Samsung Galaxy S6 edge sales exceeds expectations

• New devices praised for premium design, high-quality finish and specs
• S6 edge sales reportedly caught Samsung by surprise

AFTER a year of struggling sales, market share losses, dwindling profits and growing consumer apathy to its line of Android smartphones – particularly its flagship Galaxy S series – South Korean smartphone giant Samsung Electronics had a lot to prove going into 2015.
 
With jobs on the line for top management and a plan to revamp its smartphone designs from scratch, Samsung is hoping to turn its fortunes around as it faces off against Apple’s best-selling iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models on the high-end, while protecting its turf against Chinese rivals like Xiaomi on the low-end.
 
Early indications show that it’s on the right path. Its Galaxy S6 and curved-screen variant S6 edge won the hearts and minds of the media and industry analysts at the Mobile World Congress launch back in March, all of whom cited the premium design, high-quality finish and top-shelf specifications of the devices.
 
Now, a week after the first wave of availability in 20 countries (including Singapore) and a slew of glowing reviews, reports say that sales are beating even Samsung’s own high expectations, especially for the S6 edge version.
 
The company reportedly has been caught by surprise by the surge in demand.
 
This prompted Samsung’s mobile chief J.K. Shin to announce at a media event that the company won’t be able to keep up with demand in the near term, due to the lower yield rate of the S6 edge’s curved displays.
 
Thankfully, we’ve managed to procure a unit from a local retailer for our DNA Test. Both the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge share a lot in common except for the display shape and battery, so our review will be focused on the Galaxy S6 edge. Watch out for that in the next few days.
 
As for Malaysia, Samsung began retailing the device on April 17 at RM2,599 and RM3,099 (inclusive of 6% GST) for the 32GB version of Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge respectively.
 
Those who pre-ordered their units from April 3-12 through the Samsung Malaysia website will also be receiving a free wireless charger (while stocks last).
 
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