Samsung Launches New A-Series Handsets, May Skip Note This Year

As part of its launch of new A-series mid-tier smartphones today, Samsung said that it may not launch a new Note this year because of semiconductor shortages.

“Samsung strives to give consumers what they want and need most,” Samsung president Dr. TM Roh said. “That’s why we set out with a vision for the Galaxy A series to democratize Galaxy innovations for everyone. The Galaxy A52, A52 5G, and A72 encapsulate the Galaxy brand philosophy with cutting-edge innovations, services, and features at an accessible price.”

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The three new mid-tier handsets are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 700-series processors, sport 4 to 8 GB of RAM depending on the model, and offer quad-lens camera systems with a 64MP primary lens and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens. Each is available in a variety of fun colors, and one model, the A52 5G, provides 5G support. The Galaxy A52 and A52 5G both have 6.5-inch 1080p displays while the Galaxy A72 has a 6.7-inch 1080p display; all three have 90 Hz refresh rates.

There’s no word yet on pricing, but I’d expect them to land in the $400 to $600 range.

Samsung is also warning customers and investors about how the industry-wide semiconductor shortage will impact its business this coming year.

“There’s a serious imbalance in supply and demand of chips in the IT sector globally,” Dr. Koh said during the firm’s annual shareholders meeting. “Note series is positioned as a high-end model in our business portfolio. It could be a burden to unveil two flagship models in a year so it might be difficult to release [a] Note model in [the second half of 2021]. The timing of Note model launch can be changed but we seek to release a Note model next year.”

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Conversation 9 comments

  • jgraebner

    Premium Member
    17 March, 2021 - 12:38 pm

    <p>Is there an error in the headline or am I missing something? What is the word "Fans" doing there?</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      17 March, 2021 - 12:44 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#618571">In reply to jgraebner:</a></em></blockquote><p>Great question. Fixed!</p>

    • jgraebner

      Premium Member
      17 March, 2021 - 4:41 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#618571">In reply to jgraebner:</a></em></blockquote><p>Admittedly a line of smart fans from Samsung would be an interesting pivot. :)</p>

  • bluvg

    17 March, 2021 - 1:22 pm

    <p>Perhaps If they designed their phones not to die after 18-24 months, it would ease the demand. </p>

  • rmlounsbury

    Premium Member
    17 March, 2021 - 1:50 pm

    <p>Seems like a convenient way for Samsung to skip a final Note generation and just move on with their product pipeline without it. Which is probably for the best if Samsung is indeed planning on killing the Note anyways. </p>

  • scovious

    17 March, 2021 - 3:27 pm

    <p>"A Series" from Samsung is supposed to be midrange and affordable, yet I count 5 cameras. This madness is becoming laughable.</p>

  • tghallin

    Premium Member
    17 March, 2021 - 5:54 pm

    <p>It will be interesting to see how the A72 compares to the S21+ both in price and performance. The cameras sound similar.</p>

    • earlster

      Premium Member
      18 March, 2021 - 12:28 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#618688">In reply to tghallin:</a></em></blockquote><p>A 700 series processor, instead of the 888. This means 2 instead of 8 cores. Also no 5G on the A 72, only on the A 52 5G.</p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    18 March, 2021 - 5:25 pm

    <p>The Note has always been my favorite Samsung Phone so a little disappointed to hear this. I go back and forth between the Note and Pixel so if Pixel releases a XL this year (why on earth did they not release one this past year for the Pixel 5???) I may come back for the camera alone. </p>

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