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Why The Samsung Galaxy S II Could Fail in The U.S.

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It seems like every day there is news about the Samsung Galaxy S II’s successes in another country or its launch in another.  But there is another side to that story, one that I see every single day. That story, of course, is the plight of folks in the United States who have had to sit back and watch Samsung release what many consider to be the best Android phone available in markets around the world.

Samsung Galaxy S II

We still haven’t had a considerable leak of a U.S.-bound Samsung Galaxy S II device and if you’re at all familiar with the world of smartphones, that’s actually very troubling, especially because we’re now in the middle of summer. And I think this could turn out to be disastrous for the Galaxy S II.

While I’m not disputing the fact that the Galaxy S II is a fantastic phone, I believe that Samsung is setting itself up to fail here if it doesn’t get this phone out here in the United States as soon as humanly or mechanically possible. Sure, it’ll sell, but I don’t think we’re going to see those amazing numbers that Samsung reported just a short time ago and here is why.HTC Sensation 4G

Samsung and the U.S. carriers are walking a very fine line here. The longer they wait, the closer we get to the fall. And the closer we get to the fall, the more people that jump off the Galaxy S II bandwagon in search of something else. And what is this something else? Well, there are quite a few something elses actually.

One, the current crop of awesome Android phones. I’ve heard from loyal Samsung customers that were waiting for the Galaxy S II, saw it announced it Canada, got fed up, and purchased an HTC EVO 3D or an HTC Sensation 4G.

Two, the Motorola Droid Bionic. It’s finally going to be out this summer and boy, if it’s good and Samsung doesn’t have a device or devices out to compete with it? That would be a shame.

Three, the longer Samsung waits, the closer we get to the holiday season. Guess what’s coming this holiday season? A new Nexus. With Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Samsung doesn’t exactly have the greatest track record when it comes to software updates and once Q3 rolls around, people that are on the fence (Galaxy S owners for instance) about dealing with OEMs are going to hop over to the Nexus’ side. I guarantee it.

And four, the iPhone 5. Apple is going to be releasing something in September and there is a possibility it will come to not only AT&T and Verizon but Sprint and T-Mobile as well. Yes, there have been rumors that the Galaxy S II might be getting a spec upgrade to do battle with the new iPhone but by then, I think it’s going to be too late and those who have been waiting and waiting for the device will have already given up on it.

I’m serious. I told numerous friends to wait for this device and all of them have either bought other phones already or have decided to wait for the iPhone 5 or the next Nexus device.

So overall, what I am saying here is this. Samsung is making a grave error making folks here in the U.S. wait for this device. Personally, I am shocked that it has taken this long and it could be Samsung’s fault but more likely, it’s the carriers that are holding things up. Either way, the fact that it hasn’t launched yet worries me. The lack of leaks worries me and I’m surprised that this hasn’t worried Samsung to the point of at least mentioning something about a U.S. release to its current and future customers.

The Galaxy S II needs to come out in the United States as soon as possible, otherwise, I don’t see it making  the big splash that I originally expected it to make.

(Thanks to a reader named Zarcheck, a loyal Samsung customer, for the inspiration for this post.)

49 Comments

49 Comments

  1. Dabears85champs

    07/01/2011 at 5:36 pm

    couldnt agree more……

  2. Anonymous

    07/01/2011 at 6:02 pm

    SGS 3 is right around the corner.

  3. Kyle

    07/01/2011 at 6:40 pm

    You hit the nail on the head.  I desperately want this phone, but my patience is nearing its end.  But while that may be true, I want a 2mp front facing camera in addition to all the other great stuff S2 comes with, but really, how much longer is it gonna take?  Every day I try to find new info and it’s the barest of snippets, nothing more. 

    • guest

      07/02/2011 at 5:36 am

      the S2 does come with an 2MP front camera…

  4. Anonymous

    07/01/2011 at 6:55 pm

    Great points! My guess is I’ll end up with a Bionic, because I’m sick of waiting. The Droid 1 is feeling old.

