It seems like the Galaxy Mega 5.8 (codename GT-I9152) specifications have been confirmed, as SamMobile are reporting. The phone isn’t a Galaxy Note replacement, but more like a higher-end version of Galaxy Grand Duos.
The full list of specs includes:
- 5.8″ qHD (960—540) TFT display
- dual core 1.4 Ghz processor
- 1.5 GB of RAM
- 8MP back camera
- 2MP front camera
- 2,600 mAh battery
- Android 4.1/4.2 (Nature UX on top)
- Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 80211 a/b/g/n, A-GPS
It seems Samsung’s strategy now is to saturate the market with “Galaxy” phones at every price level, and at every screen size. At least in the short term, this has the benefit of overwhelming the competition and filling the sales channels with their devices, which increases the chances that a store representative would sell customers a Samsung device, at whatever price level they want.
I say that in the short term it helps them, because in the long term, Samsung might end up diluting the brand “Galaxy” to the point where it just means “Samsung phone”. And then you have to wonder why the Galaxy brand even exists anymore, since you already have the Samsung name in front of every phone’s name. It becomes redundant.
HTC has gotten a lot of criticism for their lack of strong branding, and for good reason, too. They’ve created a new phone brand every year or two, instead of just sticking with one. They’ve even destroyed their initial Desire brand, which used to be the international flagship brand. Now it’s been relegated to a mid-end brand at best, or even a low-end one in some cases.
However, Samsung doesn’t seem to be much better at this either. The only major difference compared to HTC is that they’ve stuck with one brand name for their flagships, instead of switching them around. But with each new “Galaxy” device being brought into the market, with more confusing letters and numbers after it, the less the Galaxy S brand itself means in the long term.
I believe Samsung would be better off to create brands that are just as strong and “unique” as Galaxy S was in the early days, but for mid-end and low-end phones. They might not benefit from the “Galaxy” halo effect anymore, but it’s a better strategy in the long term, to keep their Galaxy brand from confusing customers, who might not do a whole lot of research online.