Samsung Takes 30 Percent of Global Smartphone Market first quarter this year

According to DRAMeXchange, a division of global research firm TrendForce, in the first quarter of 2013 smartphone shipments increased steadily worldwide, with total shipments reaching 216.4 million units, 9.4% Quarter on Quarter growth. Since the beginning of 2012, smartphone shipment figures have been up every quarter despite seasonality, indication the electronic device is here to stay.

Looking at first-tier manufacturers' shipment volumes, Samsung continues to take the lead in the first quarter as the maker uses its vertically integrated supply chain, global marketing, and various sales channels to its advantage. Samsung's smartphones series is expected to see 65M units shipped this quarter, which accounts for 30% of the global market.

As for Apple, the iPhone 5 has been unable to satisfy consumers' desire for innovation, and shipments were unsatisfactory as Android manufacturers have stepped up to the plate. The Cupertino company shipped a mere 37.5 million units in the first quarter, giving them 17.3% market share, a decrease of 1.2% from the previous quarter. Currently, circumstances surrounding the announcement of Apple's new device are unclear, while Samsung, HTC, Sony, and other global corporations are planning product unveilings for the second quarter, which will likely lead to another dip in Apple's shipments.

Nokia and HTC are other companies who have found themselves having smaller shares in the beginning of this year, with Nokia down 0.9% and HTC down 0.4%. Sony and Lenovo seem to be among the few companies that have actually registered a growth. Sony, which recently launched its Xperia Z smartphone, has climbed all the way from 3.5% to... 3.8%, while Lenovo currently controls 3.9% of the market, up from 3.3% in 2012.

Source: dramexchange