Apple Takes 2nd in Smartphone Market Share, But Q4 Looking Good for RIM
By James Falconer on Sunday, November 9th, 2008 at 10:42 AM PST In Apple, BlackBerry, Nokia, RIM (Research in Motion), Research
A recent report from Canalys gives us some very interesting numbers.
You may remember Will’s post from friday on Apple leapfrogging RIM in market share according to recent studies. I’ve been reading a bit about that lately and simply wanted to provide my take on it, plus add a lovely chart for you all to see where the numbers are at. As you can see in the chart i’ve included, it compares smartphone shipments from Q3 of 2008 to Q3 of 2007.
In the research done by the folks at Canalys, numbers show that global sales and shipments of smartphones has hit a new peak (despite the weakening economy!). In Q3 of 2008, just under 40 million units shipped. With the data they collected, it means that smart phones now represent around 13% of the total mobile phone market, up from 11% in Q2.
Interestingly enough, the introduction of the iPhone 3G has helped Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) make HUGE leaps and bounds in the market, moving them up to 2nd place globally… and a rise of 523% in Q3 2008 when compared to the numbers in Q3 2007. The big gain has seen Apple rise to 2nd position on the list, passing Waterloo-based RIM. They also had higher shipments in comparison to ALL Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)-based smartphones combined. Impressive.
That being said, the holiday season will most certainly not be as rosy for the Cupertino-based Apple. You only have to take a look as far as the now 3rd-placed RIM to see the evidence. Not only are they revving up the PR machine on the new BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Storm, but the Bold is now hitting the stores as well. With no new smart phone device to push during the holidays, I would expect RIM to jump ahead to take 2nd place back… But we’ll see.
For more info, and to read the full report you can head over to Canalys here. A very interesting read.
Of course Apple took second – they chose an exclusive carrier wth a limited coverage area. No one in my area (Southern Pennsylvania) has an iPhone because there is no coverage anywhere near her. Most of us would switch if there was a signal and the phone would work in this area.
You make a damn good point, Ed. The iPhone, even on AT&T’s network, has limited reach in the US. Of course, you could grab an iPhone and unlock it to work with your local carrier.
May I ask what carrier you use? AT&T recently announced their acquisition of Centennial Wireless, extending AT&T’s rural coverage footprint. Are you with Centennial by any chance?
AT&T acquires Centennial Wireless
I should clarify my point. ONLY the iPhone can be unlocked at this time. The iPhone 3G has thus far eluded all attempts at devising a baseband unlock solution.
RIM is going to have a tough time moving up the ranks. The Bold is the only 3G offering with AT&T where it can compete with the iPhone directly, and is over $100 more. As for the Storm, it will likely dominate among iPhone “killers,” and is sure to be popular with Verizon customers wanting an iPhone type of experience that have not switched to AT&T already to have an iPhone.
Likewise, their primary unit growth driver over the past year has been the consumer-oriented phones, and they appear to be approaching a saturation point there.
Not to take anything away from RIM (when I replace my iPhone it will likely be to go back to a Blackberry), but I think it is pretty unlikely that any single player will exceed 20% share in the smart phone business as it grows.
You don’t think Apple is going to set a new record selling iPhones over the holidays? That’s always been their biggest quarter for iPods, and was also huge for iPhones last year. Blackberries are for corporate business geeks. iPhones are for everyone else and thus seem like they’ll be much more popular as gifts.
The problem with Verizon’s lineup is that they’ve been peddling various iPhone “killers” for over a year now and they’ve seen little success (aside from initial “buzz” sales). The BlackBerry Storm will likely boost sales, but it remains to be seen if it can single-handedly take on the iPhone (in terms of sales). Good thing for RIM that they’re pitting their entire BB lineup against the iPhone 3G.
The RIM/Apple battle will be interesting to watch over the holidays. Tom, you are on the money regarding iPhone and BlackBerry demographics, but remember, we’re in a recession….
Yes we are in a recession , thats why I belive The E-serie phones like E71, E66 will dominate because they give so much more value for the money.
E71? E66? Huh? Who cares! Didn’t you read the article: “numbers show that global sales and shipments of smartphones has hit a new peak”. Recession or not, people want a good phone. Period.
Oliver , what I mean , If you want the best smartphone out there today
The choice is The E71 who have get all “Awards for the best smartphone”
and you get the best smartphone as the E71 for much better price then
the other like the Bold for example.
Here they made a huge review of the best smartphones include the Bold,Htc etc
and overall winner was the E71 before E66 ,Htc pro and the E90 .
So the conclusion is , if you want the best Go for the E71 , if you want a means device go for the Bold.