Samsung Says It May Skip Galaxy Note Release This Year Due To Global Chip Shortage

[MacRumors]

Samsung is ringing the alarm bells, signaling that it may skip releasing a new Galaxy Note device this year due to the fallout from a global semiconductor shortage.

As Bloomberg reports, Samsung's co-CEO Koh Dong-jin said during an annual shareholder meeting that there's a "serious imbalance in supply and demand of chips in the IT sector globally." Specifically, D J Koh said the Galaxy Note is a high-end device in its lineup and that it may be difficult for Samsung to release a new Note and S series device in the same year.

"Note series is positioned as a high-end model in our business portfolio," he said. "It could be a burden to unveil two flagship models in a year, so it might be difficult to release Note model in 2H. The timing of Note model launch can be changed but we seek to release a Note model next year."

Reuters reported earlier this week that Qualcomm is struggling to keep up with processor demand from Samsung. The wider implications of the shortage are still unclear; however, delaying a device that is usually launched annually would be significant.

The shortage is not expected to impact Apple, as it manufactures its own chips in partnership with TSMC. Samsung will be holding a Galaxy Unpacked event next week, when it's expected to reveal a new "A" series device.

Article Link: Samsung Says It May Skip Galaxy Note Release This Year Due To Global Chip Shortage

 

[steve09090]

And don't want to look bad with rubbish sales. Samsung would rather sell what they have with massive back orders, but they just don’t want the PR nightmare of lack lustre sales.

 

[LFC2020]

No big loss, less bloat out there in the world. ?

 

[I7guy]

Wow big news. I’m not a note fan but the hardware is good.

 

[Captain Trips]

And don't want to look bad with rubbish sales. Samsung would rather sell what they have with massive back orders, but they just don’t want the PR nightmare of lack lustre sales.

And if the chip shortage doesn't impact Samsung that badly, then that pent-up demand will lead to good sales numbers.

 

[LeadingHeat]

Wow what perfect timing. “Man, we actually were planning on just pushing out a mediocre update just to keep up... so this actually works out well for us let’s just blame the chip shortage!”

 

[LFC2020]

Wow big news. I’m not a note fan but the hardware is good.

Good hardware? ? overheating, camera shutter lag, camera issues, exynos 2100 ?‍♂️

 

[nikaru]

Hopefully Apple, and the rest of the industry could move to 2-year release for iPhones as well so Apple could focus more on improvements rather than meeting tight release cycles and working on different generation of devices at the same time.

 

[LeadingHeat]

Hopefully Apple, and the rest of the industry could move to 2-year release for iPhones as well so Apple could focus more on improvements rather than meeting tight release cycles and working on different generation of devices at the same time.

The first half may be true, but the spreading thin of resources by working on multiple products at once probably isn’t. There are many separate departments within Apple, each working on their own thing. Hardware, chips, design, software, AppleCare, marketing, etc etc etc. They seem to be doing just fine working on and releasing products simultaneously

 

[LFC2020]

Hopefully Apple, and the rest of the industry could move to 2-year release for iPhones as well so Apple could focus more on improvements rather than meeting tight release cycles and working on different generation of devices at the same time.

NO CHANCE of that happening when iPhones are selling like hot cakes.

 

[Vjosullivan]

NO CHANCE of that happening when iPhones are selling like hot cakes.

Are hot cakes selling well at the moment?

 

[Pangalactic]

Can anyone please explain what exactly is causing the shortage and why can't Qualcomm and others ramp up production (at least in the short run)?

 

[ArPe]

Thanks to bitecon and methereum miners for ruining another year and making silicon and energy even more scarcer for future progress.

 

[nathan_reilly]

I'm not sure we NEED new designs every year...

 

[WilburMercer]

Hopefully Apple, and the rest of the industry could move to 2-year release for iPhones as well so Apple could focus more on improvements rather than meeting tight release cycles and working on different generation of devices at the same time.

The iterative updates are better for consumers I think. It means when a new iPhone comes out, your 7 month old phone isn't that different.

 

[steve09090]

Are hot cakes selling well at the moment?

Mmmmm. Hot cakes. ?

 

[ColdShadow]

I always admired Note series,owned few of them (together with iPhones),love them.
at least,this shows that they want to continuing the Note series.

 

[amartinez1660]

If it is a high end model then it’s probably not a mass selling economic model? Meaning it will sell a fraction of units of the cheapest ones hence using only a fraction of the chips manufacturing?

In any case, wow, hearing these resources getting scarce, most domains in the world requiring it, etc is an eye opener... didn’t remotely think of this shortage until news started coming out.

 

[Captain Trips]

Are hot cakes selling well at the moment?

They are if sold as a combo food item and iPhone case. "iHotCakesCase - it looks good, and tastes even better!" ?

 

[4jasontv]

Can anyone please explain what exactly is causing the shortage and why can't Qualcomm and others ramp up production (at least in the short run)?

It's complex, but most people are blaming three core things: the pandemic increased demand and slowed production, the US - China trade war, and that most transistors are made by TSMC, Samsung, and Intel. As for the last point, it's nowhere near equal distribution or production as TSMC makes far, far more than Samsung and Intel combined. The trade war means the US can't use any chips that are made from a smaller China-based operation such as SMIC, and some companies (most notably but not exclusively Huawei) purchased huge stockpiles early on during the pandemic draining any reserves that might have existed.

As for your specific question, Qualcomm gets much of its semiconductors from Samsung. And, last I checked, Samsung uses a decentralized business strategy that requires decisions to purchase components from themselves. This means that the division that makes Samsung chips doesn't have to supply Samsung electronics if they find other companies willing to pay more. Qualcomm is fighting for access to limited supply in a period of increased demand.

 

[Applefan4]

Samesung should stop producing phones altogether- garbage company, garbage phones and garbage ecosystem. The only thing that’s keeping them afloat is the fraudulent campaign that the mainstream media has picked up. Samsung phones = trash.

 

[iapplelove]

NO CHANCE of that happening when iPhones are selling like hot cakes.

I was screaming this until I read your post and you beat me to it lol

iPhone = money

 

[iapplelove]

Samesung should stop producing phones altogether- garbage company, garbage phones and garbage ecosystem. The only thing that’s keeping them afloat is the fraudulent campaign that the mainstream media has picked up. Samsung phones = trash.

I know plenty who are just plain sick of iphone, me included.
You really want a lack of competition?

 

[contacos]

maybe they had more chips if they didnt release a new device every other week. I was looking for an android device that is supporting Android 11+ for work the other day and I couldn't believe the amount of non galaxy devices that Samsung has. Its simply crazy. A Series, M Series and so on.

 

[GuruZac]

Would be nice to move to a 2 year hardware cycle since there’s just so little difference. I know others see that as a benefit, but the difference between the 11 Pro to 12 Pro is really small. However, the difference between the 12 Pro and the XS is big enough between camera upgrades, physical design, battery life, etc.