Samsung has appointed a new smartphone boss as it looks to retain its crown as the world’s number one smartphone supplier.
Samsung has named a new mobile chief in Roh Tae-moon, according to Reuters and the firm’s website. The move makes Roh the South Korean tech giant’s youngest ever mobile head, albeit at 51 years old.
DJ Koh, the former head of mobile and company co-CEO will continue to lead Samsung’s IT & mobile communications division, which will oversee the mobile segment.
“Samsung’s reshuffle seems aimed at coping with a potential major market change with the new technology,” said analyst Tom Kang at Counterpoint. “The young executive is known to be decisive and so is likely to respond swiftly to that change to defend Samsung’s lead from Huawei.”
Roh Tae-moon is credited with building up the Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets, and is apparently responsible for Samsung’s shift to outsourcing more handset production to cut costs and better compete with Chinese rivals, including Huawei, explains the report.
Roh was previously number two in Samsung’s smartphone unit and is known to be one of the leading forces behind the tremendously successful low- to mid-range Galaxy devices. Thanks to his cost-cutting efforts, these handsets managed to compete against Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei and helped Samsung cement its position as the world’s top Android phone seller.
The exec will likely be leading Samsung into the launch of its next flagship phones in February. The company is expected to introduce a new foldable device and the new Galaxy S20 line next month.
