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1.6 billion phones shipped in 2012, Samsung, Apple and Nokia are top three makers

1.6 billion phones shipped in 2012, Samsung, Apple and Nokia are top three makers

Posted: 25 Jan 2013, 03:06, by Victor H.

Categories: Nokia Nokia Samsung Samsung Apple Apple

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1.6 billion phones shipped in 2012, Samsung, Apple and Nokia are top three makers

A couple of weeks after 2012 is over analysts have had the time and numbers to give us a look back at the year, and we get some extremely interesting statistics.

First, phones continued growing throughout the year to a total of 1.6 billion mobile phones shipped (as opposed to sold) across the globe in 2012, according to Strategy Analytics. A whopping 700 million of them were smartphones, and we’d expect that it will be next year when smartphones start outselling feature phones.

Samsung, Nokia and Apple in this particular order shipped the most handsets throughout the year and when it comes to smartphones it was Samsung, Apple and Nokia on top, with the last two switching places.

“Fuelled by robust demand for its popular Galaxy models, Samsung was the star performer, shipping a record 396.5 million mobile phones worldwide and capturing 25 percent marketshare to solidify its first-place lead. However, Samsung’s total volumes for the year fell just short of the 400-million threshold,” Strategy Analytics explained.

What’s interesting is that ZTE continues staying at the fourth place, but this year it has faced tough competition in China from local companies like Coolpad, and international ones like Samsung.

Strategy Analytics is the second researcher to release yearly stats, and you can also check out IDC’s estimates, there are some slight differences.

source: Strategy Analytics

Press Release

Strategy Analytics: Global Mobile Phone Shipments Reach 1.6 Billion Units in 2012

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global mobile phone shipments grew a modest 2 percent annually to reach 1.6 billion units in 2012. Samsung was the star performer, accounting for 1 in 4 of all mobile phones shipped worldwide last year.
Neil Shah, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, "Ongoing macroeconomic challenges in mature markets like North America and Western Europe, tighter operator upgrade policies, and shifting consumer tastes were among the key reasons why global mobile phone shipments grew just 2 percent annually to reach 1.6 billion units in 2012. Fuelled by robust demand for its popular Galaxy models, Samsung was the star performer, shipping a record 396.5 million mobile phones worldwide and capturing 25 percent marketshare to solidify its first-place lead. However, Samsung's total volumes for the year fell just short of the 400-million threshold."
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Nokia's global mobile phone shipments fell 20 percent from 417.1 million units in 2011 to 335.6 million in 2012. Nokia faced tough competition from Samsung in developing markets like China, while Apple and others ramped up the pressure in developed regions such as Western Europe. Nokia's dual-SIM feature phones, Asha touchphones and Lumia handsets have been performing well, but this was not enough to offset a slump in demand for the company's aging Symbian smartphone platform last year."
Linda Sui, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, "Apple shipped a record 135.8 million mobile phones worldwide in 2012. Apple delivered 46 percent annual growth last year, which was bolstered by solid demand in North America and Asia. Apple's launch of the iPhone 5 in Q4 2012 was a success as volumes ramped up in dozens of countries worldwide, but negative media coverage of the model's new integrated maps service and supply chain challenges cast a slight shadow over the launch."
Other findings from the research include:
• ZTE captured 5 percent share of the global mobile phone market in 2012, as its shipments fell minus 8 percent from 2011, partly because of heightened competition in core markets like China and Western Europe from rivals such as Coolpad and Samsung.
Exhibit 1: Global Mobile Phone Vendor Shipments and Market Share in Q4 20121
Global Mobile Phone Shipments (Millions of Units) Q4 '11 2011 Q4 '12 2012
Samsung 95.0 327.4 108.0 396.5
Nokia 113.5 417.1 86.3 335.6
Apple 37.0 93.0 47.8 135.8
ZTE 24.4 78.1 19.5 71.7
Others 169.7 630.4 189.3 635.4
Total 439.6 1546.0 450.9 1575.0
Global Mobile Phone Vendor Marketshare % Q4 '11 2011 Q4 '12 2012
Samsung 21.6% 21.2% 24.0% 25.2%
Nokia 25.8% 27.0% 19.1% 21.3%
Apple 8.4% 6.0% 10.6% 8.6%
ZTE 5.6% 5.1% 4.3% 4.6%
Others 38.6% 40.8% 42.0% 40.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Total Growth Year-over-Year % 9.9% 13.7% 2.6% 1.9%
_____________________________
1 Numbers are rounded. Total in the data-table does not include grey phone shipments.

