Samsung says Galaxy S could oust iPhone in France

Samsung today vowed to take back a lead in cellphone revenue in France from Apple's iPhone. Although it still has the most popular phones by sheer volume, shipping 39 percent (4.5 million) of phones in the country, the Korean firm is upset that Apple now represents 26 percent of value in the market where Samsung has 25 percent. The Galaxy S and 14 other smartphones due to launch this year would help get Samsung back in the lead by September.

"For the first time, we are offering a real alternative to Apple's iPhone 4 model," Samsung France chief David Eberle said.

The nation has been a hotspot for smartphones compared to much of Europe. About a quarter of mobile phones sold in the country are smartphones and were key to Apple getting a disproportionate share of revenue. The iPhone was already the fourth most popular phone in France by the end of last year, regardless of kind, and by extension was more popular among smartphones. Apple has been helped by French laws that prevented an Orange exclusive and allowed Bouygues Telecom, SFR and other providers to sell the phone at the same time.

The Galaxy S is Samsung's first truly high-end Android phone and centers on its outdoor-capable Super AMOLED screen as well as a fast 1GHz processor and 720p video capture.

By Electronista Staff