Aussies hate to queue for anything, especially for technology, but long queues - reminiscent of iconic Apple releases of old - occurred this morning at Samsung’s Sydney and Melbourne stores for the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note7. Retailer JB Hi-Fi also reports record pre and first day sales.
Australia is one of the first markets in the world to offer people the Galaxy Note7. This morning, hundreds of customers queued in Sydney and Melbourne to buy a device.
According to Philip Newton, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Electronics Australia, “The Galaxy Note7 [GN7] has broken pre-sale records for any Note we have ever launched in this country. 2016 has been a watershed year for Samsung mobile product [about the GS7 series]. We have made fundamental changes to the way our range is crafted. These changes have resonated with Australians.”
The GN7 is available now in-store through major Telcos, retailers, as well as the Samsung online store and Samsung Experience Stores in Melbourne and Sydney with an RRP of AUD$1,349.
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Samsung’s GN7 is probably the most anticipate Android handset release of all time. Where the Galaxy S7 series changed people’s thinking about what constituted a premium handset and also broke all Galaxy sales records, the GN7 looks like being even more successful. Android watchers are saying the GS7 series and the GN7 have the potential to knock off Apple’s also anticipated iPhone 7.
International reports include:
South Korean pre-orders exceeded 200,000 in the first two days (August 5-6). This was double the pre-orders for the S7 and Edge which also set records.
CNet says pre-orders in Europe dictate a sell-out in Europe when it goes retail on 2 September. Samsung has already delayed the flagship phablet’s release in some countries — including the Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, and Malaysia — and now it is warning that there isn’t a whole lot of stock left for Europe.
The UK has reported that pre-orders are double those of the S7 and Edge combined and Samsung’s online store has for some time shown the device is “out of stock” in the U.K.
Other markets showing incredible interest are China, India, Malaysia and of course Australia. This is amazing for an A$1349 handset.
Analysts have revised sales estimates to three million units on launch – way more than anticipated.
Newton puts it down to listening to what users wanted – not just foisting a cosmetic upgrade on them [as Apple’s iPhone 7 is expected to be].
“This device breaks new ground with the introduction of iris scanning technology, water resistant body and S Pen, and beautifully symmetrical metal and glass design. Our 2016 premium range [GS7 and GN7] have become iconic and represent what smartphone engineering should offer people today,” he added.
iTWire has its "first week with the Note 7" here.