| According to a recent release by research firm iSuppli | | | | Overall iPhone unit sales were 8.75 million during the |
| Corp, global smartphone shipments are likely to | | | | most recent quarter (second quarter of 2010), |
| increase 105% to 506 million units in 2014 from 246.9 | | | | representing 131% unit growth over the year-ago |
| million expected in 2010. | | | | quarter and the highest in the company's history. |
| The research firm said that the smartphone unit | | | | iPhone sales represented approximately 40% of the |
| shipment growth of 35.5% expected in 2010 will propel | | | | company's total revenue. |
| the mobile phone market. Overall mobile handsets are | | | | The increase was driven by intense international |
| expected to grow 11.3%. | | | | demand for the smartphone as well as the addition of |
| This growth will be fueled by new smartphones from | | | | new carriers in key overseas markets. |
| large handheld device companies, such as Google Inc. | | | | Apple's market share represents about 3% of the |
| (GOOG - Analyst Report), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT - | | | | overall cell phone market, and ranked no. 6 according |
| Analyst Report), Nokia Corporation (NOK - Analyst | | | | to iSuppli in the global cell phone market in the first |
| Report) and Research in Motion Ltd (RIMM - Snapshot | | | | quarter. Wall Street anticipates Apple to sell a total of |
| Report). While the wireless market is quite competitive, | | | | about 36 million iPhones in its fiscal year ending 2010, |
| the rush in smartphone units indicates considerably | | | | which is a whopping 80% increase from over 20 million |
| higher growth potential for leaders such as Apple Inc. | | | | iPhones units sold in fiscal 2009. |
| (AAPL - Analyst Report). | | | | Apple is expected to release the iPhone OS4 -- |
| Apple has dominated the U.S. smartphone market and | | | | currently in beta testing -- which should further drive |
| is expected to further strengthen its position through | | | | iPhone sales. Although AT&T Inc. (T - Analyst |
| the launch of a fourth generation iPhone. | | | | Report) remains the exclusive U.S. carrier for the |
| The new iPhone will be slimmer than the previous | | | | iPhone, the company has been adding new mobile |
| generation, with a higher resolution display and a | | | | carriers to sell its products in other countries such as |
| front-facing camera for videoconferencing. The most | | | | Vodafone (VOD - Analyst Report) in the U.K and |
| important feature is its superior knack for multitasking, | | | | Verizon Wireless (VZ - Analyst Report) in the U.S. The |
| such as listening to music and simultaneously reading | | | | company has iPhone distribution agreements with 151 |
| email via updated iPhone software (OS4). | | | | carriers in 88 countries. |
| The new iPhone is expected to be priced at $199, | | | | Longer-term, it is believed that Apple's continuous |
| while the current iPhone 3GS is expected to see a | | | | effort to expand into international markets including |
| price cut to $99. This could unquestionably drive higher | | | | China, its competitive pricing strategy and addition of |
| demand for Apple's iPhones. | | | | new carriers will drive huge growth at Apple. |