INSTANT VIEW-Samsung estimates Q1 profit at $7.7 bln

SEOUL, April 5 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd estimated its January-March operating profit rose 53 percent to 8.7 trillion won ($7.74 billion) as sales of mid-tier smartphones helped the South Korean giant tide over the off-peak season.

Following are reactions from analysts and fund managers:

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SONG MYUNG-SUB, ANALYST AT HI INVESTMENT & SECURITIES

"Samsung is increasing its share in the smartphone market although the market's growth is slowing. In contrast, Apple's share will fall in the first half before its new iPhone launch.

"Samsung will continue to show good earnings with smartphone sales and the chip (price) recovery. But its shares are sluggish because foreign investors are dumping the bellwether on North Korean risks."

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Ryan Woo)