In 2011 smartphones outsold PCs
In 2011, the smartphone finally became the new computers as shipments of smartphones outgrew personal computer shipments, a Canalys report said. A total of 488 million smartphones were shipped by vendors last year, which is more than the 415 million personal computers.
The growth rate itself is spectacular - the total number of shipped smartphones jumped 62.7% on the year, with a huge last quarter where smartphone shipments reached 159 million.
"Smartphone shipments overtaking those of client PCs should be seen as a significant milestone," Chris Jones from Canalys said. "In the space of a few years, smartphones have grown from being a niche product segment at the high-end of the mobile phone market to becoming a truly mass-market proposition."
We already know that Apple was the single most popular brand, but when it comes to platforms reports have been ambiguous, most agreeing that Android still has the lead, especially outside the States. Canalys too said Android had the overwhelming share with 238 million Android smartphones out there, constituting nearly half of all smart handsets.
Symbian still had a noticeable share with 81.9 million handsets shipped, and RIM wrapped up the big four platforms with 51.4 million devices. Microsoft’s Windows Phone was marginal at best with a mere 6.8 million phones shipped.
This huge growth is striking when we look at the personal computer market where a single-digit growth is considered success. Tablets were the only booming device, while netbook sales tanked. Notebooks and desktop PCs grew in the single digits.
source: Canalys via PCMag
Image courtesy of TheChive.com
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