China is expected to replace the USA as the largest smartphone market in 2013, according to a new report from ABI Research.
By 2018, the research firm projects that Brazil and India will be in the top four countries for smartphone market among the BRIC nations.
ABI Research senior analyst, Michael Morgan, said: "With room to grow, the emerging BRIC nations are displacing established markets such as the US and Japan as market leaders in terms of smartphone shipments.
Russia is projected to be the 11th largest smartphone market in 2013, and would climb up to 7th position in 2018.
In 2018, the top five countries are anticipated to account for 51% of global smartphone shipments with the BRIC countries accounting for 33%.
Western Europe and North Americas’ share of smartphone shipments will reach 33% by the forecast period, representing a drop from 39% in 2013.
The growth of the smartphone market through 2018 will mainly be based on operators and handset original equipment manufacturers (OEM) offering optimised and price suitable solutions to the BRIC users.
Content from our partners
ABI Research senior practice director, Jeff Orr, said: "When you look at operating system share in emerging markets, you tend to find that Android has been busy fulfilling its mission to bring the Internet to consumers who can’t afford a traditional PC or Laptop."
