6 Dec, 2007
Global shipments of smartphones are expected to top 195 million units in 2008, accounting for 16% of total global handset shipments, compared to shipments of 149 million units and a ratio of 13% projected for 2007, according to an estimate by Digitimes Research.
With the increasing market size in Asia, Symbian and Microsoft both will target China and Japan to further boost their market shares in the region, said Digitimes.
According to Symbian, nine out of the 15 Symbian-based handsets launched by its handset partners in the third quarter of this year were targeting markets in Japan and China.
Accumulated sales of Symbian-based handsets in Japan have surpassed 30 million units, accounting for 72% of Japan's smartphone segment, Symbian said.
Symbian, which has set up a global R&D center in Beijing, said that 12% of global production of Symbian handsets is currently shipped to China, with Symbian-based models now accounting for 60% of China's smartphone market.
On the other hand, Microsoft is planning to set up a chain of 35 "Windows Mobile-concept" shops to promote its mobile handset solutions in China, according to market sources.
China-based Huawei Technologies and ZTE both plan to enter design-in process for the production of Windows Mobile-based smartphones in addition to Amoi Electronics, TechFaith Wireless and Lenovo who have already built up business relationships with Microsoft, the sources noted.
A total of 12 Windows Mobile-based smartphones are currently available in Japan's handset market compared to only one model in 2005, Microsoft said.
