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Samsung on song in Gulf

DUBAI — Samsung Electronics is confident to strengthen its position in the GCC camera market with the launch of the world’s first Wi-Fi enabled smart compact system cameras in Dubai on Wednesday.

The Seoul-based firm, which faced a $12 billion hit with 7.5 per cent shares plunging on Monday after losing a US patent lawsuit last week, came back strongly with another innovative product in the camera segment to boost its share in the Gulf market from 14 per cent to about 18 per cent this year.

“We have strong footholds in camera segment in the UAE and other GCC countries and are confident to grab more market share in 2012 after the launch of new smart compact cameras,” Raj Varma, General Manager of IT division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the launch event of NX series cameras.

Varma, who avoided comment on the US verdict, said Samsung is well-equipped to grab the Compact System Cameras (CSC) segment with the launch of the new NX series models. He ruled out any impact of the US verdict on the company’s smart camera business.

The world’s biggest technology firm by revenue banks on the three models launched under NX series to expand its presence in the Gulf market. The new CSC range that pioneered built-in Wi-Fi connectivity include the NX20, NX210 and NX1000 and the prices ranging from Dh2,299 to Dh3,799. All three NX models feature a 20.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, TV-link option, instant social media and e-mail sharing to enjoy high-quality images in rich colour and detail.

“The new NX range marks an evolution in the smart camera, offering wireless connectivity and fantastic image quality, so consumers can capture and share the best moments with friends and family from wherever they are. This dedication to innovation will make Samsung a leader in the smart camera market,” Varma said.

He said that the new NX range offers the versatility of a point-and -shoot and the quality of a DSLR camera. “Now professional quality images can be easily captured, shared and stored straight from your camera — wherever you are in the world,” he said.

Referring to an internal study, he said CSC is an emerging segment and will come out strongly and overtake the digital single-lens reflex cameras, also named Digital SLR, or DSLR, segment by 2015.

“The global CSC segment will increase its market share from 6.4 per cent in 2012 to 20.6 per cent by 2015,” he said, adding that the DSLR segment will only be able to boost its present level of 16.7 per cent to 17.3 per cent in next three years.

He said the compact camera segment would retain its dominance in global market and keep its shares at 133.3 per cent in 2015 from the present level of 130.1 per cent. “We intend to be among the top players of CSC segment as it will dominate the camera market in coming years.”

In reply to a question about Samsung Gulf Electronics performance in the first half of 2012, he said the company recorded 66 per cent sales growth in camera business while revenues in the same segment climbed 58 per cent during January-June period. “We are among the top four brands in the UAE and hold 14 per cent share in the camera market.”

“The company is expected to have a better second half due to year-end promotions and Gitex,” he added.

Samsung Electronics is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of $143.1 billion. It employs approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries.

— muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com