Smartphone Sales Continue To Rise

Over the past decade terms like iPhone (News - Alert), Android, smartphone, Samsung Galaxy, and the cloud have become common as most consumers clung to the smartphones when they were first released. However, some worried that the momentum would eventually slow down as users waited for the next big phone or technology to be released.

However, it looks like smartphones aren’t going anywhere any time soon according to a recent study from the International Data Corporation (IDC (News - Alert)). The IDC just completed its worldwide quarterly mobile phone tracker forecast and is estimating that sales will reach as high as $1.2 billion by the end of this year, growing 23.1 percent since last year.

"What makes smartphone growth so amazing is where the growth will be taking place," said Ramon Llamas, research manager with IDC's Mobile Phone (News - Alert) team. "Smartphone shipments will more than double between now and 2018 within key emerging markets, including India, Indonesia, and Russia. In addition, China will account for nearly a third of all smartphone shipments in 2018. These – and other markets – will offer multiple opportunities to vendors and carriers alike, but the key will be balancing affordability with expectations."

For example, Apple (News - Alert) is known to release a new iPhone every two years. With it’s last announcement came not only the iPhone 5S, but also the iPhoneC that comes in a variety of colors. Something fans of the iPhone have been looking for, for years. Like Llamas said, what will keep smartphone companies around and the revenue coming in is the continual push to offer more for less.

Consumers want more capabilities, an easier user-interface, an all-in-one system that can link up with their computers and tablets, more applications, and services that aren’t even developed yet. When it comes to smartphones, the consumers are the dreamers and it’s up to the companies that supply the devices to listen and deliver and make sure the cost remains low and affordable.

Smartphone sales are expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2018.