Foxconn CEO Claims iPhone 5 Will Put Galaxy S3 to Shame

A Foxconn executive has stirred up yet more controversy, after stating Apple's as-yet-unannounced next-gen iPhone (popularly called the iPhone 5) would put Samsung's newly launched Samsung Galaxy S3 to shame.

The remark was made by Terry Gou, chairman of Hon Hai, parent company of Foxconn, while speaking to the China Times newspaper, as reported by Focus Taiwan. Furthermore, the iPhone Hacks website noted that Gou urged customers to refrain from buying Samsung's Galaxy S3 smartphone until the release of Apple's next iPhone.

Gou's open statement came as a big surprise, particularly in the aftermath of Apple chief executive Tim Cook's statement Apple was "doubling down" on secrecy. Gou's Foxconn has been entrusted with mass production contracts for key Apple products, such as the iPad and the iPhone from 2007 and the latest developments indicate the iPhone 5 could also be manufactured by controversial Taiwanese-based company.

Gou's singling out of the Galaxy S3 in particular, will not help the bad blood between Samsung and Apple which has seen the companies engaged in legal battles in ten seperate countires around the world.

The South Korean smartphone giant has a track record of being a thorn in the flesh for Taiwanese companies in the past. Reports suggest Samsung acted as an informer for EU courts in matters of price fixing among four Taiwanese companies back in 2010.

According to Focus Taiwan quoting China Times, a total fine of €433.92mn (NT$17.3 billion) was subsequently imposed on - Chimei Innolux Corp., AU Optronics Corp., Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd. and HannStar Display Corp. of Taiwan. Samsung was then labelled a tainted witness and exempted from further investigations into the matter.

Gou seems to be holding a grudge over that ordeal and could be trying to use Apple's forthcoming iPhone as a weapon to hurt Samsung. According to excerpts from China Times, according to report on Patently Apple, Gou states it is a lifetime ambition to beat Samsung - "a company with a track record of snitching on its competitors."

"I respect the Japanese and especially like their execution and communication styles," says Gou. "Unlike the Koreans, they will not hit you from behind," he added, in a statement to China Times.

Gou was recently spotted in Taiwan to settle a strategic business investment in Sharp. Foxconn may be planning to release an assembly line of televisions in New Taipei, in partnership with Sharp, for what is rumoured to be an Apple television. Gou further revealed his plan to list the Sakai plant on the Taiwan stock exchange within three years.

Regardless of what Gou believes, the Galaxy S3's rising popularity and record-breaking sales spree should be something of a concern for Apple.

Apple, however, has chosen to maintain secrecy over the forthcoming iPhone. With iOS 6 beta already in the works amid the rising competition from Android as well as Windows Phone 8 smartphones, the stage is set for the next iPhone and for an official announcement, which we expect sometime in September.