TK Insight

Can Samsung be the No. 2 Smartphone Manufacturer?

Can Samsung Electronics be a No. 2 in the lucrative global smartphone market this year?

Until 2009, Samsung was far behind other smartphone leaders such as Research In Motion and Apple, or even Taiwanese maker HTC.

Large-sized LCD Smartphone Gaining Momentum

Since KT introduced last month the 4.3-inch, LCD-equipped Desire HD smartphone from HTC, larger displays of 4 inches or more are a new trend in the local smartphone market.

KT will introduce this month three additional 4-inch-plus LCD-equipped smartphones: the Streak and Venue by Dell and the Vega Xpress by Pantech. The Streak in particular boasts a 5-inch LCD.

Samsung's Android-phone vs. Bada-phone

Sales of Samsung Electronics's smartphone are surging thanks to the popularity of Android-based model, especially Galaxy S.

When the Galaxy S launched in June, sales of the Android-based phone were expected to pass 10 million units this year. Galaxy S has sold 1.8 million units in the local market as of the end of November, surpassing Apple iPhone's accumulated sales of 1.6 million units of iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4s.