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This is why the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won't come to Europe

note 4 s6 edge plus
© Samsung, nextpit

Samsung has revealed that the Galaxy Note 5 will not be making its way to Europe. I have long suspected that the Note series is coming to an end, and the decision not to launch the latest model in Europe suggests that might indeed be the case. But with both the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ being released elsewhere, why is the Note 5 being withheld from Europe? 

The answer almost certainly lies within another question: why would Samsung release two almost identical devices at the same time? Either to test an unproven formula, or to initiate the withdrawal of a series while introducing a new one. In the end, either method would probably end with the same result.

samsungnote5leakhero
Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+: The pen makes the difference. / © Samsung via evleaks

S Pen vs Dual Edge

Though the Galaxy S6 was a commercial disappointment, the S6 Edge was a surprise success. This would indicate to Samsung that its future phablet success could lie with a high-end dual-edge display variant, rather than a more 'typical' smartphone model.

The original Samsung Galaxy Note was probably one of the company's biggest innovations, but the large display became less of a unique selling point with every passing year, and for two years its size stagnated at 5.7 inches, while the competition continued to get larger. With 5.5-inch handsets now fairly commonplace, the extra fifth of an inch on the Galaxy Note 3 and Note 4 no longer seems, if you'll forgive the pun, noteworthy. 

s6 s6 edge
The Galaxy S6 (left) and Galaxy S6 edge: Samsung created two variations of its flagship. / © ANDROIDPIT

As for Samsung's S Pen, the stylus it introduced for use with its phablets, our sources in Germany tell us that only 20 percent of Note-owners actually use the stylus. It seems the biggest of Samsung's recent innovations have exceeded their expiry dates.

The dual-edge display, however, is currently Samsung's big USP, and to date no one has reproduced it in the same way. Samsung has a real opportunity to capitalize on innovation once again. But maybe people do still prefer the old-style Note phablet and stylus? It could be that Samsung is running a Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ 'test', to see which proves the most popular. 

Note Series hero
The last two Note devices (middle, right) hardly differed from each other at all. / © Samsung, ANDROIDPIT

Is the fate of the Note sealed?

If the Galaxy Note 5 will be released in the US, but not in Europe, then it might be a sign that the future of the Note series has been decided.

It seems that Samsung has finally realized what I have been saying for years. The success of the iPhone owes a lot to the fact that the brand is so well known and recognizable. 

Samsung's most identifiable smartphone characteristic is currently the dual-edge display, so it makes sense to branch it out to as many products as it can. The S6 Edge+ takes that dual-edge display to a larger, Note-sized device – why would Samsung need a Galaxy Note when it has that?

Are you disappointed to be missing out on the Galaxy Note 5 in Europe? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Stephan Serowy

Stephan Serowy
Senior Editor

After years of political journalism with WELT and ZEIT Online, it was time for Stephan to change direction. His background in social science and his enthusiasm about the future naturally led him to where socially transformative technology is being celebrated: AndroidPIT. He is a colossal science geek and a passionate musician, and he loves introducing people to the changing zeitgeist - beyond bare figures and spec sheets.

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16 comments
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  • Madars G 10
    Madars G Aug 17, 2015 Link to comment

    I dont care about samsung smartphones and what are they doing with them. Actualy i hate this company. i only care about SONY


  • 1
    Vasilis Poulios Aug 16, 2015 Link to comment

    The note is not a device for everybody. Only power users opt for it. Indeed the phone was bought by ordinary users too but for others reasons. Big screen, spen, best specs, show of effect etc. If samsung would have kept all pros of Note 3 and note 4 and combined them with the body design of note5 they would hit the target. Even the omition of the msd card would not have been a problem if there was an option of 128 gb internal storage. The battery could have remained the same (note 4)at least. However Samsung seeks to find a best seller aimed at the mass consumer. The tendency is for bigger screen and a woh effect.The edged screen ? Maybe. Power users are at the moment not of great interest due to the fact that they minority.


  • 3
    Clement Okolie Aug 16, 2015 Link to comment

    If Samsung stops the note series then, they lose customers in other parts of the world. I'm one person but I have friends who I've sold the note idea to and it's been a success so far. Why would I have the S6 edge when I can use the stylus of my note 3 to smart select stuff and do more work. Students and workers would readily go for the Note. Except Samsung wants to end up selling refrigerators and TV sets in future, they had better rethought the whole discontinuance of the note series thing.


  • 2
    Cynthia Lariviere Aug 15, 2015 Link to comment

    I could not agree more with the article. The note 5 a step back. And it's slippery as all get out. You'll be putting a case on just to grip it and to have an edge. Getting rid of the slight edge of the note 4 is also a mistake. I'm very disappointed in Samsung. This may be the end of my fangirl love. Without a changeable battery (I have NO time to stop and charge) , I'm done.

