A recent report emanating from South Korea hints that global tech powerhouse, Samsung, may be unable to the 300 million thresholds for sales of its varied phone products this year, after 9 straight years of consistently massive sales globally. According to the South Korean report, it is estimated that the manufacturer will likely achieve about 270 million phones shipped out this year.

Although the report (via) did not highlight the possible causes for this massive decline in exports, the ravaging coronavirus pandemic tagged COVID-19 may have contributed substantially to its inability to meet its 9-year record.

At the end of the third quarter of 2020, Samsung confirmed that it had exported about 189 million units, which is still an appreciable figure when this year is put in perspective, due to the pandemic and other factors that significantly altered its forecasts.

According to recent updates by the South Korean tech giant, it has set a goal of eclipsing 307 million units in 2021 by expanding its mid-range and low-end 5G smartphone lineup and promoting the ever-widening segment of foldable models.

Of the projected 307 million units slated for 2021, about 287 million units, that is, about 93%, are going to be smartphones, while the remaining 7% (about 20 million units) would likely be from its feature phones stable. It is also expected that, of these 287 million projected exports of Samsung smartphones, 50 million are likely going to be flagship models.

Recently, Samsung has been making some decent inroads into the European market with a high possibility of nicking a few 5G supply contracts with some European mobile telecom operators. This was in addition to its successes in the American market, even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

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