Strategy Analytics: Global Smartphone Shipments Reach a Record 700 Million Units in 2012

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 43 percent annually to reach a record 700 million units in 2012. Samsung was the star performer, capturing 30 percent marketshare worldwide and extending its lead over Apple and Nokia.
Neil Shah, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, "Global smartphone shipments grew 38 percent annually from 157.0 million units in Q4 2011 to 217.0 million in Q4 2012. Global smartphone shipments for the full year reached a record 700.1 million units in 2012, increasing robustly from 490.5 million units in 2011. Global shipment growth slowed from 64 percent in 2011 to 43 percent in 2012 as penetration of smartphones began to mature in developed regions such as North America and Western Europe."
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Samsung shipped a record 213.0 million smartphones worldwide and captured 30 percent marketshare in 2012. This was the largest number of units ever shipped by a smartphone vendor in a single year, beating Nokia's previous all-time record when it shipped 100.1 million units during 2010. Despite tough competition in stores and courtrooms, Samsung continued to deliver numerous hit models, from the high-end Galaxy Note2 phablet to the mass-market Galaxy Y. Apple grew a healthy 46 percent annually and shipped 135.8 million smartphones worldwide for 19 percent marketshare in 2012, broadly flat from the 19 percent level recorded in 2011. Apple had a strong year in developed regions like North America, but this was offset partly by its limited presence in high-growth emerging markets such as Africa."
Linda Sui, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, "Samsung and Apple together accounted for half of all smartphones shipped worldwide in 2012. Large marketing budgets, extensive distribution channels and attractive product portfolios have enabled Samsung and Apple to tighten their grip on the smartphone industry. The growth of Samsung and Apple has continued to impact Nokia. Nokia retained its position as the world's third largest smartphone vendor for full-year 2012, but its global marketshare has dropped sharply from 16 percent to five percent during the past year. Nokia's Windows Phone portfolio has improved significantly in recent months, with new models like the Lumia 920, but we believe the vendor still lacks a true hero model in its range that can be considered an Apple iPhone or Samsung S3 killer."
Exhibit 1: Global Smartphone Vendor Shipments and Market Share in Q4 2012 1
Global Smartphone Vendor Shipments (Millions of Units) Q4 '11 2011 Q4 '12 2012
Samsung 36.5 97.4 63.0 213.0
Apple 37.0 93.0 47.8 135.8
Nokia 19.6 77.3 6.6 35.0
Others 63.9 222.8 99.6 316.3
Total 157.0 490.5 217.0 700.1
Global Smartphone Vendor Marketshare % Q4 '11 2011 Q4 '12 2012
Samsung 23.2% 19.9% 29.0% 30.4%
Apple 23.6% 19.0% 22.0% 19.4%
Nokia 12.5% 15.8% 3.0% 5.0%
Others 40.7% 45.4% 45.9% 45.2%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Total Growth Year-over-Year % 55.9% 63.8% 38.2% 42.7%

Smartphone Pressure Mounts for Samsung and Apple Exiting a Strong Q4 2012, According to ABI Research

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly 196 million smartphones and 451 million handsets were shipped during Q4 2012, according to the latest estimates from marketing intelligence firm ABI Research. This brings 2012 annual totals to 653 million smartphone and 1.6 billion handset shipments, representing a 36% and 2% YoY growth rate respectively. Smartphones accounted for 43% of all handset shipments in Q4, which pushed smartphones to 41% of all shipments in 2012.
Samsung retained its lead position overall by shipping 106 million handsets of which 60 million were smartphones in Q4 and capturing 31% of total smartphone shipments. In 2012 Samsung grew its handset shipments by 21.6% and its smartphone shipments by 123.8%. Despite missing most analyst estimates in Q4, Apple grew its smartphone shipment share to 24.5%, up from 16.4% in Q3. Apple shipped 47.8 million iPhones in Q4 bringing its 2012 annual total to 135.8 million. Apple's 2012 annual shipment growth declined from 96% in 2011 to 46% in 2012.
"It is clear that the iPhone's hyper-growth has ended, and ABI Research believes that Apple's market share will peak in 2013 at 22%," says mobile devices senior analyst Michael Morgan. "Unless Apple is willing to trade iPhone margins for low cost iPhone shipments, Apple's handset market share will become dependent on customer loyalty."
Looking at the rest of the pack, Nokia shipped 86.3 million handsets and 6.6 million smartphones in Q4 while RIM's shipments of smartphones declined to 6.9 million. ZTE had an excellent Q4 with 20.7 million handset shipments and 11.2 million smartphone shipments.
"Samsung and Apple are both under pressure to maintain their market lead as less costly smartphones gain momentum entering 2013," notes senior practice director Jeff Orr. "Technology optimization choices and a diverse handset portfolio are critical decisions over the next 6 to 9 months to come out ahead."
These findings are part of ABI Research's Mobile Handset Markets Database, which includes files detailing smartphone and mobile handset shipments, forecasts, and market share.