    kaye albeucnic


  • 4
    Griffin D Aug 15, 2015 Link to comment

    Samsung will be shooting them selves in the foot they discontinue the note line. The note was the phone that started the phablet craze. Everyone took notice how beneficial the larger screen was. Movies. Web. Apps. Office applications General bigger screen Real estate for everyday apps. Then the benefits of apps like s note s memo and every thing else the S pen does. Samsung's own video player and music app are better than stock Android options. Combining tablet with phone for the do everything device and be the only device you have to carry around is a great beneficial option for many people. Not everyone is sold on the curved edges of the screen. So pulling an apple and telling the consumer what we want before we know what we want in the way of curved screens is not a smart thing to do. Apple finally realized people wanted bigger iphones as people flocked to android. and the 6 plus sold faster than they could be made, so we the consumer already know what we want. The edge screens are pretty but I don't see wide adoption of them beyond Samsung and the selct apps that use the edge screen. The s series should be no bigger than 5.2 inch screen. Note 5.7 to 5.9. Touchwiz as gotten a lot more user friendly compared to the s3 days. Samsung would be smart if they had a note phone and an s phone, s active version would also not be bad just make it more than att exclusive. Oh and bring back the d@mn SD card slot. 64gb aint $h!+ for storage on the note 5 and s6 Edge +. And before you all b!+¢h that SD cards are slow compared to internal storage that is a given. But a slow SD card is better than an app failing to update because you have no internal storage left. Some people dont even use laptops every thing is done on their phone pictures music apps email all computer functions done on a phone. So storage is a big deal. My rant is done. The more you know.

    Clement OkolieAdev123Lisa Federico


  • Tom Dausy 2
    Tom Dausy Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

    I currently have a Nexus 5 phone and a Samsung Note Tablet 2014. I take notes, write anything down with the S-pen on my tablet and really love it. I even had to buy a spare one as the first S-pen one already broke after very intense use.
    This very positive experience with the S-pen makes the Galaxy Note a real candidate for replacing the Nexus 5. So I'm disappointed it's not released on short notice (and who knows not even on longer terms) in Europe.

    Clement Okolie


  • Lee H. 4
    Lee H. Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

    If I was Apple and Windows and Blackberry I would licking my lips and rubbing my hands and sit down with some Popcorn in my Directors Chair put my shades on and watch the show of how Samsung Died - subtitle "trample on your customer base first".

    kaye albeMagnus Wallon


  • Lee H. 4
    Lee H. Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

    How do they actually know the percentage of people that use the pen. It is absurd. I use the pen on my note edge when I need to, when I don't I guess what I don't use it. It is that simple. I wanted the phone so I could use the pen when i choose that is the whole point. For some they may use it all the time etc. I don't know it seems Samsung are intent on destroying themselves in the mobile technology and to not include an entire continent is beyond stupidness its finite greed and pathetic business decisions... So Europeans are only good for certain phones but not others hmmm If this sticks I will not support Samsung anymore out of principle.

    Clement Okoliekaye albe


  • 3
    Magnus Wallon Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

    Most stupid decision ever.. They must have spend a fortune marketing the s-pen when they released the Note 3 here in Europe. Now thay take it away from us. The stylus is the reason I buy the Note. If I only want big screen and great specs I would turn elsewhere. So now lets hope for the Lumia 950 XL instead. Onenote is with out a doubt the best notetaker for stylus input anyway.

    Clement OkolieucnicLee H.


    • Lee H. 4
      Lee H. Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

      I am looking forward to the new Lumia 950 XL or 940 which ever - I agree with your views here.

      Magnus Wallon


  • 8
    Rene Jagers Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

    I had all the notes until now, and I don't want the S6. So Samsung forces me to look elsewhere. Same for my wife. Goodbye Samsung!

    Clement Okoliekaye albeLee H.


    • 3
      hhaalloo hhaallo Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

      Hey, buy a moto x style, superb specs, finally a better camera and a big battery, 5.7 inch screen qhd, and all reasonably priced. Oh yeah and good stereo speakers, good design and front facing flash.


    • Lee H. 4
      Lee H. Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

      I have the Note Edge which does use the edge screen properly unlike the S6 edge and I cant understand samsungs backwards logic except it must be greed based and clearly we all know what they think about their customers and lack of customer service. They are too complacent and as with all companies like this that is what will topple them in this market eventually it also goes along with arrogance and ignorance :)

      kaye albe


    • Groovy Techhound 3
      Groovy Techhound Sep 11, 2015 Link to comment

      Wahhhh..... wahhh..... Ever considered the fact that it may not be in Samsung's power to get your carrier or country or region to go for Galaxy Note 5? Why is France getting Galaxy Note and not UK? Why is Russia getting Galaxy Note and not Germany? Why does EU put up so many roadblocks and grant blocks on devices they deem are in violation of EU laws in some way? France got around them..... why isn't your country getting Galaxy Note 5? Look to the EU bureaucracy for the answers and some Applewellian Proletarian skunks blocking Samsung from offering Galaxy Note 5 there! ......and then simply go online and import it!

      Germans have always defied their own government and simply gone across the border to Holland or France to buy stuff. What I'm saying is that we Americans have to deal with the same kind of backdoor funded political and brand bias from carriers, etc!!! ........and just more recently, it was Samsung that got the buttend of Obama's domestic favoritism. I think the answer is not within Samsung's control and more to do with carriers and EU in some way!!!


  • Guy Deridet 13
    Guy Deridet Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

    Expensive Samsung's owners begin to react like Iphone addicts : shape is more important than the inside. The edge is more important than the screen. They deserve the same fate : spending a lot of money with bullshits. Edge adds nothing to the power of the Samsung 6. It just looks better.

    I care about what rich people do with their money as much as they care about my opinion.

    What makes me sad is to see average people trying to imitate them. Just to look better...

    Groovy Techhound


  • 1
    oli Aug 14, 2015 Link to comment

    yes disappointed that the note will not be released, I use the stylus at work and was ready to upgrade my note 3 to the note 5. IMHO it's a mistake. maybe the next nexus 6 will be worth a look instead....

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