Android & Chill
One of many net’s longest-running tech columns, Android & Chill is your Saturday dialogue of Android, Google, and all issues tech.
Samsung spent a number of million {dollars} to indicate a few of its new merchandise this week. It was a typical tech occasion with executives telling us how nice the brand new stuff goes to be, how a lot we’ll find it irresistible, and why the corporate is vital sufficient so that you can spend an hour listening. What it did not let you know is that the corporate thinks you are a sucker.
That is the very first thing I assumed when the mud settled as a result of Samsung thinks you may spend almost two thousand {dollars} on a telephone, and it is proper. At the least a few of us will. I will not, and neither must you.
I am not going to let you know that you just should not pay more cash for a telephone that folds in half or how it is best to spend your cash normally. Everybody spends cash on issues they do not want, together with me. I’m telling you that you just should not be shopping for your folding telephone from Samsung as a result of if you happen to do nothing goes to vary. Particularly the pricing.
I am probably not faulting the corporate for including $100 to the worth. The whole lot is costlier, and the 5% bump ought to have been anticipated. It simply occurs to be 5% on a value that was too excessive to start with.
Analysts and tech writers have been saying how foldables will grow to be extra accessible and cheaper for the previous 5 years or so. I am unable to discover wherever that Samsung really mentioned it is undoubtedly occurring, however the firm fortunately goes together with the concept and has by no means stepped up and mentioned it isn’t going to occur. Samsung has gone as far as to say that it is attempting to make it occur, but it surely simply hasn’t performed it.
I get that making a flowery hinge and a glass-plastic bonded display that folds in half will add to the prices, however take a look at what different firms are doing. Do you actually suppose that Samsung would not have a stronger provide chain or higher entry to supplies than OnePlus? Or Google? Or Honor? After all it does, if for no different purpose than most of the elements come instantly from Samsung itself. Why are Samsung’s foldables as costly — or costlier — than what different firms provide?
Perhaps each single piece inside a Z Fold 6 is healthier than something a competitor is providing. Or perhaps Samsung is aware of it might cost no matter it likes as a result of the individuals who had been going to purchase one will purchase it whatever the value. This, I feel, is what Samsung is relying on.
Samsung is aware of nearly no person buys foldable telephones and has even admitted that “most” of the individuals who do purchase one are individuals who have already got one. The corporate additionally is aware of that it not sells the lion’s share of folding telephones. However does it care?
One approach to achieve market share is to streamline manufacturing and promote cheaper telephones. A ten% revenue margin on thousands and thousands extra merchandise is as profitable as increased margins on issues that are not promoting. This may match proper in with Samsung’s message that everybody ought to need a foldable as a result of they’re cool, and it is precisely how Samsung beats out Apple to promote essentially the most smartphones 12 months after 12 months. Provide extra, promote it for much less, and folks will purchase it.
Another plan is to not give a rattling about market share, cost as a lot as you’ll be able to, and rely on these repeat prospects who you suppose are going to purchase your overpriced merchandise anyway. And sure, individuals who will purchase a brand new Z Fold, irrespective of the worth, do exist. Too lots of them, in truth.
The one factor we will do as shoppers is to not purchase overpriced merchandise; to cease being a sucker. If sufficient folks vote with their wallets, we’ll get extra for our cash.
I do know I am not going to vary anybody’s thoughts by penning this. If you happen to suppose Samsung is charging an excessive amount of for a Fold 6, you do not want me to let you know. On the flip facet, if you happen to had been going to purchase one anyway, you may suppose I am silly and may even take the time to let me know.
I do know I am no sucker and will not let Samsung deal with me like one.