Sign in Subscribe
Telecommunications equipment industry

Global Mobile Phone Shipments Surge 18% in Q2 2005

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The global mobile phone market experienced significant growth in the second quarter of 2005, with shipments reaching 188 million units, an 18 percent increase from the same period last year. Mega-vendors Nokia and Motorola dominated the market, securing a combined 50 percent share of total sales. The growth was largely driven by emerging markets such as South America and Africa, where demand for entry-level devices skyrocketed. Industry experts attribute this trend to the increasing competition between Nokia and Motorola, with Samsung struggling to keep pace.

Key Takeaways:

  • Global mobile phone shipments reached 188 million units in Q2 2005, a striking 18 percent year-over-year growth.
  • Nokia and Motorola accounted for a combined 50 percent share of total sales in Q2 2005.
  • Emerging markets such as South America and Africa drove demand for entry-level devices, fueling growth in these regions.
  • Chris Ambrosio, Director of Strategy Analytics' Wireless Device Strategies service, noted that Nokia and Motorola are among the strongest in mass-market segments.
  • The global market is becoming increasingly concentrated, with 60 other brands vying for the remaining 50 percent market share.
  • Samsung posted a below-average 7 percent annual growth rate, requiring entry-tier products and mid-tier style-refreshment to remain competitive.
  • Strategy Analytics forecasts 775 million units for the full-year 2005, following 361 million handsets sold in the first half of the year.

Statistics:

  • 188 million units: global mobile phone shipments in Q2 2005
  • 18 percent: year-over-year growth in mobile phone shipments in Q2 2005
  • 50 percent: combined market share of Nokia and Motorola in Q2 2005
  • 60: number of other brands vying for the remaining 50 percent market share
  • 7 percent: Samsung's below-average annual growth rate in Q2 2005
  • 361 million: handsets sold globally in the first half of 2005
  • 775 million: Strategy Analytics' forecast for full-year 2005 mobile phone shipments

Sources:

  • Strategy Analytics, 2005 Q2 Global Handset Market Share Update
  • Chris Ambrosio, Strategy Analytics' Wireless Device Strategies service
  • Neil Mawston, Associate Director, Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service at Strategy Analytics

Read more