Samsung eyeing to grab Huawei share by launching flagship phone earlier

Samsung is looking to launch its flagship Galaxy S21 smartphones a month earlier than planned next year to grab Huawei's market share and fend off competition from Apple Inc.

The new Galaxy S21 may come out as early as late January next year, rather than in March when Samsung previously launched its flagship S20 phone this year.

Samsung shipped 59 percent less Galaxy S20 5G series handsets in the US in the second quarter than its previous flagship model in the same period last year.

In contrast, Apple's shipment of its flagship iPhone 11 increased by 15 percent than its iPhone XR in 2019.

Samsung lost its No.1 position to Huawei in the second quarter but regained it in the third due in part to the US restrictions on the Chinese smartphone maker.

According to an industry insider, Huawei’s stockpiles smartphone chips may run out by early next year.

However, other Chinese brands such as Xiaomi and Oppo are vying for Huawei’s previous market share.

The launch of Apple's iPhone series is in October, about a month later than usual.