According to the IDC report released today, global smartphone sales will surpass feature phones, mainly because smartphone prices fall and 4G networks becomes widespread. IDC estimates that 2013 smart phones shipments will be 918.6 million, which account for 50.1% of total mobile phone shipments. By 2017, global smartphone shipments will be about 1.5 billion, two-thirds of the total handset shipments.
Global smart phones demand is largely pulled by populous developing countries such as China, Brazil and India, which is much different from the past.
China is expected to become the largest smartphone market in 2013, with shipments to achieve 301.2 million. The United States will become the second largest market, followed by the United Kingdom, Japan and Brazil.
