Global mobile phone shipments grew an impressive 31 percent year-over-year, to reach 229 million units during Q1 2006, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics. Following this strong performance, Strategy Analytics has upgraded its global mobile phone shipment forecast to 1 billion units for the full-year 2006.
Neil Mawston, Associate Director of the Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service at Strategy Analytics said, "Total global handset shipment growth of 31 per cent annually, driven largely by emerging markets such as India, is at its highest rate for almost two years. We expect strong demand to continue throughout the coming months and we forecast that full-year sales will reach a record 1.00 billion units worldwide by the end of 2006 - this represents 22 per cent growth from 817 million in 2005."
Chris Ambrosio, Director of the Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service, added, "It is important to note that strong shipment growth is not equating to healthy profits for all vendors. Motorola was the star performer in terms of volumes, but the growing need to compete in low-cost markets adds fuel to the theory that it has reached its profits-ceiling. Samsung and LG are also both feeling this profit pressure. This is a strong illustration of the need for design and platform balance, in order to maximize profits as a global competitor. Otherwise, profits rest in niche products aligned to emerging mobile data demands, as demonstrated in Sony Ericsson's recent strong quarter."
Other findings from Strategy Analytics' Q1 2006 Global Handset Market Share Update include:
-- The share gap between Nokia (33 per cent) and Motorola (20 per cent) stands now at 13 points, down from 19 points in Q1 2002;
-- LG opened up a 1 point share gap over Sony Ericsson at the cost of profitability, struggling to balance growth with carrier-customization demands.
| Global Sell-In (M) | Q1 '05 | 2005 | Q1 '06 |
| Nokia | 53.8 | 264.9 | 75.1 |
| Motorola | 28.7 | 146.0 | 46.1 |
| Samsung | 24.5 | 102.9 | 29.0 |
| LG | 11.1 | 54.9 | 15.6 |
| SonyEricsson | 9.4 | 51.1 | 13.3 |
| Others | 46.6 | 197.2 | 49.8 |
| Total | 174.1 | 817.0 | 228.9 |
| Global Share | Q1 '05 | 2005 | Q1 '06 |
| Nokia | 30.9% | 32.4% | 32.8% |
| Motorola | 16.5% | 17.9% | 20.1% |
| Samsung | 14.1% | 12.6% | 12.7% |
| LG | 6.4% | 6.7% | 6.8% |
| SonyEricsson | 5.4% | 6.3% | 5.8% |
| Others | 26.8% | 24.1% | 21.8% |
| Total Growth YoY | 10.8% | 20.1% | 31.4% |
Posted to the site on 21st April 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/17063.php