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Fuzzy Logic Apple takes No.3 spot for smartphones in Q4 ‘07
Fuzzy Logic Apple takes No.3 spot for smartphones in Q4 ‘07 | Apple takes No.3 spot for smartphones in Q4 ‘07 |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Thursday, 07 February 2008 | |
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The highlights during 2007 are as follows: Canalys estimates that 115 million smartphones and wireless handhelds were sold worldwide during all of ‘07, rising 60% over 2006 levels, with the APAC region largest by volume at 47.9 million units, just ahead of the EMEA region at 45.9 million. However the North American region grew fast too, with shipments doubling from 10.3m in 2006 to 20.9 million units sold in 2007. Nokia stays the global smartphone champion, shifting 60.5 million smartphones through sales channels worldwide, but RIM was no slouch either, growing 112% year-on-year to 12.2 million shipments, strengthening its second place position. In terms of smartphone OS provider, Symbian is still at 67%, Microsoft is at 13% and RIM is on 10%. But it’s Apple that has gone from nowhere to third position in Q4 ’07. According to Canalys numbers, there were a total of 35,522,360 smartphones shipped in that timeframe, with Nokia on 18,802,480 units, RIM on 4,046,860 Blackberries, Apple on 2,320,840 iPhones, Motorola on 2,301,260 units and ‘everyone else’ selling a total of 8,050,920 smartphones. Pete Cunningam, Canalys senior analyst said that: “When you consider that it launched part way through the year, with limited operator and country coverage, and essentially just one product, Apple has shown very clearly that it can make a difference and has sent a wakeup call to the market leaders”. “What it must demonstrate now is that it can build a sustainable business in the converged device space, expanding its coverage and product portfolio. It will also need to ensure that the exclusive relationships that got it so far so quickly do not prove to be a limit on what it can achieve. Apple’s innovation in its mobile phone user interface has prompted a lot of design activity among competitors”, continued Cunninham. However Cunninham then warned that: “We saw the beginnings of that in 2007, but we will see a lot more in 2008 as other smart phone vendors try to catch up and then get back in front. Experience shows that a vendor with only one smart phone design, no matter how good that design is, will soon struggle. A broad, continually refreshed portfolio is needed to retain and grow share in this dynamic market. This race is a marathon, but you pretty much have to sprint every lap.” So, what else does Canalys have to say about global shipments, market share, Mobile Linux for smartphones and more? Please read onto page 2. |
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