Samsung Opens First 3 Retail Stores In US to Take On Apple’s 270

Samsung opened its very first three retail stores in the United States today, and also launched three versions of its new Galaxy S10 smartphone and its first foldable phone, the Samsung Galaxy X.

Wednesday is the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the Galaxy line of smartphones whose newest iterations are the reasons for Samsung being the world’s top selling smartphone brand with a market share of 19 percent in the third quarter of 2018.

Samsung’s first retail stores in the United States, or "Samsung Experience Stores” as the company calls them, are located in New York, Los Angeles and Houston. These stores are at shopping centers in The Americana at Brand in Los Angeles, Roosevelt Field on Long Island in New York, and The Galleria in Houston.

The trio of Samsung Experience Stores at last gives Samsung the precious U.S. footing it needs to challenge Apple Inc., the U.S. market leader. Samsung, however, has a lot of catching-up to do seeing that Apple has more than 270 physical retail stores in the United States and in excess of 500 worldwide.

"Our new Samsung Experience Stores are spaces to experience and see Samsung technology brought to life, to empower people to do what they never thought was possible before," said Samsung America President and CEO YH Eom.

"We want to build a 'playground' for Samsung fans -- a place to learn about and try out all of the amazing new products we have to offer."

Each Samsung Experience Store will allow customers to browse all the latest Samsung devices and products, including the popular Galaxy smartphones, tablets and wearables. Then, there are Samsung’s televisions and smart home devices.

The stores will also offer customer support and assistance (especially walk-in repair) for smartphones and other Samsung products.

The Samsung Experience Stores will also provide spaces for customers to interact with Samsung’s "4D Virtual Reality" and play video games att its "4K gaming lounge."

The opening of the retail stores coincided with "Galaxy UNPACKED" in San Francisco where Samsung revealed its newest line of smartphones and accessories.

The new Galaxy S10 has a hole-punch notched screen while the Galaxy S10 Plus comes with three three-rear cameras. There’s the budget Galaxy S10E to rival Apple's iPhone XR. All three new Samsung phones are 5G ready. The Galaxy S10 Plus is rumored to carry a hefty price tag of $1,500.

The Samsung Galaxy X or the Samsung Infinity Flex Display is due to be released within the first half of the year.