S. Korean handset makers` market share reaches nearly 50 percent

SEOUL, Aug. 11 (Yonhap) -- Nearly one out of every two mobile phones sold in
North America in the second quarter was manufactured by South Korea's major
handset makers such as Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc., a market
researcher said Tuesday.
According to U.S.-based Strategy Analytics (SA), Samsung Electronics' market
share in the United States and Canada stood at 24.7 percent in the April-June
period, selling a record 11.7 million units. Samsung Electronics grabbed the top
position in the market for four quarters in a row.
LG Electronics, South Korea's No.2 handset maker, trailed with market share of
22.6 percent, selling 10.7 million units, according to SA.
The combined market share of the two South Korean companies reached 47.3 percent,
up 1.4 percent from the first quarter.
In contrast, Finland's Nokia Corp., the world's largest handset maker, saw its
market share in North America fall from 7.9 percent in the first quarter to 6.8
percent in the second quarter.
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have been increasing their market presence
in North America and Europe by providing a diverse range of products, including
premium and high-end phones.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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