Worldwide smartphone market increased by 50% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2010, driven in large part by makers of smartphones featuring Google’s Android OS, according to market research firm IDC.
According to IDC’S worldwide quarterly mobile phone tracker, vendors shipped a total of 63 million units of Smartphones in the second quarter of 2010, up 50% compared to 41.9 million for the same quarter a year ago. During the first half of 2010, Smartphone vendors shipped 118.3 million units, up 54% as compared to 76.8 million units shipped for the same period a year ago.
According to the report, the top five mobile device vendors Nokia, Research In Motion, Apple, HTC and Samsung, all posted positive year-on-year shipments growth.
Nokia emerged clear leader, accounting for 38.1% of market share, with its shipments increasing from 16.9 million in Q2 2009 to 24 million in second quarter of 2010. RIM shipments rose by 40% to 11.2 million from 8 million for second quarter of 2009, accounting for 17.8% of the market share.
Apple grabbed 13.3% of the market share, with its shipments increasing to 8.4 million for the second quarter of 2010, rising 61.5% year-on-year.
HTC reported total shipments of 4.8 million, an increase of 128.6% compared to 2.1 million for the same period last year. Samsung gained fifth spot with shipments increasing 172.7% to 3.0 million from 1.1 million for the same period last year.
Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s mobile devices technology and trends team, said: "The worldwide smartphone market will continue this explosive growth in the second half of 2010, setting up a critical starting point for 2011. That more smartphone models will be launched is a given, but just as important is the anticipated launch of several refreshed operating systems.
Both BlackBerry and Symbian^3 are poised with fresh, yet familiar experiences while Windows Phone 7 promises a complete break from previous versions. All these are expected to launch in the second half of 2010, and their reception among end-users will indicate their future in this fast-growing segment of the market for 2011 and beyond."
