Was the law suit actually a blessing in disguise for Samsung?

Posted by hrishiis on October 22, 2012 05:10 pm 10

HTC, now known as the other Android phone OEM, recently released their earnings reports and it didn't look particularly good. Their phones, however modern and up to the mark and cutting-edge they might be, aren't selling as well as Samsung's Galaxy S line is. Apple doesn't know the word 'decline' when it comes to sales numbers. I can dare you to think of something which you think would be unaffordable to Apple.

But here's the funny part. Up until the big law suit between Apple and Samsung, HTC was toe to toe with Samsung in terms of sales numbers. They were turning a healthy profit and were in the press with acquisitions and flashy press releases. But after the lawsuit which put an enormous spotlight on Samsung's phones, the Galaxy range's sales seem to have actually increased considerably (from what I heard from a friend who works in accounts at a prominent High Street retailer -- not the most convincing source but not laughable as well).

via www.v3.co.uk

Did the Apple vs Samsung case hitting the popular press make people sit up and take serious notice of Samsung's products? Did buyers (the general mass, not the tech-savvy Verge readers) think "Hmm.. Apple is a bit cross with Samsung now. Maybe Samsung IS making decent phones if Apple thinks Samsung has copied them and succeeded in stealing sales..? Let me check the Galaxy out!"

I think Samsung might have paid a billion dollars to Apple (a penalty which they're still fighting against). But compared to the public perception of the company's products that this case seems to have achieved, that penalty might, in hindsight, might only end up being a slap on the wrists!