The smartphone market's radical shakeup

Google's operating system fueled Samsung's rapid rise in the smartphone field. The company's Android-based Galaxy line as been a bestseller, driving Samsung's smartphone shipments from just 5 million in 2008 to nearly 213 million in 2012, according to ABI Research's data.

Samsung may have borrowed a little too heavily from Apple in building its iPhone rivals though.

A nasty patent fight between the two companies climaxed with a ruling last year in Apple's favor and a jury recommendation that Samsung pay more than $1 billion in damages. The two sides are still battling over the damages amount and other issues.

It's a hit Samsung can easily afford to take. The company posted record sales of 201 trillion won in 2012 (US$186 billion), up 22% from 2011.

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