Innovation and 3G experience tops handset market share
Design innovation and the promising 3G user experience influenced European handset sales during the 2005 holiday season, according to Telephia, the provider of performance measurement information to the mobile industry. Telephia’s Q1 2006 European Subscriber and Device Report (ESDR) shows Motorola RAZR posting higher market share in Europe, with a 6.2 percent share or nearly 5.3 million mobile consumers who bought a wireless device during the last three months purchasing a RAZR. This is up from RAZR’s 3.1 percent share secured in Q3 2005. RAZR’s market share was especially strong in the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, claiming a share range from 7.5 to 9 percent. The RAZR claimed a 6.1 percent share in its Q1 2006 report for the U.S., illustrating a global demand for devices rich in visual and technological innovation and creative design.
The Telephia European Subscriber and Device Report is based on a semi-annual survey of over 27K wireless subscribers across six countries — United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, and Spain. Since 2004, the report has tracked key industry performance metrics such as brand and device market share, brand consideration and retention, consumer satisfaction, retail dynamics, subscriber acquisition, user profiles, feature usage and preferences.
While Motorola had the most popular model, Nokia dominated total volume, claiming five of the top eight models in Europe. Nokia’s 6230 (#2) series phones posted a 3.4 percent market share, while the Nokia 6101 (#3), increased two percentage points since Q3 2005. The Nokia 6630 (#6), N70 (#7) and 6680 (#8), packed with multimedia and 3G features, showcased the resonance of 3G devices and services in Europe.
The Samsung SGH-D600 (#4) and the Sony Ericsson K750 (#5), which are both two mega pixel camera phones focusing on superior multimedia functionality, grabbed a share of 2.2 and two percent, respectively, equaling more than 3.6 million mobile phone consumers who bought the phone.
“Operators need to have a more heterogeneous, segmented handset portfolio that balances consumer demand for reliable voice, innovative design, multimedia, and 3G capabilities,” said Kanishka Agarwal, Vice President of New Products, Telephia. “This is a shift from Q1 2005, when the bulk of top selling models were focused on superior voice quality.”
| Top Mobile Phone Models in Europe | ||
| Handset Model | Pan Europe Share (%) Q1 2006 | Pan Europe Share (%) Q3 2005 |
| 1. Motorola RAZR series (V3, V3x) |
6.2% |
3.1% |
| 2. Nokia 6230 (6230, 6230i) |
3.4% |
5.2% |
| 3. Nokia 6101 |
2.6% |
0.3% |
| 4. Samsung SGH-D600 |
2.2% |
NA |
| 5. Sony Ericsson K750 series (K750, K750i) |
2.0% |
2.2% |
| 6. Nokia 6630 |
2.0% |
2.3% |
| 7. Nokia N70 |
1.9% |
NA |
| 8. Nokia 6680 series (6680, 6681) |
1.7% |
1.3% |
| Source: Telephia European Subscriber and Device Report, Q3 2005 and Q1 2006 | ||