Samsung, Apple get most smartphone profits

Global smartphone shipments grew 41 percent year-over-year to 144.6 million in the first quarter of 2012, ABI Research said.

Apple and Samsung have captured more than half the global market for smartphones and over 90 percent of its profits, a research firm said.

Samsung and Apple accounted for 55 percent of smartphone shipments and more than 90 percent of the market`s profits, the report said.

ABI said Samsung delivered 43 million units in the quarter, to 35 million for Apple. Nokia was third with 11.9 million and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion just behind with 11.1 million.

Of the top 10 smartphone makers, only Samsung and Sony saw sequential growth from the fourth quarter, which is traditionally strong, the report said.

Nokia recently began working with Microsoft on a Windows-based smartphone, dropping its own powered by Symbian.

"Nokia witnessed a 40 percent sequential decline in shipments and may soon be passed by ailing RIM in shipments despite the BlackBerry maker`s 20 percent sequential drop.

BdST 2227 HRS, JUN 17, 2012

Edited by:
Sabbin Hasan, ICT Editor