Smartphone Vendors Have a Lot to Prove in Barcelona

From PC World: The pressure is on HTC and LG Electronics to show they can compete with Apple and Samsung Electronics in the smartphone market by showing off impressive products at Mobile World Congress, which starts in Barcelona later this month.

Smartphone sales during the fourth quarter were dominated by Apple and Samsung. The two companies had almost 50 percent of the market, compared to about 25 percent in the previous year, according to data from market research company Strategy Analytics.

But as Samsung decides to take a step back from MWC at this year, and Apple skips it as always, other vendors will get a chance to shine, and they need it, according to Geoff Blaber, analyst at CCS Insight.

"When you look at HTC and LG, in particular, both companies need a big, big refresh to their product roadmaps, and show they have products to turn things around," said Blaber.

HTC has stated that it will launch fewer but more high-quality phones this year, while also stepping up its LTE push. Rumored smartphones include a high-end model with a high-definition screen measuring 4.7 inches screen, a quad-core processor and Android 4.0.

LG's new flagship, dubbed the X3, is also reported to have the same hardware specs. The company is also expected to expand its LTE (Long Term Evolution) portfolio. Add to that a continued focus on making phones as slim as possible, according to CCS Insight.

View: Article @ Source Site