That's double the number of smartphones that shipped last year. July 17, 2013 8:51 AM PDT (Credit: CBS Interactive) The smartphone market is already huge, but things are expected to get even better in the coming years. By 2017, worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to hit 1.5 billion, new data from research firm IHS suggests. By the end of this year, IHS expects smartphone shipments to reach 700 million units. This year, worldwide smartphone shipments will reach 900 million units. Related stories Lenovo, NEC mobile phone talks break down -- report New smartphone users reach 583,000 per week, says analyst Jolla gets ready to launch its smartphone Nokia Lumia 625 to sport 4.7-inch screen, say reports 'Leaked' fake-looking HP smartphone is...fake Next year will be the first year worldwide smartphone shipments will exceed 1 billion units. As expected, Apple will ship a boatload of smartphones this year, reaching 150 million units, according to IHS. However, the research firm was quick to point out that the figure is "essentially flat," since shipments hit 134 million units last year. "The possible slowing growth of the iPhone and the rapid pace of competitive smartphones releases speak to the ferocious nature of the handset business, especially now as the market continues to pivot from a market dominated by lower-end handsets known as feature phones to one that is increasingly smartphone-centric," IHS senior analyst Wayne Lam said in a statement on Wednesday.
That's double the number of smartphones that shipped last year.
The smartphone market is already huge, but things are expected to get even better in the coming years.
By 2017, worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to hit 1.5 billion, new data from research firm IHS suggests. By the end of this year, IHS expects smartphone shipments to reach 700 million units. This year, worldwide smartphone shipments will reach 900 million units.
Related stories
- Lenovo, NEC mobile phone talks break down -- report
- New smartphone users reach 583,000 per week, says analyst
- Jolla gets ready to launch its smartphone
- Nokia Lumia 625 to sport 4.7-inch screen, say reports
- 'Leaked' fake-looking HP smartphone is...fake
Next year will be the first year worldwide smartphone shipments will exceed 1 billion units.
As expected, Apple will ship a boatload of smartphones this year, reaching 150 million units, according to IHS. However, the research firm was quick to point out that the figure is "essentially flat," since shipments hit 134 million units last year.
"The possible slowing growth of the iPhone and the rapid pace of competitive smartphones releases speak to the ferocious nature of the handset business, especially now as the market continues to pivot from a market dominated by lower-end handsets known as feature phones to one that is increasingly smartphone-centric," IHS senior analyst Wayne Lam said in a statement on Wednesday.
