By Meghna Sharma No, Samsung is not a Chinese company. It is a South Korean multinational corporation specialising in consumer electronics and home appliances. The company is headquartered in Suwon, South Korea. Samsung’s product offerings include smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables and home appliances like refrigerators, televisions, washing machines and air conditioners. The company is also engaged in semiconductor manufacturing and operates in the premium audio segment through its subsidiaries like JBL, Harman Kardon and others.
| Details | Info |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Lee-Byung Chul |
| Headquarters | Suwon, South Korea |
| CEO | Jun Young-hyun |
| Sector | Consumer electronics, Home appliances, Semiconductor, Audio systems |
Company History
Samsung Electronics traces its origins to Samsung Sangnhoe, established by Lee-Byung Chul as a small trading company in the year 1938. In the year 1969, Samsung Electronics was founded as a joint venture with Sanyo to produce black-and-white televisions. The company expanded to colour televisions in 1977 and expanded to washing machines, refrigerators and microwave ovens in the 1970s. Samsung entered semiconductor manufacturing in the 1980s.
Samsung was restructured into Samsung Electronics Company Limited in the year 1988. In the same year, it became the world’s largest DRAM producer. Samsung launched the world’s first MP3 phone in the year 1999. The company launched its iconic Galaxy series of smartphones in the year 2009, followed by LED televisions and other premium home appliances.
Samsung became world’s number one smartphone vendor in the year 2011 and overtook Apple in total smartphone sales in 2012. In the year 2020, Samsung launched its first foldable smartphone, Galaxy Z Flip.
Current Status
Samsung holds around 19% share in the global smartphone market, driven mainly by models like Galaxy S25, Z Fold 7 and A Series. It occupies the number one position in global television sales, with a market share of around 29%, driven by Neo QLED, QD-OLED and OLED segments.
Samsung’s 40% manufacturing capabilities are concentrated in various facilities located across South Korea. India is a major manufacturing hub for the company, with two facilities in Noida and Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu manufacturing smartphones and appliances. The company also operates manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, United States, China and Brazil.
Future Outlook
Samsung is poised to capitalise on the rising global demand for AI infrastructure, foldable smartphones and premium consumer technology on the back of its bespoke AI appliances, AI-integrated Galaxy devices and SmartThings ecosystem. The company’s semiconductors division is projected to drive 50-70% of the profits through advanced memory and foundry expansions.