Samsung could discontinue its premium Galaxy Note phone next year: sources

SEOUL – Samsung Electronics Co Ltd could discontinue its premium Galaxy Note phone next year, according to informed sources, a move that reflects the sharp decline in demand for high-end smartphones due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Galaxy Note, known for its large display and stylus for note-taking, is one of two high-end Samsung phone series – the other being the more compact Galaxy S which attracts consumers with its stylish parts. cutting edge technology.

At present, the South Korean tech giant has no plans to develop a new version of the Galaxy Note for 2021, three sources said, declining to be identified because the plans were not public. .

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Instead, the top-end model of the Galaxy S series, the S21, will have a stylus and the next version of Samsung’s foldable phone will be compatible with a stylus, which will be sold separately, one of the sources said.

A second source said the company’s development efforts that would normally have gone to the Note will now be funneled into its foldable phone line.

Samsung declined to comment.

Tom Kang, an analyst at research firm Counterpoint, said sales of Samsung’s Note series are expected to fall by a fifth to 8 million this year, while sales of the S series are expected to fall from 5 million to under 30. millions.

“The premium demand has declined this year and a lot of people aren’t looking for new products,” he said.

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The Galaxy Note 20 launched in the US this year with a price tag of $ 999, on par with the Galaxy S20 while the iPhone 12 starts at $ 799.

Samsung first released the Note in 2011, breaking new ground in the larger display model market and helping it overtake Apple Inc to become the world’s largest smartphone maker for the first time this year.