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Report: Smartphone use soars in Southeast Asia

By Alan Friedman

Published: Apr 30, 2012, 3:40 PM

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Report: Smartphone use soars in Southeast Asia

Smartphone use is rising sharply 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.

"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

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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Report: Smartphone use soars in Southeast Asia

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