adminVodacom customers could be among the first in South Africa to have a chance at owning Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones.
Electronics giant Samsung launched its S6 smartphone range at the Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona, Spain, last week. The S6 comes in two versions, the standard flat screen and with a screen that has edges on both sides.
And Vodacom has announced that it is launching the S6 series in SA on April 10 (today) with limited stock. Prices for Samsung’s latest flagship phone range, the S6, have been revealed by the mobile operator. The standard Samsung Galaxy S6 LTE 32GB is set to cost R12 399 in South Africa from Vodacom. On contracts such as the Vodacom’s Smart S, this means this S6 will cost R529 per month.
Vodacom is also selling black, white and gold versions of the phone, while the company says that all devices are planned to come with a free wireless charger and cover worth R1 100. Gold versions of the phone are said to be exclusive to Vodacom. Meanwhile, the Samsung S6 Edge LTE 64GB, which has an edged screen feature, is also planned to be available from April 10 from Vodacom, but it will be priced higher at R16 149.
Vodacom says the S6 Edge will be available “on a range of contracts including the Vodacom Smart S for R679 per month”.
Like its standard S6 counterpart, the Edge is also planned to be available in black, white and gold and comes with a free wireless charger and cover worth R1 100. Both versions of the S6 feature Google’s Android 5.0 operating system. Other features of the phones include a 16-Megapixel back-facing camera, a 5-Megapixel camera, and octa-core processors. Features of the phones include a 5.1-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, a 16-Megapixel camera back-facing camera and a 5-Megapixel camera, and octa-core processors with 3GB of RAM.
Both devices also come equipped with Google’s Android 5.0 operating system, dubbed “Lollipop”.
South Africa is set to be among the first 20 markets in the world to sell the phone.
Samsung slowdown
The South Korean electronic giant’s move to launch its S6 smartphone range to the world comes amid slowing growth for the company.
Samsung’s share in the smartphone market slowed feel from 28,9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 19,9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, according to the Independent Data Corporation (IDC). Competition from Chinese phone makers such as Xiaomi is increasing while even US-based Apple is growing from strength to strength.
“Samsung remained the leader in the worldwide smartphone market in the fourth quarter, however with a narrow 0,2 percent share lead above Apple,” said the IDC. “Facing strong competition from Apple, decreasing product margins, and slowing down market demand, it posted a negative year-over-year change for the last three quarters. In order for Samsung to regain its share at the top, the company will have to either explore innovations, adopt lower margins, or revamp its high-end strategy. Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge series can be an opportunity to attract the value-oriented consumer,” the IDC said.
Phone buyers express their views
A snap poll by Fin24 revealed that most phone users would want to buy the next Samsung S6 but that its price point of between R12 000 to R16 000 from Vodacom could be too high.
“I would say a max of R10 000 for a quality high-end smartphone. And then it will have to show some real firepower and abilities to warrant that price. No more than that,” said Fin24 user Zane.
After Vodacom’s announcement that it is increasing contract prices, another Fin24 user also said he would be wary of upgrading too soon. Vodacom announced last month that it plans to hike contract prices by May 1.
“I was seriously considering upgrading to the Samsung S6, I am due an upgrade. It was a feasible way for me to get top of the range phones I like. However, after Vodacom’s unilateral price increase which included existing contracts, I have decided against it,” Bryan Musso told Fin24 in an email.
“I will eventually get a Samsung S6 or the future Note or performance equivalent Android phone. However, now I am more wary of contracts and will thus look at a cash option, so will most likely wait for prices to come down,” Musso said. — Fin24.
Online Reporter