Samsung’s financial woes persist as the tech giant reports a staggering 95% drop in year-over-year profits for the second consecutive quarter. The company’s Q2 2023 financial results reveal a profit of 0.67 trillion Korean won ($523.5 million), a significant decline from the robust 14.12 trillion KRW ($11.06 billion) achieved last year.
The primary culprit behind this profit plunge is the decline in smartphone shipments, attributed to the prevailing high interest rates and inflation. The US smartphone market, as indicated by a Counterpoint Research report, contracted by 24% year-on-year in Q2 2023. Samsung felt the impact keenly, experiencing a 37% yearly dip in shipments and securing only a 23% share of the US market.
Adding to Samsung’s concerns is the fading boost from the launch of the Galaxy S23 series. While the initial excitement propelled sales, the momentum appears to have waned over time.
Amidst these challenges, there are glimmers of optimism. Samsung is pinning its hopes on the recently launched Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 foldable smartphones. The company’s mobile division head, TM Roh, believes that the foldable market holds promise. In an encouraging statement, he projects that “one out of three Galaxy flagship smartphones in Korea this year will be a foldable.” He goes on to predict that “global foldable sales will exceed 20% of all Galaxy flagships.”
As Samsung navigates this turbulent period, it remains determined to leverage the potential of foldable technology and anticipates a resurgence in the smartphone market. While challenges persist, the company’s strategic focus on innovative offerings and a rebound in demand signifies a beacon of hope for the future.