Global mobile phone market to grow 7.3% in 2013

The worldwide mobile phone market is forecast to grow 7.3 percent year over year in 2013, marking a sharp rebound from the nearly flat (1.2%) growth experienced in 2012. Strong demand for smartphones across all geographies will drive much of this growth as worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to surpass 1 billion units for the first time in a single year, according to a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC). The overall mobile phone market is growing faster than previously forecast due to a stronger-than-expected first half of the year driven by gains in emerging markets and the sub USD 200 smartphone segment. IDC previously projected 5.8 percent growth for the year. Vendors are now forecast to ship more than 1.8 billion mobile phones in 2013, growing to over 2.3 billion mobile phones in 2017. Worldwide smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 40.0 percent year over year to more than 1.0 billion units in 2013 and total smartphone shipments are forecast to reach 1.7 billion units in 2017. 

Android remains the dominant smartphone operating system, a status that is not expected to change although its share will decline somewhat as the market matures and competition solidifies. Samsung remains the world's top seller of Android-based smartphones, while the resurgence of LG and Sony have also contributed to its success in recent quarters. iOS will remain the clear number two operating system as the expected launch of a lower-cost iPhone will open up a wider addressable market. Windows Phone will solidify its position as the number three operating system with incremental share gains over the course of the forecast. BlackBerry operating system share will decline markedly over the forecast period due to tepid BlackBerry 10 reception and increased competition.