Samsung plunges 15% this year to two-year low

[Technarchy]

Samsung has a couple of issues that are starting to take a toll.

1. Cheap but well featured Chinese made phones gobbling up one of the largest markets in the world

2. Apple pulling chunks of component business

3. Apple iPhone 6 and 6+ will draw in tons of previous defectors to Galaxy phones

4. LG and HTC stepping their game up. Sony too.

5. Too many devices every year rather than higher quality, better featured, more disruptive fewer devices.

6. Too myopic and focused on Apple.

Hopefully Samsung will realize they need to rethink their actions and products and get more focused.

http://pocketnow.com/2014/09/23/samsung-plunges

As Apple has just recently announced an all time high, a new record, for the first weekend sales of the 2014 iPhone models — with more than 10 million units –, Samsung plunges to a two-year low, according to Business Week. The publication reports that Samsung “slumped to its lowest level since 2012 in Seoul trading“. As an effect, apparently, analysts have recalculated the projections, and have lowered profit estimation for the South Korean phone maker.

 

[spinedoc77]

Hopefully they start to innovate a bit more. The S5 was just ok in terms of consumer appeal I think, they got it more right with the alpha and now just need to combine those 2 phones for the S6. The Note 4 gets it ALL right and is indicative of a company that is striving towards a quality product. It's tough though, the low end is getting eaten up by cheap Chinese phones and the high end is getting eaten up by Apple.

 

[tbayrgs]

Not really that surprising though--seems to mirror much of what's been happening to Apple in the tablet market, as far as trying to maintain market dominance. One can only stay so far head for so long.

 

[gotluck]

Hopefully they start to innovate a bit more. The S5 was just ok in terms of consumer appeal I think, they got it more right with the alpha and now just need to combine those 2 phones for the S6. The Note 4 gets it ALL right and is indicative of a company that is striving towards a quality product. It's tough though, the low end is getting eaten up by cheap Chinese phones and the high end is getting eaten up by Apple.

Yes I am hoping for a combination of the GS5 & the Alpha

Smaller size, more sleek looking, with all the bells and whistles of the GS5
namely
waterproof
sd card
ir blaster
mhl out (why does the alpha not have mhl out ??)

I also really hope for a continuation of their GPE devices, but that seems like a pipedream

 

[The Game 161]

I think they have took a step in the right direction this year with the build of the Alpha and Note 4 builds. I think that's the way forward

 

[nfl46]

I'm glad. That's what they get. You know its been when you go on Android Central and people are happy this is happening to Samsung.

 

[jamezr]

I think they have took a step in the right direction this year with the build of the Alpha and Note 4 builds. I think that's the way forward

Agreed...I think this is all good for Samsung. Maybe a jolt for them to get into more a user experience. They are on the right track with the Alpha and Note 4. Can't wait to see the Galaxy S6!

 

[blairh]

I hate the S5. This is a wakeup call for them. The S6 really needs to be a new start. I think the Alpha is a good sign.

 

[The Game 161]

I'm glad. That's what they get. You know its been when you go on Android Central and people are happy this is happening to Samsung.

I think this is why they got in the metal for devices.

Note 4 has started well. Selling out pre orders in south Korea

 

[linkgx1]

Samsung has been innovating less and just getting an overall degraded package of devices lately. The first Galaxy phones were so innovative and fresh and even the orignal Galaxy Note. But not now. Samsung has been skipping on quality....

Except the Galaxy Tab S. Now THAT is what they need to add to their devices. Just add metal, become more refined and they should be set.

 

[Fireblade]

Samsung deserves this.
Had several Samsung devices, last one been the S4, but I got really sick of Samsung because of that awful and bloated Touchwiz and their devices lack design and innovation.
Going with LG until something other attracts me.

 

[Black Magic]

Samsung deserves this.
Had several Samsung devices, last one been the S4, but I got really sick of Samsung because of that awful and bloated Touchwiz and their devices lack design and innovation.
Going with LG until something other attracts me.

Why doesn't anyone look at the Sony devices? They seem like they are really nice design wise. Few folks here ever clammer for them. I wonder why?

 

[MRU]

They should have simply listened to what consumers WANT rather than assume they are better than them. The S5 was a big misstep in aesthetics. The Alpha is what the S5 should have been back in March rather than a reaction to Apple and sale apathy of the S5.

