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Global leader Samsung is pushing the boundaries of technology with the recent launch of Galaxy Z flip in Sri Lanka.
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Samsung Sri Lanka Managing Director Kevin Sungsu |
It is Sri Lanka’s first Samsung smartphone with a foldable glass display. The Z Flip is created to offer users a convenient and versatile foldable experience.
Samsung Sri Lanka Managing Director Kevin Sungsu You says with the global launch of Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung has flipped the smartphone world on its head. He said Galaxy Z Flip has been turning heads around the world at important dates in the fashion calendar and is very confident about the success of Galaxy Z Flip in Sri Lanka as well.
Samsung treats Sri Lanka as an extremely important. “Sri Lanka is the most technologically innovative country in South West Asia and our market-leading presence here reflects our extensive investment in growing the market for our products and services while establishing a widespread distribution network to ensure access to our innovations,” he said.
According to him, the mindset of consumers in Sri Lanka is similar to that in a developed country and consumers are always on the lookout for the best of technology to utilise in the simplest manner.
Samsung is the No.1 smartphone brand in Sri Lanka and YOU said it reflects the success Samsung have had over the last 10 years.
“We have been so successful in Sri Lanka because of the relentless focus on our consumers and continuous meaningful innovations,” he said adding that the launch of Galaxy Z Flip is part of its goal of bringing global innovations to the local market. Samsung is also working hard to usher in the next generation of connectivity with 5G.
Following are excerpts of the exclusive interview with the Daily FT:
By Nisthar Cassim
Q: What is Samsung’s vision for Sri Lanka’s smartphone market?
A: Samsung is a consumer-centric company and our focus has always been on meaningful innovations. In Sri Lanka, we are committed to deliver experiences that reach across every person, device and platform. By sharing advancing mobile technology, building ground-breaking form factors, and delivering creative solutions, we have reached the pinnacle as the No.1 Smartphone brand in Sri Lanka. We 
recently celebrated a decade of successful operations in 2019. I am really excited about the value we are providing to our consumers and stakeholders, and the trust they continue to have on us.
Q: How important is Sri Lanka as market for Samsung?
A: It is extremely important. Sri Lanka is the most technologically innovative country in South West Asia and our market-leading presence here reflects our extensive investment in growing the market for our products and services while establishing a widespread distribution network to ensure access to our innovations. Samsung has successfully introduced several world’s firsts in the market such as HDR10+ Smartphone Display, Infinity Display Designs, Quad Camera, Bluetooth S Pen, Ultrasonic Finger print sensor, Wireless Power share, Water and Dust resistant devices, Foldable Glass displays and more which have been well-received.
Q: Are there any unique characteristics of the Sri Lankan market?
A: The mindset of consumers in Sri Lanka is similar to that in a developed country and consumers are always on the lookout for the best of technology to utilise in the simplest manner. Sri Lankan consumers are not only willing to upgrade to the latest devices, but they are also highly brand conscious and prefer features that enable lifestyles.
Q: How successful has the Samsung smartphone been in Sri Lanka?
A: The fact that Samsung is the No. 1 smartphone brand in Sri Lanka reflects the success we have had over the last 10 years. More importantly, Samsung is also the most-loved electronics brand in 2019 which was compiled by Brand Finance and presented by LMD. Samsung has also won the People’s Youth Choice Brand of the Year Award for three consecutive years. Our smartphones appeal to all ages, especially the millennials who have been captivated by the diverse range of Galaxy smartphones. We especially thank the Sri Lankan youth for keeping us in their hearts. Our smartphones appeal to all ages, especially the Millennials who have been captivated by the diverse range of Samsung smartphones. We thank the Sri Lankan youth for keeping us in their hearts.
Q: What would you attribute as key reasons for the success?
A: We have been so successful in Sri Lanka because of the relentless focus on our consumers and continuous meaningful innovations. Strong partnerships and a well-knit distribution network have also contributed to our success. Our philosophy of keeping the consumer at the core of everything we do has served us well. Our customers also value our after sales services such as extended working-hours of the Samsung customer care hotline, providing real-time solutions on the popular Samsung Members app and the service number dedicated exclusively to Galaxy Z Flip customers.
