Samsung plans to sell 200m phones

Dubai: Samsung, the second-largest mobile phone vendor, expects to sell 200 million units this year globally, an increase of over one per cent compared to 198 million last year as economic recession is eating into the industry, said a top official.

"The downturn has affected every industry, but the impact on our mobile phone sales in the region has not been much. Despite it [recession], the company is expected to register around 20 per cent market share globally this year from 16.7 per cent last year and expects to maintain 20 per cent market share in the Middle East and Africa [MEA] region," Kim Chuljin, vice-president, MEA sales and marketing group, telecommunication business, Samsung Electronics, said.

He said the region contributes 13 per cent to the global sales and has a lot of potential for the future.

The South Korean group had 18 per cent market share in Gulf last year and expects to maintain same market share this year also.

Samsung introduced Jet, a smartphone with the fastest processor in the market, simultaneously in three major markets - Dubai, Singapore, London - as part of global launch.

Jet runs on 800Mhz processor and claims the handset to be smarter than a smartphone and priced at Dh2,249.

Samsung Jet offers 3.1-inch display using WVGA Amoled full touch screen, which provides a resolution that is four times higher than a WQVGA screen.

He said, "Our aim is to deliver ultimate satisfaction to our consumers and I believe that Samsung Jet answers the calls of today's mobile users who want smart features and easy-to-use user interface. This product perfectly reflects our consumer-oriented strategy."

Samsung Jet is the first feature phone to adopt the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync Email system, with a more convenient user interface as a result of more streamlined push-email for both business users and end consumers.

Its Dolfin Internet browser is designed to let users surf the net and access popular websites, especially social networking sites, with ease and speed.

The browser enhances the mobile internet experience by allowing users to view up to five web pages simultaneously and bookmark their favourite websites as widgets on the phone's homepage.

Samsung increased its market share from 13.4 per cent in 2007 to 16.7 per cent in 2008 due to strong demand for touch interfaces.

The region recorded 136 million sales in 2007.

Tina Teng, senior analyst, Wireless Communications, iSuppli Corporation, said: "Mobile phone sales in the region are expected to increase to 202 million units in 2009 compared to 176 million units in 2008. This is an increase of 14.77 per cent. The region recorded 1736 million sales in 2008.

She said prices of handsets are expected to fall by about 5.8 per cent this year and the transition to 3G network will be more prominent in the region. We'll see a more positive uptake in the second half of 2010.

"Other equipment manufacturers [OEMs] have started to cut down orderings and semi-vendors are seeing business slowdown. iSuppli expects to see the inventory of end devices burnt out within two quarters, then OEMs will start to build up inventory," Teng told Gulf News.

Industry players with a strong cash flow and compatible product lines are likely to benefit from consolidation.