Smartphone market posts strong growth in 2009

Nokia is still the smartphone leader, but RIM and Apple are catching up

The global smartphone market grew by 67 per cent in 2009, with Nokia and RIM making the strongest gains, according to new figures from Canalys.

The research firm said that the smartphone market had defied the global economic slowdown, and had seen sales grow to 55.2 million units.

Nokia hit a sales high of 21.4 million units shipped, twice as much as its closest competitor RIM.

"For the first time, touch-screens represented over 50 per cent of Nokia's smartphone shipments this quarter, which were historically dominated by the keypad-based candybar form factors," said Canalys senior analyst Pete Cunningham.

"Aggressive pricing has enabled Nokia to deliver smartphones that appeal to a broader consumer audience."

RIM did well in Latin America, where it saw 297 per cent rise in shipments in the first quarter of 2010.

However, both vendors are under threat from Apple and its iPhone handsets. Apple's share climbed from 11 per cent a year ago to 16 per cent in the first quarter of this year, helped by a diversification of operator contracts.

Sony Ericsson, which recently added a number of Android devices to its range, saw the most growth in its Symbian-based products, including the Satio.

Palm is expected to grow even further as it expands its "operator footprint" in Europe and feels the effect of its new owner, HP.

"Under HP's ownership, Palm will have a better opportunity to make webOS devices a success," said Cunningham.

"The combined assets of Palm's webOS platform and innovation culture, with HP's geographical reach, extensive and loyal channel partnerships, and solid financial position, will form a formidable force in the future."