However, speaking to Reuters LG Mobile's VP for marketing strategy Ma Chang said the global market would remain flat or slightly lower in 2009.

Specifically, LG expects to sell 110 million handsets this year, up nine per cent on 2008. The company says this figure will rise to more than 200 million by 2012.

Ma said of the 2009 forecast: "The figure shows that the downturn seems to be less impactful. The total market size will be about the same for 2009 as in 2008."