Strategy Analytics predicts 775 million mobiles in 2005 — MobileMonday Global: Industry News

^{Nokia and Motorola take 50 percent share} Strategy Analytics predicts 775 million mobiles in 2005

31 Jul 2005 at 09:38 GMT Timo Poropudas

Global mobile phone shipments grew a striking 18 percent year-over-year, to 188 million units during Q2 2005 (April - June), according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics. Mega-vendors Nokia and Motorola outperformed in emerging markets, to grab an impressive, combined 50 percent share of total sales.

Chris Ambrosio, Director of Strategy Analytics’ Wireless Device Strategies service, noted, “Strong growth in emerging mobile phone markets, such as South America and Africa, is driving demand for increasing numbers of entry-level devices, precisely the mass-market segments where Nokia and Motorola are among the strongest.”

“The worldwide handset market is once again becoming concentrated in the hands of just a few major brands,” said Neil Mawston, Associate Director of the Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service at Strategy Analytics. “For example, Nokia and Motorola accounted for exactly half the global market in Q2 2005, leaving more than 60 other brands to fight for the remaining 50 percent.”

Samsung posted a below-average 7 percent annual growth rate, and, according to Strategy Analytics, desperately needs both entry-tier products and mid-tier style-refreshment, in order to respond to the intense competitive challenge being thrown down by Nokia and Motorola;

Following 361 million handsets sold globally in the first half of 2005, Strategy Analytics forecasts 775 million units for the full-year 2005.