Samsung promises a phone for all seasons

Mobile World Congress 2008

Samsung achieved its goal of becoming the world's number two phone manufacturer in 2007 and now wants to provide a phone for every type of customer.

Geesung Choi, president of Samsung's telecoms business, told the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the company had surpassed its expectations for the past year and is now diversifying to cover every segment of the market.

"In 2008 we want to grow the business faster than the market to over 200 million units," he said.

"There are many opportunities in emerging markets providing utility and premium phones for a whole range of global customers."

Choi claimed that Samsung had seen 50 per cent growth in its emerging markets business, compared to an industry average of 21 per cent.

However, Samsung will need to boost its presence if it hopes to overtake Nokia in market share, as the Finnish giant also has a good foothold in developing countries.

Samsung launched eight new handsets at the show, covering everything from the most basic voice-only functions to the Samsung Soul, a metal fashion phone aimed at the European and US markets.