Nokia down to 35pc share, RIM bumps Sony Ericsson

Nokia is still continuing its long decline in world market share, IDC determined today. The one-time unquestioned leader still has its edge but has dropped to exactly 35 percent from 37.2 percent a year ago. It shipped more phones than last year, but with a poor smartphone lineup and a focus on the declining basic phone business, it lost ground to companies like RIM that have been thriving on the BlackBerry and other smartphones.

RIM's feat of shipping 11.2 million BlackBerries was enough for it to just beat Sony Ericsson's 11 million and made it the fourth largest phone manufacturer of any kind despite its sole focus on smartphones. Samsung also gained and now has 20.1 percent of the market with a secure second place, while LG's relatively poor smartphone mix saw it shrink more than a point to 9.6 percent.

Apple isn't yet large enough to reach the top five, but at 8.4 million iPhones sold has passed Motorola and could overtake Sony Ericsson in light of the iPhone 4's early success and shrinking sales for Sony Ericsson in all but its smartphone lineup.

Of all the companies, Nokia is believed to be the most frustrated with its position and, despite denials, to be seeking a replacement CEO following Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo's inability to reverse share declines since the launch of the iPhone. Most of its hopes are placed on the launch of the N8 at the end of the summer as well as a long-term strategy linked to major interface overhauls at Symbian to catch up to competitors.

By Electronista Staff