401.4 million units were sold in the quarter, compared to 340.5 million in the same period in 2009. For the year, sales were up 18.5 percent, jumping to 1.39 billion units. The figure was the largest growth rate since 2006's 22.6 percent jump.
"The mobile phone market has the wind behind its sails," added Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker. "Mobile phone users are eager to swap out older devices for ones that handle data as well as voice, which is driving growth and replacement cycles."
IDC concluded that smartphone sales will drive the growth through the end of 2014, with expected 43.7 percent year-over-year growth in 2011.
Nokia retained the top spot in mobile phone shipments, followed by Samsung, LG, ZTE and Apple. ZTE sells low-cost feature phones and cheap Android smartphones in China.
Full numbers:
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Jan 2011 20:24
