Samsung forecasts its 1Q13 operating profit will be up by at least 3 trillion won ($2.65 billion) year-on-year, and broadly flat sequentially.
The South Korean consumer electronics giant estimates its operating profit will come in at 8.5 trillion to 8.9 trillion won, compared to 5.6 trillion won in 1Q12 and 8.8 trillion won in 4Q12.
Sales are tipped to hit between 51 trillion and 53 trillion won, compared to 45.2 trillion in the same quarter of 2012, and 56.06 in the fourth quarter.
Analysts told the BBC the firm’s profit will likely continue to rise in the second quarter, fuelled by sales of its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4.
One local analyst predicts shipments of the device will hit 22 million units in 2Q13.
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