In the last few years, Korea has come out of the blocks at a storming pace in the consumer electronics markets. Samsung, LG, Pantech and others have plastered their logos all over the globe, with some calling Samsung the new Sony as their products grew sleeker and more upmarket, and quality improved.

Now some analysts are questioning whether the Korean mobile producers can continue to gain market share after recent slips. Last week saw the fall of VK Mobile, and Pantech doesn't look so hot. Samsung's global market share has slipped slightly, and while LG's grew by a tiny fraction, its still not making a profit at the business.

What's the catalyst? Ironically the Korean companies may be being beaten to both the low and high end by Nokia and Motorola, who have regained their footing at the top end of the market with high-end handsets like Moto's RAZR, and at the low end by attacking emerging markets such as India, China and Brazil.

Don't count them out, however. With VK gone and Pantech looking pale, market share opportunities open up for other companies. Rapidly growing middle classes in developing markets will still want nicer handsets at an affordable price--the Korean's forte. Going to the low end of the market may pin Nokia and Moto down, and while it moves product in terms of volume, there isn't a lot of profit in it in the short term. Watch this space.