Smartphone market to grow 50% this year, Android OS leads

While not as notable as growth experienced in 2010 (74%), IDC’s research finds that smartphone vendors will ship around 450 million units this year, 49% more than in 2010.

“Last year’s high market growth was due in part to pent-up demand from a challenging 2009, when many buyers held off on mobile phone purchases,” said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC. “The expected market growth for 2011, while still notable, will taper off somewhat from what we saw in 2010.”

Much of the growth will be fuelled by consumers updating their feature phones to more sophisticated smartphones.

Android is still predicted to be the top operating system, with an expected 39.5% of the market by the end of the year and 45% by 2015.

“Android is poised to take over as the leading smartphone operating system in 2011 after racing into the number 2 position in 2010,” said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s mobile devices technology and trends team.

“For the vendors who made Android the cornerstone of their smartphone strategies, 2010 was the coming-out party. This year will see a coronation party as these same vendors broaden and deepen their portfolios to reach more customers, particularly first-time smartphone users.”