Smartphones represent 76 percent of all phones in Brazil

Smartphones now represent the majority of the mobile phone market in Brazil, according to recent research.

IDC data compiled by the Brazilian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association (Abinee) suggests that only 24 percent of all mobiles in the country are feature phones.

Brazil has seen the domination of its mobile phone market growing steadily every month over the last year, apart from a minor setback of a percentage point in January 2014.

From May 2013 to May 2014, the representation of smartphones in the Brazilian market has grown from 53 percent to 76 percent, according to the IDC data.

The research house has also predicted a 30 percent rise in smartphone sales and 44 percent less feature phones in Brazil by the end of 2014.

Among other factors such as the recent development of 4G networks, the growth of smartphone sales in Brazil will be prompted by the presence of significant up-and-coming players that are investing in the local market aided by tax breaks, such as Lenovo, Huawei and Xiaomi.

According to recent research by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee, about 85 percent of Brazilians aged over 10 own mobile phones, which corresponds to about 143 million people.