Global Handset Shipments by Region, Vendor and Technology Database Q4’2011

Q4’2011 saw handset shipments of over 452.7 million units. As a consequence, yearly 2011 shipments of handsets globally reached an all time high of 1.5 billion units, up from 1.37 billion units in 2010. Within this overall rise in Q4’2011 handset shipments globally, volumes rose in North America by 6 % over the same period of 2010 driven primarily by the sales of LTE enabled smart phones. Q4’2011 volumes fell in Western Europe by 10 % but this decline was more than compensated for by the dramatic rises of in Asia Pacific (+21 %) as well as in Latin and Central America (+17 %) and in the Middle East and Africa (+24 %). Technologically, while GSM handsets still lead the market with 239 units shipped in Q4’2011, LTE enabled handsets reached 6.5 million units in 2011 represening of 1 % of all handset shipments. In terms of the key players and market leaders, Nokia has achieved a global Q4’2011 market share of 26 % of all shipments but while it remains in poll position its share is being steadily eroded by many aggressive competitors. By contrast, Samsung in second place with a Q4’2011 share of 21 % is catching up the lead position with a performance that is gradually increasing its share and slowly eroding Nokia’s lead. Furthermore, Apple, at the third spot continues to make good inroads globally with its iPhone series and its Q4’2011 share of 6 % is higher than all three previous 2011 quarters and it is 2% higher on the same period last year. LG which dropped its position from the third place in Q3’2011, with a Q4’2011 share of 5 % may be somewhat behind the three leaders but has plans to continue to move up the field and contend for the global number 2 place within the near to mid future. The “Global Handset Shipments by Region, Vendor and Technology Database Q4’2011” tracks handset shipments, market share and growth rate from vendor, regional and technology perspectives.

NA