Annual Global Smartphone Shipments Exceed One Billion for the First Time

[Alex Co]

Annual Global Smartphone Shipments Exceed One Billion for the First Time

Smartphone shipments increased 38.4% in 2013 topping one billion units worldwide, with Samsung taking the lead.

More than one billion smartphones were shipped globally last year, according to the International Data Corporation. Totaling 1.004.2 million smartphones across multiple vendors, this is the most units shipped in a 12 month period to date, which is an increase of 38.4% from 2012's 725.3 million units. Out of all the vendors, Samsung nabbed the top spot moving an impressive 313.9 million smartphones in 2013, that translated to a slight increase of its market share from 30.3% to 31.3% from the previous year. Meanwhile, its closest competitor, Apple, is at second place with 153.4 million units shipped, but according to IDC's data, Apple's smartphone market share dropped from 18.7% in 2012 to 15.3% last year.

Apple's market share dip was taken over by Asian companies Huawei (48.8m units), LG(47.7m) and Lenovo(45.5m), with all three companies almost doubling their 2012 smartphone shipments in 2013. Additionally, IDC's report also shows that for the first time, smartphones accounted for the majority of mobile phone shipments finishing with 55.1% of all mobile phone shipments in 2013 -- an increase from 41.7% compared to 2012. IDC Program Director Ryan Reith states, " top trends driving smartphone growth are large screen devices and low cost," but also adds, "Of the two, I have to say that low cost is the key difference maker. Cheap devices are not the attractive segment that normally grabs headlines, but IDC data shows this is the portion of the market that is driving volume. Markets like China and India are quickly moving toward a point where sub-$150 smartphones are the majority of shipments, bringing a solid computing experience to the hands of many."

Are you surprised that smartphone shipments have finally overtaken traditional mobile phones worldwide? I gather that with more companies offering cheaper smartphones in key markets, the numbers listed will go even higher in the next few years.

Source: The Verge [http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140127006506/en/Worldwide-Smartphone-Shipments-Top-Billion-Units-Time#.UudjVBCwrIX]

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[Strazdas]

Here they jut shipped 1 billion units of hardware capable of gaming (and more than that) that are often very close or on par in power compared to old generation consoles. 1 billion units.
and then they wonder why we cough when they boast 1 million unit sales.

Are you surprised that smartphone shipments have finally overtaken traditional mobile phones worldwide? I gather that with more companies offering cheaper smartphones in key markets, the numbers listed will go even higher in the next few years.

i am surprised this didnt happen two years ago. i got my smartphone last year (and even then not intentionally but because it was an exchange with my mother who couldnt figure out how to use one) and im a very late adopter when it comes to phones considering i only use them to call and write messages. from what people are carrying out around i expected this to be 2 or 1 year ago already.

My iPhone 5 however, is a delicate piece of garbage that I have to treat with care and when I can't find it, I'm near panic because it's expensive as hell and a popular item to steal. It also has the life expectancy of a few years, I'm sure.

well, you can always try 4 times cheaper and more user friendly android smartphones. theres a variety of manufacturers to choose from in ranging quality other than "apple made cheap since everyone is going to buy anyway" versions that seems to be latest iphones.

 

[Hero of Lime]

More and more smart phones are shipping and being sold and I'm still stuck with an old flip phone from 2008. XD

As much as I would like one, I don't really need it to be honest. I suppose whenever I do make the plunge, I will probably get a Samsung phone.

I'm not at all surprised about the rise of smart phones, it's an excellent product to have, even if it is a bit unnecessary. I'm just not too concerned about having the internet with me wherever I go when I have a laptop waiting at home, and gaming handhelds to accompany me when I'm out.

 

[Strazdas]

well, you can always try 4 times cheaper and more user friendly android smartphones. theres a variety of manufacturers to choose from in ranging quality other than "apple made cheap since everyone is going to buy anyway" versions that seems to be latest iphones.

There's little point in buying a new phone, when I already have one, besides, current HTC and Samsung phones are just as flimsy. It isn't about which phone is better, it's the overall quality and short lifespans of current smartphones that bothers me.

consdiering you dont like your current one (or at least thats what i got from the previous post) you may want to try one that is more sutable for people liking old phones (like me). Not to mention you could sell your iphone and buy the android one and still have money left over due to price difference, so its not like you would need to invest.
While i cant attest for long lifespan of smartphones seeing as mine is only 2 years old, in those 2 years it has never broke even after riding on the floor of a full buss once. And if this is going to continue i may just have another "use it for 8 years" phone here. Mine is from Huawei, i couldn't afford HTC which i think is better. never liked samsung.