Smart Phone Shipments Will Pass Feature Phones in 2013

Global smart phone shipments will surpass shipments of basic and feature phones for the first time in 2013, according to NPD.

Global smart phone shipments are expected to reach 937 million units in 2013, compared to just 889 million units for basic phones and feature phones.

Between 2011 and 2016, smart phone shipments will grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 26 percent, to 1.45 billion units, which will account for 66 percent of the mobile phone market.

Emerging markets are driving most of the smart phone growth, NPD researchers say.  In these markets, entry-level smart phones priced below $200 are important.

China leads in the entry-level smart phone category, comprising 55 percent of shipments. China is also the largest market for smart phones as a whole, and the Asia-Pacific region will account for over 50 percent of smart phone shipments in 2013.

At the high end of the market, LTE-enabled smart phones will reach 23 percent market share in 2013, NPD DisplaySearch says.

Screen sizes are also changing. In 2013, more than half (57 percent) of smart phone displays will range between four and five inches, while screens larger than five inches will grow to 16 percent of the market.