About 792 million flash memory units will be shipped for smartphones compared to 703 million units shipped for feature phones
The number of NAND flash memory shipment for smartphones will overtake feature phones by 2013 with rising dominance of smartphones, according t a new report by IHS iSuppli.
In 2013, about 792 million flash memory units will be shipped for smartphones including NOR and NAND compared to 703 million units shipped for feature phones.
During this year, about 790 million units of Nand flash memory units were shipped for feature phones while 613 million units were for smartphones.
Flash memory shipment for smartphones is expected to grow 29% between 2012 and 2013 while it will grow 11% for feature phones.
IHS memory & storage analyst Ryan Chien said because feature phones this year will remain the largest segment of the global mobile handset market, they will continue to consume the largest amount of flash memory of any single type of phone.
"However, a permanent reversal will ensue next year as smartphones overtake feature phones in total units and flash memory shipments. This illustrates the rising influence of smartphones within technology markets," Chien said.
The report however found that a large chunk of flash memory shipment will be used in feature phones, accounting for more than 500 million units each year through 2016.
