Before the unpacking event of Samsung’s much-awaited flagship smartphone – Galaxy S IV, many tech sites and bloggers have worked overtime to speculate about the possible features of the just launched device; now they have become busy in churning out rumors about the possible price of this smartphone. While launching the Galaxy S IV, Samsung did not reveal the price of its features-packed smartphone to give space to tech sites to keep guessing about the prices and keeping the Galaxy S IV in news till its actual arrival on the retail shelves.
As per one website, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available in the US for approximately $579. Interestingly, the price of Apple’s unlocked 16GB iPhone is $649 and Samsung is expected to keep the price of Galaxy S IV lower than its arch-rival, to give advantage in price also to wean away the customers from Apple.
On the other hand Amazon DE has started taking pre-orders for Galaxy S IV for Europe and has listed it for 650 Euros, with a 50 Euro discount.
If we convert the above US and Europe prices in Indian rupees then the same work out to Rs. 32,000 and Rs. 39,000, respectively, without adding custom duties and other levies.
Surprisingly, an Indian online retailer rediff.com is accepting online pre-order of Galaxy S IV for exhorbitant price of Rs. 59,900, which will be shipped in approx. 45 days i.e. by end of April, when the device will be officially launched in India. But the price offered is very high compared to rumored prices in US and Europe. In our opinion, the price of Galaxy S IV will be in the range of Rs. 45,000 to compete with HTC One, which is also being offered for Rs. 49,900 by the same online site. Surprisingly, HTC One has also not been officially launched in India like the Galaxy S IV. We are doubtful whether the customers will show much interest in pre-orders of Galaxy S IV for Rs. 59,900. In our view, this price is unjustified and Samsung must be aware that in order to be competitive in price sensitive Indian market, they will have to set realistic and logical price for its new smartphone.
Nowadays, it has become trend among the leading online retailers to create buzz on their online stores by offering those products which are not officially launched and their prices are unknown even in International market, to attract prospective customers to buy from them. This is very good marketing gimmick to keep their online portal in news and give it free publicity!
Samsung Galaxy S IV key specifications:
- 5-inch full-HD (1080×1920) Super AMOLED display (441 ppi)
- 1.9GHz quad-core processor/ 1.6GHz octa-core processor (Depending upon region)
- 2GB RAM
- 16/32/64 GB Storage (expandable by 64GB via microSD slot)
- 13-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS/ GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, IR LED, MHL 2.0
- Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
- 2,600 mAh battery
- 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm
- 130 grams
