Samsung Galaxy S9 gets a sizzling red variant (Update: hands-on pics)

Update, May 9: Here’s a handful of hands-on images with the new red Samsung Galaxy S9, courtesy of Ice Universe over on Weibo.

Original post, May 8: Samsung has unveiled a new red version of the Samsung Galaxy s9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. The new variants are currently listed on the Samsung China website (via Gizmochina) and will cost the same as the regular versions, though they’re not yet available to buy.

The device is being marketed by Chinese celebrities and comes with matching red Yves Saint Laurent lipstick — what appears to be an attempt to position it as a luxury device for women.

While there is no news of an international release, it makes sense for China, where the color red symbolizes good luck.

In its first-quarter 2018 financial report, Samsung mentioned that it was expecting weak demand for its flagship devices and that it would be increasing marketing expenses to combat this; perhaps this is the first sign of this coming to fruition.

Samsung often releases new colors for existing devices. Last year, it launched a Burgundy Red version of the Galaxy S8 in South Korea and India, as well as a Rose Pink version of the device in Taiwan, the U.K., and South Korea. However, the new color schemes are not usually made available so close to the initial release of the phone (March 11).

We’ll let you know if we see this pop up in other markets down the line. Until then, you still have the existing Midnight Black, Lilac Purple, Coral Blue, and Titanium Gray colors to choose from. They’re not available with matching lipstick, though.

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