The share of smartphones is expected to get double from present in next four years in the backdrop of new mobile applications, rising Internet penetration and low-priced data plans.
With strong success of devices such as G1, iPhone and others, the share of smartphones in the mobile handset market is expected to get double from the current level in the next four years (2013), said In-Stat, as reported by InformationWeek.
At present, smartphones contribute around 10% to the global mobile handset market, but this figure will get doubled (nearly 20%) by the end of 2013. The number of smartphones in North America is projected to grow at an annual rate of 15% in the next five years to scale up to 62.3 Million Units by 2013.
Smartphones are high-end products, ranging from few hundred dollars to several hundred dollars. But still, they are continuously gaining popularity and their share in the total mobile handset market is expanding rapidly. Strong smartphones demand across the globe is accredited to device manufacturers who are leveraging open OS device(s) to provide a new experience to mobile users.
Furthermore, the prospective smartphone buyers are increasingly searching for new mobile applications, although all the platforms, including Apple’s iPhone, can download median number of applications. A single user can download up to five applications per platform.
Apart from accessing mobile applications, rising penetration of Internet and ease to access broadband via devices that can be carried in pockets have fueled the demand for smartphones across the globe. Falling prices of the devices along with availability of cheap data plans will have a positive impact on the adoption of smartphones.
Moreover, due to possible adoption of Android, Google’s new platform, the sector is expected to grow even faster than it grew on the launch of RIM and Symbian, Windows Mobile.
According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “The sales of smartphones are expected to be driven by the mix market in the coming times. Although Apple’s iPhone has received huge response from people, Linux systems represent the fastest growing segment in smartphones. However, the growth trajectory will dip a little bit due to the ongoing economic uncertainty that will affect the discretionary spending in the US and other parts of the world.”
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