Research firm Canalys revealed that worldwide shipments of cellphones (basic phones + smartphones) totaled 438.1 million units worldwide in the fourth quarter with affordable feature phones still outselling the pricier smartphones. Amid declining sales of feature phones, which are still popular in emerging markets and the elderly, smartphone shipments saw a 37% increase to 216.5 million units. Android accounted for 34% of all mobile phone shipments and 69% of smartphone shipments in the quarter, while iOS smartphones accounted for 11% of all mobile phones and 22% of all smartphones. The top smartphone vendors were Korea-based Samsung (62.9 million units), California-based Apple (47.8 million), followed by Chinese device-makers Huawei (11.5 million), ZTE (10.1 million) and Lenovo (9.5 million).
What Else You Need To Know
- Although it was bumped off the list in the fourth quarter, Nokia was still ranked third (35 million units) in the whole of 2012, a far third behind Samsung (210 million) and Apple (136 million).
- Nokia said last month said it sold in the fourth quarter 15.9 million smartphones, consisting of 4.4 million Lumias, 9.3 million Asha full-touch phones and 2.2 million Symbian models. But Canalys apparently considered the low-cost Asha as a feature phone in its data.
- China is the largest mobile market and has continued to see significant growth, accounting for 73% of all shipments in Q4 compared to 40% in the same period in 2011.
- Another research firm, ComScore, earlier revealed that in the U.S. alone, Apple was the top smartphone maker (36.3%), followed by Samsung (21%), HTC (10.2%), Motorola (9.1%), and LG (7.1%).
Other sources
Whether or not regular cellphones are included, the message is the same -- if you haven't been building a popular flagship device or catering to buyers in Beijing, you've likely been left out in the cold.- John Fingas, Engadget
Oddly, despite smartphones winning the fight against feature devices in both the US and EU5, Canalys estimates that across the 50+ countries tracked by the latest report smartphones represented “almost” 50% of all phones shipped in Q4. In other words, “dumb” phones continue to rule the world of mobile."- Adrian Diaconescu, Android Authority
- BGR
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Android dominated in Q4, found on more than half of all smartphones
Smartphone shipments in China increased by 113% to 64.7 million units, however Apple’s struggles remained and it continued to lose market share to Samsung and other manufacturers.
- PCMag
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Android Helps Samsung Secure 'Colossal' Lead Over Apple iPhone
The faltering handset makers, meanwhile, have a long road ahead of them. Sony fell out of the top five altogether, making way for Lenovo.
- Engadget
- Canalys: Android was a third of all cellphone shipments in Q4
- Other
- Canalys: Android rules global smartphone market with 69% share, iOS rises to 22%
- Know Your Mobile
- Android dominates in Q4 despite iOS gains
- GSM Arena
- Android on 37% of all phones shipped in Q4, iOS on 11%
- The Inquirer
- Android dropped to 70 percent smartphone share in Q4 2012
- TechRadar
- Android loses share to iOS but still rules the smartphone market