“I don’t think anyone can say our design is similar to other manufacturers’ designs.” These were the words of Henry Hongmin Kim, head of strategy and design for Samsung’s mobile division, in an interview with us in 2020. He did this at a pivotal moment for Samsung: they had launched the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and ditto. This year, a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra came to light, which, although something to talk about due to its design, is truly different from anything we have seen at the time.
The strategy has been changing in recent years, and Samsung has adopted a philosophy that allows it to do two things: make its devices clearly recognizable, and on the other hand, avoid reactions to the surprise of possible generation changes.
When we go to Samsung’s website and take a look at its main models, we easily see that the design in its family is more similar than ever. When viewed from quite a distance, it will not be easy for the average user to distinguish the Samsung Galaxy A54 from the Samsung Galaxy S23.
Even the new family of devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has a very similar back, except for the small metal strip covering the camera module. A. clear design language: flat, minimalist and without risky moves.
On the one hand, this allows Samsung to produce clearly recognizable devices, and on the other hand (and although there is no official data on this subject), the reuse of some components in models that have slightly changed the design in the new generation can mean a limiting bar for future price increases .
A plan where they don’t seem alone
Sony, Apple and, for 2024, OnePlus are other companies that follow the path of continuity in design. Generational leaps do not involve new interpretations of an aesthetic line; It involves improving it.
This also allows Does not invalidate previous generation designBy adding improvements and touches to the new model to reinterpret an idea that the manufacturer (a priori) strongly believes in.
A few years ago, leadership in design in the new model meant breaking away from everything. Philosophy has changed completely
The battle for leadership in design is moving from forcing manufacturers to reinvent the visual identity of their products every year, to betting on a solid and recognizable line that evolves from generation to generation.
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in Xataka | Samsung Galaxy A54, analysis: thinking it’s a mid-range product goes against everything it offers