Samsung Mobile chief Shin confirms strong start for the Samsung Galaxy S5

On Monday, we passed along a report out of Korea estimating that Samsung had shipped 10 million units of the Samsung Galaxy S5 in 25 days. That was a record time for the manufacturer. Today, Samsung Mobile chief J.K. Shin confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy S5 is off to a strong start. Shin says that Samsung's latest flagship is outperforming the Samsung Galaxy S4 by 10% as 11 million units of the Galaxy S5 have been sold since its launch on April 11th.

The executive added that these strong Galaxy S5 sales should lead to improved profit margins and increase Sammy's mobile market share in the current quarter. The words from Shin comes amid speculation that Samsung has already pushed the panic button on the phone. That rumor started with talk that Samsung would launch a premium version of its flagship called the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime. To combat the LG G3 and its expected 1440 x 2560 screen, the Galaxy S5 Prime is also expected to feature a QHD resolution glass and a metal body.


Also worrisome for Samsung followers was the removal of Chang Dong-hoon as head of mobile design. Some blamed the static design of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the continued use of plastic, for Chang's removal. But he just might have been made a scapegoat for Samsung's first decline in global smartphone marketshare in four years, which took place in the first quarter. During the three months, Samsung's profit margin in mobile was 19.8%, flat with last year's figure. While Shin expects that number to rise with increased Galaxy S5 sales, some analysts expect profit margins to decline as more competition is launched later this year.

Defending the Galaxy S5, Shin says that "It may not have eye-popping technology but the features are practical." This year's model has a feature allowing 10% of battery life to last for 24 hours. After finding that 30% of phone returns to Sammy's service centers came about due to spills of water, or other liquids on the phone, Samsung made the Galaxy S5 able to withstand submersion in up to 3.2 feet of water for up 30 minutes.


source: WSJ