Likewise their lower price PAYG devices are often really poor, especially going up against the mighty successful Moto G & E.

The mid range devices are confusing, the S5 mini is not mini and too cut back to share its flagship name/brand.

Samsung have become complacent BUT.. And I emphasise BUT.. The removal of their design team of the S5 and the Alpha and the Note show they are willing to react quickly (unlike others).

And so whilst they have dropped some percentage points on the stock exchange today, I do expect some of that to come back in the next month.

Likewise it may also be the kick in the bum to make Samsung speed up optimising their Android Skin. Its definetly is improving, but still has many steps to go.

 

[spinedoc77]

Why doesn't anyone look at the Sony devices? They seem like they are really nice design wise. Few folks here ever clammer for them. I wonder why?

I think society in general has been quite disillusioned with Sony as a company. I spent a LOT of money with them in the 90s and even early in the 2000s but I realized they were overpriced and they forced so much proprietary crap down your throat, then overcharged on refilling that proprietary stuff. I just have a bad taste in my mouth with Sony, and I used to be the most loyal Sony guy.

 

[gotluck]

Why doesn't anyone look at the Sony devices? They seem like they are really nice design wise. Few folks here ever clammer for them. I wonder why?

their availability in the usa is limited, most of the time you have to buy upfront from sony direct, sometimes import only.

 

[tjl3]

Still not sure more "premium materials" is going to make a difference. I feel as if Apple could have designed the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and still sold 10m over the first weekend.

They lack the hype, following, and marketing machine that is Apple. Actually, I wonder what Samsung commercials would be like without Apple in the picture.

 

[jamezr]

their availability in the usa is limited, most of the time you have to buy upfront from sony direct, sometimes import only.

Exactly...they kinda left the US market. But they have some nice devices....
The Z3 Compact is supposed to be very nice....

 

[Technarchy]

And so whilst they have dropped some percentage points on the stock exchange today, I do expect some of that to come back in the next month.

I'm not so sure.

They are still getting crushed between Apple and the Chinese, and the uptick in volume for people like LG. That's not going to change in a month.

Apple is still sourcing more parts from other vendors, where at one time it was mostly Samsung. That isn't going to change in a month.

The Note 4 is still a niche product. It's not something that can prop up a company, especially with the 6+ being on the market.

 

[Fireblade]

Why doesn't anyone look at the Sony devices? They seem like they are really nice design wise. Few folks here ever clammer for them. I wonder why?

Don't like Sony's devices mostly because of their huge bezels, otherwise they are great.

 

[gotluck]

The Note 4 is still a niche product. It's not something that can prop up a company, especially with the 6+ being on the market.

I dare you to go into the iphone section and call the 6+ a niche product

 

[Shanghaichica]

I'm not so sure.

They are still getting crushed between Apple and the Chinese, and the uptick in volume for people like LG. That's not going to change in a month.

Apple is still sourcing more parts from other vendors, where at one time it was mostly Samsung. That isn't going to change in a month.

The Note 4 is still a niche product. It's not something that can prop up a company, especially with the 6+ being on the market.

They are getting squeezed by the Chinese companies. Nothing more. The iphone 6 has just gone on sale. The other android OEMS ate not selling anything. Sony just reported massive losses attributed to poor sales in their mobile division. HTC are barely in the black. LG are not selling anywhere near what Samsung are selling.

 

[AustinIllini]

Despite the fact that they are not particularly great at writing software, I love that Samsung has the guts to throw a bunch of ideas at the wall and see if anything sticks. They manufacture phones with features the user may or may not need and see what happens.

At this point, I expect Samsung to find the "Next innovative thing" before Apple does because they're not afraid to try new things.

 

[MacNut]

but I realized they were overpriced and they forced so much proprietary crap down your throat, then overcharged on refilling that proprietary stuff.

For a second there I thought you were talking about Apple.

 

[spinedoc77]

For a second there I thought you were talking about Apple.

Lol, no I'm innocent this time. Although now that you mention it...

 

[Technarchy]

They are getting squeezed by the Chinese companies. Nothing more. The iphone 6 has just gone on sale. The other android OEMS ate not selling anything

10 million units is not selling anything? LG would be shocked to hear that

http://phandroid.com/2014/08/27/lg-g3-10-million-units/