Apple has emerged as the number one smartphone vendor globally, as the worldwide mobile phone market grew 65.4% year over year in the second quarter of 2011 (2Q11).
The total smartphones shipments exceeded 100 million units foe the third consecutive quarter, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker 2Q11.
The other companies in the top five list are: Samsung, Nokia, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) and HTC.
IDC said that Apple’s success can be directly attributed to its distribution – with over 200 carriers in more than 200 countries, increased manufacturing capacity, and solid demand within emerging and developed markets from both consumers and business users.
However, Apple has yet to top Nokia’s single-quarter volume record of 28.1 million units.
IDC Mobile Phone Technology and Trends team senior research analyst Ramon Llamas said the smartphone market crowned Apple as a new leader in 2Q11.
"Ever since the first iPhone launched in 2007, Apple has made market-setting strides in hardware, software, and channel development to grab mindshare and market share. Demand has been so strong that even models that have been out for one or two years are still being sought out. With an expected refresh later this year, volumes are set to reach higher levels," said Llamas.
The biggest gainer in the quarter was South Korea-based Samsung. The company’s Galaxy S smartphones helped it realise the largest year-over-year growth of any vendor among the top five.
IDC said that Samsung’s bada-powered smartphones likewise grew, while demand for its Windows Phone smartphones has cooled off.
Apple’s rise to the top comes at a time when former worldwide leader Nokia is in the midst of a major transition.
Nokia ceded the number one position for the first time in the history of IDC’s Mobile Phone Tracker, with smartphone volumes dipping below the 20 million unit mark for the first time since 3Q09.
Even as the company released new smartphones running on Symbian^3, demand for its products running on the aged Symbian platform has shifted to other devices.
At the same time, IDC said, Nokia must be considered as a company in transition, as it recently unveiled its first MeeGo-powered smartphone and Windows Phone-powered smartphones, designated as the primary operating system for Nokia moving forward, have yet to reach the market.
RIM was the biggest loser. It posted the lowest year-over-year growth of all the vendors in the top five.
Lack of new models and encroachment of its stronghold enterprise grade smartphones by other vendors caused the company’s slide in the quarter. Still, demand for BlackBerry smartphones remained healthy in the face of competition, said IDC.
HTC marked another upward quarter, having launched and announced several new smartphones to the market. The company is well poised to reach its goal of shipping 50 million units for the year, said IDC.
In 2Q11, vendors shipped 106.5 million units compared to 64.4 million units in the second quarter of 2010.
The 65.4% growth was on par with IDC’s forecast of 67.3% for the quarter and below the 84.0% year-over-year growth in 1Q11.
IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker senior research analyst said Kevin Restivo said the smartphone market leadership change signifies the parity that comes with a fast-growing market such as smartphones.
Restivo said, "There is no runaway leader in the market, which means there could easily be further Top 5 vendor changes to come."
For 2011, IDC maintains that the worldwide smartphone market will grow 55.0% over 2010.
"The first half of the year has demonstrated strong growth for the smartphone market," said Llamas.
"The second half of the year will bring new flagship models and refreshed user experiences to market. These will keep smartphones well out in front of the market, and keep growth on an upward trajectory."
