SEOUL, KOREA- Sony, which attempts to revive as a mobile empire, is pushing its strong opponent Samsung Electronics out of the Japanese smartphone market.
Sony regained its No. 1 spot in Japan's smartphone market in three years after losing the position, while Samsung Electronics plans to reduce the price of its strategic smartphone model Galaxy S4 to cope with its sluggish sales in Japan.
Sony's strongest ally is Japan's No. 1 telecom company NTT DoCoMo. NTT DoCoMo is providing intensive supports to both Sony's Xperia A and Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S4. NTT DoCoMo, however, is known to provide more handset subsidies to Sony.
To cope with Sony's challenges, Samsung Electronics decided to reduce the price of Galaxy S4. Samsung Electronics plans to provide 20,000 yen worth of gift certificates to those who shift from other telecom companies to NTT DoCoMo.
