Samsung’s Q2 Smartphone Growth Shows that the Race Is Its to Lose

The 103 million smartphones shipped in Q2 represent a YoY growth of 62% and a QoQ growth of 2.2%. While the annual growth rates and 2H 11 outlooks appear healthy for the industry, Q2 did experience some ‘softness’ in the market, driven by macro-economic conditions, seasonality and a sharper than expected decline in Nokia’s smartphone business.

The perennial leader in smartphone shipments tumbled to 3rd place this quarter with 16.7 million devices shipped. Nokia’s smartphone market share has plummeted from 38% last year and 24% last quarter to only 16% in Q2. Driven by the added distribution muscle of Verizon Wireless and China’s growing appetite for premium smartphones, Apple posted record shipments in Q2 of 20.3 million to become the top smartphone OEM after only four years in the business. Right on the heels of Apple, Samsung had an amazing Q2 with approximately 19 million smartphone shipments and over five million Galaxy S II shipments in its first 85 days.

ABI Research Senior Analyst Michael Morgan comments: “Although Apple’s 142% YoY growth placed it as number one this quarter, Samsung’s 500% YoY growth shows that going forward, the top smartphone OEM position is Samsung’s to lose.”

RIM’s growth in international markets was not enough to offset its decline in North America. RIM shipped 13.2 million smartphones representing an 11% QoQ drop. Motorola shipped 4.4 million smartphones in Q2 as sales into APAC were enough to offset Motorola’s iPhone-induced decline at Verizon Wireless. HTC continued its rise to the middle with 11.5 million shipments in Q2 and 113% growth YoY.

ABI Research believes that 47 million Android smartphones were shipped in Q2 giving it 46.4% share of Q2 shipments. Samsung captured 34% of Q2’s Android shipments, HTC shipped 23%, and Sony Ericsson earned itself 11% Android market share with little help from North American shipments.

To learn more about the world’s smartphone and mobile device markets, please visit ABI Research’s Mobile Devices Market Share Tracker and Mobile Device Shipment Market Data, as well as the Smartphones and Mobile Devices Research Service.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 40+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.​