SKT to launch 30 smartphones this year

Nation’s biggest mobile carrier also plans to release up to five tablet PCs

SK Telecom Co., Korea’s No. 1 mobile operator, said on Thursday it plans to roll out around 30 new smartphones and up to five tablet computers this year, aiming to lead the rapidly evolving market of smart devices.

Its new smartphone lineup includes LG Electronics’ Optimus 2X, Samsung Electronics’ Personal Media Phone, Motorola’s Atrix and Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Arc.

The carrier will also release four or five tablet computers made by global leaders such as Samsung, LG, Pantech, Motorola and Research In Motion, a company official said.

“The upcoming next-generation smartphones feature numerous innovative technologies differentiated from existing products,” chief marketing officer Jang Dong-hyun said.

“This year will mark a new era in which smartphones based on plentiful services outstrip feature phones in terms of sales.”

With the new releases, the portion of smartphones in its total mobile phone lineup will rise to 60 percent from last year’s 50 percent. SK controls about half of the local wireless market.

(From left) LG Electronics’ Optimus 2X, Samsung Electronics’ Personal Media Phone, Motorola’s Atrix and Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Arc

New chief executive Ha Sung-min reaffirmed the company’s plan to shift to the fourth generation Long-Term Evolution wireless network.

“SK Telecom will build a strong, smart network and open, intelligent platform to be a global leader in information and communications technology,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

LG Electronics’ Optimus 2X is the first to hit the market this year. It carries a dual-core processor produced by California-based visual computing technology leader NVidia Corp., which enables fast multitasking and powerful data handling.

Running on Google’s Android operating system, it has a four-inch display with high definition multimedia interface mirroring to provide exceptional graphics performances, LG said.

SK will take exclusive pre-orders for the Optimus 2X beginning on Friday online or at local stores to deliver around next weekend, a spokesman said.

Other new products including Samsung Electronics’ Personal Media Phone, Motorola’s Atrix and Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Arc will be available in the first or second quarter of the year at the latest, he added.

The Atrix drew much attention from tech-savvy crowds at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show that drew the curtain on Sunday in Las Vegas.

It also features a dual core processor and a piece of “Webtop” software that allows it to serve as a desktop, laptop or television when connected with related devices, the developer said.

The Xperia Arc is a lightweight, super-slim smartphone equipped with a slick design. Its 4.2 inch display also used in Sony Corp.’s Bravia TVs offers graphic multimedia services, SK said.

Tablet PCs will give an impetus to the company’s mobile device business this year.

SK has sold more than 150,000 units of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab since mid-November.

LG and Motorola unveiled their Android-based tablets at the CES last week. Canada-based Research In Motion introduced its PlayBook last year.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)