Mobile phones have come a long way today. In fact, people get offended when they’re told they own a mobile phone and instead, correct you by reminding you that it’s a smartphone, what they’re holding in their hand. Yes, a competitive market, coupled with informed youth who do detailed mobile phone comparisons before zeroing in on a specific one, has put new found pressure on brands to innovate and release handsets that provide excellent value for money.
One such brand that has never shied away from innovating is Samsung. The Asian giant has borne multiple failures and yet, it has managed to stay afloat due its strategy to always innovate. Recently, Samsung had released its Samsung Z1, which was a smartphone that was powered by Samsung’s own developed software, Tizen. This smartphone was launched quietly earlier this year, after Samsung had initially reserved its Tizen software only for its select smartwatches. However, Samsung was pleasantly surprised to find that when prospective buyers opted to compare mobile phones specifications, they were happy with the Z1 and eventually, in six months, around a million Z1 handsets were sold. Encouraged by this figure, Samsung is now releasing its sequel, the Z3, which not only comes with some interesting hardware specs but also tons of goodies clubbed with Samsung’s own software. There are exclusive deals available for users of Z3, including rewarding platforms which Samsung has designed to lure customers towards this device. Launched in India first, this handset will eventually find its way to other parts of the globe later.
There are many reasons for brands to try and push their own software. This shows not just exclusivity of the brand but also highlights the immense confidence that the brand has in itself, as people buying a device with a dedicated software shows that they are willing to accept the entire package of the brand’s hardware and software. However, Samsung also needs to ensure that it is constantly looking out for reactions and keeping a tab on how well this operating system is being accepted. This lesson can best be learnt from BlackBerry, who was once a force to reckon with in the smartphone industry. Many in the business class, once upon a time, didn’t even compare mobile phones specifications but instead blindly and exclusively owned and opted for BlackBerry devices.
However, during mobile phone comparisons, with Android’s popularity soaring, BlackBerry ended up finding fewer takers over time and eventually, there was a threat that BlackBerry could end up going the Nokia way. Now, BlackBerry is reinventing and is even releasing an Android powered smartphone, all in a bid to increase sales. Thus, this flexibility of BlackBerry and its willingness to ditch its own software in favour of a more widely used and liked one may just be what saves its downfall. Let’s hope Samsung is also smart enough to keep a tab on how its Tizen smartphones are doing, so that it doesn’t end up letting its pride lead to its fall.
KnowYourHandheld 