Telstra, Optus and Vodafone will today start selling the new Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge however consumers had better hurry with Samsung insiders telling ChannelNews that the device is in extremely short supply.
Only select JB Hi Fi and Dick Smith stores will get stock
with the real possibility existing that it could be several weeks before
“a good flow of stock is available” said one source.
Consumers wanting the new $1,100 smartphone should buy one
now or face a two to three week wait said one Telstra dealer who as of
yesterday did not have stock.
Talking to the press in Seoul last night Samsung Mobile CEO
JK Shin said that the phone’s curved screen is difficult to manufacture, and
that will affect the initial availability of the device.
“We’re working hard to resolve the difficulty in supply,”
said Shin, but the executive cautioned that the supply restraint may last “for
a while.”
Shin refused to provide details on the exact issues affecting
manufacturing, but an older report points to the curved glass protecting the
display as a potential culprit. Samsung’s glass suppliers reportedly face low
yield rates, while the lengthy fabrication process and high cost further add to
the challenge.
It’s not clear what effect this “difficulty in supply” will
have on the actual in-store availability of the Galaxy S6 Edge; the device is
expected to be in high-demand, and Samsung reportedly ramped up production
based on the warm reception the Edge enjoyed.
Following glowing reviews and a generally positive reaction
from users, Samsung expects the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge to set a new sales
record. JK Shin said he expects the S6 to outsell both the Galaxy S5, and
Samsung’s all-time best-seller, the Galaxy S4. “We expect (the figure) will be
a lot higher, compared with the Galaxy S5 last year or its preceding model,”
Shin said.
“Making everyday functions more handy and useful for
consumers and creating what is needed most at this moment rather than trying to
get ahead of rivals, is what we believe was a sincere innovation,” said Shin
about the “back to basics” philosophy behind the device.
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will go on sale today with
all major carriers will be carrying the S6 and S6 Edge in Australia.
