Seoul

BETTER-than-expected demand for Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's new Galaxy Note7 is causing supply constraints globally, the South Korean tech giant said on Wednesday, suggesting strong initial sales for the new premium smartphone.

While robust demand could help deliver another solid quarter of earnings, Samsung also risks missing out on potential sales if it cannot boost supply quickly. Rivals such as Apple Inc are poised to launch new phones which could pull customers away from Samsung if a shortage persists. "As pre-order results for the Galaxy Note7 have far exceeded our estimates, its release date in some markets has been adjusted," Samsung told Reuters without commenting on where launch delays could occur.