The result is higher than analysts had predicted.  

The company said that increased demand for flat panel TVs due to the FIFA World Cup had contributed to a boost in the company's profit. On the downside the company said that handset sales had been weak due to lack of competitive smartphone line-ups on top of weaker currencies like the Euro.

Last week Samsung launched two new smartphones in Australia including the Galaxy S and the new Samsung Wave, which is running the company's new Bada operating system.

"With the high season for consumer electronics approaching, combined with Samsung's new smartphone launches, its earnings will stretch even further into the third quarter," said Jay Koo, an analyst at Kyobo Securities.

The Wall Street Journal said that analysts expect Samsung's profit to shrink in the fourth quarter, after peaking in the July-September period, as prices for chip and liquid crystal displays are likely to fall on rising supply growth and slower demand. Higher market costs for hand-held devices and television sets would also dampen the profit, they say.