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outh Korea-based electronic giant PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia (SEIN) is set to launch the latest generation of its flagship smartphone model, Samsung Galaxy S III, in Indonesia on June 2 in a bid to strengthen its foothold in the premium and Android smartphone market.

“We are optimistic that Samsung Galaxy S III will be a market leader in Indonesia’s premium smartphone market this year,” SEIN director of mobile business Budi Janto said on Tuesday, defining a premium smartphone as a phone with a price upward of Rp 5 million (US$540).

Samsung claims that it has taken over the largest market share of cell phones in Indonesia from Finnish cell phone manufacturer Nokia since April this year. The company also claims that its smartphones account for more than 80 percent of Android smartphones in Indonesia.

Samsung, also known for its LCD TV and home appliances, has been bombarding the smartphone market in Indonesia with its Galaxy series, ranging from Galaxy M for low-end devices to Galaxy S for high-end devices.

Despite its attempt to increase its presence in Indonesia’s smartphone market, Samsung has not been able to take over the reign of the ubiquitous Nokia and Blackberry in Indonesia.

Research conducted by Nielsen shows that, between October and November 2011, 41 percent of smartphone owners in major cities had a Nokia, followed by Blackberry at 21 percent and Samsung at 9 percent.

However, Nokia has lost its once-dominant position in the global cell phone market, with Android phones and iPhones overtaking it in the growing smartphone segment.

Despite Nokia and Blackberry’s dwindling presence in the global market, Nielsen Indonesia predicts that both vendors will still retain their supremacy in Indonesia’s smartphone market this year.

The much-anticipated phone also packs 16 GB internal memory with features such as S Beam, which allows users to share large files quickly and easily, and smart stay, which keeps the phone screen on while users set their eyes on the phone screen. Samsung Galaxy S III will be sold within the price range of Rp 6 million (US$640) to Rp 7 million, according to Samsung Indonesia mobile product marketing head Alven Desnecmen. (han)