Filed under: iPhone
Apple is the third largest smartphone maker
Apple is now the world's third largest smartphone producer, coming in behind Nokia and Research in Motion. IDC's latest report from its Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker cites continued interest in the iPhone and Apple starting to offer the device in China as major driving forces behind the growing dominance in the smartphone world. Apple shipped 25.1 million iPhone units in 2009, 8.7 million of those in the fourth quarter. By comparison, Nokia shipped 67.7 million device units throughout the year with 20.8 million in the fourth quarter alone. Manufacturers Motorola and HTC round out the top five smartphone makers. It's worth noting that while Apple still trails RIM and Nokia by unit sales, by some estimates the company already surpassed Nokia in Q3 of 2009 by generating more profit from handset sales than any other manufacturer.
A similar report released by AdMob at the end of January also shows the increasing use of the iPhone around the world. The amazing thing is that Nokia, RIM, Motorola and HTC all produce multiple devices while Apple has leapfrogged over into its position with just a single flagship phone, the 3GS. Motorola, which had fallen off the top five list in the past year, scrambled back onto it with the introduction of the Droid. Google's now entering the market, and Symbian is still very strong in Africa and Asia. It'll be interesting to see how Apple fares against these smartphone competitors in the next year.
[Via Wired]
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jose said 9:19PM on 2-09-2010
But I thought that Jobso said Apple was the largest !
Reply
Lern Toread said 9:53PM on 2-09-2010
FTA: " It's worth noting that while Apple still trails RIM and Nokia by unit sales, by some estimates the company already surpassed Nokia in Q3 of 2009 by generating more profit from handset sales than any other manufacturer."
#1
Level 5 said 11:16PM on 2-09-2010
Jobs said Apple was the largest mobile device company. I would assume that includes iPhones and iPods of all flavors; in which case, they're well into the 100 millions.
Miguel said 9:17AM on 2-11-2010
He said Apple was the largest mobile electronics company in the world in terms of revenue.
Reply
Apples_to_Oranges said 9:55PM on 2-09-2010
Actually, don't forget that they also still sell the 8GB 3G for a cheaper price. Which would apply to both graphs.
And the overall year, this I'm sure also takes into account for all models of iPhones.
Reply
BrooklynMac said 9:58PM on 2-09-2010
Jose,
Actually, he said "#1 mobile device company", not just mobile phone company. It is a but of a stretch, but he is including ipods, ipod touches and even laptops...but Steve likes to stretch things. That's why we like him - he sets his own rules.
And considering Apple only makes ONE phone model, and the others make several models of phones, it is incredible that in 3 short years, they are in this position..whether folks like it or not, they are being very successful with their products and sales.
Reply
ejames429 said 3:48AM on 2-10-2010
I agree with BrooklynMac.
Remember that Nokia and RIM have numerous phone models and Apple has really only one in production; the iPhone. It is beating the pants off of these manufactures in generated revenue from only one model of phone! Apple has lower production and manufacturing facility costs because it only has to deal with one model; and it has lower advertising costs (the iPhone practically sells itself) all because it only has one model phone!
Reply
jbee2013 said 4:17AM on 2-10-2010
With just one smarphone, being number one is good./
Reply
basscadet said 5:54AM on 2-10-2010
Like visitor Payaxy commented in a previous post, Admob has the following disclaimer:
"The report is based on the ad requests we receive from our network of more than 15,000 mobile Web sites and iPhone and Android applications. The data contained in the report is a measure of mobile data usage and does not represent the traditional view of market share based on the number of handsets sold."
and all that means is, like Payaxy says, "This data shows that it dominates ad market - ads built in the iPhone applications"
If you want to know the real numbers (or at least the closer to reality one can get) see here:
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=011000TUITIT
Actual iPhone share is 18%-16% and everyone is rolling out new smartphones to compete in this sector this year. I was equally surprised to hear this number with all the iPhone hype and all but it's based on more solid data than any other spin I keep hearing...
Reply
Tatonka said 8:25AM on 2-10-2010
Apples better comes true with their "aggressive strategy" and "A+" update .. otherwise the will continue to loose ground compared to Android which already seems at least up to par if not better in almost all aspects.
If I was buying a new phone today .. it would be an Android and I guess I am not alone there .. so hurry Apple, make me a happy customer again.
T.
Reply
Cecilia said 3:57AM on 5-06-2010
As the third largest Smartphone marketer, Apple does the best.
Reply