South Korea’s Samsung Electronics has posted a record net profit of 5.19 trillion won (€3.7 billion) in the second quarter, powered by strong smartphone sales despite the global downturn.

The company, the world’s biggest technology firm in revenue terms, also reported a record operating profit in April-June of 6.72 trillion won.

The net profit represented a 48 per cent gain from a year earlier while operating profit jumped 79 per cent year-on-year.

Samsung cited robust demand for its mobile devices including high-margin smartphones, along with strong sales of ultra-thin displays.

Total revenue rose 21 per cent to 47.59 trillion won, in a quarter that is usually quieter for technology companies.

Market researcher Strategy Analytics said the Korean firm increased its share of the global smartphone market in the second quarter to 34.6 per cent, compared to 17.8 per cent for arch-rival Apple.

Samsung shipped 50.5 million smartphones, the largest number ever by any vendor in a single quarter, it said in a report.

“Samsung has been able to deliver hit models in most major price segments,” Strategy Analytics noted, while Apple fans may be awaiting the launch of the next generation iPhone around September or October. Samsung remained the world’s biggest seller of all types of mobile handset in April-June with a 25.7 per cent market share compared to Nokia’s 23.1 per cent.