For the first time, smartphones have been sold in larger numbers as compared to feature phones in the first quarter of 2013 across the globe. During this period, about 419 million devices have been sold, out of which 51.6 % of these (216 million devices) were smartphones.
The figures were revealed by the International Data Corporation Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst said, “Phone users want computers in their pockets. The days where phones are used primarily to make phone calls and send text messages are quickly fading away”.
As a result of the change in usage, the balance of sales has tilted towards those phone makers which are most dependent on smartphones. Once again, Samsung lead all smartphone sales, as the South Korean company sold about 71 million smartphones and 115 million feature phones in total during the first quarter of 2013. IDC also revealed that by the end of 1Q13, Samsung had shipped more units than the next four vendors combined.
In recent times, Nokia was seen struggling with its sales, but the company still sold the second most phones, which is almost 70 million in total during the first quarter of 2013. However, these figures were 25% less compared to last year.
