Galaxy S5 sales 40% worse than expected, 25% down on S4 sales, says WSJ

While we knew last month that sales of the Samsung Galaxy S5 were down, the WSJ believes it has specific numbers.

In all, Samsung sold about 40% fewer Galaxy S5 smartphones than expected, with about 12 million units sold to consumers in the first three months since April compared with about 16 million units for the preceding flagship phone, the Galaxy S4, according to people familiar with the matter.

Samsung is said to be considering a major leadership shake-up in response to the numbers … 

Samsung’s head of mobile and co-CEO is said to be in line to lose one or both roles.

In one scenario under discussion, co-chief executive and mobile head J.K. Shin —who had presided over Samsung’s rapid ascent as well as its recent tumble in smartphones—could be moved out of his role overseeing the mobile division, these people said. That could mean Mr. Shin, 58 years old, loses his co-CEO role, one of these people said.

Samsung’s aggressive ad campaign was said to have been ramped-up in response to S5 boxes “piling up in warehouses.”

A Samsung spokesperson would say only that “we don’t comment on rumors and speculation.”

Bad news for Samsung is good news for us, though: you can currently pick up an S5 on contract for just $1.