Samsung appoints new smartphone boss

Roh Tae-moon has been appointed as the Samsung Electronics new mobile chief. He takes over from co-ceo DJ Koh. Who will remain at the helm of the chaebol’s IT and mobile communications division. Roh, 52, is said to be an “engineering maven,” according to Bloomberg, “who is meticulous about features.”

1997 was when Roh first joined Samsung, and has been part of the top brass in the research and development of the Galaxy device lineups. He has also been contributory in cutting costs, through the outsourcing of handset production to better compete with rivals in the market.

Samsung continues to dominate mobile handset marketshare globally, but has seen an increase in competition at the low- and mid-tier levels from Chinese competitors like Huawei, Vivo, and Oppo. Roh will be tasked with growing important markets like China and India as well as making foldables successful, after Samsung stumbled with the Galaxy Fold.

Samsung is expected to unveil its second-generation foldable alongside its new Galaxy S20 flagship series of phones at an event on February 11th in San Francisco.