In 2010, 302 million smartphones were shipped, an increase of 71% over 2009’s shipment levels, and it is expected that in 2016 Android will have 45% of the smartphone market share, according to new report by ABI Research.
The report revealed that 69 million smartphones running the Android operating system were shipped last year.
Apple’s iOS held 15% of the market in 2010, and is expected to continue moderate but steady growth over the mid-term, backed by new product introductions with its market share reaching 19% in 2016.
However, RIM, which held 16% of the market in 2010, is expected to lose just a little ground with 14% is the forecast for 2016.
ABI Research vice-president Kevin Burden said RIM’s slight loss of share doesn’t mean falling shipments, RIM has found its niche, but the consumer market will grow faster than its portion of it.
The research firm said that among the new entrants in the smartphone OS arena, Windows Phone 7 and Samsung’s Bada are both aimed at low- to mid-range handsets.
ABI Research senior analyst Michael Morgan said with 4 million units shipped in 2010 (amounting to a 1.5% market share), Bada has taken off very well, very fast.
"Bada may reach 10% market share by 2016 while Windows Phone 7, on the other hand, which shipped in two million handsets in Q4 2010, will have to find incredible success through its Nokia channel to take more than 7% of the market by 2016," Morgan said.