  5. Shmee163

    07/01/2011 at 7:50 pm

    My thoughts exactly.  I’ve had a Samsung smartphone for 5 years or so, and was annoyed enough that the Infuse didn’t come out with the other AT&T “4g” phones.  Once the Infuse finally did come out, I was determined to wait for the S2.  Now I might as well wait for the some ice cream sandwich.

  6. D.B.

    07/01/2011 at 8:13 pm

    Agreed 100%.  I’m desperate to replace my Blackberry Dinosaur but the longer Samsung waits to issue even the U.S. release date, the more likely I am to get something else and give Samsung the middle finger.  The wait and the lack of info for a U.S. release is unacceptable.  If I like the phone, I might end up purchasing a Galaxy Tab – but not the other way around – at least for me.  What is with these carriers and their strategic decisions?  Motorola could have made the Atrix a franchise phone if they priced the accessories – namely the laptop dock – at a reasonable rate.  I was set to buy the Atrix and the dock until the price of the dock was released.  Forget it.  Samsung is going to lose potential customers to the next iPhone with more info and the closer it gets to a release. 

  7. AGuest

    07/01/2011 at 8:14 pm

    The author hit the nail on the head. If Samsung was smart, they would have told their engineers to produce a phone with both HSPA+ and LTE capabilities, offered it on all the major US carriers and released it in early June. They would have stole the iPhone’s thunder. They would have hit one out of the ballpark. But here we are first of July without so much as a release date in the USA. I am currently considering dumping my off contract iPhone 3G and getting either a Sensation, Bionic LTE (if it ever releases) or just wait for the new iPhone. Samsung really blew a golden opportunity on this.

  8. Ajay

    07/01/2011 at 10:15 pm

    I agree.. I am in same exact boat.. I initially wanted the Infuse, but now I have been waiting for the Galaxy S II for the past 4 months and I still haven’t heard of a release date. If the nexus release comes anywhere close to the SII, I am def. going to get the next gen Nexus phone instead of the Galaxy S II. I can’t believe they are not using this time to move iPhone customers to Samsung, since all the contracts are expiring and everyone is looking for a new phone to get into.

  9. Ndg2k005

    07/02/2011 at 1:02 am

    See i think whats happening is that Apple is trying to sue Samsung and prevent from having anything dealing with the Galaxy S 2 from being released in the US. I just googled it. Man this is aweful…this better end fast. And of course samsung MUST WIN! Sounds like the situation is getting settled and i hope and pray that it will be released in late July like the so called Rumors said so! UGH!

  10. John S.

    07/02/2011 at 1:03 am

    People have to understand one thing. For Samsung, the US is not the market it used to be. The fact that they set the release in the US last shows that, they don’t see us as the consumer super power anymore. This is a scary trend. Business will always follow where the money. Samsung doesn’t see the money here anymore.

  11. Bob

    07/02/2011 at 1:05 am

    I read about the s2 and was going to get one but ….too late, I’m not going to sit here and wait.  Got myself an HTC Sensation 4G and love it.  I’ll never look at another Samsung again.  

  12. Chris Mack

    07/02/2011 at 2:08 am

    i live in the Bay Area CA and i watched a WalMart comercial last week showing/talking about the S2 as the AT&T Attain ..it showed a lil girl using her fathers Attain in her doll house as her dolls TV lol !! i called AT&T and asked if the phone was comming out soon and they had no CLUE !! terrible

    • MiaMarie

      07/02/2011 at 3:09 am

      I think the commercial you are talking about is about the infuse

      • Chris Mack

        07/02/2011 at 4:25 am

        the infuse comercial was an AT&T wit a guy hittin the phone with a shoe !! the WalMart one accually said Attain !!

    • Anonymous

      07/02/2011 at 5:08 am

      Yes, I have confirmed that you are retarded.  For everyone out there, I am also from the Bay Area.

