Smartphones Outnumbers Feature Phone Shipments in Q1 2013: Report

For the first time in the history of smartphones, the touch screen devices have outpaced the feature phone shipments, says a new report released by market watch dog IDC (International Data Corporation) which released the quarterly results of mobile phone shipments and market share of 1Q, 2013.

IDC claimed that the mobile phone vendors shipped 418.6 million units in 1Q, 2013, of which more than 51 percent of the total phone shipments (to be precise 216.2 million units) were reported to be of smartphones.

Citing the report, IDC's Senior Analyst, Kevin Restivo said, "Phone users want computers in their pockets. The days where phones are used primarily to make phone calls and send text messages are quickly fading away,"

"As a result, the balance of smartphone power has shifted to phone makers that are most dependent on smartphones."

According to IDC's 1Q (first quarter) 2013 smartphone market share report, arch rivals Samsung (37.3%) and Apple (17.3%) together share close to 50 percent of the global the smartphone market, whereas South Korean company LG made a remarkable come back to the top 5 smartphone makers list after a six-month hiatus, thanks to its 3G and mid-range Optimus smartphone series. Currently, LG is placed third with 4.8 percent market share. Two Chinese manufacturers - Huawei (4.6%) and ZTE (4.2%) - are placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Top 5 Smartphone Vendors in 1Q, 2013:

(Units in Millions)

Top 5 Mobile Phone Vendors (includes both smartphones and feature phones sales) in 1Q, 2013

(Units in Millions)