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ABI Research Brings Out 'Smartphone Market Data' Report
[June 20, 2012]

ABI Research Brings Out 'Smartphone Market Data' Report


Jun 20, 2012 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Although smartphone shipments grew 41 percent year-over-year to 144.6 million as of the quarter ending March 2012, ABI Research announced that many smartphone OEMs are not enjoying the benefits of an expanding market.



Samsung and Apple captured 55 percent of global smartphone shipments in 1Q'2012 and over 90 percent of the market's profits. The question remains: can anyone break away to become a third in this market? Of the top ten smartphone OEMs, only Samsung and Sony experienced sequential growth in shipments over 4Q'2011. Nokia witnessed a 40 percent sequential decline in shipments and may soon be passed by ailing RIM in shipments despite the BlackBerry maker's 20 percent sequential decline in shipments. "At this point in the year, Nokia will have to grow its Windows Phone business 5000 percent in 2012 just to offset its declines in Symbian shipments," says Michael Morgan, senior analyst, devices, applications & content.

As the smartphone markets of North America and Western Europe pass 50 percent penetration, smartphone OEMs should seek growth in key markets, such as China, which continues to show strong shipment growth of over 80 percent.


Despite the shipment growth opportunities that China offers, smartphone OEMs will have to contend with local vendors ZTE and Huawei whose cost structures are tailored to deliver smartphones and homologated content ecosystems at the lower price points needed to drive growth across the country. "As Nokia's market share in China plummets, the competition to fill this power vacuum has the potential to make or break smartphone OEMs currently struggling with profitability and differentiation," adds Jeff Orr, practice director, devices, applications & content.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other technologies.

More information: www.abiresearch.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected]))

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