[Digital Times, Kim Ji-yeong] It is expected that Samsung may have a preemptive effect in the smartphone market in the second half of the year, when Apple and Samsung are anticipating a face-to-face battle, as Apple predicts the launch of the iPhone 8.

According to the industry sources on August 7, the possibility of delaying the launch of the Apple iPhone 8, which Apple is expected to release in September, is constantly being raised. Recently, it is said that it is not possible to develop various innovations such as fingerprint recognition, wireless charging, facial recognition, etc., which are integrated in the display of the iPhone 8, and it is unclear to release it in September. On July 30, the Financial Times reported that the iPhone 8 may not be released in September due to problems with core parts procurement and manufacturing processes. Some of them went from November to December. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently dismissed the recent announcement of the launch of the iPhone at the earnings conference. However, the exact timing of the release is still unknown.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics will unveil Galaxy Note 8, a strategic smartphone in the second half of the year, in New York on August 23. Although the shipper has not yet confirmed the release date for shipments, the industry is expecting to make an advance reservation about the first day of the next week. It is expected to start full-fledged product sales around August 15.

Accordingly, Samsung Electronics is predicting that it will take advantage of the market premiere by releasing new products ahead of Apple in the second half of the year. Samsung and Apple have been fighting against smartphones in the second half of the year, which could lead to a different situation.

In recent major smartphone related indicators, Samsung has received a report card ahead of Apple. According to market researcher Strategy Analytics (SA), Samsung ranked second with 22.1% market share in the global smartphone market in the second quarter, and Apple with 11.4%. Apple is analyzing the decline in sales of the iPhone 7 this year due to expectations for its new product, the iPhone 8. Once new product vacancies continue in the second half, Apple will not be able to expect earnings in the first half of the next year.

An industry representative said, "If the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is unveiled by the end of this month, the interest of the consumer can be focused on the Galaxy Note 8. Confusion in the launch of the iPhone 8 can be a favorable thing for Samsung."


By Kim Ji Yeong kjy@


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