Introduction The Samsung Note 4 and Note Edge is a powerful series of the Samsung smart phones and can be perceived to be slightly different version of the Galaxy S series. It is because the majority of its features are slightly different from the others in the Galaxy S line. Also, as it is always the case with Samsung phones, they will always incorporate special capabilities for each network so as to make the product to be slightly different from the others. In other cases, the difference between the models comes in the context where the hardware buttons are placed on the phone, or the icons used to perform similar functions. Taking into consideration all these factors, they are likely to influence the customer perceptions about the products at the time of launching. This discussion will focus on the marketing issues with the launch of Samsung Note 4 and Note Edge then include a brief SWOT analysis of the company and their strategy. There will also be a competitive analysis of Samsung Note phone and Apple’s iPhone 6. The launch of the Samsung Note 4 was an inadequate version since it was perceived to be a concept device. A concept device in this case refers to a product that is not intended for the mass market implying that its accessibility will be restricted to certain areas or even certain people because of the price tag (Firtma 201). The two phones have many resemblances in their designs. From the first impression, they resemble each other from the screens, save for the curved screen display that doubles up as a quick-access notification bar for the Samsung Note Edge. The screen is as impressive as the Note 4 and so even if the phone is released to the wider market it may not attract as many clients as possible mainly because the clients may not appreciate the difference offered by the two. On the other end, people may not be attracted to the device because the curved screen meets the back of the sharp edge that digs into the hand, making it very uncomfortable to hold. On the other hand, some people do not see any importance of having a curved screen at all. Generally there is very minimal difference between the two devices in terms of their visual appeal and this may not lure potential clients into buying the device, but it is also important to note that the added screen dimension makes the phone have the wow factor. It can serve as a competitive edge for the Samsung Note 4. Basically, it is the features of the phone that will serve to attract or raise curiosity among potential customers in the market. Despite the improved functionality of the devices, it is also important to consider the marketing challenges in the attention of observing both sides of the coin. The fact that the products are being launched as a limited edition already sets out to discriminate against some of the potential buyers (Gookin 45). Limited edition in this case implies that the product will only be available in selected countries. Some of the buyers may not even hear about it and even if they do they may not be able to access the product. It makes marketing Samsung Note 4 futile given that it discriminates against the majority of the customers who might develop an interest in trying out the product. Having a limited edition could be because the company does not have the manufacturing capability of making the Galaxy Note Edge to be available to the masses. Another reason is that the curved screen comes at a cost, and most of the people may not find meaning spending on such kinds of phones. These two challenges will make the marketing of the two products very difficult during the launching season. The similarity in the features of the phone is likely to work to its disadvantage when it reaches the market. The consumers will not have been given a reason to look forward to using the device and embracing the new technology that comes with using the product (Johnson 67). Save for the similarity on the features, the respective markets will have to contend with the fact that customers will be looking for something different and very special to the new phone before making a decision to capitalize in one. If they are not convinced to embrace the new features in the phone then they will not invest in it. The difference in the design of the phone may not be very convincing given that the features bear a very close resemblance to each other. The originality in the design of the gadget can be used create an appeal to the respective markets, but still it is important to consider that with the hype its competitiveness is likely to fade away. The ability of the phone to gain a competitive edge in the market will rely on their aptitude to stand the examination of time as compared to other products (Vogelstein 78). SWOT Analysis Strength Samsung company is widely recognized for its variety in products, with the most notable being the Samsung smart phones that have given it recognition in most of the markets. Its wide product portfolio gives it a competitive advantage over most of the other companies in the market. From tablets, mobile phones, refrigerators, air conditioners, cameras and Information technology appliances such as laptops, printers and accessories the company has made a reputation for itself. It has allowed the company to have very many loyal customers across the divide due to the fact that they produce quality products (Marete 32). The most recognized product of all its products is the smartphones, which the company sells at very competitive prices. Due to its presence in most of the electrical product categories, the company applies different pricing strategies. Besides, the company’s ability to market its brand across various markets makes the product to be recognizable. It has been achieved through various promotions that aim to pull the customers in the various marketing positions. In manufacturing its products, the company has ensured that it integrates the hardware with most open source OS and software. It helps in eliminating the stresses of compatibility