Samsung not ditching Galaxy S3
WINDHOEK DENVER ISAACS
The launch of Samsung's Galaxy S4 may come with the surety of a price drop for its forerunner, the S3, but according to the company's Africa representatives that only means more market share for it to conquer.
At a press conference prior to the new phone's launch in Johannesburg last week, Samsung Chief Operating Officer for East and Central Africa Robert Ngeru said erosion in the S3's price was more significant in the United States (US) than in other markets, and pledged that the company would not drop support for last year's T3 phone of the year.
The S3 is still holding its price relatively well. I believe in the coming months we will really see the S4 take off, but we expect the S3 to remain the market leader, he said.
There is definitely a price tier (strategy), for us to have devices in different price segments, Ngeru told members of the press.
The company celebrated the worldwide launch of its new phone on April 27 at 10:00, but it has been plagued by supply delays - including in Namibia.
Due to overwhelming global demand of Galaxy S4, the initial supply may be limited, a statement issued by the company in response to queries over local supply shortages said.
We expect to fulfil inventory to meet demands in the coming weeks, it said.
The pricing of the new S4 will also range between whichever of two wireless communication standards is in use in either of the two versions available.
Samsung Africa Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer George Ferreira noted that Namibian mobile telecommunications company MTC had requested the company to make available the top-of-the-range LTE (long-term evolution or 4G LTE) version in Namibia.
Ferreira said Namibians can expect that version of the phone to enter the company in around June.
We will roll out as operators invest in the technology. It should be available countrywide, not just city-based, he said.
Other initiative Ferreira said are in the pipeline for Samsung users in Africa, are 'Premium Service Areas', and a possible trade-in deal currently only under discussion with South African retailers.
The Premium Service Areas would basically function as a centre where Samsung users can educate themselves on the optimum usage of their devices.
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