Tech Telecom

Samsung’s sales for premium segment smartphones may fall this quarter with the launch of its troubled Galaxy Note 7 and is likely getting delayed beyond the festive season in India following some fresh reports of the smartphone catching fire. Problems with Galaxy Note 7 has also weakened the demand for other Samsung smartphones also.

The company pulled out of store shelves soon after reports about devices catching fire from all around the world. Now, it seems the problem hasn’t gone yet as replacement phones are also having issues and catching fire. It’s really strange that the company let this through not even once but twice.

This is also a good opportunity to take a relook at its two-pronged flagship strategy. Both the S and Note series have had some good phones in the recent years, but they are getting predictable and incremental. This could be an opportunity to think out of the box and go one up on Apple. The company also needs to clean out the troubles as they are trusted over 10 million people.

Meanwhile, it seems Google is clearly sensing an opportunity to slip into the top-end Android space being void the Note 7 fiasco has created. Nothing else really explains the pricing of its new Pixel smartphones, especially in markets like India. And frankly, there is a space here, with HTC and Sony also slowly withdrawing from the top draw.

The company took a decision to halt production and delay sales. While there is uncertainty on the Diwali launch of Note 7, Samsung is aggressively promoting its other Galaxy devices.