Samsung Seeking Breakthrough in Mid-Range Phones... Galaxy A51 and A71 Ready for Launch

Galaxy A51 5G Model to Launch Domestically Next Month
A71 5G Release Schedule Also Moved Up
Upgraded Specs with Quad Camera to Boost Competitiveness

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Samsung Electronics is set to consecutively launch mid-range smartphones in the Galaxy A series by region. The company aims to find a breakthrough in the market, which has been stagnated due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to industry sources on the 3rd, Samsung Electronics will release the Galaxy A51 5G in South Korea this May. The Galaxy A51 is the successor to the Galaxy A50, which caused a sensation last year and was the third best-selling Galaxy A model worldwide. Although it was unveiled in Vietnam last December, it will be launched domestically as a 5G model. Samsung plans to expand its market share in the mid-range phone segment with a product that improves display and camera specifications compared to its predecessor.

The Galaxy A71 5G model, unveiled in Indonesia last January, will also be released consecutively in Korea and China. The initial launch schedule was set for July but has been moved up by one to two months. The Galaxy A71 features a 6.7-inch screen, larger than the Galaxy A51’s 6.5-inch display, and has a slightly higher camera specification with a maximum of 64 million pixels. The price is expected to range from the high 400,000 KRW to the low 500,000 KRW range.

As competition over smartphone camera specifications expands even to mid-range phones, most mid-range phones released this year are equipped with quad cameras. The Galaxy A71 5G, for example, is equipped with a 64 million pixel main camera, a 12 million pixel ultra-wide camera, a 5 million pixel depth camera, and a macro camera. Except for the 48 million pixel main camera, the other three cameras on the A51 5G have the same specifications as those on the A71.

Samsung Electronics has set a strategy to launch 5G smartphones at various price points. This year is an opportune time to popularize 5G as telecom carriers and budget phone providers are launching mid-range 5G plans. With subsidy competition slowing down and the Galaxy S20 struggling due to COVID-19, as well as competitors like Huawei and Apple facing difficulties, it is also a good opportunity to widen the gap with rivals.

The low-end lineup, including the Galaxy A41 and A31, will be released around June. Although these are mid-range phones based on LTE, their camera specifications have been enhanced. The Galaxy A41 will be launched in Japan and other markets in June, featuring a 6.1-inch screen with a waterdrop notch display and a triple camera setup with up to 48 million pixels. The Galaxy A31, priced at an unprecedented 200,000 KRW range, will be equipped with a quad camera with up to 48 million pixels and is planned for release in India and other markets.

In recent years, mid-range products with excellent cost-effectiveness have been gaining strength, increasing the market share of mid-range phones in the smartphone market. According to Counterpoint, among Samsung Electronics products, mid-range phones such as the Galaxy A10 (2nd place), Galaxy A50 (3rd place), and Galaxy A20 (7th place) were all ranked within the top 10 best-selling smartphones last year.