Latest reports show that Samsung has overtaken Nokia as the biggest handset manufacturer in the world. Samsung shipped 93.5 million handsets in the first quarter, 36 percent more than a year earlier, compared with 82.7 million for second-ranked Nokia, researcher Strategy Analytics said in a statement yesterday. Demand for Galaxy smartphones helped South Korea-based Samsung post first-quarter net income yesterday of 5.05 trillion won ($4.5 billion), beating analysts’ estimates.
This brings to an end the Finnish Giant’s 14 year reign as the Number 1 globally. Nokia had taken the position from Motorola.
However despite this feat globally, Nokia still retains the position in emerging markets globally. Samsung gained this Number 1 position because of its growing influence in Asia, specifically China and India.
Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics’ global wireless practice, said Samsung, which uses Google Inc.’s free Android software on its smartphones, has based its success on three pillars: It offers compelling smartphone models at all price points; has an enormous marketing budget, and has increased global distribution.
But “what differentiates Samsung from almost all other Android players, and most other rivals in other areas, is speed and urgency. When Samsung really chases down a market, it chases harder than almost any other company that I know of,” Mr. Mawston said.