      Here is the LINK to the commercial you speak of… and if you can read closed captions or simply understand the english language… the commercial is for the INFUSE

      https://viad.tv/video-10815/walmart-barbie-house/

      • Chris Mack

        07/02/2011 at 6:38 am

        my bad i miss understood !! now u can put ur cape away captain save um !!

  13. MiaMarie

    07/02/2011 at 3:14 am

    I have the HTC Tilt 2 (horrible phone) and it has been a year since i’ve had it. I have constatly researched phones and found this one, and i’ve been hopeful about getting it, but by june, not by july august etc. I really thought that would be using this phone now. I guess i’ll just have to buy another phone like an HTC (yes HTC) or maybe Motorolla. and no, i do not want the infuse..

  14. Brian Kohler

    07/02/2011 at 4:04 am

    I have the Samsung Fascinate. I am one-and-done with Samsung. The phone has been a 24/7 science project to keep it running optimally. I like the specs of the S2, but my experience with Samsung’s phones has been horrible. It’s either HTC or…dare I say it…iphone 5…when my contract is up. Samsung’s software and lack of updates are making me jump ship. I hope this phone succeeds, but I can’t bring myself to buy another Samsung anytime soon.

  15. Guest

    07/02/2011 at 5:34 am

    welcome to the world of any European waiting for a Motorola Droid / Milestone!!!
    but the screen of the S2 is AWESOME! if you are lucky, Samy is upping it’s resolution with LITI-produced AMOLED Plus screens…

  16. mike

    07/02/2011 at 6:29 am

    I think I might actually take the plunge and buy a unlocked galxy s2 so that I might be able to have the best phone for a sec and then sell it and get a prime or somethin better on contract when it comes out.

  17. Anonymous

    07/02/2011 at 11:24 am

    galaxy 3 will come out by then

  18. ThatBritishGuy

    07/02/2011 at 2:45 pm

    LOL Americans complaining about not getting things first! Meanwhile in the UK, the prices keep on tumbling for these babies!

    • MicroNix

      07/04/2011 at 2:50 pm

      It really isn’t Americans vs the world.  I wished it would have been available *world-wide* together.  By the time this thing makes it to the US, it is going to be half obsolete!!

  19. Guest1

    07/02/2011 at 4:03 pm

    This post has hit the nail on the head. I am one of those EAGERLY waiting for GS2 in the US.. eligible for an upgrade since March.

    At this time, GS2 is on the top of my list but I am clear that if GS2 is not released by the time we get a credible release date for iPhone5, it will NOT be on my list any more and would rather prefer to wait for iphone5.

    It is surprising that Samsung has teased customers in US to no extent but the problem with this is that it only works for short while… because I know I would not care a S*** about GS2 if Samsung released it in the US after Aug-Sep.

  20. Pangib

    07/02/2011 at 7:59 pm

    I live in, but am not from the US. Blown away by the fact that months after countless other countries have the GSII, we’re still waiting. Always heard that the US is the best, and first….poos, not this time.

    I had my heart set on this phone but am annoyed that Samsung have been so non communicative about it. I’ll wait for the Nexus, and if I can’t wait till then I’ll grab an HTC Sensation.

    • Zener

      07/03/2011 at 9:07 pm

       Is there anywhere in the US where it’s possible to get an unlocked Galaxy IIS? I’m on vacation in CA and was hoping to pick up a IIS while I’m here. In Norway (where I’m from) the phone have been available for a long time.

  21. Anonymous

    07/03/2011 at 6:47 am

    Yeah, I have been very excited about the Galaxy S II. But if it doesn’t come out by September, I’ll probably just hold off for the new Nexus phone or something else.

  22. Jaydenrobins08

    07/03/2011 at 2:59 pm

    Honestly, this might be the only phone that will keep me from buying the iPhone 5. I really live the battle between Apple and Samsung. This will keep them both giving their best to compete with each other which is good. I wanted to get the Droid Bionic but it is taking so long for it to come out and by the time it comes out he Galaxy S II and iPhone5 will be much closer to launch.

