[이코노믹리뷰=최진홍 기자] The brakes are being put on Samsung Electronics’ progress in crossing the global stage with a weapon of the super technology gap. Concerns are emerging that the flagship business will be blocked by competitors one after another and pushed to the’second place in 10,000 years’. The controversy is growing as Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of the control tower, who has to overcome the crisis with a big decision, has been arrested.
There are claims that special measures are needed.
Line-up
Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Shinhwa is stagnating. Last year, it remained No. 1 in the global smartphone market, but its annual shipment and market share both declined and the decline was sharp.
According to industry and market research firm Canalis on the 1st, last year, Samsung Electronics’ smartphone shipments were only 255.6 million units, down 14% compared to 298 million units last year. The market share remained at 20%, but it also declined from 22% last year.
While the Galaxy S20 was performing poorly, it was analyzed that it was due to the contraction of consumption due to Corona 19 and the onslaught of Apple iPhone 12.
On the other hand, Apple recorded an annual shipment of 27.1 million units last year, a growth rate of 5% compared to the previous year’s 198.1 million units. It is in second place with a difference of 4% from Samsung Electronics in terms of global market share, but the gap has decreased significantly compared to 8% last year.
It is an analysis that while the iPhone 12 enjoyed’everything’ popularity, it received a lot of reflected profits from the pressure of Huawei in the US. Huawei smartphones are in a difficult situation to the point of selling premium brands such as Mate and P after the sale of the Honor brand due to US pressure, but the reflected profit is the atmosphere received by Apple, not Samsung Electronics, the same Android smartphone.
Although the outlook is somewhat different for each market researcher, there are claims that Apple will soon overwhelm Samsung Electronics in the global 5G smartphone market. It is predicted that Apple, a latecomer who failed to preoccupy the 5G smartphone market due to a patent dispute with Qualcomm, will outpace Samsung Electronics, a leading player.
Chinese smartphone manufacturers are also offensive. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi is showing a stable trend, shipping 145.8 million smartphones last year. In the survey by Canalis, Xiaomi is solidifying fourth place with a shipment of 149.6 million units.
Huawei ranked third in both Canalis and Counterpoint Research, but its market share is retreating due to US pressure. In the midst of this, Xiaomi is getting bigger and gaining reflected profits with Apple, while the presence of Chinese BBK corps such as Oppo, Vivo, and Real Me is growing. Based on Counterpoint Research, BBK Corp’s total shipments last year were 262.7 million units, exceeding Samsung Electronics’ global smartphone shipments.
Meanwhile, the situation in the semiconductor sector is also serious. While Intel, the global semiconductor powerhouse, showed off its success with sales of $ 77.8 billion and operating profit of $ 23.7 billion last year, Samsung Electronics recorded sales of 72.86 trillion won and operating profit of 18 trillion won last year. It is Intel who changed the CEO to AMD in pursuit, but it is said that it is difficult for Samsung Electronics to catch up with Intel in a short period of time.
The foundry is being blocked by TSMC. As Intel announced its own 7-nano production right now and is adjusting the scope of consignment production, its partner is being selected as TSMC. TSMC recently announced that it will invest 31 trillion won on facility investment this year based on its record-breaking performance, and there are reports in Taiwan that it has recently taken charge of Intel’s 3nm commissioned production.
“I have to shake the plate”
While Samsung Electronics’ main business division is seldom moving forward due to the walls of competitors, the industry needs a full-fledged decision to shake the game.
It is an analysis that only massive investment is the way to live. Based on this, it is said that the super technology gap should be maintained and the market should be shaken.
Samsung Electronics also prepared an action plan. In a conference call for Samsung Electronics’ management support office, Yoon-ho Choi (CFO) said, “We will actively utilize resources to expand facility investment while promoting mergers and acquisitions.” And will try to merge and acquisitions,” he said.
As of the third quarter of last year, Samsung Electronics has a total of 11.6 trillion won in cash assets. Based on this, it is expected to show aggressive investment and merger and acquisition strategies centered on semiconductors.
There are places that are going well
Although Samsung Electronics’ flagship semiconductors and smartphones are shaking somewhat, other business units with traditional strong images such as household appliances are showing a solid trend.
In fact, the CE division of Samsung Electronics recorded sales of 48.17 trillion won and operating profit of 3.5 trillion won last year, showing an increase of 7.6% and 36.4% compared to the previous year, respectively. In terms of operating profit, it is the highest record ever, exceeding LG Electronics’ household appliance division, which recorded sales of 22,2691 billion won and operating profit of 2.352.6 billion won. LG Electronics surpassed LG Electronics in sales, but in operating profits, it was hard to catch the victory.
In addition to this, various business divisions such as parts and displays are evaluated to have made good progress in situations such as Corona 19, although they did not show clear growth engines.