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Korean handset-maker Samsung on Wednesday said it is eyeing a 20 per cent share of the growing smartphone market as it expands its product portfolio in the country.

The company, which currently has four models in the category, plans to launch seven to eight new smartphones this year to compete with the likes of Nokia, RIM and Apple.

“We now have four smartphones in our portfolio and this year, we plan to have seven to eight new models on both Android and BADA platform... Going ahead, by the year-end, we are aiming at a market share of 20 per cent,” Samsung Electronics Director (Mobile and IT) Ranjit Yadav told reporters here.

Though he declined to comment on the current share of Samsung in the smartphone category, he said the market is expected to see shipments of 2.5 million such handsets this year.

The company has launched two new handsets, Wave and Galaxy S, priced at Rs 19,100 and Rs 31,500 respectively.

While Galaxy S is based on Google’s mobile operating system (OS) Android, Wave marks the launch of Samsung’s operating system BADA.

“We would bring out about two to three handsets with the BADA OS and would also look at making that available at sub Rs 10,000 levels,” he said.

A huge number of smartphones from multinational companies like Nokia, Apple, Research-In-Motion (RIM), LG and Sony Ericsson are flooding the Indian market.

With local firms like Micromax, Fly and Zen entering this segment, it has resulted in stiff competition, which is expected to bring down prices further. Nokia, for example, has launched smartphones below Rs 10,000.

According to research firm Canalys, smartphone sales in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are expected to surpass the 100 million units mark by 2011.

While in 2009, smart phones accounted for 11 per cent of mobile phone shipments in APAC, this percentage is expected to grow steadily and, in 2012, 20 per cent of mobile phone shipments in the region are expected to be smart phones.

Talking about the features of Samsung’s new phones, Mr. Yadav said, “Samsung Wave is equipped with super AMOLED display (for HD quality viewing), 2 GB internal memory, which is expandable up to 32 GB, and a 5 megapixel camera.”

The Android-powered Galaxy S has 16 GB internal memory, expandable up to 32 GB, and a 5 MP camera, he added.