Dual-core smartphones shipments reaches 60 million

Preliminary data from Berg Insight indicates high-end smartphone sales equipped with dual-core processors reached 60 million units worldwide in 2011. The first smartphones with dual-core processors were unveiled at the beginning of 2011, going on sale in February 2011.

A year later, at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, several handset vendors are expected to announce their first quad-core smartphones. As quad-core processors gradually find their way into high-end devices, adoption of dual-core processors will accelerate in the mid-range smartphone segment.

Total smartphone sales grew 59% to 470 million units worldwide in 2011. High-end smartphones with unsubsidised retail prices above €400 and low-cost devices priced at around €100 contributed to demand last year.

High-end device sales double from 75 million to 150 million from 2010 to 2011.  Sales of low-cost smartphones increased from approximately 10 million units in 2010 to 70 million units in 2011.

Samsung was the king of sales with a 20,2% market share, just head of Apple with a 19.8% market share. Nokia was the only big player to suffer a decline in unit shipments in 2011, with a 16.4% market share. Research In Motion (RIM)’s shipments increased, but their market share decline during 2011, but remained ahead of HTC. Regarding revenues Apple continued leading the race with a value market share of 38% in 2011.

Staff writer