Persistent Rumors of 'Galaxy Note' Discontinuation, Why?

Samsung Galaxy Note20

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] Rumors about the discontinuation of Samsung Electronics' strategic flagship smartphone, the 'Galaxy Note,' which has built a loyal fan base, continue to circulate. This is because the S Pen feature, which was a distinctive point of the Note series, has been applied to the S series and foldable phones, and Samsung Electronics has put all its efforts into the third-generation foldable phones 'Galaxy Z Fold3' and 'Galaxy Z Flip3,' even foregoing the release of a new Note product in the second half of this year. Despite the company's official denial, various circumstances supporting the discontinuation rumors, such as the exclusion of trademark renewal, have also been confirmed.

According to related industries on the 11th, the recent resurgence of the Note discontinuation rumors began when the Note was not included in the list of Galaxy series trademarks renewed by Samsung Electronics as of the 31st of last month.

Looking at the registration status of the patent information search service, Samsung Electronics applied only for Galaxy A, Galaxy M, Galaxy S, and Galaxy Z through the patent law firm Serim.

Trademark rights, which last for 10 years after registration, can be renewed within one year before expiration. The GALAXY NOTE trademark was applied for on September 2, 2011, and registered on April 3, 2013. The application announcement date was January 10, 2013. It expires in 2023. The application announcement date for the similarly registered SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE is December 7, 2012.

IT tipsters reiterated the Note discontinuation rumors earlier this month by reporting this news. Although trademark renewal is not directly linked to the manufacturer's product strategy, the exclusion of only the Note series amid ongoing discontinuation rumors is considered significant. Major IT specialized media also noted it as "another puzzle piece confirming that the Note series has no future."

The Galaxy Note has been a cash cow product for Samsung Electronics, recording cumulative sales of around 10 million units per series since its launch and building a loyal fan base. However, Samsung Electronics did not release a new Note product this year due to global semiconductor chip shortages and strengthening of the foldable lineup.

Since the beginning of the year, Samsung Electronics has repeatedly denied the Note discontinuation rumors. At the shareholders' meeting in March, Samsung Electronics IM Division Head (President) Koh Dong-jin said, "Releasing two flagship models with S Pen in one year can be quite burdensome," but dismissed the discontinuation rumors by adding, "The business division is preparing to release a Note category product next year."

Last month, Samsung Electronics Wireless Business Division Head (President) Roh Tae-moon mentioned the Galaxy Note in an article published on Samsung Newsroom ahead of the second half unpacked event. He said, "Although the Galaxy Note series is not introduced this time, the Note experience is continuously expanding across various Galaxy devices, preparing for a bright future."

However, the discontinuation rumors did not cease. At that time, Roh's statement that "the Note experience will continue to expand across various Galaxy devices" was also interpreted as potentially leading to discontinuation in the long term. Recently, Samsung Electronics has been expanding the S Pen support feature, which was unique to the Galaxy Note series, to other models such as the S series and Z Fold3.

Galaxy Z Fold3 supporting S Pen functionality on the large screen

In particular, the fact that Samsung Electronics, which declared the 'popularization of foldables,' is pushing the third-generation foldable phones as the core of future form factor competition, and that these phones have recently become so popular that supply is insufficient, is also narrowing the position of the Note series.

The quantity recorded during the one-week domestic pre-order sales immediately after the release of the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 last month was about 920,000 units, which was 1.3 times that of the 'Galaxy Note20' released last year. Even in China, the world's number one smartphone market where Samsung Electronics had struggled, 900,000 buyers were waiting, causing a sensation.

Along with this, inside and outside the industry interpret Samsung Electronics' use of the term 'Galaxy NoteZ' on various platforms after the release of the Z Fold3 as a sign of the Note's discontinuation. The Z Fold3 supports both the large screen and S Pen features, which have been considered the strengths of the Note series.