Samsung's new phones are off to a strong start, says report
A month after launch, shipments of the company's Galaxy S6 series of smartphones have topped 10 million, says a Korean publication.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and its S6 Edge sibling have shipped more than 10 million units, according to the Korea Herald.
Though Samsung didn't clarify exactly when it surpassed the mark, a "high-ranking" official with the company confirmed to the publication that it took about a month. Samsung said in April that it had hoped to ship 10 million phones in the first 26 days after they were released.
That compares with 11 million Galaxy S5 units shipped in the first month roughly a year ago. In the last reported quarter, Apple sold 61.2 million iPhones.
A strong start is critical for Samsung, which is pegging its hopes on the Galaxy S6 line to reinvigorate sales after Galaxy S5's lackluster performance led to declining sales, profits and market share amid stiffening competition from the larger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. While still the top smartphone vendor in the world, Samsung lost a bit of its swagger last year, but it's turning heads again with its new smartphones.
A number of factors may be contributing to the renewed interest in Samsung's flagship line. The Galaxy S6 employs more-premium materials than its predecessors and also includes wireless charging capabilities. Whereas the Galaxy S5 was viewed as an incremental update, this year's edition is more of a complete redesign. In her review of the device, CNET's Jessica Dolcourt found the phone offered " top-notch specs and a worldly look ."
A strong start, however, doesn't necessarily equate to success. Though the Galaxy S5 had stronger initial sales than the Galaxy S4, sales ultimately fell short and were deemed a disappointment.
As do many other players in the industry, Samsung refers to the number of shipments -- or sales of products to retailers. That number may not line up with sales to consumers, but it's often used as an early indicator of demand. The number of phones consumers purchase is often lower than the shipment figure.
It isn't clear how the 10 million mark breaks down and whether the Galaxy S6 Edge makes up a sizable segment. CNET has contacted Samsung for clarification of the sales figures and will update this post with any new information.