[아이뉴스24 서민지 기자] From the beginning of the new year, the smartphone market is heating up. Samsung Electronics, the number one in the industry, is actively expanding the market by releasing new products faster than in previous years, and LG Electronics is dreaming of a new leap in the smartphone business with a rollable phone.
According to the industry on the 17th, a change of perception is predicted in the smartphone market this year. As Huawei loses its place due to US sanctions, competition to occupy the void is expected to intensify, and smartphones with various technologies are expected to be introduced.
◆ Samsung·Apple’Yanggang Gudo’ formation… Is the gap widening or narrowing?
The first product that opened the new year’s smartphone market is the’Galaxy S21′. Samsung Electronics held the’Samsung Galaxy Unpack 2021′ event online on the 15th and unveiled the Galaxy S21 series. The Galaxy S21 series will be released in three types: 6.2-inch Galaxy S21, 6.7-inch Galaxy S21+, and 6.8-inch’Galaxy S21 Ultra’.
Samsung Electronics broke the formula that usually released smartphones in February and March in the first half of the year, and has hurried to introduce smartphones for more than a month. This is because, while Huawei is being shaken by US sanctions, Apple is rapidly expanding its market share, starting with the’iPhone 12′.
As Huawei is expected to lose more than 10% of its smartphone market share this year and record a 4% share, the market structure is expected to change from Samsung Electronics, Huawei, and Apple to’Yanggang Gudo’ of Samsung Electronics and Apple. The key is the gap between Samsung Electronics and Apple.
According to market research firm Strategy Analytics (SA), Samsung Electronics continued to be the number one in the global smartphone market last year with a 19.5% market share. It is the first time in 10 years that Samsung Electronics’ market share has fallen below 20%. Samsung Electronics has maintained its 20% market share since recording a 19.9% market share in 2011. In particular, from 2012 to 2013, the market share soared to the 30% level.
On the other hand, Apple rapidly expanded its market share thanks to the iPhone 12 box office, surpassing Huawei last year, and ranked second with 15.5% market share. It is observed that Apple’s smartphone shipments, centering on the iPhone 12, in the fourth quarter of last year grew 21% from the previous year, recording the highest sales volume ever.
In the 5G smartphone market, Apple beat Samsung Electronics. Considering that the iPhone 12 is Apple’s first 5G smartphone, this is very fast. SA predicts that Huawei will rise to the top in the 5G smartphone market last year with a market share of 29.2%, followed by Apple (19.2%) and Samsung Electronics (15.1%). The dominant observation is that Apple will rise to the top as Huawei’s market share declines this year.
An industry insider said, “Since last year, as Apple hits and rises, it can pose a threat to Samsung Electronics.”
◆LG Electronics,’Rollable Phone’ will lead to a smartphone reversal
LG Electronics is trying to change the atmosphere by introducing a new form factor innovation. ‘Rollable phones’ are mentioned as the leading role in LG Electronics’ earnings improvement this year.
A rollable phone is a method that rotates the display, and can be used like a normal smartphone, and if necessary, the screen can be pulled to the side and raised to a large screen. Since the display is a dry method, there is an advantage that it does not have clear wrinkles like a foldable phone and can be implemented thinner.
LG Electronics unveiled a rollable phone at’CES 2021′, a world home appliance and IT exhibition recently held. This is the first time that the real LG Rollable has been revealed. Earlier, at the’LG Wing’ public event in September last year, a teaser video suggesting a rollable phone was released, but only the outline in the dark lighting was confirmed, but the overall appearance was not revealed.
The industry expects LG Rollables to be released in the first half of this year. There are also observations that it will be released as early as March.
As LG Rollable is the first form factor to appear, the industry is expecting a lot. At this CES, LG Rollable received a number of awards, including the Best Engajet in the mobile device category at the Mobile Awards. It is said that it can be seen that it is receiving high attention even though no specific information is disclosed and only the design can be seen.
Positive evaluation continues. Engadget said, “In LG rollable displays, you don’t have to see the wrinkles found on many existing foldables,” and said “very clever design.”
Cnet said, “LG Electronics was once one of the best smartphone makers, but it suffered a blow by taking the initiative in flagship phones from Samsung Electronics and Huawei.” With another evolution, we will be able to advance one step ahead of the competition.”
Reporter Minji Seo [email protected]