While mobile network operators previously only focused on selling high-grade mobile phones associated with service packages, they now target the low-cost market segment, since manufacturers rush to popularize the hi-tech products.

Smart phones tend to have shorter life circles, thus making users suffer for the big money they spend to buy them.

 Troubled smartphone maker BlackBerry will not launch its new models in Japan, reports said on Friday, effectively heralding a pull-out from a booming smartphone market

 Samsung announced Monday it was pumping more than $1 billion into research and venture capital funding efforts that will be led by a new hub for the South Korean giant in Silicon Valley.

 South Korea's Samsung Electronics said on Friday net profit soared 75.6 percent to a record 7.04 trillion won ($6.6 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2012, driven by strong smartphone and memory chip sales.

Mobile network operators have affirmed that they have no involvement in the wiretapping operation or call and message copying, and that all the personal information of subscribers have been kept confidential.

In the third quarter of 2012, Samsung and Apple increased their shares and continued their lead in the worldwide market of smart connected device, a category that combines personal computer (PC), smartphone and tablet computer, 

In the past, BlackBerry was the brand everyone would think of when considering to buy smart phones. However, things are different now.