Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics (LGE) are expected to see their market share in the global handset market continue to expand in 2010 if they can reach their sales targets for the year, according to industry sources.

Global handset sales are estimated to drop slightly to 1.15-1.2 billion units in 2009, but are likely to swing back in 2010 to see unit sales to grow 10% to 1.25-1.3 billion units, the sources projected.

However, Samsung and LGE have both projected to see their handset shipments expand by 20% in 2010. Based on their projections, Samsung and LGE are expected to ship 250 million and 144 million handsets, respectively, in 2010, the sources estimated.

On the other hand, Nokia expects to ship more than 500 million handsets to attain a global market share of 40% in 2010, according to Rick Simonson, executive vice president and head of mobile phone entity at Nokia.

Nokia's handset shipments are likely to top 450 million units in 2009 and its shipment projection for 2010 will present a growth of slightly over 10% only, the sources calculated.

Motorola and Sony Ericsson will ultimately strive to boost their market shares in 2010, but the two vendors' recent efforts to focus more on high-yield smartphone phones might not work to jack up their market share significantly in the coming year, the sources commented. Motorola and Sony Ericsson currently each hold a 5% global market share.

Source:DIGITIMES