'Galaxy S22' Enters Public Visibility... Will It Make Up for S21's Poor Performance?

Expected image of Samsung Electronics' 'Galaxy S22 Ultra'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Samsung Electronics' next-generation flagship smartphone, the 'Galaxy S22' series, is set to be unveiled next month, drawing attention to whether the Galaxy S series, which has recently struggled with annual sales falling below 30 million units, can regain its pride.

Galaxy S22 to be Unveiled Early Next Month

According to industry sources on the 17th, Samsung Electronics is expected to send out invitations within this month and hold an online Galaxy Unpacked event on February 9 (U.S. local time) to reveal the Galaxy S22 series. However, the exact event date may change depending on marketing circumstances. Pre-orders are expected to begin immediately after the unveiling, with an official release scheduled for late February.

This schedule is about a month earlier compared to the previous model, the 'Galaxy S21' series, which was announced on January 15 last year. The S21 series broke the Galaxy S series' usual 'February unveiling and March release' formula and was launched early in January to counter Apple's iPhone releases, which typically launch in the second half of the year.

Expected image of Samsung Electronics' 'Galaxy S22 Ultra'.

The S22 series is expected to be released in three models: the standard S22, the S22 Plus (+), and the S22 Ultra (Note). The Ultra model is expected to have a 6.8-inch screen size, similar to its predecessor, but the S22 and S22+ models, which maintain a design similar to previous series, are anticipated to be slightly smaller at 6.1 to 6.6 inches compared to the previous 6.2 to 6.7 inches.

As a top-tier product, the S22 series will launch with upgraded specifications compared to before. The application processor (AP) is expected to feature Qualcomm's latest 'Snapdragon 8 Gen 1' or Samsung's 'Exynos 2200,' depending on the region. The cameras will also be enhanced, with the Ultra model equipped with the 'ISOCELL HM3' sensor and the standard and Plus models featuring the 'ISOCELL GN5,' supporting improved photography performance.

Will It Secure ‘Note’ Demand? Attention on Price Increase Amid Component Supply Shortages

Market attention is now focused on the performance of the S22. Since the previous S21 series recorded somewhat lackluster results, the S22 series faces the challenge of expanding market share by leading with a flagship new product in a 'bar (BAR)' form factor.

According to industry estimates, the sales volume of the S21 series released last year was around 25 million units. The 'Galaxy S20' series is also estimated to have similar sales, meaning both series fell short of 30 million units consecutively. Earlier S series models reportedly achieved sales of around 35 to 40 million units.

Expected image of Samsung Electronics' 'Galaxy S22 Ultra'.

The biggest point of interest is whether the S22 series will lead to the return of the 'Galaxy Note' series, which had rumors of discontinuation. Unlike its predecessor, the 'Galaxy S21 Ultra,' which only supported S Pen usage, the S22 Ultra is expected to be the first in the series to include a slot for storing the S Pen, effectively serving as a successor to the Note. Some speculate that Samsung might even adopt the model name 'Galaxy S22 Note' to emphasize this feature.

The Note series, known for its large screen and built-in S Pen for handwriting, has been very popular since its first release in 2011. However, as large screens became common on smartphones and other S Pen-compatible devices appeared, rumors of discontinuation surfaced. Last year, Samsung focused on its third-generation foldable phones released in the second half of the year, and no new Note models were launched. In this context, Samsung's decision to simplify its flagship lineup while minimizing customer attrition by integrating the Note into the Galaxy S series is expected to attract consumers who have been waiting for a new Note product.

However, the ongoing global semiconductor shortage has raised concerns about potential price increases, which could pose a challenge to the S22's success. Unlike last year's Galaxy S21, which was the first 5G model in the series to start below 1 million KRW (at 999,900 KRW), many expect the S22 to exceed 1 million KRW. According to major foreign media, the launch prices are expected to be approximately $899 (about 1.07 million KRW) for the standard model, $1,099 (about 1.31 million KRW) for the Plus, and $1,299 (about 1.55 million KRW) for the Ultra, making them roughly $100 (about 120,000 KRW) more expensive than their predecessors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.