IDC report: Smartphone shipments pass 1 billion in a year for the first time in history

IDC released their latest smartphone figures, covering Q4 and the year 2013. For the first time ever, the worldwide smartphone market shipped over 1 billion smartphones.

This 1 billion figure is up 38.4 percent over 2012. Sales are driven by low cost and large screens, with the cost being the biggest factor.

Samsung dominated the 2013 market with 31.3 percent, Apple was in second with 15.3 percent, and Huawei, LG, and Lenovo all secured about 5 percent each. These same five companies were tops in the fourth quarter of 2013 as well.

When you look at mobile phones, not just smartphones, we see Samsung still at the top. However, Nokia is in second and Apple is in third. Nokia was the only one that saw a year-on-year decline.

Further reading

• Apple iPhone 5s review: The best gets better
  
• Use Google services? Your iPhone may work better than an Android device
  
• Top 10 smartphones for the 2013 holiday season
  
• One month with iOS 7: An old soul with style and substance (review)
  
• The iPhone 5s secret weapon: the camera