want something that's only optimized for new stuff. Even Apple in iOS8 is supporting older phones. To NOT do so would alienate a lot of owners and open the door for possible lost customer base. Sorry, but again, I'm not following you on this.

But whatever. Enjoy Android and I'll enjoy iOS.

Deal. Worth noting however, that I use both an iPad Air on iOS 8 and a Note 3 on Kit Kat 4.4.4 and overall my house is dominated by iOS. Thus I enjoy both worlds.