Augmentation of top tier mobile phone line ups

[CooperS]

Google notifications pushed me the latest T3 article which said the soon to be released Samsung Note 20 was going to be crap and here's why. Citing that those who would usually get a Note product need to get the Note 20 Ultra.

Now I get why at the mid to budget end phone manufacturers might offer lite versions but I can't see how this benefits the consumer to sell them a brand name that was perceived pinnacle of a line up to now say oh that isn't much or any better than the phone we released 6 months ago. You need to buy the ultra edition.

Same applies for Apple. Why are people so happy to play into the hands of Samsung and Apple on this?

Is it a bit like the difference between a M3 and a M340i with M performance trinkets stuck on?

[nmd87]

It's a way of plugging into brand recognition. Happens with many products. You can buy different types of Fairy liquid, for example. Your BMW example is another good one, likewise Mercedes who now have an "AMG Line" range that offer the physical appearance of the AMG cars without all of the performance.

For Samsung, it means someone who has the previous "Note" model but doesn't want to spend top money on a new phone can still be targeted through the brand recognition. Likewise, Mercedes are hoping that the owner of a 3 year old C63 AMG will buy another Merc even if they're looking to downsize, whereas they might have turned to a rival brand had the AMG Line option not been there.

Samsung have now brought out the S10 Lite edition which are designed to appeal to someone like me who has an S8 currently but isn't interested in spending the amount required to get an S10 or S20 when it comes to their next phone.

[The_Jackal]

Congratulations, you now know how marketing works.
You have been told what to buy, and it changed your thinking.
That is how the flagship psychology works.
FOMO.