Gartner says handset sales grew 6% in 2002
"Consumers embraced a variety of innovative handsets, especially those with color screens, rather than delaying replacement purchases because of an ongoing lack of compelling mobile data services," said Bryan Prohm, senior analyst with the Mobile Communications Worldwide research group for Gartner Dataquest.
"This is an encouraging trend, because as carriers and manufacturers determine how to better align devices with applications and services, the market may again prove stronger than expected during 2003."
Once again, the largest vendors realized much better results than the smaller and regional vendors in 2002. Leading handset manufacturers in 2002 were:
1. Nokia - 151,421.8 million units (8.4% growth over 2001)
2. Motorola - 64,640.1 million units (+9.4%)
3. Samsung - 41,684.4 million units (+47.6%)
4. Siemens - 34,618 million units (+16.4%)
5. SonyEricsson - 23,112.9 million units (-14.3% compared to Ericsson sales only in 2001)
Others - 107,941.4 million units (-6.8%; includes Sony sales in 2001)
Nokia s 2002 market share reached 35.8 %, and in the fourth quarter its market share approached 37%. However, Gartner Dataquest analysts said the vendor will face challenges in 2003.
"Some large Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) carriers will actively promote other manufacturers products during 2003 in an attempt to restrain Nokia s growth in major markets," said Ben Wood, senior analyst with the Mobile Communications Group for Gartner Dataquest in Europe.
"Nevertheless, multiple opportunities exist for Nokia to maintain and even increase its market share in 2003, particularly in code division multiple access (CDMA) markets in Asia/Pacific and the Americas."
Some key product delays hampered Motorola s recovery during 2002, and the company netted only a small year-over-year increase in market share, but prospects for 2003 remain bright.
"During 2003, look for Motorola to again vie for leadership of the global CDMA market, consolidate an emerging leadership position in the Americas and move to defend share in China," said Prohm. "Motorola s greatest challenge however, remains how to address an enduring weakness in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region."
Samsung, the world s third-largest vendor of mobile phones during 2002, recorded over 47% growth in shipments and is positioned for continued success in 2003. "Samsung has a mature and innovative handset portfolio encompassing CDMA, GSM, TDMA, and it maintains a strong presence in all major markets except Japan," said Ann Liang, industry analyst with the Mobile Communications Group for Gartner Dataquest in Asia/Pacific.
