According to a new report by Juniper Research, shipments of smartphones with a touchscreen-only interface will surpass 700 million per annum in 2016, representing 72% of total smartphone shipments. The report author Daniel Ashdown argues that such form factor not only provides a superior user experience for many activities, but free-up space on the device for a larger display. He adds that extra 2 to 3 inches can make a world of difference in the range of activities, especially for mobile games which are the most downloaded type of app.
When it comes to 3D-enabled smartphones, the research company predicts their shipments will reach 80 million by 2016.
Some other findings from the report include:
- Global smartphone shipments will reach one billion per annum in 2016, up from 302 million in 2010.
- So called “economy smartphones,” with a retail price of $150 or lower, will account for nearly one-third of shipments in five years.
- Smartphones which can morph into other devices – i.e. portable games consoles, tablets and netbooks – are becoming more prevalent as vendors look for new USPs.
And you can get additional information from Juniper’s report.