Galaxy S10 shows lackluster performance

Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S10 series sold an estimated 37 million handsets during the first six months of 2019, which was 15% more than its predecessor. The figure, however, falls short of the market consensus of around 50 million, according to industry sources on Jan. 10.

They attributed the sales growth to the diversified lineup consisting of the Galaxy S10e, the Galaxy S10, the Galaxy S10+ and the Galaxy S10 5G-enabled model. The previous Galaxy S9 series was sold only in the Galaxy S9 and the S9+ models.

Market research firm CounterPoint said that during March to May last year, the Galaxy S10 sold 16 million units, which was about 12% more than the Galaxy S9 in the same period. Among then, the Galaxy S10e took up a 22% market share by selling 3.5 million handsets.

The 5G model also appears to have contributed significantly to the sales, according to CounterPoint. They sold 6.7 million handsets up to November 2019.

Despite the increase, market watchers point out that a minimum 50 million needs to be sold in order to see the Galaxy S series as a success. From 2014 to 2016, the Galaxy series have usually sold around 40 million or more in the first six months. In 2017, they sold 38 million, and then 32 million in 2018.

“The Galaxy S10 is far short of a success,” said one market source on the condition of anonymity, adding that it didn’t do well during the first three months of the year, which is when the annual performance can be measured.

In two months, Samsung will be launching three more Galaxy S flagship models. The phones will first be revealed in the US on Feb. 11.

The Elec is South Korea’s No.1 tech news platform.