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The IDC announced this morning that over a billion smartphones were shipped in 2013. Selling 1,004.2 million smartphones worldwide, vendors were up from 725.3 million in 2012. That’s a 38.4% jump. The fourth quarter alone saw 284.4 million smartphones shipped.
According to the market research firm, the top trends were big screens and low costs. IDC data shows that low priced phones are what’s driving volume. Chinese and Indian markets are moving rapidly towards phones that cost less than $150 and that most of the shipments were in that range. Leaders in market share were as expected.
While Samsung remains the leader in smartphone shipments, their numbers were down compared to the previous quarter. Apple came in second but saw record growth with its iPhone 5s and 5C variants in emerging markets. Although, their year-to-year increase was lower than other companies. Huawei and Lenovo were third and fourth respectively. Even as such Huawei faces stiff competition and if Lenovo breaches North American and Western European markets it could take the number three spot.
LG came in fifth, barely beating out ZTE. But with a revived portfolio the company saw significant growth that rivaled that of Huawei and Lenovo.
All in all, the mobile phone market, that also includes feature phones, saw an increase of 4.8% with 1.82 billion devices sold. For those of you wanting the technical details, we have the presser for you below.
Worldwide Smartphone Shipments Top One Billion Units for the First Time, According to IDC
January 27, 2014 07:12 PM Eastern Standard Time
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The worldwide smartphone market reached yet another milestone, having shipped one billion units in a single year for the first time. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, vendors shipped a total of 1,004.2 million smartphones worldwide, up 38.4% from the 725.3 million units in 2012. This aligns with IDC’s most recent forecast of 1,010.4 million units, making for a difference of less than 1%. Smartphones accounted for 55.1% of all mobile phone shipments in 2013, up from the 41.7% of all mobile phone shipments in 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2013 (4Q13), vendors shipped a total of 284.4 million smartphones worldwide, up 24.2% from the 229.0 million units shipped in 4Q12.
“Among the top trends driving smartphone growth are large screen devices and low cost”
In the worldwide mobile phone market (inclusive of smartphones), vendors shipped 1,821.8 million units, up 4.8% from the 1,738.1 million units shipped 2012. In 4Q13 alone, vendors shipped a total of 488.4 million units worldwide, up 0.9% from the 484.0 million units shipped in 4Q12. This is 2.8% lower than the 502.4 million units that IDC had recently forecast.
“The sheer volume and strong growth attest to the smartphone’s continued popularity in 2013,” says Ramon Llamas, Research Manager with IDC’s Mobile Phone team. “Total smartphone shipments reached 494.4 million units worldwide in 2011, and doubling that volume in just two years demonstrates strong end-user demand and vendor strategies to highlight smartphones.”
“Among the top trends driving smartphone growth are large screen devices and low cost,” said Ryan Reith, Program Director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. “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.”
Smartphone Vendor Highlights:
Samsung ended the quarter the same way it began the year: as the clear leader in worldwide smartphone shipments. But even with sustained demand for its Galaxy S III, S4, and Note models, as well as its deep selection of mid-range and entry-level models, the company realized a decline compared to the previous quarter. Nevertheless, the company maintained a sizable double-digit lead over the next vendor.
Apple posted record shipment volume during 4Q13, driven primarily by the addition of multiple countries offering the iPhone 5S and 5C, and sustained demand from its initial markets that saw these models launch at the end of 3Q13. Still, Apple had the lowest year-on-year increase of all the leading vendors. Now that Apple has finally arrived at China Mobile, it remains to be seen how much Apple will close the gap against Samsung in 2014.
Huawei maintained its number three position worldwide, attained the highest year-on-year increase among the leading vendors, and raised its brand profile with a higher proportion of self-branded units compared to the ODM work it had done for other companies. Still, even with its success, Huawei faces a crowded group of potential competitors within striking distance.
Lenovo, despite having no presence in North America nor Western Europe, finished the quarter in the number four position. The company’s strength lies in its strong presence within key emerging markets and a well-segmented product portfolio spanning from simple, affordable smartphones to full-featured 5″ screen models. Should the company become successful at branching into more developed markets in 2014, it could challenge Huawei for the number three spot.
