Research firm IDC has predicted this week that smartphone shipments will hit 1.2 billion units this year, strong growth of 23 percent year-over-year.
Additionally, Android will keep their monster lead, with IDC predicting 80.2 percent market share in 2014.
"What makes smartphone growth so amazing is where the growth will be taking place. Smartphone shipments will more than double between now and 2018 within key emerging markets, including India, Indonesia, and Russia. In addition, China will account for nearly a third of all smartphone shipments in 2018. These – and other markets – will offer multiple opportunities to vendors and carriers alike, but the key will be balancing affordability with expectations," adds Ramon Llamas, Research Manager with IDC's Mobile Phone team.
Apple's market share is not expected to grow as most of the growth nations do not have large markets for phones above the $200 unlocked price range, leaving the iPhone on the outside looking in. Windows Phone continues to see strong growth, but from small figures to begin with. Nokia's lower-end devices remain popular across the globe.
"What makes smartphone growth so amazing is where the growth will be taking place. Smartphone shipments will more than double between now and 2018 within key emerging markets, including India, Indonesia, and Russia. In addition, China will account for nearly a third of all smartphone shipments in 2018. These – and other markets – will offer multiple opportunities to vendors and carriers alike, but the key will be balancing affordability with expectations," adds Ramon Llamas, Research Manager with IDC's Mobile Phone team.
Apple's market share is not expected to grow as most of the growth nations do not have large markets for phones above the $200 unlocked price range, leaving the iPhone on the outside looking in. Windows Phone continues to see strong growth, but from small figures to begin with. Nokia's lower-end devices remain popular across the globe.