  23. JT

    07/03/2011 at 8:55 pm

    If I wait for the Nexus 3, will it become available through ATT or will i have to buy it from google? I don’t want to lose my unlimited data plan with ATT and dont know if going outside of them to buy a phone will cancel that like buying from amazon would do. I confirmed recently that buying from amazon could not guarantee i would keep my unlimited plan and amazon may charge me 250.00 extra if i try to buy from them and then call ATT to migrate my old plan to the new phone!

  24. Avatar Roku

    07/03/2011 at 9:57 pm

    I’m waiting for the Windows Phone version. Android has been a pain in the butt and once Ice Cream Sandwich is released Galaxy S2 will be obsolete. I need a phone that is easier to use and less fiddly.

    • MicroNix

      07/04/2011 at 8:38 pm

      Looking back at devices I used to have, Android is in no way, shape or form a pain in the butt!!  You try doing 1/2 of what Android does with an older smart phone and you will find your statement is simply untrue.  Android has what any other platform has only with more customization options.  If you think odd looking tiles is going to make your phone not a “pain in the butt”, great for you, but it is ugly as sin looking to me.  Different strokes for different folks.

      • Avatar Roku

        07/04/2011 at 8:53 pm

        Something that’s highly customizable also requires a lot of work to get right. I just want something that is easy to use out of the box. You spend a ton of time tweaking and customizing and managing your apps – widgets – folders – notification bar – app drawer with Android and it is a big waste of time. Functionality is often hard to find on Android; I wanted the Weather Channel app to display the temp in the notification bar — there is no logical way to figure this out without searching it.

        Android is a mess with random icons, folders, and widgets scattered all across 7 “desktops.” They are literally shoehorning the old Windows/Mac desktop onto a 4″ device. I don’t want that from a phone. I want something fast and simple, but still powerful. The Windows desktop layout might be a comfortable/familiar environment, but it is a poor one for a smartphone.  A smartphone needs to be fast and simple when you’re on the go.

        I also disagree about the look. Folders in Android are ugly & reminiscent of Windows 3.1, while the Hubs in Windows Phone are very attractive. The randomly shaped widgets on Android are big and obtrusive while the Live Tiles on Windows Phone are uniformly shaped and easy to organize.

        Most Android apps are hideous looking compared to their iOS or WP7 counterparts.

        The Live Wallpapers are attractive, but they kill the battery life making them virtually useless on the smartphone. I have an Android tablet as well and they work much better when you have battery life to spare.

        • Ab

          07/30/2011 at 3:36 pm

          It sounds like what you want is an iPhone of some flavour.  Windows is definitely an “also ran” in the phone market – and doesn’t lend itself well.  iOS is simple, easy, and just works.  

        • Avatar Roku

          07/31/2011 at 1:07 am

          @6aa4cc5e7f87336d4c90cafff3763082:disqus Been using WP7 Mango now for the past few weeks and it is much better than the current version of Android. I took the phone on vacation and really put it through it’s paces. This is exactly the type of enjoyable/easy/fun user experience I want out of a mobile device. Microsoft is way ahead on the interface front. The OS is so fast and smooth and alive. The animations and transitions are beautiful. The camera is incredible and has an amazing auto-fix functionality built in. Local scout, text translation, and music search are all one click away. Camera and voice search each have a dedicated hardware button that instantly launches.  The battery saver management is exactly what everyone has been crying for on the Android side. Mango is a leap ahead of the competition. The Mango update will be a game changer. The app situation is really good as well. There are still a few missing apps that I would like to see (Pandora & Verizon FiOS DVR), but for the most part every single app I use on Android is already available on Windows Phone.

