South Korean mobile phone vendor Samsung performed best out of the top five handset manufacturers over the last quarter of 2008, according to a new report.
Strategy Analytics' Q4 2008 Global Handset Market Share Update report indicates that Samsung's global market share hit an all-time high of 18 per cent during the quarter, largely due to wider distribution channels and an aesthetically appealing handset range.
Despite this success, Nokia remained in number one position for global handset market share in quarter four at 38.4 per cent - a drop of 2.2 per cent from the same period in 2007. LG jumped into third place with 8.7 per cent share, overtaking Motorola who stands at 6.4 per cent. Sony Ericsson, on the other hand, also leapfrogged Motorola in Q4 2008 with 8.2 per cent market share.
However, the company remain fixed at fifth place for overall market share, with a slightly lower percentage for the whole year that the American firm. In addition, Apple shipped 4.4 million iPhone units worldwide during the last quarter, with an above average annual growth rate of 88 per cent.
Despite the success of many vendors, the mobile phone industry saw negative growth of -10.5 per cent during the quarter, indicating that it is has been affected by the economic constraints suffered by consumers during the global recession. Nevertheless, growth for the year showed positive signs at 4.9 per cent.
Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, commented: "With volumes and revenues contracting sharply this year, much of the mobile industry's focus will inevitably be on controlling costs and restoring profitability in 2009."
 | Our company | Services | Online Help |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
