Is Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Bad News for Google Inc (GOOG)?

Apple has had its hands full with its South Korean rival, largely through the forum of advertising. Samsung has openly attacked the iPhone, claiming that “The Next Big Thing” is already here. While Apple regained the top sales volume spot in the fourth quarter with the release of the iPhone 5, you must wonder if it can retain the top spot now that the S4 is here. The new device is set to go on sale in late April and should present a serious challenge to all other options.

The verdict for Google
While Google continues to gain market share with Android, the nature of that market share must be kept in perspective. While a recent report from IDC suggests that 2013 will see Android tablets outsell Apple’s iOS for the full year, the concentration of Android phones under the Samsung name must raise some concern. Beyond the premium Galaxy line, Samsung is highly competitive at the low end of the market, which is big reason its overall market share is so high. Attacking at both ends of the spectrum means that it may soon have the power to push Google.

It’s too early for Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) investors to be seriously concerned, but increasing concentration may end up affecting this critical relationship. Because the search company’s business is focused on revenues from mobile search, a shift here could have far-reaching implications. As such, the next few quarter of sales data and market share information is likely to prove critical.

The article Is Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Bad News for Google? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Doug Ehrman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Apple and Google.

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