That is below analysts’ expectations for earnings of 5.2tn won.
The South Korean company will publish full financial results later this month.
Samsung’s mobile division, its biggest business, has been struggling to maintain its dominance against rivals such as Apple and Chinese smartphone-makers Xiaomi and Lenovo.
Its flagship Galaxy smartphone line has been losing market share to cheaper models that also have large screens and multiple features.
The firm said quarterly sales amounted to 47tn won, which was below analyst estimates for 50.3tn won.
“Smartphone shipments increased marginally amid intense competition,” Samsung said in a statement.
“However, the operating margin declined due to increased marketing expenditure and lowered average selling price.”
The company also said it is “preparing new smartphone line-ups featuring new materials and innovative designs, as well as a series of new mid-to-low end smartphones”.
Samsung shares rose about 1.6% in Seoul despite the weak profit outlook.
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Analysis: Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology editor
Samsung has been the standout success of the smartphone era – certainly in terms of building market share, with the South Korean firm overtaking Nokia to become the world’s leading phone manufacturer.
It is still holding on to the number one spot, but competition at both the top and budget ends of the market is now exerting an intense pressure on its profits.
Samsung still has around 25% of the market, down from 33% a year ago, but a trio of Chinese firms Lenovo, Huawei and Xiaomi have rapidly grabbed a big slice. It was the whole Galaxy range which propelled Samsung’s profits ever higher and phones like the latest Galaxy Note 4 still get glowing reviews.
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