Will This Steal Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Market Share?

We have spent quite a bit of time talking about the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone, as well as the potential for a cheaper smartphone from Cupertino. For example, this is something we touched on here.

While Apple continues to sit back and plan its next move, other companies are moving forward with hopes of grabbing onto a larger piece of the smartphone market. This doesn’t mean that every launch from a competitor is something Cupertino should be worried about, however, the company does need to show something to consumers sooner rather than later.

Digtimes is reporting that Samsung and HTC are set to launch “mini versions of flagship smartphones” during the third quarter of 2013.

Once again, this shows the competition moving forward and trying new things while Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) lags behind and continues to frustrate consumers and investors.

Here is what the Digitimes article had to say:

“Samsung Electronics will launch the Galaxy S4 mini, a 4.3-inch mini version of the flagship smartphone model Galaxy S4, in the third quarter of 2013, and Taiwan-based vendor HTC will launch the 4.3-inch HTC One mini, a mini version of flagship model HTC One, in the same quarter as well, while China-based vendors Lenovo and Huawei Device plan to follow suit by launching mini versions with 4.3- to 4.5-inch screens in the second half of 2013, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.”

If this rumor is true, it will be interesting to see how the two new models are received by the markets in which they are released. Many believe that smartphones such as these are necessary to compete in low end, emerging markets. This may be exactly what Samsung and HTC have in store for the devices.

Once again, this brings us full circle to the rumor of a cheaper Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone. It only makes sense for Cupertino to announce such a device this year, however, if this is in store the company has done a great job of keeping it quiet.

The article does go on to add that “Apple is likely to launch inexpensive 3.5-inch iPhone in the third quarter of 2013.”

If this happens, get ready for some fireworks. We will have a new device from Samsung and HTC competing with a cheaper Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone. Talk about a competition that will really heat up.