Phone sales

Samsung hopes better cameras and faster speeds will boost phone sales

Samsung Electronics unveiled the latest versions of its flagship Galaxy S smartphones on Wednesday, featuring improved camera features and a faster processor chip, hoping the upgrade will revive sales after two weak years.

The S22 series will directly compete with Apple’s iPhone 13 launched last September. Samsung’s two-way premium mobile strategy allows it to launch flagship models in the first half and Galaxy Z foldable phones in a second.

Aiming to appeal to consumers who are picky about video and photo quality, Samsung said the S22 phones’ camera offers clearer photos in low light and at night as well as auto framing that can follow up to 10 people, ensuring they are all in frame and on point.

The more expensive version, the S22 Ultra, comes with a stylus – a hallmark feature of Samsung’s large-screen Galaxy Note model that many fans and analysts now believe is discontinued.

While Samsung has seen smartphone sales plummet during the pandemic, rival Apple has seen sales gains.

Samsung says the camera in the new S22 phone offers clearer night and low-light shots, as well as auto-framing that can track up to 10 people.
Samsung Electronics DOCUMENT via REUTERS

The Galaxy S product suite typically sells over 30 million units per year. But it recorded less than 25 million in 2020 and just under 30 million last year, partly hampered by component shortages, said Jene Park, principal analyst at research firm Counterpoint.

“We believe that Samsung will ship more than 15 million units of the Galaxy S22 family in the first half of 2022. If the initial sale is good, we can expect it to reach 30 million units in 2022,” said he declared.

A global shortage of semiconductors is expected to continue this year, but analysts predict Samsung will fare better than many rivals thanks to its huge buying power and tight grip on its supply chain.

A Samsung representative adjusts the Galaxy A71 screen at the Samsung booth during CES 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 8, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Galaxy S product suite typically sells more than 30 million units a year, but sold less than 25 million in 2020 and just under 30 million last year, analysts said.
Getty Images

Samsung said the S22 Ultra, S22 Plus, and S22 will be widely available from February 25.

In the US, the Galaxy S22 will be priced at $799.99, the S22 Plus at $999.99, and the S22 Ultra at $1,199.99.