The total number of smartphones shipped worldwide in 2013 is projected to surpass the number of feature phones shipped for the first time ever. More specifically, the former group is expected to reach 937 million units this year compared to just 889 million units for the latter, as smartphone shipments grow to 1.45 billion units at a compounded annual rate of 26 percent between 2011 and 2016, and account for two-thirds of the mobile phone market.
The latest estimates come from NPD, which expects the smartphone market to continue growing rapidly over the next two years, thanks to larger and higher-resolution displays, faster processors, as well as higher-capacities that mean they satisfy many needs that previously required other computing devices.
Here’s the forecast:
If you’re getting a big feeling of déjà vu, that’s because IDC made this prediction earlier this year. The difference is in the actual figure: IDC expects vendors to ship 918.6 million smartphones this year, or 50.1 percent of the total mobile phone shipments worldwide.
NPD’s estimate is coming later, so some would argue that it might be more accurate but the truth is the number of phones shipped doesn’t really matter. The point is the two firms both agree smartphones will outstrip feature phones this year.
In fact, on a quarterly basis, it’s already happened. IDC said vendors shipped 216.2 million units in Q1 2013, marking the first time more than half (51.6 percent) of the total phone shipments in a quarter were smartphones.
NPD unsurprisingly says emerging markets are driving most of the smartphone growth, largely thanks to better download speeds as networks are upgraded to 3G and 4G as well as entry-level devices priced below $200. China in particular is pushing growth along in the entry-level smartphone category, grabbing 55 percent of shipments, and it also happens to be the largest market for smartphones as a whole.
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