          I’m still very much looking forward to seeing what Google does with ICS, but they really need to take some lessons from Microsoft on design both in terms of aesthetics and performance. Windows Phone is much faster, smoother, and it has intelligent battery/CPU saving functionality built into the OS.

  25. ethibault

    07/04/2011 at 10:38 am

    You have 4G in the States, the GSII is not 4G,it should be the droid charge instead for you

    For once we have it in Europe before you
    Thinks of all those U.S sale people Apple and the like, trying to sell us goods on at the same price in € as in $ though 1,4 is not 1

    • Debbie

      07/11/2011 at 1:34 am

      The Sprint GS2 is 4g “Within”= “Wi” for Wimax and “Thin” well we all know that. Hense the codename “Within”

    • Debbie

      07/11/2011 at 1:34 am

      The Sprint GS2 is 4g “Within”= “Wi” for Wimax and “Thin” well we all know that. Hense the codename “Within”

  26. MicroNix

    07/04/2011 at 2:52 pm

    Great article but sort of a “no duh!”  Sammy has a golden opportunity here to bag millions of customers with what everyone has dubbed the smart phone of the year.  Dropping the ball is going to cost them huge if this thing isn’t announced and out by month’s end!!

  27. Anonymous

    07/04/2011 at 4:51 pm

    The author appears to be one real angry homo.  I guess no butt fudge made him angry.

  28. thebasa

    07/05/2011 at 6:15 pm

    i’ve been complaining about this for months.  while i’m elated that i’m not alone, it’s becoming more and more likely at this point i’ll go iphone5.  biggest blunder ever.  when you have a phone that’s been hailed as THE iphone killer/best of the year/sold the fastest amount of units/etc, what you do not do is wait this long.  capital F-A-I-L   

  29. Kyle

    07/05/2011 at 8:33 pm

    After reading in more detail about the back and forth punching Samsung and Apple are doing to each other I can understand why there’s a delay.  I’d really like to believe that’s all there is to it.  Business is business and both companies are angling, but they absolutely need to keep the customers front and center before it’s too late and both end up losing in a big way.  I truly believe that I’ll have this one of a kind of creation before the end of the month.  A few more weeks isn’t gonna kill me.

  30. Wowitscharliee

    07/07/2011 at 7:29 am

    hit the nail on the coffin right there. my contract expires in december with verizon and if i dont see gs2 by then im going with either droid bionic or the nexus prime. definitely not the iphone however. i despise ios on a phone, however for ipod its perfect

  31. Anonymous

    07/07/2011 at 5:37 pm

    To the editor (Adam):  Thank you! 

    Finally to hear there are others out there who share my frustrations, it’s nice to know I’m not being unreasonable.  What is Samsung thinking?  I wrote to the President of Public Relations as an owner of numerous Samsung products (mobile & household) and I didn’t receive any response whatsoever.  Adam is the first reporter with some guts to call out Samsung for thier risky business practices and overall lack of communication where all others continue to write rave reviews of the product. 

    I think we all know the Galaxy SII is a terrific and innovative product but who cares if we can’t get our hands on it, meaning it’s no longer unique in this tech market that moves at light speed. Like many of those who replied here, I’m done with Samsung and will wait for the next generation Google phone with Ice Cream Sandwich and no longer have to wait like a slave to the OEM for their Android updates typically six months or later.

    What phone will you pickup because the Galaxy SII is not available or will you wait for this phone’s release?

  32. Devil's Advocate

    07/29/2011 at 3:00 am

    I am the customer Adam describes as slipping out of Samsung’s hands.  Unfortunately, I’ll be slipping right back in.  I’ve been eligible for an update for months, and have been waiting for just the right device.  I thought it was going to be the Galaxy SII, but now am reading all the rumors about the Nexus Prime, or even a Galaxy SIII.  So, in the end, it looks like I’ll end up with a Samsung product anyway.

  33. Guest

    08/20/2011 at 2:14 am

    Well they said they are releasing on 29 august or 28 not sure, read it on facebook

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