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1. platformwars posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:10 9 5

Nokia still at No. 3?? Surprising.. i believe that this number is for all mobile phones including feature phones..

Release a TOP 10 manufacturers for SMART PHONES and we might see a different story

2. darkkjedii posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:13 3 2

It is...

18. maxis3G (unregistered) posted on 25 Jan 2013, 07:45 0 3

but going down...

5. w-t-f posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:09 5 2

nope,Nokia is still NO.2 :)

10. jcpwn2004 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:28 0 1

Nokia is 3rd in smartphone share now, down to 6%, yikes!

http://www.phonearena.com/news/IDC-Huawei-behind-Samsung-and-Apple-in-Q4-global-smartphone-market-share_id39090#2-

edit: looks like tyler already beat me

14. w-t-f posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:59 1 0

http://www.phonearena.com/news/IDC-Huawei-behind-Samsung-and-Apple-in-Q4-global-smartphone-market-share_id39090#4-

This comment is posted in response to #10 Show

This comment is posted in response to #10 Hide

8. MC1123 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:27 1 4

totally agree... nokia sold 86Million featurephones including the asha touch...

actually they already release those numbers before (on smartphones) and nokia is nowhere to be found... top 1 is samsung 2 is apple 3 is i think RIM or ZTE

9. TylerGrunter posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:27 1 0

They did the TOP 5 and it's not in it:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/IDC-Huawei-behind-Samsung-and-Apple-in-Q4-global-smartphone-market-share_id39090#2-

21. haseebzahid posted on 25 Jan 2013, 11:10 1 0

this is based on global stats u are surprised since u only add USA or EU as target maybe. Nokia sales more in world then others till now samsung

3. dickwyn posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:19 9 3

see how Samsung can overtake nokia for first place but they still cant beat previous nokia sales yet

4. kaliil10 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:30 12 4

Nokia its the king... and it will be back to its position

23. phonemirer posted on 26 Jan 2013, 10:21 1 0

i hope they release a l922 because it will probably be trouncing 2013 flagships like l920 did

6. cyborg009 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:15 3 7

I was surprised to read Nokia in the title...this doesn't look Ok!!!

7. PhansMuneeb posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:20 5 0

r u ok??

13. akishakoi posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:50 1 0

he is definitely not ok.

11. MC1123 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:37 0 1

im more impress on apple since they only release 1 phone every year and they sell the last 2 models on lower price(not cheaper since it is still pricey) so they only sell 3 phones with huge pricetag but they still end up on #2 spot!

im not surprise with samsung since they flood the market with their gazillion feature phones and android phones so its no shocker that they will end up #1!

and also on nokia, im like 50:50 since there's even cheaper phone than their own feature phone.. there's a dual core android with respectable specs (yes there's a below $100 with IPS LCD running on ICS) that has the same price with their freaking ashas..but again, nokia is a trusted brand... but for how long? since i really hate the FULL WP plan....

i like the move of samsung that they will make their own platform now called tizen so that they wont rely much on android! but nokia, they let go of the most amazing OS ever, MeeGo, they killed the most powerful OS ever which it only needs a real support now coz it actually catch up with the game, Symbian(yes, there's a lot of things that symbian can do and android/iOS/WP cant)...sad life of nokia with the parasite called elop destroying them!

12. Xperia_no1 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:41 1 1

OH No, I Hate China but they've done well !
Sony will take the second Prize this 2013...! I hope so...

