Samsung might have a harder time selling the curved Galaxy S6 Edge version, not only because the phone will be expensive at launch, but also because of yield issues with curved displays. Ars Technica has learned from a source who has seen the devices that the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will have “rather exorbitant price points,” with the latter model expected to encounter supply shortages, at least at launch.
FROM EARLIER: Galaxy S6 release date may have been revealed, at least for some markets
The 64GB Galaxy S6 Edge will supposedly cost €949, while the 128GB model will be priced at €1,049, €50 more expensive than the corresponding iPhone 6 Plus model, which happens to be €100 more expensive than an iPhone 6 of the same capacity.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S6 is said to be priced at €749, €849 and €949 for 32GB, 64GB and 128GB models, respectively. Comparatively, the Galaxy S5’s starting price was €650 in the region.
The same source told Ars that Samsung is having supply issues with the curved glass needed for the Galaxy S6. That isn’t necessarily surprising for new devices, and yield should improve in time, but the problem is described as “awkward” because Samsung is putting its marketing push behind the Galaxy S6 Edge version, which should increase demand for the device.
In the U.S., Samsung and three of its carrier partners, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint, have already started teasing the Galaxy S6 Edge, showing the profile of the phone, complete with a curved display (as seen above).
Apparently, only about a third of Galaxy S6 units will be Edge models, according to the source.
Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge during a special media event at MWC 2015 in Barcelona, Spain.