In psychology, there is a phenomenon known as the paradox of choice. The paradox of choice suggests that an abundance of options actually requires more effort to choose and can leave us feeling unsatisfied with our choice. Rather than making people happy and ensuring they get what they want, can cause them stress and problematize decision-making. Have you noticed how most restaurants only offer a few dishes? Just enough to make up your mind quickly. My thinking is it’s because restaurants only make money as long as people walk into their premises and find spaces to sit and eat.
Imagine taking kids to an ice cream shop with over ten variations of the delicacy. Rest assured you will spend the first 30 minutes just having them decide on the flavours they want. You lose time and so is the shop because you are not making up your mind. For the most part, having one too many choices is a terrible thing because even after settling on a choice you may still be unhappy with the choice. This phenomenon does not seem to apply to certain business models however, in fact, some businesses seem to thrive from providing all ranges of choices and have people bear the brunt of making the hard choice.
I meandered, didn’t I? Anyway, this article isn’t about ice cream or psychology, it is about one South Korean electronics multinational company which I am certain you’re very much aware of – Samsung and why they have a huge product release in a single calendar year.
Fun fact, in the year 2014 Samsung released 56 smartphone models in a single calendar year. Fascinating, I know. But why? It has often been difficult to keep track of the newest Samsung phone given that the company releases so many throughout the year. Samsung has dozens of models across different series which cater to all price ranges and regions. In November last year, they announced 52 new models that will be coming in 2022. Of the 52 models, I have so far seen, interacted with or seen reviews of only 10 different models ranging from the Galaxy Z, Galaxy A, Galaxy M, Galaxy J, Galaxy FE (Fan Edition) and the flagship Galaxy S.
The single reason why Samsung does this is economics and market needs. Samsung understands that the depth of people’s pockets varies worldwide. Instead of creating just 2 superb and very pricey devices like Apple, they take a different approach – make a phone for every potential buyer out there.
The cheapest Samsung that came out this year is the Samsung A23 which only goes for $180. That’s a reasonable price for a low-income market. Mind you, just because this model has a relatively low price does not mean it has below-par specifications. The A23 comes packed with Android 12, a minimum of 4GB memory, start storage at 64GB, a 6.6-inch screen and a 50MP camera and highly performant battery life. Another variant of the A23 was released this September, one with 5G capability and a modification of the name to Samsung Galaxy A23 5G. This model is only $60 more expensive than the earlier release.
The most expensive of the notable yearly Samsung releases is the Galaxy S edition. This year we saw the release of Galaxy S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra. These editions have staggering price tags with the S22 going for $1200 on the release date. As the norm, the S model is often pitied against the Apple iPhone variants and for good reasons. This model stacks pretty well, it comes packed with powerful specs. Your wallet only will determine whether you are getting this one.
Which one should you pick?
To arrive at the most appropriate answer to this question one has to first ask themselves a few things such as what one needs most in a new phone. Do you want a more spectacular camera, a bigger screen, to take notes in style, flashiest bling perhaps or in most cases to amp up your style?
Like many purchasing decisions, deciding which Samsung phone is right for you comes down to what you want in a phone and how much you are willing to spend. If you want the largest screen available on a standard Samsung phone, enjoy notetaking with a stylus and want a camera with a significantly closer zoom, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the right choice for you. But you’ll also have to be willing to spend more than $1,000 unless you score a trade-in deal.
Those who don’t need the stylus, prefer more compact devices and still want a top-notch camera should consider the Galaxy S22 or Galaxy S22 Plus. And if you just want the basics, like a spacious screen, 5G and a decent camera, consider the Galaxy A53 5G. If you want the flashiest tech around — and you have deep pockets — the company’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 pack innovative foldable displays that are certainly eye-catching.
If you’re ready to upgrade but can hang on for a few more months, you might want to wait before making a purchase. Since Samsung typically launches its new Galaxy S phones within the first couple of months of the year, we are likely to see a successor to the Galaxy S22 sometime between January and March 2023.
Finding the best Samsung phone will ultimately come down to preference and your wallet. Hopefully, this article helped you in some way.