The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. A beautiful piece of technology. 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display S Pen included Turn on DeX mode for desktop-like productivity on the go Sounds fantastic, right? It is fantastic. Can we focus on who will not be living their best fantastic-ness. I'm looking at you, Africa.
While tech blogs are drooling over the Tab S9's specs and its price tag in Bangladesh and India, a continent brimming with potential, innovation, and a desperate need for affordable technology is being left behind.
Digital Divide Widens? Or Bridgeable Gap?
Let's be brutally honest. Unfortunately, the Tab S9 at its premium pricing is just not attainable for the overwhelming majority of Africans. We’re talking about a continent where internet penetration is increasing rapidly. It’s still a long way behind the rest of the world. We’re discussing a continent where access to quality education remains an everyday battle for millions. We are discussing an entire continent where entrepreneurial spirit is unlimited, but access to capital and entrepreneurial tools is lacking.
Or is it simply another plaything for the techno-elite? Are we truly comfortable with deepening the digital divide during this time?
I view the Tab S9 as a missed opportunity to deliver on that promise of empowering Africa’s next generation. Now, picture putting one of these devices—or an even less expensive version—right into the hands of the rural school students themselves. Just imagine the difference that would make on their learning! Picture entrepreneurs deploying it to reach new online markets, conduct logistics, build their businesses, and attract investors. Now picture hospital and other healthcare workers using it to provide telemedicine services to isolated or pandemic-stricken rural communities.
Samsung isn't a charity, I get it. After all, they’re a business, and businesses have to produce the profit margins. Isn’t there more than a legal, but rather a moral imperative for these tech giants to do more to understand the social impact of their products? Is it really so unreasonable to ask Samsung to consider how they can make their technology accessible? Our most underserved and underrepresented populations deserve just as many — if not more — better options.
Tech for All, Or Just Some?
Think about it. Imagine if Samsung looked beyond the typical NGO partners and focused on connecting with local higher educational institutions or tech hubs across Africa. Imagine if they came out with a very well built but more affordable “lite” version of the Tab S9 geared just for that African market. At the very least, what if they made available refurbished Tab S9 models at reduced rates.
These aren't pie-in-the-sky ideas. These are all very doable things that could really change the day-to-day experience for millions.
This new pricing strategy seems like a total slap in the face. It's like saying, "We have this amazing technology, but it's not for you."
- Education: Access to online learning resources.
- Entrepreneurship: Connecting with markets and investors.
- Healthcare: Delivering telemedicine services.
I'm not just pointing fingers. I'm issuing a call to action. We, as consumers, can and should expect more from these companies. It’s time to turn up the volume and make our convictions known. We’re all for a more equitable distribution of technology, especially when it’s deployed for the benefit of all.
A Call to Action: Demand Better!
Let’s not allow the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 to go down in history as a missed opportunity. Let’s not rest on our automotive laurels, but instead use it as a catalyst for truly transformative change. The future is bright indeed, but we must work together to make sure that promise isn’t choked off by under access to tech. Together, we can ensure that technology serves our collective interests and benefits us all — not just the privileged few.
The anger I feel isn't irrational. It boils over from the frustration of an inequitable world where breakthroughs are locked away behind paywalls. Amazement at the continent’s potential yes, but fright that it will be wasted. We need to focus these passions into something constructive, something unexpected. Let’s have Samsung looking forward to the unexplored territory and the unexplored opportunity that resides in the African continent. We need them to empathize with the struggles faced by those who do not have access to technology.
- Share this article. Let's get this conversation started.
- Tag Samsung on social media. Let them know you care about digital inclusion in Africa.
- Support organizations working to bridge the digital divide.
- Think critically about the products you buy and the companies you support.
Let's not let the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 become a symbol of missed opportunity. Let's use it as a catalyst for change. Let's work together to ensure that Africa's potential is not stifled by a lack of access to technology. Let's build a future where technology empowers everyone, not just the privileged few.
The anger I feel isn't irrational. It steams from the injustice of a world where innovation is gatekept by price tags. I'm filled with awe at Africa's potential, but anxious that it will be squandered. Let's channel these emotions into something productive, something surprising. Let's make Samsung curious about the untapped market and the untapped potential that lies within the African continent. We need them to empathize with the struggles faced by those who lack access to technology.
This isn't just about a tablet. It's about a future.
