 |
Smartphone use is rising sharply in Southeast Asia |
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.
"In developing Southeast Asia where smartphone penetration is
still nowhere near saturation levels, we can be sure that the current
sales spurt will carry on for at least the next few years. With much of
the populace still not owning a mobile phone, there is no better place
for global mobile phone brands to focus their sales and marketing
efforts."-Gerard Tan, Account Director for Digital Technology GfK Asia.
source: GfK via DailyMobile
