It’s a two horse race, but is one falling behind?
Samsung was the star performer in the mobile race in 2013, fuelled by “robust” demand for Galaxys, as analysts warn rival iPhone may have peaked.
Samsung mobile ascention continues in 2013, accounting for one in three mobiles shipped, according to analysts Strategy Analytics, as Galaxy S 3, Mini and now S4 (on sale here since last week) continue to grow in popularity.
Around 50% of all phones shipped were smartphones as demand for “dumb” or basic phones dipped.
Mobile phone shipments fell 1 per cent to 373 million in Q1 2013, blamed on macroeconomic challenges in Asia, Europe and North America, and slowing demand for 2G feature phones.
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Samsung shipped a record high of 106.6 million mobiles – up 4%- compared to same time 2012, while Apple grew just 0.7 percent shipping 37.4 m iPhones in Q1 2013, notes Woody Oh, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics.
But Apple iPhone is “approaching a peak”, warned Oh, adding the once darling of the smartphone industry will “need to launch new models, or partner with additional major carriers like China Mobile, if it wants to expand significantly” beyond its current 10 per cent share.
Former No. 1 phone maker Nokia also suffered last quarter, shipments fell a massive 25 percent to 61.9 million, blamed on weak demand for Nokia’s once-loved dumb phones and Symbian smartphones.
However, Windows 8 may save the day for the Fins “if it can expand aggressively its fast-growing Lumia [Windows 8 phones] and Asha ranges this year, there is still potential for Nokia’s position to stabilize or recover,” says Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics.
And although the smartphone industry still a two horse race, there are some rivals coming up the far side.
LG held fourth position with 4 percent share of the global mobile phone market but is now pushing its smartphone credentials via its Optimus range, helped by “above-average” growth with 18 percent last quarter.
Chinese giant ZTE delivered 4 percent share of the global mobile phone market but is experiencing heightened competition in core markets like China and Western Europe from rivals such as Coolpad and Samsung.
Analysts IDC figures were more subdued than Strategy’s – and said Samsung shipped 70m smartphones in Q1, and grew a whoppng 60% compared to same time 2012.
It also ranks LG, and chinese makers Huawei and ZTE in the top 5 smartphone makers. Disappointingly for HTC who sells Android OS phones, were nowhere to be seen in the top 5 ranking.
LG and Huawei in particular enjoyed massive growth this year – up 110% and 94% respectively, according to IDC.
IDC says vendors shipped 216.2 million smartphones in 1Q13
