Skip to main content

Samsung reportedly feeling pressure from the upcoming iPhone 6S Plus, launching Galaxy Note 5 early

Samsung’s existing Galaxy Note 4

Samsung is planning to bring forward the launch of the Galaxy Note 5 from September to August, according to the WSJ. It’s believed the change in schedule is designed to get the device on sale ahead of Apple’s anticipated September launch of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, which is likely to dominate tech media coverage that month.

Samsung has always previously launched its Note models on the eve of the IFA conference, which takes place in Berlin in September. The WSJ cites only a single source for the claim, but it’s not the first time we’ve heard suggestions that the company may bring forward the launch this year.

A Korean report back in May suggested that the Note 5 would be launched in late July, also citing a desire to get ahead of Apple’s launch. A second reason was said to be to align with the anticipated launch of the company’s mobile payment platform, named (yep) Samsung Pay – but this is now expected to be be pushed back to September.

Samsung was hit hard by Apple’s move into larger-screened phones, the iPhone 6 Plus in particular providing the first Cupertino competition for its Galaxy Note phablet. Apple is reportedly expecting big things of its launch of the iPhone 6S this September, aiming to produce 90M units by the end of the year.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. i used to have a Note 3 and was so ready to purchase the Note 4. they actually introduced it sooner than the 6/6Plus. the thing is the Note 4 was underwhelming as hell and the 6 Plus was just a nicer phone and it’s the one i eventually went after, so Samsung if you think launching a phone earlier will make any effect, i doubt it…

  2. rogifan - 9 years ago

    What is the point of this? The minute the new iPhones come out they will dominate the conversation and no one will be talking about the Note 5.

    • dakotadallen - 9 years ago

      They never learn…

    • alanaudio - 9 years ago

      … furthermore, when this Samsung fails to ship in large enough numbers, what will their excuse be this time?

      They will be able to get a very brief moment in the spotlight if they do release it before Apple’s next iPhone, but once Apple’s next iPhone is announced Samsung will lose any momentum that they had.

  3. applegetridofsimandjack - 9 years ago

    iPhones should be banned from the market because iPhone humiliates the so called competition too hard. SO sad for Samsung, HTC and the rest.

  4. scumbolt2014 - 9 years ago

    Just found the new tagline: “Desperation. The new Note from Scamscum.”

  5. Joe (@realofficialjoe) - 9 years ago

    BEN NO!

    Please change your profile picture back, I feel I no longer know you! Are you even the same person?!

    Arrrrggggggghhhhhhhhh

    • 89p13 - 9 years ago

      Disagree – I feel like “Truth in Advertising.” Ben – You look more distinguished; more “statesman” like; Slightly older but more believable! I feel that I can trust your reviews more as you seem old enough to have experienced whatever it is you are writing about!

      Keep the current Picture! Hmmmm – Start a poll: New Picture vs. old picture?

      • Joe (@realofficialjoe) - 9 years ago

        Haha yes a poll is a great idea! lol

        Good points and I agree he looks possibly more trustworthy and “statesmen”, however I just can’t relate to the person in the new pic anymore!

      • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

        Given my enviable success rate at staying on the correct side of the camera, it’s unlikely you’ll have to cope with a further change in photo anytime soon :-)

      • Matt (@matt_mantyla) - 9 years ago

        Ben, sorry to say it, you’re old picture was much better. I immediately wanted to reach out to you when I saw the new one, but thought it may have been too trivial. Apparently I was wrong. #bengate :)

      • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

        Probably be another five years before an update … :-)

      • I don’t seem to remember the old picture but Ben, the new one is fine I think. I see you as a person that has experienec, is trustworthy and is a good mate ;)

  6. 89p13 - 9 years ago

    As far as Samsung – Yawn . . . . Next RELEVANT subject! ;)

    Samsung is so yesterday!

  7. sukhhkahlon - 9 years ago

    samsung=china=no thanks

  8. Jesse Nichols - 9 years ago

    And… I’m ALREADY bored of the Note 5… When’s the next iPhone? Lol

  9. Tyler Penrod - 9 years ago

    I will never understand people on the Samsung wagon. Literally all they do is make crappy knock-offs. They just released a silver, gold, and dark gray version of their phones, just like the iPhone. They’re calling their new payment system “Samsung Pay” just like Apple Pay. Heck the entire smartphone market copied Apple’s model they created from the start.

    • Darren Joury (@dazaj) - 9 years ago

      Wow tyler its funny you say samsung copy apple considering samsung was the first to make a phablet. I do believe iphones OS is great but one thing I don’t get is why when apple release the s version of there phone which usually doesn’t really incoperate much change people still are so interested give me new tech if u are going to bring out a new phone. Not just a better cpu or more ram? And I read in the rumors a heartrate monitor may appear on the iPhone wow copying iphone lol. They all copy each other. I might like samsung but I love tech and If I owend an iphone I would upgrade every 2nd iphone not every iphone. Oh and didn’t windows have a smart phone with square panel icons in a rectangular format before iphone.

    • standardpull - 9 years ago

      I was one of those people that bought some Samsung products before they made modern smartphones.

      And so I was fortunate enough to learn about what lousy products they make. I was very unhappy with my Samsung printer and my Samsung camera. They seemed great in the store, but it didn’t take long until the product prematurely failed, or that I learned of its strange and stupid feature limitations.

      After a few Samsung failures, I vowed to never buy another Samsung product again.

      I feel so blessed and lucky that Samsung can be quickly eliminated from any purchasing decision. Phew!

  10. george1620 - 9 years ago

    Samsung needs to stop competing with Apple and start competing with itself. That’s why the damn company isn’t getting anywhere. They’re too busy trying to be the competition rather than trying to outcompete themselves. Being #1 is nice, but it’s not always about that. A lot of times it’s simply about being the best company one can be and not looking at the competition as a means of measuring their own worth.

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


Ben Lovejoy's favorite gear