The latest market data from analyst firm Canalys shows how much
the converged device market (all smart phones and wireless
handhelds) has grown over the past year. These, typically high-end,
devices represented around 10% of the global mobile phone market by
units in 2007, with annual growth of 60% making them one of the
fastest growing segments of the technology industry. Year-on-year
growth climbed every quarter throughout 2007, to reach a peak of 72%
in Q4.
2007 Converged Devices
- Converged device shipments (smart phones and wireless
handhelds) rose 60% to hit 115 million in 2007 - Shipments of handhelds fell 47% to 3.0 million, from 5.6
million in 2006 - North America is growing fast - shipments doubled to 20.9
million, from 10.3 million in 2006 - Nokia remained global market leader, shipping 60.5 million
smart phones - RIM shipments grew 112% year-on-year to 12.2 million,
strengthening its second place position - By OS provider, Symbian leads on 67% share, followed by
Microsoft on 13%, with RIM on 10%.
Q4 Converged Devices
- Converged device shipments rose 72% year-on-year in Q4 2007,
the highest growth seen all year - Nokia and RIM retained their number one and two positions
- Apple achieved third place despite its limited geographic
coverage, with 7% share - Symbian leads with 65% share, ahead of Microsoft on 12%, RIM
on 11%, Apple on 7%, and Linux at 5%