Samsung Galaxy S10, Foldable Phone Could End Company's 'Struggling Status'

Samsung Electronics is all set to introduce the 10th edition of its Galaxy S series of flagship smartphones and its very first foldable smartphone early next year. And for Samsung Mobile chief Koh Dong-jin, the launch of the two high-end handsets could have a very positive impact on Samsung’s market performance.

In a corporate message to execs and employees of Samsung’s mobile division, Koh admitted that he really felt sorry about the “struggling status” of the South Korean tech giant’s smartphone business. He then added that it is now his mission to solve the problem through the release of the Galaxy S10 and Samsung’s foldable smartphone.

Koh is reportedly making an all-out effort to improving Samsung’s smartphone business amid rumors about his position in the company. Samsung is apparently approaching its year-end organizational restructuring and personnel reshuffle, as pointed out by Korea Herald.

The weakening competitiveness of Samsung’s latest smartphones was recently criticized by Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong following his recent visit to a Samsung shop in Europe. Lee reportedly ordered improvement in the cameras of the company’s smartphones.

“A top-down and rigid decision-making system is the most serious problem at Samsung’s mobile division, which prevents the company from finding innovative ideas and solutions that would satisfy the market,” an employee, who commented on Samsung’s present situation on condition of anonymity, said.

In the third quarter, Samsung Mobile recorded 2.2 trillion won or almost US$2 billion, which is sadly down by more than 30 percent from the second quarter. The struggle to perform better is mainly attributed to the overly saturated smartphone market and the slow upgrade rate of consumers.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S10 and foldable smartphone are expected to come with more advanced technologies. The former is said to be the most bezel-less phone in the world that will feature an in-display fingerprint reader. The latter, on the other hand, is going to sport an in-folding display technology.

Based on several reports and rumors, Samsung will very likely unveil the 10th anniversary flagship device and the Galaxy F foldable smartphone in February, a month prior their release in the market.

Samsung Mobile chief DJ Koh is hopeful that the company’s upcoming Galaxy S10 and first foldable smartphone would do well in the market. Photo: Getty Images/Jung Yeon-Je