Mobile phone market is growing leaps and bounds, and Apple is the major mover and shaker in the segment. IDC reported that Apple
improved its iPhone shipment by 142 percent on year over year basis, whereas LG's shipment went in the polar opposite direction and dropped by 18.9 percent. Overall, the mobile phone segment grew 11.3 percent YoY. IDC expected the growth rate to be 13.3 percent.
Much of the growth is coming from smartphone segment, as Feature Phones saw 4 percent decline in their market share. IDC stated, "While this is not a new trend - smartphones have been the primary engine of growth for the last several quarters." Things are not going to get a lot better for feature phones, as smartphones keep usurping their market share.
However, IDC still placed Nokia on the top of mobile phone manufacturers' pile. Albeit, its stronghold is getting weaker. The finish phone company's future now hinges on the success of its upcoming Windows Phone 7 series. Samsung is continuing to do well with double digit growth rate. LG has been placed third in the list, though its future projections are not very encouraging. Apple grabbed the fourth spot, but is likely to improve its standing in the coming months in a big way. It showed impressive triple digit growth rate and is likely to retain it.