Sorry, Galaxy Note 5, S6 Edge+ buyers: 128GB option was a flub
The company's website listed a 128-gigabyte option early Friday for the new phablet and smartphone, but that listing was incorrect, according to a Samsung spokeswoman.
Looking for a high-capacity 128-gigabyte version of Samsung's new Galaxy Note 5 or Galaxy S6 Edge+? Sorry, you're out of luck.
At Thursday's Unpacked 2015 event, in which Samsung unveiled its latest mobile devices and its new Samsung Pay payments system, Samsung pulled back the curtains on its Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ smartphones. The company discussed and revealed all the new features and specs of the two new phones, listing the available capacities for both phones at 32GB and 64GB.
Hopes for a higher capacity arose Friday morning when Samsung's websites for both the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ listed three capacities -- 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. But the websites were in error and are in the process of being updated, a Samsung spokewoman said, who added that the two new phones will be available only in 32GB and 64GB and that there will be no 128GB versions.
The 128GB listing was most likely a placeholder or perhaps just a mistake on Samsung's part.
Selling a 128GB version of both phones would have had its pluses and minuses. Apple offers 128GB versions of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. To compete with Apple for consumers who like plenty of online storage, Samsung could provide the same option. But buyers would have to pony up more money for the extra capacity at a time when lower-cost Android smartphones are in greater demand. Samsung has even stated that it "="" the="" prices="" of="" its="" flagship="" galaxy="" s6="" and="" edge"="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="261a8342-cb54-4092-94e4-86906f889144" slug="samsung-plans-price-cut-for-galaxy-s6-s6-edge" link-text="plans to " section="news" title="Samsung plans price cut for Galaxy S6, S6 Edge" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"261a8342-cb54-4092-94e4-86906f889144","slug":"samsung-plans-price-cut-for-galaxy-s6-s6-edge","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"mobile"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Tech^Mobile","reviewType":null},"section":"news"}"> to "maintain" their sales momentum.
Carriers are also increasingly phasing out subsidies, which allow people to pay a lower price for the phone in exchange for agreeing to a two-year contract. Instead, consumers are being asked to pay the full retail cost for a phone, either all at once or on a monthly installment basis. Verizon announced on August 7 that it will do away with subsidies altogether, forcing new customers to pay full price for a phone. This trend means that new buyers would've gotten socked with the full higher cost of a 128GB version of the Note 5 or S6 Edge+ at a time when Samsung is aiming to lower prices on its premium phones.
Samsung does offer a 128GB option for its Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge . The current Galaxy Note 4 is available only as a 32GB model, though you can up the overall capacity to 96GB by adding a 64GB microSD card. Neither the Galaxy S6 Edge+ nor the Note 5 offer a microSD card slot to expand the storage.
The new phones are currently up for preorder in the US through Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile and will go on sale Friday, August 21.