Samsung Electronics Co., the world's No. 2 mobile handset maker, said Tuesday it will launch its flagship smartphone and tablet PC in Japan before December in a move to challenge the popularity of Apple Inc.'s products there.
NTT Docomo Inc., Japan's largest mobile operator, will release the Galaxy S at the end of this month and the Galaxy Tab, Samsung's first tablet PC, at the end of November, Samsung said in a statement.
Both models will run on the most up-to-date version of the Android operating system, Android 2.2, Samsung said. They will carry Docomo customer mail service along with a Japanese magazine viewer and a road navigator.
Samsung and Docomo held a joint press conference in Tokyo, the first such combined event, to announce the launch of the South Korean company's products, Samsung said.
The Japanese mobile carrier's move to introduce Samsung's products is expected to counter its rival Softbank Corp., the third-largest wireless carrier, which is the sole provider of Apple Inc.'s iPhone in the country.
More than 70 percent of Japan's mobile market is dominated by local brands, such as Sharp Corp. and Panasonic Corp., but the iPhone has enjoyed booming demand there and has become the most popular smartphone model since its debut in 2008.
According to Tokyo-based MM Research Institute Ltd., the iPhone accounted for 72 percent of smartphones sold in Japan in 2009. (PNA/Yonhap)
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