The Western European mobile phone market grew by 8.1% to 42.7 million units in the first quarter of 2010, as compared to 39.5 million units in the first quarter of 2009, according to IDC.
Shipments of smartphones in the first quarter of 2010 increased to 12 million units, compared to 7.7 million units for the same quarter last year. However, traditional mobile phones (TMPs) registered a decline of 4% year-on-year to 30.7 million units, showing the continuous trend towards smartphones.
According to IDC, HTC, Apple, and Research in Motion, have registered more than 100% growth in smartphones shipments, contributing to this quarter’s smartphone surge.
Further, the research firm said that Android shipped more units than Windows Mobile for the first time to take fourth position, while Symbian continues to lose market share to the iPhone OS and BlackBerry OS.
Nokia registered a decline in shipments by 9% year on year to 14 million units in first quarter of 2010, while its market share decreased to 33% in first quarter of 2010 from 39% in first quarter of 2009.
In addition, Nokia’s TMP shipments declined 18% to 9.1 million units, compared with the overall market and direct competitors Samsung and LG.
Samsung’s shipments increased to 18% year on year to 12.5 million units and market share increased to 29% in first quarter of 2010 from 27% in first quarter of 2009.
Further, Samsung topped in TMPs after gaining 10% market share in the segment, ahead of Nokia. It shipped 12.2 million TMPs, for a market share of 40% in the quarter.
According to IDC, Strong sales of feature phones and touchscreen devices have helped Samsung gain the market leadership in the segment from Nokia. Smartphones continue to be Samsung’s Achilles heel, however. Shipments declined 25% year on year and market share halved from last year’s quarter, and the lack of portfolio in this segment has had an impact on Samsung.