Q: What kind of investments do Samsung and its partners make to remain as market leaders?
A: Our aim is to provide the most innovative products accessible to all by leveraging on a strong distribution network. We have partnered strategically with some of the most trusted and popular dealers in Sri Lanka who have island-wide access. Our showrooms are designed to offer an exclusive 
experience for shoppers, supported by knowledgeable staff. We ensure to bring global innovations to the local market and we’re also working hard to usher in the next generation of connectivity with 5G.
Q: What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the smartphone market in Sri Lanka?
A: Let me first stress that our thoughts are with each and every one of you in these challenging times. Samsung is playing an important role to look after our employees, support our customers, and aid our communities in Sri Lanka. The market witnessed an upsurge in demand for mobile devices during lockdown, with people learning and working from home in many cases. Also, having a smartphone allowed them to remain connected despite being indoors and keep up with their official work.
Q: You are launching Galaxy Z Flip: Sri Lanka’s first Samsung foldable device. What is unique about this?
A: We are very excited about the Galaxy Z Flip – It is Sri Lanka’s first Samsung smartphone with a foldable glass display. The Z Flip is created to offer users a convenient and versatile foldable experience. It features a first-of-its-kind glass display that folds into a compact and stylish form factor. Our latest groundbreaking smartphone offers a whole new mobile experience for our customers who are eager for the latest smartphone technology and we believe Galaxy Z Flip will win consumers’ hearts in Sri Lanka.
Q: What are the features of the new product? Which customer segments is it aimed at?
A: Galaxy Z Flip gives you all the advantages of a large screen in a stylish and compact form factor that fits in the palm of your hand. With Galaxy Z Flip, consumers never have to compromise on convenience, experience or style. Galaxy Z Flip features an Infinity Flex Display with Samsung’s Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) to deliver a sleek, premium look and offers an immersive viewing experience. Versatile, compact and stylish, Galaxy Z Flip is made for the fast-paced, modern lifestyle of millennials who aren’t afraid to make a statement.
Q: What do these segments look for in a smartphone?
A: Consumers aspiring to buy the revolutionary Galaxy Z Flip prefer unique features and exclusivity. Galaxy Z Flip’s compact, stylish design is created for those who see technology as a way to express themselves. Galaxy Z Flip is built for the modern, on-the-go lifestyle.
Q: How has the Galaxy Z Flip fared since its global launch?
A: With the launch of Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung has flipped the smartphone world on its head. In fact, Galaxy Z Flip has been turning heads around the world at important dates in the fashion calendar. In Sri Lanka, we received multiple inquiries on the local availability of the device as Galaxy Z Flip has been created to offer users a convenient and versatile foldable experience. Its ultra-thin glass display and hinge technology, which folds the phone snugly into the palm of your hand, makes it a highly coveted Galaxy device.
Q: How confident are you of its success in Sri Lanka?
A: We are very confident about the success of Galaxy Z Flip in Sri Lanka, thanks to our revolutionary technology and the strong partnership and distribution network we maintain with Softlogic, JKOA, Singer, Singhagiri, Damro, Dialog and Mobitel. Galaxy Z Flip offers specialised customer care services designed to deliver the best privileges for Samsung’s valued customers by way of a one-time screen replacement offer and an easy interest-free installment plan.
Aimed at elite smartphone users, customers can get a first-hand experience exclusively at One Galle Face Mall, ODEL Alexandra Place, Samsung Concept Store and Dialog Iconic. Galaxy Z Flip is available as a limited period offer through Samsung’s authorised partners – JKOA online, mysoftlogic.lk, Singer online, Keells online, Singhagiri, Damro, island-wide authorised dealers of John Keells Office Automation and Softlogic Mobile Distribution, online partner Daraz and network partners Dialog and Mobitel.
