Samsung Malaysia believes there’s room for growth in smartphone market

PETALING JAYA: Despite concerns over a potential slowdown in the smartphone market due to increasing saturation, Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn Bhd feels there is still room for growth and plans to continue providing products that will meet consumer needs.
"As smartphone saturation increases, the market has expressed concern that demand for high-end smartphones will slow down. We still think there is room for growth, as well as continued demand for replacement devices. Samsung will continue to increase the attractiveness of its products by making its higher-end devices stronger and filled with differentiated user experiences," Samsung Malaysia Electronics president Lee Dong Yong told SunBiz in an email interview recently.
"In fact, our recently launched Galaxy S5 smartphone was conceptualised based on 'people-first' belief, so that we give consumers what they truly want in a smartphone. We will also leverage our design and marketing capabilities to drive continued strong sales of high-end smartphones. In addition, we will also be expanding to meet low-end smartphone demand," he added.
Lee said the group observed a shift in trends this year among Malaysian consumers, whereby consumers are using more digital technology to improve productivity and enhance quality of life.
"With this trend, Samsung is committed to meeting the changing needs of its consumers. With a shared vision across all of its product sets, Samsung is focused and determined to continue innovating to bring people new experiences and new ways to express themselves.
"Samsung is creating products that are not only shaping how people live and do business today, but is also focused on developing the products they will need tomorrow," he said.
On a global scale, Samsung Electronics generated a total of US$217 billion in revenue and a total profit of US$28.9 billion last year.
Moving forward, the group aims to drive growth and create new business streams and markets via organic growth and partnerships.
"Samsung has extended its business beyond sets and components, adding new businesses such as medical devices, energy efficient technologies and education solutions. The company has also started new partnerships with a number of companies through mergers and acquisitions," said Lee.
According to him, the group's core strength lies in combining best-in-class hardware and innovative software to offer "unparalleled product quality", which it achieves via its manufacturing ability and vertical integration.
This allows the group to offer choices to consumers and provide diverse technology offerings to meet every individual's needs.
"What inspires us most is to create products that meet the unique needs of users to help them discover new experiences. This is why we always ensure to find out what our consumers want, so that we can give them what they are looking for," he said.
As companies gear up for the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax in April next year, Lee said Samsung will continue to focus on providing consumers the best of its innovations to meet the diverse needs of its consumers.
"This year, Samsung will continue to increase the attractiveness of its products by making its higher-end devices stronger and filled with differentiated user experiences. We will also leverage our design and marketing capabilities to drive continued strong sales of high-end smartphones.
"In addition, we will also be expanding to meet low-end smartphone demand because ultimately, Samsung's goal is not to create a product, but to give people the power to discover new experiences that open doors to new ideas and communications."