DHAKA: Samsung Electronics, the world`s biggest maker of mobile phones and TVs, has forecast a fall in profit for the October-to-December quarter.
It expects to make an operating profit of 8.3 trillion won ($7.8bn; £4.8bn) for the quarter, down 18% from the previous three months.
Compared to the same period in the previous year, it is a 6% decline.
Samsung did not say what caused the dip, but analysts said falling profit margins for smartphones had hurt it.
"As the growth in the smartphone sector matures, and vendors seek expansion in emerging economies, both prices and operating margins have been coming down," Manoj Menon, managing director of consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, told the BBC.
Mr Menon added that profit margins of smartphone makers were likely to "remain under pressure" in the coming months.
`Stiffest competition`
Samsung has enjoyed robust growth in recent years, fuelled in part by the success of its smartphone division.
The success of its Galaxy range of smartphones saw the South Korean firm displaced Nokia as the world`s biggest phone maker in 2012.
However, the competition in the sector has increased with other phone makers launching new products.
One of Samsung`s biggest rivals, Apple, launched two new models of its iPhone - the top-end 5S and a cheaper 5C - in September.
Also in September, Nokia - who`s phone division has been bought by Microsoft - unveiled two new phone models.
Taiwanese firm HTC launched its latest handset, the Android-powered One Max, in October.
Analysts said it was likely that the increased competition, especially the launch of new models by Apple, had impacted Samsung`s performance in the last quarter.
"Clearly Samsung is now facing its stiffest competition in the smartphone sector," said Mr Menon.
"Apple did launch its new phones during the quarter and early estimates indicate that they may have had a record quarter for iPhone sales.
"That may also have taken some consumers away from Samsung and hurt its revenue and profits," he added.
BDST: 0910 HRS, JAN 07, 2014
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