15. papss posted on 25 Jan 2013, 06:44 4 3

Always so much hate for Nokia.. People try the damn phone before you knock the OS. It all makes sense when you have a l920.. It feels right, perfect marriage. You are running out of doom and gloom comments

20. No_Nonsense posted on 25 Jan 2013, 09:50 0 0

Yeah, although I'd personally wanted that phone a bit narrower and with a xenon flash rather than the dual led one.

22. RiseAgainst94 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 13:41 1 0

Yeah but at least they did an excellent job with the dual LED.

16. sonofzeus posted on 25 Jan 2013, 06:50 1 0

Even though nokia is on the top 3,you can clearly see the drop in the number of phones shipped by nokia in 2012 when compared to 2011

17. papss posted on 25 Jan 2013, 07:30 2 0

But you can clearly see they are selling more phones than 95% of all manufactures

19. jonartpop posted on 25 Jan 2013, 08:35 3 0

Yay nokia! I'm not a fan of Nokia but before I used to use their great
symbian products.

24. cripton805 posted on 26 Jan 2013, 22:20 0 0

I dont even know where you can get a Nokia other than the 920.

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Samsung Galaxy S4
- Announced: 14 Mar 2013
- OS: Android 4.2.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.0 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
Apple iPhone 5
- Announced: 12 Sep 2012
- OS: iOS
- Hardware: Dual core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift, 1016 MB RAM
- Display: 4.0 inches, 640 x 1136 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900), CDMA (800 1700/2100 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS EV-DO Rev.A EV-DO Rev.B
Samsung GALAXY Note II
- Announced: 29 Aug 2012
- OS: Android 4.1.2 4.1.1
- Hardware: Quad core, 1600 MHz, ARM Cortex-A9, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.5 inches, 720 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 35 hours of Talk Time, 980 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 21.1 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
HTC One
- Announced: 19 Feb 2013
- OS: Android 4.1.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 4 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900), CDMA (800 1900)
- Data: LTE HSPA (unspecified) UMTS EDGE GPRS
Sony Xperia Z
- Announced: 07 Jan 2013
- OS: Android 4.1.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.0 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13.1 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 11 hours of Talk Time, 550 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
Google Nexus 4
- Announced: 29 Oct 2012
- OS: Android 4.2.2 4.2.1 4.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 15.3 hours of Talk Time, 390 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
LG Optimus G
- Announced: 28 Aug 2012
- OS: Android 4.1.2 4.0.4
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 15 hours of Talk Time, 335 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE HSPA (unspecified) UMTS EDGE GPRS
Nokia Lumia 920
- Announced: 05 Sep 2012
- OS: Windows Phone 8
- Hardware: Dual core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 1024 MB RAM
- Display: 4.5 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8.7 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 17 hours of Talk Time, 400 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS

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1.6 billion phones shipped in 2012, Samsung, Apple and Nokia are top three makers

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24 Comments Follow Following

1. platformwars posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:10 9 5

2. darkkjedii posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:13 3 2

18. maxis3G (unregistered) posted on 25 Jan 2013, 07:45 0 3

5. w-t-f posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:09 5 2

10. jcpwn2004 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:28 0 1

14. w-t-f posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:59 1 0

8. MC1123 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:27 1 4

9. TylerGrunter posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:27 1 0

21. haseebzahid posted on 25 Jan 2013, 11:10 1 0

3. dickwyn posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:19 9 3

4. kaliil10 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 04:30 12 4

23. phonemirer posted on 26 Jan 2013, 10:21 1 0

6. cyborg009 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:15 3 7

7. PhansMuneeb posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:20 5 0

13. akishakoi posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:50 1 0

11. MC1123 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:37 0 1

12. Xperia_no1 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 05:41 1 1

15. papss posted on 25 Jan 2013, 06:44 4 3

20. No_Nonsense posted on 25 Jan 2013, 09:50 0 0

22. RiseAgainst94 posted on 25 Jan 2013, 13:41 1 0

16. sonofzeus posted on 25 Jan 2013, 06:50 1 0

17. papss posted on 25 Jan 2013, 07:30 2 0

19. jonartpop posted on 25 Jan 2013, 08:35 3 0

24. cripton805 posted on 26 Jan 2013, 22:20 0 0

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