2016
editions of the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 smartphones from South Korean consumer
electronics company, Samsung, are expected top be launched later this year.
Now, a listing on the database of India’s import / export tracking website, Zauba, seems to suggest that
the potential next-generation Galaxy J5 has been imported into the country for
testing purposes. While the detailed hardware specs of the device have not yet
been disclosed from the listing, we do get some info regarding the model number
SM-J510 and the screen size 5.2-inches of the upcoming lower mid-range handset
from Samsung. If indeed the smartphone comes with a 5.2-inch screen that would
be a slight 0.2-inch increase over the current-generation J5, which features a
5-inch display panel.
Coming to
one important aspect of the Zauba listing, there are two different import
prices mentioned on the website. While the latest set of two devices were
imported at Rs. 6,812 ($105) each on January 8th, an earlier set of ten,
imported as far back as in November 2015, seems to have cost Rs. 13,625 apiece,
which is just over $200 in US currency. Add import duties, sales taxes and VAT
(wherever applicable), along with wholesaler, distributor and retailer margins
to that price, and what you get is a fairly substantial ~$300+ price-tag for
the handset, which will put it in direct competition with really
strong-performers that are either already in the market or are about to be
launched in the next few months or so. It remains to be seen which price-tag
holds up in the end, but the first one looks like the more plausible option at
this stage, seeing as the first-generation Galaxy J5 was priced at Rs. 11,999
($185) at launch.
Talking
about the current generation Galaxy J5, Samsung launched the selfie-focused
Galaxy J5 and J7 smartphones in India back in July last year. While the J5
comes with a 5-inch screen, the J7 has a 5.5-inch panel. Both phones, however,
sport 720p displays, so it will be interesting to see if Samsung bumps that
resolution up to a 1080p panel seeing as more and more tier-1 manufacturers
like Lenovo and Asus are steadily introducing Full HD screens at the sub-$200
price point. Either way, it remains to be seen when Samsung is finally ready
for the commercial launch of the all-new Galaxy J5, but seeing as the device
has been imported into what’s expected to be one of its
main markets, the launch probably isn’t a long way away.
The
midranger could be ready for prime time at the end of February in time for the
Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
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