Samsung "not doing very well in tablets," says company executive

At a media roundtable at MWC 2012, Samsung product strategy executive Hankil Yoon said that Samsung's success in the smartphone world was not being replicated in the tablet market. "Honestly, we're not doing very well in the tablet market," said Yoon, who expects Samsung's fortunes in the sector to turn this year.

Some of Samsung's problems in the tablet market have to do with the legal battles that the Korean based firm has been having with Apple in Australia and in Germany. In the latter country, Apple's injunction against the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 in Germany forced Samsung to redesign the device and rename it the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1N. It is hoped that with Android 4.0 running the new Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1, Apple will have less incentive to claim patent infringements, especially with the S Pen moving the company away from the same designs that Apple claims are too similar to the Apple iPad.

Samsung has been working on expanding its line of tablets to cover all sizes. The Samsung GALAXY Note is a "phablet" that offers a 5.3 inch screen. Priced in the States at $300 with a signed 2-year contract, Yoon sees his company selling 10 million units this year. The Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 will replace the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 in the marketplace and as the manufacturer's flagship tablet. Between both of those devices will be the 7 inch Samsung GALAXY Tab 2, which will cover the budget market.

Although some wonder whether the screen on the Samsung GALAXY Note and Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 might seem too unwieldy, Yoon says that after getting adjusted to the screens, users would find other sizes to be too small. He also points out how the S Pen stylus differentiates Samsung's devices from the competition, and allows for easier note taking and lets users become creative. It all adds up to a strong possibility of a turnaround for Samsung in the tablet market.

source: CNET