IDC Highlights Global Growth in the Mobile Market in Q2 2013

Mobile and smartphone penetration rates are increasing as more infrastructures are being constructed, even in the most remote locations around the world. The International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker reports worldwide mobile phone market grew 6 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2013.

The number of units shipped by vendors in the second quarter of 2013 totaled 432.1 million mobile phones, which was higher than the 428.8 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2013. The total for the second quarter of 2013 increased by more than 25 million units compared to the same period in 2012.

The growth was driven by manufacturers outside of the top five manufacturers in the world, accounting for 44.8 percent of the overall shipment volume, which was up from 42 percent during the same period a year ago. By addressing the two most populous nations in the world, China and India, Alcatel and Huawei saw increases of high double- and triple-digit growth rates with their Android-based offerings to these countries.

Smartphone shipments totaled 237.9 million units in the second quarter, compared to 156.2 million units in the same quarter of 2012, which is a 52.3 percent year-over-year growth, representing the highest growth rate in five quarters.

"Market opportunities exist at all levels, including the high end. While Samsung and Apple accounted for significant share of the overall market, they were not the only vendors active in the high end of the market, and recent device introductions and upcoming launches signal more vendors targeting this space. Comparisons will certainly be made to the flagship Galaxy and iPhone models, but clearly the competition refuses to be shut out altogether," said Ramon Llamas, research manager with IDC's Mobile Phone team.

Key highlights from the report of the top vendors include:

• Samsung – the company more than doubled the total volumes of the next largest vendor by the end of the quarter, shipping more units than the next four vendors combined.
• Apple – the anticipated release of the next-generation device as well as some other issues resulted in its second lowest year-over-year iPhone growth rate in almost four years.
• LG – shipments in the first quarter of 2013 more than doubled from the same time a year ago for the second year in a row. The company is introducing a new line of high-end phones for the mass market.
• Lenovo – the company reached double digits shipments and jumped back in the top five after being absent for two quarters. It is expecting growth in Latin America and other developing countries.
• ZTE – success in the Asia-Pacific region ensured the company remained a top performer in the smartphone market for the fourth straight quarter. With the goal of a 50-million smartphone shipment this year and the introduction of 11 LTE enabled smartphones, it will continue to dominate many of the markets other companies are ignoring.

The Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker reports on technology coverage and data segmentation, geographic scope, forecast coverage, delivery schedules and deliverables.