Opinion: Samsung's GS5, 2/4/14
Samsung's Galaxy S5 is almost here.
I mostly don't care but I have a feeling that Samsung could very well be next in line for a Nexus device... Even though I'd still prefer Motorola put one out before they transfer leadership over to Lenovo, it would be healthiest for Motorola to keep it's brand associated with what are hopefully relevant devices later this year. Returning to my original point however, I feel like the recently renewed relationship between Google and Samsung might include plans for another Samsung manufactured Nexus device, as a sort of show of continued interest from both sides within the platform.
No other manufacturers, except for perhaps LG and/or Sony, can really afford to detract attention from their own branded devices this year the way Samsung can:
- HTC... Is not in a good position to release a device that could rival or surpass whatever flagship they release as well this year. They especially can not release a rival device that makes them much less money, which they certainly need. I imagine it's all on the m8 for HTC for now. If they can achieve enough success then we'll see the the spin-off devices.
- Motorola... Clearly has potential. Just like the Moto X itself would have been a fantastic Nexus device as it showed the direction Android's going (or should be going)... but it wasn't. I believe the same will happen this year. Even though Motorola is not a stranger to releasing "different" devices that are really not (Moto X vs Droid+ Mini/ Ultra/ Maxx), a Nexus would affect both whatever momentum as a brand the company presently has, and the sales of devices they want to be appealing now and in the future. The only reason I don't have a Moto X is because I have a Nexus 5, even though I probably like Moto X more.
- LG... isn't necessarily as unlikely to be the manufacturer yet again as HTC and Motorola, but I think with releases like the G Flex, LG is setting itself up in a position to perhaps try something new as it's own brand, just to see if maybe it will stick. Last year we didn't think LG would be making the Nexus 5 because they had a made of point of saying that they had been successful with the Nexus 4, but they didn't necessarily need such a success again. Well this year I think there will be a familiar story but perhaps they'll actually stick to it. Just like Motorola, having a Nexus device based on whatever flagship is out means losing some sales from that flagship.
- Sony... would be a good manufacturer for a Nexus device, imo. They've been using on screen buttons and they slimmed their custom skin down to a close to stock look. I just don't think it'll come to that. Sony doesn't have much presence in the US but I think that if they wanted to, they could release a Nexus device to get in the hands of people who currently don't think they could go for a Sony device when there are other options available. I imagine the main reason Sony hasn't been, and likely won't, be a Nexus device manufacturer, is because it seems like their devices probably have a higher manufacturing costs. At least for their flagships, which is what a Nexus device would be closest too. I think it would be possible for Sony to ditch a lot of the pricier components of their high end devices to lower manufacturing expense, but I don't know how interested the brand really is in such an idea that could either grow their potential market or hurt their current market. I doubt the Xperia Z Ultra GPE has very encouraging sales.
Of the brands listed above, HTC, LG, and somewhat Sony, have typical flagship releases a bit earlier in the year which means if they were to produce a Nexus device, it would likely have to be better than current flagships devices and leave room for their future flagship devices a few months later. They'd have to somehow make something that doesn't take away from current potential customers as well as future customers.
This is where Samsung comes back into the equation.
Samsung also typically releases their flagship a bit earlier in the year. It seems to me like Samsung's Galaxy devices and the "Galaxy Experience" have become sort of parallel to the rest of Android, which is the primary reason why Google felt the need to intervene and discuss the future of the Google/Samsung partnership. Either way, while the GS4 had some dominating sales last year (and probably this year so far too), there's also been word of a high rate of GS4 owners putting their devices up for sale already (compared to the same trend with the GS3), even before the new GS5's release; meaning it's a not a matter of loyal users simply upgrading like Apple users. This is where Samsung could capitalize on it's own negative trend (if it were to recur in 2014) by putting out the GS5 and marketing the hell out of it once again. Let it have it's success... then when interest begins to fall or slow down like usual later in the year, Samsung could then put out the next Nexus device for a slight boost for the manufacturer.
Google wanted Samsung to ease up on the software making Samsung devices stand apart from the rest of Android. What better way to do that than with the newest version of Google's Android? I'd say "stock" but if it's like the Nexus 5 then it could be a uniquely Google experience. I think the Nexus device being part of whatever compromise the two companies came to makes a lot of sense for both sides.
Another encouraging factor that could benefit such a possibility, and the reason I might care about the the GS5, is the rumor that this years Galaxy devices may actually fall more in line with Google's encouraged hardware standards.
Plus, since Galaxy devices don't necessarily have to be the most future proof to sell to the majority of Samsung's current market, a slight hardware (processor, etc) and big software update could still easily meet the expectations for a 6th generation Nexus device. That's also without necessarily detracting too much attention from Samsung's top devices which will still likely have lots of differentiating software features.
With a successful GS5 launch in early 2014 and a Nexus launch in the fall. Samsung could potentially be both what the general public often thinks is the standard for Android (sadly, the Galaxy line), as well as the more official Google standard for the following generation of Android, the Nexus device.
Samsung is also the best suited oem to release a new device just months later that could be considered competition, but with a different appeal to a different user. Perhaps any success they see with the Nexus device would even encourage them to actually promote Android itself, which has come a long way since the last Samsung manufactured Nexus.
Of course, this is just all my opinion. I don't really know what kind of interest Samsung has to put out a Nexus device considering their success relative to all the other manufactures that could have their own reason for making a Nexus device this year. Maybe it is a better idea to let HTC try to recoup, for Motorola to show they're not changing with new leadership, for Sony to finally make an impact within our market as well as finally get a turn, or LG again, because they're experienced with the nature of the line and can seemingly do it for a good price as well.
