News + Trends
Will the Samsung Galaxy S21/S30 be coming out in January?
by Dominik Bärlocher
After Apple there was Samsung: the Galaxy S30 is to come without a charger and earphones
27.10.2020
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Environmental protection is spreading its tentacles. Apple has said goodbye to the chargers and headphones that have always come with its phones. And Samsung is following suit. This will not only save the planet, but also bring them home the bacon.
Shocking news for all those who collect chargers. Or earphones. The Samsung Galaxy S30 and all its variants shall henceforth be delivered sans charger and headphones. That’s what the industry magazine ChosunBiz is reporting.
Source: production halls and suppliers
The Korean magazine makes reference to «industry» sources, which probably means the supply chain. Because even if, as rumour has it, the next device launch is scheduled for next January, production for a global launch is already running at full speed.
According to a truism of thumb, it takes about two years to get from the conception of a smartphone to its launch. During this time, deals are negotiated with hardware manufacturers like Qualcomm, and technology is newly developed and then ultimately installed in the devices. That's why the supply chain always knows what a future phone will look like long before its launch.
Shortly before the new phone is announced, selected third parties are given some information. This allows case manufacturers like Otterbox to work with the dimensions of the new device to offer matching products right from launch day. And somewhere in between it all, the media is also brought up to speed.
The supply chain and these selected third parties and media all sign non-disclosure agreements (NDA) and are not allowed to talk about what they know. But leaks are basically a given. And they’re often quite deliberate – to «get a feel for» peoples’ thoughts. Kind of à la: will there really be a shitstorm if we leak that we want to sell the new phone without a charger?
No headphones for the environment’s sake
Samsung is following Apple’s lead with the presumed omission of headphones and chargers. But hey, a cable is still supposed to be included for totally obvious (but also not) reasons. The big competitor from the Android camp will also likely go for the same argumentation as Apple: the accessories are to no longer be included for the environment’s sake.
Because according to Apple, everyone has one or more chargers lying around at home. And anyone who has to fight their way through commuter traffic on the daily is bound to already own headphones. What Apple – and, soon enough, probably also Samsung – skilfully sweeps under the rug: all four people who own neither chargers nor headphones will have to drop a significant amount of dough on them. Luckily, both Samsung and Apple are kind enough to offer what they claim to be the best headphones on the market.
My, my. How convenient.
Journalist. Author. Hacker. A storyteller searching for boundaries, secrets and taboos – putting the world to paper. Not because I can but because I can’t not.
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