It’s the top of the Word as we all know it

Samsung’s first 2022 Galaxy Unpacked occasion hasn’t began but, however we’ve already acquired a powerful notion that the occasion spells the top of the Word sequence. We all know this as a result of Samsung has achieved every little thing besides shout from the rooftops that the following S-series Extremely will soak up the Word and its built-in stylus. You’ll be able to even go forward and preorder it if you’d like as a result of, actually, what’s a cellphone launch lately? In any case, Samsung is making the correct name for its enterprise and its model, even when it stings just a little for the Word trustworthy.

The way forward for the Word seemed doubtful final yr when rumors of its demise circulated, and Samsung stated that the S21 sequence would provide S pen help. Early in 2021, a Samsung exec expressed doubts about transport a brand new Word mannequin, and certainly, the yr got here and went with out a correct new Word. Then, early in 2022, leaks and hints from Samsung all however confirmed that the Word’s future lay inside the S-series.

This makes loads of sense from a enterprise standpoint. Samsung struggled to ship S-series telephones final yr amidst the continued provide chain and chip scarcity fiascos. In flip, S21 gross sales have been lackluster. Consolidating the Word and S-series, quite than making an attempt to keep up them individually, actually helps if you’re in the midst of a part scarcity. That’s fewer units to organize Android OS updates and safety patches for, too, which issues if you help telephones for so long as Samsung does.

It is sensible from an identification standpoint, too. Samsung’s “a cellphone at each value level” technique works for the A-series, however too many flagships dangers diluting their premium standing. The excessive finish of Samsung’s mass-market lineup is getting crowded certainly, with the Z Flip 3 promoting for $999. The corporate’s foldables aren’t simply getting extra reasonably priced — they’ve additionally seen some main refinements which might be poised to maneuver the units into the mainstream. There’s solely a lot room in Samsung’s galaxy for high-end units, and it could be time for the Word to bow out and make room for Samsung’s newest improvements.

So that is doubtless the top of the Word as we all know it, but it surely’s not goodbye. Samsung has made it clear that Word options like S pen help will probably be sticking round, and leaks point out that the S22 Extremely will look extraordinarily Word-like, full with an S pen silo. Relying on the way you view it, the Word is getting a promotion to the highest spot within the S sequence or being relegated to “function” standing to appease followers.

Both means, it’s clear that Samsung just isn’t afraid to supply one thing just a little bit totally different lately. That is the corporate that caught with foldables, iterating till it put out one thing that common individuals would need to purchase. Now, it seems to be to be bringing the stylus entrance and middle to its mainstream, top-of-the-line flagship. That’s not one thing you’ll discover in one other flagship lineup, Android or in any other case.

Perhaps 2022 is the yr that Samsung decides as soon as and for all to lean into the issues that set it aside from the competitors, quite than specializing in going toe-to-toe with Apple’s each product and repair. Dieter puzzled about this previous to final yr’s S21 Unpacked, and my optimistic view is that Samsung is certainly embracing its personal identification just a little extra. Perhaps Samsung is evolving the S-series into one thing that includes extra of its distinctive improvements quite than spinning them into different fashions. An revolutionary Samsung is a enjoyable Samsung, and we’re right here for that.

Associated: