Being in the mobile device market seems to be good business for some more so than others as the number of mobile devices nudges the 290 million mark being delivered this quarter alone according to a report by ABI Research.
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However, despite all the global concern about price inflation in food, rent, clothing, oil, and utility bills, says the report, “device manufacturers are not benefiting”, adding that the ASP (Average Selling Price) has shown “comprehensive price erosion for all manufacturers”.
The report showed that in the market-share stakes, Nokia increased its share to 39.9 per cent while Samsung and LG were also net winners with 16 per cent and 8.4 per cent, respectively. Motorola continued to lose market share (falling 2.6 per cent) to 9.5 per cent, while it was more of a surprise that Sony Ericsson lost market share (down to 7.7 per cent).
ABI Research also notes that the mobile market is still very much dominated by the “Big Five” manufacturers, but an innovative tier of manufacturers (RIM, HTC, Apple) has been stirring up interest in smartphones and will soon be joined by a new class of mobile device: MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices). MIDs made their debut last year, but vendors such as Lenovo, Aigo, and Asus are expected to drive growth rapidly.
ABI Research director Kevin Burden says that, “ABI expects 2008 to top out at 1.28 billion devices shipped – a 12 per cent increase, but these volumes could be subject to the overall global economic climate.”
