Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “We believe the relative upturn in the global handset market has been driven by improved consumer confidence in some regions, such as China, and by partial restocking of some retailers’ depleted supplies. Growth is certainly still available for those handset makers with compelling products and strong brands. For example, Samsung grew worldwide shipments a healthy 14% during the quarter, as consumers and carriers showed high interest in their touchphone models, such as Star and Jet.”
Other findings from Strategy Analytics’ Q2 2009 Global Handset Market Share Update report include:
- LG Electronics shipped 29.8 million handsets worldwide during Q2 2009, for a record marketshare of 11%. An attractive portfolio of touchscreen QWERTY phones and increased distribution channels have been among the drivers of its success;
- Motorola shipped a better-than-expected 14.8 million handsets worldwide in Q2 2009, for 5% marketshare. The operating margin for its handset division improved sequentially and an aggressive cost-cutting program is benefiting the company;
- Apple shipped a better-than-expected 5.2 million iPhones worldwide in Q2 2009, for 1.9% marketshare. Apple launched its new 3GS model during the quarter and we believe Apple is developing a rolling pattern of 1-year upgrade-cycles for its flagship iPhone family in an attempt to drive higher replacement rates among consumers.
