Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home IT Management
    • IT Management
    • Mobile
    • PC Hardware
    • Small Business

    Samsung Extends Lead Over Apple in Smartphone Market: IDC

    Written by

    Nathan Eddy
    Published July 27, 2012
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      The success of Samsung€™s latest Android-based smartphone, the Galaxy S III, has helped it extend its lead over Apple and its iPhone in the ultra-competitive smartphone market, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. The report found Samsung and Apple have more than doubled their combined market share over the past two years, shipping almost half of the world’s smartphones.

      Overall, the worldwide mobile phone market grew 1 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2012, as vendors shipped 406 million units in 2Q12, compared to 401.8 million units in the second quarter of 2011. Vendors shipped 153.9 million smartphones in 2Q12 compared to 108.3 million units in 2Q11, however, the 42.1 percent year-over-year growth was one percentage point lower than IDC’s forecast of 43.1 percent for the quarter.

      “Samsung and Apple have quickly become the global smartphone heavyweights though both employ somewhat different approaches to the market,” Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, said in a press statement. “Samsung employs a ‘shotgun’ strategy wherein many models are created that cover a wide range of market segments. Apple, in contrast, offers a small number of high-profile models. While both companies have expanded their geographic presence in pursuit of market share, the two companies will inevitably come into greater conflict as both try to generate additional gains.”

      The report raised doubts as to whether the market would continue to grow, noting that the 2Q 2012 growth rate was the lowest since the fourth quarter of 2009 and raised the possibility that worldwide economic woes could put the brakes on smartphone sales. However, due to the central role mobile phones play in people’s lives as an essential communications link, IDC said it expects long-term smartphone shipment demand to grow through the years.

      “With half of 2012 behind us, vendors are looking ahead to 2013 and how key markets €“ particularly Europe and emerging markets €“ will play out,” Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s mobile phone technology and trends team, said in a prepared statement. “Despite recent maneuvers to shore up several countries within the Eurozone, the effectiveness of these efforts remains to be seen. Meanwhile, emerging markets will continue to be strong contributors due to their sheer size and growth trajectory, but how much they can offset potential declines in other countries is unclear.”

      Samsung topped the 50 million unit mark and reached a new quarterly smartphone shipment record in a single quarter, thanks to the launch of its flagship Galaxy S III handset and continued success of its smartphone/tablet hybrid device, the Galaxy Note. Apple posted an expected sequential decline last quarter, similar to years past, IDC said, noting the decline was not unusual, as iPhone shipment volume is highest in the first two quarters after its release.

      Nokia saw demand for Symbian and MeeGo units decline, reaching levels not seen since 2005, though the company almost doubled its Windows Phone shipments from the previous quarter and Lumia sales have remained steady, even though Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 announcement will prevent current Lumia owners from upgrading to the new mobile operating system. HTC€™s strong performance in the Asia/Pacific region allowed the company to rebound, while ZTE climbed into the smartphone top five for the first time, thanks to strong sales of entry-level smartphones in China.

      Nathan Eddy
      Nathan Eddy
      A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan was perviously the editor of gaming industry newsletter FierceGameBiz and has written for various consumer and tech publications including Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, CRN, and The Times of London. Currently based in Berlin, he released his first documentary film, The Absent Column, in 2013.

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.