Samsung is already giving up on the Galaxy Alpha
The Galaxy Alpha looks good, but it isn’t the success Samsung was hoping for. Photo: Samsung
Samsung is already giving up on the Galaxy Alpha, its first Android-powered smartphone made of metal, according to reports from South Korea. Sources say production will cease as soon as the existing inventory of materials runs out, and Samsung is expected to put more focus into the Galaxy A5 instead.
While the Galaxy Alpha couldn’t be considered Samsung’s best smartphone, it is a significant one. It marked the company’s first attempt at a smartphone that wasn’t made entirely from plastic, and every Galaxy that has succeeded it has closely followed its design. However, despite its more premium design, the Alpha itself wasn’t that great.
In addition to somewhat poor battery life, it has a hefty price tag that doesn’t match its midrange specifications. And with Samsung looking to trim its smartphone lineup amid declining sales, perhaps it’s no surprise that the handset’s lifespan will be short.
ET News reports that the Galaxy A5, which was launched in China back in November, will be brought over to supplant the Alpha in South Korea and other markets. It sports a similar design, but its even more modest spec sheet allows it to be more affordable at just 400,000 won (approx. $360).
The A5 is expected to make its debut in South Korea in either January or February. There’s no word on when it will be available in other markets, but with the Alpha likely to start disappearing over the coming months, Samsung will likely want to fill its place as soon as possible.
