Strategy Analytics expects Samsung to make Apple eat more of its dust in 2013

Metrics firm Strategy Analytics expects Samsung to widen its lead over Apple in the smartphone wars of 2013. The metrics firm puts Samsung's success on the Korean manufacturer's ability to compete in all tiers from low-end devices to high-end flagship models. The company is expected to launch the Samsung Galaxy S IV in April and the Samsung GALAXY Note III sometime in 2013 and both have the potential for huge sales. Strategy Analytics expects Samsung will sell 290 million smartphones this year, up from 215 million in 2012, which would produce a 35% annual gain. The metrics firm estimates that Apple will sell 180 million units of the Apple iPhone in 2013, up 33% for the year. That should result in a 33% market share for Samsung in the smartphone arena (no plug intended) compared to 31% for Apple.

Some analysts are expecting Apple to offer an Apple iPhone mini this year for emerging markets like China and India. Topeka Capital's Brian White discussed the possibility of such a smaller and lower priced phone being released in 2013. As we told you the other day, White sees the next iPhone offering consumers a choice in screen size and colors. Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics said that he while he does expect to see an Apple iPhone mini sometime in the next three years, the current full-sized model is providing enough growth at the moment. Mawtson expects to see the iPhone mini in 2014 when Apple is looking for "fresh growth streams". He also said that the Apple iPhone mini would be targeted to the hundreds of millions of pre-paid users who can't afford the current Apple iPhone.

Strategy Analytics forecasts global smartphone shipments jumping 27% to 875 million units in 2013, slower growth than the 41% increase seen in 2012. Growth is expected to slow in North America, China, Western Europe and some areas of Asia.

source: Reuters