Smartphones will double their market share by 2013, comprising 20 percent of all cell phones in use, according to research from In-Stat.
The research firm found that almost one-third of survey respondents plan to obtain a smartphone the next time they upgrade from their current phone. Smartphones with Linux OS (including Android) will see the highest growth, outpacing Windows Mobile, Research In Motion (RIM) and the iPhone OSX. When it comes to volume, Linux OS will be second to Symbian.
“Strong demand is being driven by device manufacturers leveraging open OS device to re-invent the mobile phone experience,” says Frank Dickson, vice president, Mobile Internet Group. “New and prospective smartphone buyers are drawn to new mobile applications, even though the median number of applications downloaded for all platforms, including the Apple iPhone, is relatively modest — below five applications per user for each platform.”
The firm expects growth in the United States to be stronger than global smartphone growth, which also will be strong.
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