Global handset shipments surge 15% in 2Q, says Strategy Analytics

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global mobile handset shipments grew a healthy 15% year-over-year, to reach 297 million units in the second quarter. Motorola surprised and held off LG to maintain the third spot in the global vendor rankings.

Bonny Joy, analyst at Strategy Analytics said, "Global handset shipments rose 15% annually, to 297 million units during the second quarter. Despite much economic gloom, handset sales remain robust in emerging markets and the worldwide growth rate is, in fact, higher than it was at any time during 2007."

Neil Mawston, director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Motorola exceeded expectations and held off LG to maintain the third spot in our global vendor rankings during the second quarter of 2008. Motorola's decline in shipments, at minus 21% annually, was its slowest rate since the first quarter of 2007. These represent tentative signs of recovery and if Motorola can slash costs and refresh its handset portfolio over the coming months, then a return to profitability in 2009 is possible."

Other findings from Strategy Analytics include Apple's global handset shipments fell sharply, from 1.7 million units in the first quarter of 2008 to 0.7 million in the second quarter. Apple's worldwide marketshare stood at a tiny 0.2% in the quarter, but its share is expect to rebound to 1.1% share in the third quarter.

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