LG finished just behind Lenovo and edged out ZTE for the number five position, with just five million units separating the two companies. At the same time, its year-on-year improvement put the company on par with Huawei and Lenovo with market beating growth. LG’s success can be directly attributed to its revived portfolio from a year ago, which featured more large-screen and high-end models, including the Nexus 5 and its Optimus G series.
Top Five Smartphone Vendors, Shipments, and Market Share, 2013 (Units in Millions)
Vendor 2013
Shipment
Volumes 2013 Market
Share 2012
Shipment
Volumes 2012 Market
Share Year over
Year Change
Samsung 313.9 31.3% 219.7 30.3% 42.9%
Apple 153.4 15.3% 135.9 18.7% 12.9%
Huawei 48.8 4.9% 29.1 4.0% 67.5%
LG 47.7 4.8% 26.3 3.6% 81.1%
Lenovo 45.5 4.5% 23.7 3.3% 91.7%
Others 394.9 39.3% 290.5 40.1% 35.9%
Total 1,004.2 100.0% 725.3 100.0% 38.4%
Source: IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, January 27, 2014
Top Five Smartphone Vendors, Shipments, and Market Share, 2013 Q4 (Units in Millions)
Vendor 4Q13
Shipment
Volumes 4Q13 Market
Share 4Q12
Shipment
Volumes 4Q12 Market
Share Year over
Year Change
Samsung 82.0 28.8% 66.7 29.1% 22.9%
Apple 51.0 17.9% 47.8 20.9% 6.7%
Huawei 16.4 5.8% 10.5 4.6% 56.5%
Lenovo 13.9 4.9% 9.4 4.1% 47.3%
LG 13.2 4.6% 8.6 3.8% 53.2%
Others 107.9 37.9% 85.9 37.5% 25.6%
Total 284.4 100.0% 229.0 100.0% 24.2%
Source: IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, January 27, 2014
In addition to the table above, an interactive graphic showing worldwide smartphone market share for the top 5 vendors over the previous five quarters is available here. The chart is intended for public use in online news articles and social media. Instructions on how to embed this graphic can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.
Top Five Mobile Phone Vendors, Shipments, and Market Share, 2013 (Units in Millions)
Vendor 2013
Shipment
Volumes 2013 Market
Share 2012
Shipment
Volumes 2012 Market
Share Year over
Year Change
Samsung 446.7 24.5% 409.4 23.6% 9.1%
Nokia 251.0 13.8% 335.6 19.3% -25.2%
Apple 153.4 8.4% 135.9 7.8% 12.9%
LG 70.0 3.8% 56.6 3.3% 23.6%
Huawei 55.5 3.0% 47.5 2.7% 16.7%
Others 845.2 46.4% 753.1 43.3% 12.2%
Total 1,821.8 100.0% 1,738.1 100.0% 4.8%
Source: IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, January 27, 2014
Top Five Mobile Phone Vendors, Shipments, and Market Share, 2013 Q3 (Units in Millions)
Vendor 4Q13
Shipment
Volumes 4Q13 Market
Share 4Q12
Shipment
Volumes 4Q12 Market
Share Year over
Year Change
Samsung 112.0 22.9% 113.6 23.5% -1.4%
Nokia 63.4 13.0% 86.3 17.8% -26.5%
Apple 51.0 10.4% 47.8 9.9% 6.7%
LG 18.5 3.8% 15.4 3.2% 20.2%
Huawei 17.9 3.7% 15.9 3.3% 12.6%
Others 225.6 46.2% 205.1 42.4% 10.0%
Total 488.4 100.0% 484.0 100.0% 0.9%
Source: IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, January 27, 2014
Note: Data are preliminary and subject to change. Vendor shipments are branded shipments and exclude OEM sales for all vendors.
About IDC Trackers
IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC’s Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad.
For more information about IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 orknagamine@idc.com.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries worldwide. For more than 50 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.
All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Contacts
IDC
Ramon T. Llamas, 508-935-4736
rllamas@idc.com
or
Ryan Reith, 650-950-6242
rreith@idc.com
or
Michael Shirer, 508-935-4200
press@idc.com
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