Global Wireless Handset Shipments to Exceed 2 Billion Devices in 2016

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As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, use of wireless handsets, particularly smartphones, continues to be on the rise, with product shipments showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In its latest market data report, ABI Research, a leader in technology market intelligence, assesses the top 15 vendors globally dominating the wireless handset industry, closely examining key factors that continue to drive this continued market growth and predicting future industry patterns.

“Looking at the strong quarter-on-quarter growth that the total handset market experienced in 2015, it should be on target to tip 2 billion devices in global shipments next year,” says David McQueen, Research Director at ABI Research. “That equates to roughly one new device for every fourth person on the planet. Smartphone shipments are also showing continued growth, with Samsung’s smartphones accounting for 80% of the company’s total shipments and that percentage continuing to increase with each consecutive quarter.”

ABI Research’s report points to four factors stimulating the global wireless handset market growth. These include increasing subscription penetration in emerging markets, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region; the ever decreasing cost of smartphones; the move to LTE in developed market regions; and the advancement of fundamental operating systems, particularly the Android platform.

The report analyzed shipment data from 15 high-ranking global wireless handset vendors, including Apple, BlackBerry, Coolpad, HTC, Huawei, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Micromax, Microsoft/Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony, TLC/Alcatel, Xiaomi and ZTE. Also included in the research findings is data compiled from emerging market contenders that are quickly and steadily gaining significant market share.

“In previous years, the industry’s top six vendors held 80% of the market,” concludes Sam Rosen, Vice President at ABI Research. “Now, they hold only roughly 50%, with new emerging players taking up nearly one third of the current market. The wireless handset market shows no sign of wavering over the next four of five quarters, so it will be interesting to watch which new regional brands, such as Coolpad and Micromax in India, continue to carve out share and lay claim to a reasonable stake in the changing competitive landscape.”

About ABI Research

For more than 25 years, ABI Research has stood at the forefront of technology market intelligence, partnering with innovative business leaders to implement informed, transformative technology decisions. The company employs a global team of senior analysts to provide comprehensive research and consulting services through deep quantitative forecasts, qualitative analyses and teardown services. An industry pioneer, ABI Research is proactive in its approach, frequently uncovering ground-breaking business cycles ahead of the curve and publishing research 18 to 36 months in advance of other organizations. In all, the company covers more than 60 services, spanning 11 technology sectors.