The competition around Android platform-based smartphones is expected to begin in Korea next year.

While KT, the No. 2 mobile operator in the local market, is preparing to introduce Android phones, SK Telecom, the leading mobile carrier said it will release the Google platform-based smartphones early next year. The smallest operator, LG Telecom, is also considering launching Android-based smartphones.
Samsung, which has already introduced three Android phones in the global market, said it is ready to release Android phones anytime if operators request. LG also unveiled its first Android phone in the global market, and this shows the company is ready to introduce an Android phone in the local market. Pantech will reportedly introduce an Android phone as early as February 2010.

Dark horses include HTC and Motorola. Even though it had an early entrance into the Korean smartphone market with the Touch series, HTC failed to meet Korean customer needs and recorded poor sales. Known as a leading Android phone maker, however, HTC is expected to be more competitive in the Google phones over other competitors. HTC also has a good relationship with SK Telecom. If Motorola, which set its smartphone direction to Android, releases its flagship model Droid, a so-called iPhone killer, and not Cliq(Dext) into the local market, it will be worthy contender against the Samsung Omina series, which is the best-selling smartphone in Korea.

Currently, Microsoft’s Windows phone operating system rules the Korean smartphone market with over 90% market share. Only RIM’s Blackberry and Nokia’s Symbian phone compete with over 10 kinds of Windows-based smartphones. The poor performance and ugly user interface of Window-based smartphones are one of the main hurdles prohibiting expansion of the smartphone market in Korea. Many tech-savvy users in Korea are waiting for Apple’s iPhone, which is scheduled to begin its pre-sale as early as the end of this month.

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