Samsung has filed a trademark application for “Galaxy S5 Neo” in the United States, sparking speculation on a possible spin-off to the upcoming Galaxy S5 flagship.
The January 24th application covers a wide range of mobile devices from phones to computers to TVs. But the Neo branding hints this could be a lower-priced Galaxy S5 alternative.
Samsung uses the Neo designation for variants of its premium phones with slightly downgraded specs to reach lower price points. Recent examples include the Galaxy S3 Neo and Galaxy Note 3 Neo.
With the Galaxy S5 expected to be unveiled in the coming months, Samsung may be planning a Neo version to capitalize on the hype at a cheaper cost.
Details are extremely limited for now. Samsung may simply be securing the S5 Neo name just in case. However, the timing of the trademark filing is notable before the S5’s official launch.
There’s no confirmation the Galaxy S5 Neo is in development. However, the trademark application demonstrates Samsung’s willingness to proliferate its premium mobile brand across many price tiers.
An S5 Neo could widen the flagship’s appeal with budget-conscious consumers when it inevitably arrives further down the road.
