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Tipster explains why the Samsung Galaxy Note line is not going away anytime soon

By Anam Hamid

Published: Aug 24, 2020, 5:51 PM

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Samsung Android

Tipster explains why the Samsung Galaxy Note line is not going away anytime soon

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will definitely have a successor, claims tipster Ice Universe.

In late 2019, Samsung's alleged plan to merge the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series first emerged. These rumors intensified recently after a South Korean publication reported that the Galaxy S21 (S30) Ultra will be compatible with the S Pen. The stylus is the biggest differentiating factor between the two lines and also the primary reason why the Note phones are touted as productivity-oriented devices.

The difference will cease to exist if both series offer S Pen integration. This fueled rumors that the Note series will be nixed next year.

The output and price of Z Fold 3 are not enough to replace the Note as Samsung's main flagship in the second half of the year, and Note is still a guarantee of shipment.
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) August 24, 2020

Ice claims that the Note 21 will happen, regardless of whether the Galaxy S21 Ultra gets the S Pen or not.

As the tipster explains, Samsung's foldable phones are not established enough to replace a line as popular as the Note series.

To put things into perspective, the company wasn't even able to sell one million Galaxy Fold units last year. This year, it plans to sell 6 million foldable smartphones.

In contrast, 10 million units of the Galaxy Note phones are usually sold by the end of a year after their debut in the third quarter, per estimates.

According to one report, Samsung sold around 296 million smartphones last year. So, it's evident that the contribution of foldable phones to overall sales is negligible.

Even if we put demand aside, the company is said to be dealing with supply side issues and this would prevent it from increasing the production of next year's Galaxy Z Fold 3 substantially.

Thus, currently it just doesn't make sense for the company to axe the Note line.

Samsung might do away with the Note series once foldables take off

Foldable handsets are also too expensive to go mainstream at the moment. At $1,380, the Galaxy Z Flip is Samsung's most affordable bendable device and the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G is expected to cost more than its predecessor, which was launched at $1,980.

For comparison, the recently released Galaxy Note 20 starts at $999.99.

Samsung is eager for foldable phones to gain traction and is already laying the groundwork for this apparently. The company is reportedly working on a non-flagship foldable phone that could cost less than $900. It's also expected to launch a lite version of the Galaxy Fold next year.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.