Samsung piles the pressure on Huawei with new smartphone rollout

Samsung has rolled out a new range of smartphones and accessories in a move to reclaim its number one spot from Chinese rival Huawei.

Earlier this week, the South Korean tech behemoth unveiled the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra smartphones, as well as a new version of the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

Further upgrades in Samsung’s portfolio included the Tab S7 and S7+, a new Galaxy 3 smartwatch and wireless earbuds known as Galaxy Buds Live.

“Never before have we relied on technology like we are today. It’s how we are staying connected as we navigate the extraordinary challenges faced around the world,” TM Roh, the president of Samsung’s mobile communications business, told a media briefing.

Folding smartphone

“Technology must make life easier, not more complex. That’s why we have introduced five new power devices,” Roh said.

Still, more than a year after the disappointing launch of its folding smartphone, the company will be hoping to kickstart sales, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, and muscle out Huawei.

Last month, the Chinese high-tech giant became the biggest smartphone player in the world, a report by research group Canalys highlighted. 

Huawei shipped 55.8 million devices in the second quarter, which was 5% down compared to the same period in 2019.

International business

But the majority of sales came from its home market in China as international business dived because of sanctions in the United States.

In response, Samsung moved 53.7 million smartphones, a 30% plunge compared to Q2 last year.

“It will be hard for Huawei to maintain its lead in the long term,” Mo Jia, an analyst at Canalys, said in a media statement. 

“Strength in China alone will not be enough to sustain Huawei at the top once the global economy starts to recover,” he said.