Only Apple, Samsung may have thrived on holiday phone sales
updated 08:40 am EST, Mon January 17, 2011
iPhone and Galaxy S only victors in fall 2010
Just two major phone makers, Apple and Samsung, are expected to have gained any market share through the holiday sales rush, a wide estimate from 32 financial firms determined. Their respective iPhone and Galaxy S phones will have gained share where other top companies, including LG, Motorola, Nokia and Sony Ericsson, are all poised to lose ground. AT&T hinted that its last season of iPhone exclusivity would play a part as there was a "seasonal pickup," while Samsung would thrive on the Galaxy S.
Smaller companies with a predominantly smartphone bias have had success, such as HTC. Its emphasis on Android helped it more than double its profit in the fall. The company is the fourth largest smartphone producer, but its relative size would keep it out of the top five.
RIM shipped 14.2 million BlackBerry phones in its fall quarter, which ended a month earlier than most in November, but has predicted a similar spike for its winter quarter thanks mostly to December. It may not necessarily gain share if results from Apple and other companies, due roughly within the next week, show others growing faster.
Many of those poised to lose share are counting on a new round of flagship phones in 2011 to save themselves. LG is counting on the Optimus 2X and Revolution to recover lost share in Europe and the US. Motorola has expressed concern that the Verizon iPhone could hurt its share but is counting on diversification through the Atrix 4G on AT&T, and the Droid Bionic, to stay competitive. Nokia is mostly hoping for success with MeeGo after Symbian^3's lackluster results, and Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc could improve its high-end range.
