Dubai: Total handset sales in the second quarter is expected to rise 4.35 per cent to 48 million units in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) compared to 46 million in the first quarter of this year.
“Smartphone sales could touch nine million during the same period compared to 8.45 million in first quarter of this year, registering a growth of 6.50 per cent,” Annette Zimmermann, principal analyst at Gartner Deutschland, told Gulf News
Revenue for the full year is expected to rise to $18-$19 billion compared to $16 billion in 2011.
“The first quarter is usually not so strong compared to the holiday season in the fourth quarter,” Zimmermann said.
She said RIM will continue to decline despite strong appeal in the region. The timing for the launch of BBM 10, the new operating system from RIM, set for next year is too late for the market. Many enterprises all over the world are moving to other brands, but Africa, Indonesia and some emerging markets are still loyal to RIM.
The Android operating system had a market share of 31.9 per cent in the first quarter, followed by RIM with 22.50 per cent and Symbian with 21.70 per cent.
Android is expected to top operating systems in the second quarter as well.
Nokia is losing its brand loyalty in the region every quarter.
In the first quarter, Nokia had a market share of 47.70 per cent compared to more than 50 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year.
In the smartphones segment, Samsung occupies a market share of 25.70 per cent followed by RIM with 22.50 per cent and Nokia with 22.10 per cent.
Meanwhile, analysts say Nokia may opt for other operating systems if they fail to make an impact with Windows phones. This could include a revival of its Symbian platform.
“It is clear that Nokia is struggling with its smartphone business, but now it looks like it is also struggling with its mobile phone business,” said Malek Sa’adi, an analyst at Informa Telecoms and Media said.
Hamza Salim, senior research analyst (handsets), IDC Middle East, Turkey and Africa, added: “Nokia is losing market share in the regional handset sales and there is no recovery expected in the foreseeable future. Samsung, Apple and RIM are doing much better.”
