Sales increased by 38.4% compared to 2012
Annual global smartphone sales surpassed one billion units for the first time in 2013, reaching 1.004 million units, according to research firm IDC. Sales increased by 38.4% compared to 2012.
No. 1 in sales internationally was South Korean Samsung, with a market share of 31.3% and a spectacular sales increase of 43% compared to 2012. In second place in the global market was American Apple with a share of 15.3% and a sales increase of 13% compared to 2012. The top five in sales are completed by Chinese Huawei (4.9%), also South Korean LG (4.8%) and Lenovo (4.5%).
Smartphones as a category accounted for more than half of total mobile phone sales last year. The increase in smartphone screen size, their ever-increasing technological capabilities and, most importantly, their continued decline in cost are fueling the increase in demand for them worldwide, according to IDC.
The bulk of sales concern cheap smartphones priced under $150, which are preferred by consumers in the world's most populous markets, China and India.
A second study by Strategy Analytics estimated smartphone sales slightly lower in 2013, at 990 million, out of a total of 1.7 billion sales for all types of mobile phones.
Source: protothema.gr
