Samsung has been silent on the topic of the flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone. In previous years, the South Korean company has been more than willing to throw out numbers, but this year we have heard little and less.

There might be good reason for Samsung becoming tight-lipped, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Samsung missed its sales prediction by 40 percent.

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In terms of sales figures, the Galaxy S5 only managed to sell 12 million units in its first three months on sale, 4 million below the Galaxy S4 sales in 2013. Samsung is one of the only manufacturers to sell lower amounts of units this year than last.

The major market Samsung lost out in was China, where sales were down 50 percent. Xiaomi is the major reason for the Galaxy S5 failing to succeed. China seems to be interested in local manufacturers, rather than South Korean rivals.

In the U.S., however, Samsung managed a slight increase in sales - compared to the Galaxy S4. The U.S. is Samsung's largest market but has never been a strong suit when it comes to Samsung's more innovative products - this is where South Korea tends to pick up the pace.

The Galaxy S5 inventory apparently cost Samsung millions, forcing the company to invest even more into advertising. The prices were slashed for the smartphone after three months and Samsung has already announced plans to fundamentally change the smartphone line.

Samsung will start by cutting the excess 30 percent of its smartphone range. It will also look to create more premium smartphones for high-end buyers. The Galaxy S5 featured the faux-leather stitching and rather repulsive gold back cover; looking more like a Band-Aid.

The Galaxy Note 4 also appears to be a bummer for Samsung, with reports claiming Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus outsell the Galaxy Note 4 10-to-1 worldwide. Even South Korea are starting to enjoy the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, a first for a country Samsung previously dominated in.

Not all is lost for Samsung, but management changes and fundamental reformations show the company is struggling to find the right path in the mobile industry.

TagsGalaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4