Q1 2008 Global Handset Market Update
Here’s the new world order in handsets for Q1 2008, based on an undisclosed research report.
Motorola drops to number three in volume terms and number five in value terms.
LG was the winner for the quarter with a YoY volume growth rate of 54% followed by Samsung with 33% growth. The market grew 14%. Motorola wasn’t the only loser. Sony Ericsson lost market share. And so did Apple. RIM and HTC are gaining smartphone share.
The handset market grew at YoY rate of 14% and again grew slightly less concentrated, with the top-five vendors taking 83.5% of global volume. This compares to 84.5% during the same period a year ago and 83.6% during Q4 2007. This is a reflection of both Motorola’s share loss and specialty vendors such as RIM, HTC and Apple taking higher-end share and smaller vendors taking some at the low-end (for example, the success of operator-branded handsets in Europe and some emerging markets).
The Korean vendors have been hedging their bets, using every form factor and platform known to man while working hand-in-hand with operators in key markets. In addition, Samsung and LG have been helped by the South Korean won’s weakness, which is at a two-year low against the U.S. dollar and even lower against the Euro.
Nokia’s market share for Q1, at around 41% according to Strategy Analytics, is up almost four points year-on-year and steady from the previous quarter. The combined share of Samsung, Motorola, LG, and Sony Ericsson was around 42.6%, meaning Nokia is close to matching the combined volumes of the two, three, four, and five vendors.
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