of its products’ systems with most of the available applications, therefore, most of the customers would prefer it to other products such as Apple. Weakness The open structure of the company’s products poses a threat to its security systems, making the phone easy to access by people after personal information. The fact that the company charges low profits for its products makes it have very low profit margins in the respective industries as compared to their major rivals such as Apple and Nokia. Also, the company does not have a patent infringement of its products. It allows for duplication of its new inventions, from which those companies charge very low prices. The company also focuses on improving its hardware at the expense of the software. It makes it very much dependent on the software from the other parties, and it erodes the originality in its products, making the customers be very selective in choosing such designs (Marete 45). However, the open source structure overcomes this challenge by making the software be compatible with other products. Opportunity Instead of focusing on the development of smartphones, the company should also focus on improving other products that it produces such as home appliances. For instance, the company should focus on producing customized products for the Indian market since its youth population is rapidly growing. This increase in the growth of the population means that there will be an increase the sale of phones and the rates of calling are expected to go lower. It presents itself as an opportunity for the company to take advantage of. In the process, they will have to adjust their marketing skills so as to bring a new face to their products so that they are not just perceived to be improved versions of hardware but also software. In this case, the Samsung Note pen makes the product to stand out from its tablet counterparts and should be used as an advertising tool in the industry. Since the size of the phone does not make it stand out, the pen that has been more evolved and enhanced, plus the fact that its integration with Samsung’s customized Android OS makes it very unique. It is more sensitive as compared to the earlier versions and users can do more with it as compared with the earlier versions. The ability of the pen to let a person write on the display, cut, select and paste makes it an improved version of any phone that exists in the market. It is also easier dropping and dragging applications and images from one place to the other on the screen (Johnson 34). Threats In the respective markets where the Samsung phones have the biggest markets such as Japan and China, there has been an aggressive marketing of the local brands which has pushed Samsung out of its position in these markets. In the US that is also another key market for the Samsung phones have also introduced the Apple iPhone 6 and 6 plus, which is likely to attract would be Samsung customers (Johnson 34). The competition from the Apple Company is also likely to increase given their launch of the new smartphones, Apple iPhone 6. The company also plans on launching their new television Apple TV that will offer a very strong competition to the Samsung Phones. Besides, the high marketing costs in these markets and the potential markets are also likely to eat into the profits of the company, despite the risks that come with marketing similar products in the same region. The operating margin will decline because of the expected increase in the marketing expenditure and a lowered selling price. Also, the market of the developing countries are very much saturated with other smartphones, making the introduction of a new product to be very challenging. Competitive Analysis with Apple iPhone 6 The release of the two phones at around the same time is the initial factor that sets the stage for competitiveness in the products. It means that the gadgets will be subjected to scrutiny and if the customers do not see any advantage in upgrading their phones chances are high that they will not go for the products. By looking at the design of the two products at from the first glance, both phones have the touch ID but Apple’s is much more efficient that Samsung’s. For instance, in the case of Samsung, the user has to swipe the finger scanner slowly from top to bottom and the other way to initiate identification. It ruins the experience of using the phone (Johnson 34). On the other hand, Apple’s iPhone 6 can be touched from any orientation. Apple’s mobile payment system that was released in November is not new considering that Galaxy Note 4 can also use a set of mobile phone payment apps, including Google Wallet and PayPal. The problem is that the Samsung Note 4 takes multiple swipes before it initiates payment that can be very inconveniencing when there is a long queue of shoppers waiting to pay for their goods. The Apple Pay appears to be more seamless mainly due to the effectiveness of the Touch ID. It makes Note 4 to be very inconvenient.When it arises to storing capacity, the iPhone 6 offers a wider array of storage options. They are accessible in 16GB, 64GB and 128GB of fixed storage. As for the Note 4 and Edge, the have micro SD slots that can support up to 128GB.
Works Cited
Gookin, Dan. Samsung Galaxy Note for Dummies. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Internet resource.
Johnson, Cory. Apple Seeks to Ban Sales of Samsung Phones in U.s. New York: Bloomberg, 2012. Internet resource.
Vogelstein, Fred. Dogfight: How Apple and Google Went to War and Started a Revolution. , 2013. Print.
Wisniewski, Daniel F. Design of Multi-Screen Mobile Communication Device: A Discovery of the Design Process Through Product Creation. , 2008. Print
Marete, Francis. Swot Analysis of Samsung's Marketing Plan. Munich: GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2014. Internet resource.
Gilbreath, Bob. The Next Evolution of Marketing: Connect with Your Customers by Marketing with Meaning. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.
