Samsung Galaxy Gear ,Galaxy Round turns out to be a flop in domestic market

Domestic sales figures for the Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Gear and Galaxy Round suggested that Samsung's latest venture into the new technology received a lukewarm response from korean customers so far.

The related industry evaluates the purpose of Samsung’s rushed release of the Galaxy Round as not for large sales, but as a test product to earn the reputation of creating the world’s first flexible smartphone. In fact, Samsung was aware of this, and did not initiate global sales. It also decided not to produce any more units after the initial 50,000.

An industry representative said, “The Galaxy Round has a thick center because Samsung has not been able to mass produce curved batteries, and its display is not perfect with additional tempered glass, making the product thick and heavy.” Also, he added, “It shows no advantages of a flexible smartphone except its grip, which is being used as its only marketing point.”

SK Telecom, the only carrier selling the Galaxy Round in Korea, is offering a discount more than $100 to clear out the stocks of samsung's first flexible phone with galaxy gear.

SK Telecom is also offering the same discount for those willing to buy the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone with the galaxy gear. Compared with the Round, the 5.7-inch-screen Note 3 appears to have been faring well: Samsung said Tuesday it has shipped over 10 million units since its launch in September. The previous model, the Note II, took four months to reach the same shipment figure, Samsung said.

Samsung has been aggressively marketing the Galaxy Gear, featuring the smartwatch in music videos, and even having it worn by soccer stars.

Actually, Samsung Electronics increased the number of devices available for use with the Galaxy Gear from the initial Galaxy Note 3 to the Galaxy Round, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 LTE-A, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy S3 LTE. This was a measure to recover the first slow sales, but the market is still not responding well.

Mobile device industry associates say, “These Samsung products are more of a test than revolutionary,” and added, “Customers and producers have more interest in Samsung’s next models for release next year.”

Korean customers are waiting to see how domestic markets for wearable and flexible devices would turn out when apple release iwatch next year as well.