Report: Smartphone use soars in Southeast Asia

Based on research compiled by GfK Asia, smartphones have taken over the market for mobile handsets in Southeast Asia. The region's use of smartphones has exploded with two out of every three mobile handset users now carrying a smartphone in his back pocket or in her purse. Last year, one in two handset owners in the area was using a smartphone. In areas like Singapore and Malaysia, these devices are employed by 88% of those carrying a mobile phone. Smartphone use continues to grow in the region. In the first quarter of this year, 7.7 million units were purchased at a cost of $2.4 million USD. GfK Asia says that in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, and Cambodia, growth in smartphone use year over year ranged from 40% to as high as 400%.

Touch only models are becoming a favorite of smartphone users in the area. While making up 47% of smartphone models in use last year, that figure is now up to 71%. Of those smartphones sold in the region during Q1, 35% were equipped with an 8MP camera or higher vs. 12% in 2011's first three months. Certain countries like Cambodia (70%), Singapore (67%) and Malaysia (58%) account for much of the demand for units with mid to high-end camera sensors aboard.

Gerard Tan, Account Director for Digital Technology at GfK Asia, predicted that the stable prices for smartphones in the area, currently $309 USD on average, will help continue to drive the momentum in sales belonging to smartphones in Southeast Asia. Tan says that the country is nowhere near the saturation point and that many people in the area still do not own a mobile phone. He says that this makes the region a great place for smartphone manufacturers to concentrate on.
source: GfK via DailyMobile