This study presents the 2011–2015 forecast for the worldwide mobile phone market. Analysts expect total mobile phone shipments to reach 1.6 billion units in 2011, building on the momentum from 2010. Researchers anticipate that for 2015, total mobile phone shipments will reach 2.1 billion units, resulting in a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2010 to 2015. Mobile phone vendors shipped a total of 1.4 billion mobile phones, including smartphones, in 2010. This marked a strong rebound from the worldwide economic recession of 2009, when vendors shipped a total of 1.2 billion units. Driving volumes forward was greater emphasis on the smartphone, a return to growth within emerging markets, and faster replacement rate.

The worldwide mobile phone market is heading for certain growth. What will change between now and 2015 is the profile of mobile phones from a speed perspective. 3G mobile phones will account for the majority of mobile phone shipments throughout our forecast period, while 4G mobile phones will grow the fastest. This does not necessarily spell the end of 2G and 2.5G mobile phones, which have served as the backbone of the mobile phone market in previous years. Demand for these devices will be sustained primarily in emerging markets.

Regions Covered:
Asia Pacific (regional research excluding Japan), Central and Eastern Europe, Europe, Japan, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, North America, Worldwide

Categories Covered:
Consumer, Consumer Devices, Consumer Wireless and Mobile, Hardware, Consumer Devices, Wireless and Mobile Devices

Subscriptions Covered:
Mobile Phone Technology and Trends

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.    List of Attachments

2.    IDC Opinion

3.    In This Study
    Methodology
    Primary Data Sources
    Secondary Sources
    IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker

4.    Situation Overview
    2010 Overview
    Overview of Market Leaders
    Nokia
    Samsung
    LG Electronics
    ZTE
    Research In Motion
    Figure: Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipment Share by Top 5 Vendor, 2009 and 2010
    Regional Overview
    North America
    Latin America
    EMEA
    Asia/Pacific

5.    Future Outlook
    Forecast and Assumptions
    Table: Top 3 Assumptions for the Worldwide Mobile Phone Market, 2011–2015
    Table: Key Forecast Assumptions for the Worldwide Mobile Phone Market, 2011–2015
    Table: Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Region, 2010–2015 (000)
    Table: Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Air Interface, 2010–2015 (000)
    Table: Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Air Interface Group, 2010–2015 (000)
    Figure: Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments, 2010–2015
    Mobile Phone Forecast by Region
    North America
    Latin America
    EMEA
    Asia/Pacific
    Mobile Phone Forecast by Air Interface Group
    CDMA
    GSM
    iDEN
    UMTS/WCDMA
    4G
    Market Context
    Table: Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Region, 2005–2015: Comparison of December 2010 and March 2011 Forecasts (M)
    Figure: Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments, 2005–2015: Comparison of December 2010 and March 2011 Forecasts

6.    Essential Guidance
    Develop an Emotional Connection to the Mobile Phone
    Better Market Segmentation Is Warranted …
    … As Is Product Segmentation
    Battery Life Under Attack

7.    Learn More
    Related Research
    Synopsis

LIST OF TABLES

Top 3 Assumptions for the Worldwide Mobile Phone Market, 2011–2015
 
Key Forecast Assumptions for the Worldwide Mobile Phone Market, 2011–2015
 
Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Region, 2010–2015 (000)
 
Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Air Interface, 2010–2015 (000)
 
Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Air Interface Group, 2010–2015 (000)
 
Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments by Region, 2005–2015: Comparison of December 2010 and March 2011 Forecasts (M)

LIST OF FIGURES

Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipment Share by Top 5 Vendor, 2009 and 2010
 
Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments, 2010–2015
 
Worldwide Mobile Phone Shipments, 2005–2015: Comparison of December 2010 and March 2011 Forecasts