According to a report released by Analytics firm, Canalys, 279.4 million smart phones shipped in Q1 2014, representing growth of 29% on Q1 2013, but a decline of 5% on the seasonally strong Q4 2013. 81% were Android devices, with iOS and Windows Phone accounting for 16% and 3% respectively.
With Samsung being the biggest Android vendor, the South Korean firm tops all other smartphone manufacturers, with a 31% share, ahead of Apple at 16%. However, the continuous rise of Chinese vendors most of whom have visible brand presence in Africa can’t be overstated.
Half of the top 10 vendors were Chinese companies: Huawei (third), Lenovo (fourth), Xiaomi (sixth), Yulong (eighth) and ZTE (ninth). China, the world’s largest smart phone market, accounted for 35% of shipments, substantially ahead of the US, which managed just 12%.
What’s also significant to note about the report is that Smart phones with 5″ and larger screens grew 369% – a substantially greater rate of growth than the overall market. The report notes that worldwide, they represented just over a third of shipments (34%), and in Greater China the figure hit 39%, and 43% in Asia Pacific.
Image: Livemint
About David Okwii
David Okwii is the Editor-in-Chief of Dignited.com and a seasoned tech enthusiast whose journey began in the early 2000s. He started blogging while at university, diving deep into mobile apps, smartphone reviews, and operating systems—from testing Linux distros to tweaking Windows machines. David also explores Chromebooks, experiments with Raspberry Pi projects, and brings hands-on curiosity to every review. With vast experience in Uganda’s tech ecosystem and deep knowledge of Africa’s startup landscape, he offers informed, grounded perspectives on consumer technology. When he's not writing or tinkering, David enjoys connecting with nature and exploring the outdoors.
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