Smartphones31.05.2013

BlackBerry, Symbian still lead SA smartphone market

Smartphones

BlackBerry’s share of South Africa’s smartphone market is holding steady in first place at around 5-million devices, and the overall market has grown to roughly 12-million devices from 10-million in June 2012.

That’s according to Arthur Goldstuck, MD of research firm World Wide Worx, who recently revealed his latest estimates of the number of smartphones in South Africa.

Goldstuck emphasised that these are only approximate numbers and are constantly shifting based on the feedback they receive from industry.

“The figures are based on continually chatting with people in the industry, from networks to manufacturers, and getting them to admit to small pieces of the pie,” Goldstuck explained.

Estimated number of smartphones in SA
Platform June 2012 March 2013 Change
BlackBerry 4.8 million 5 million +200,000
Symbian 4 million* 4 million Nil
Android 800,000 2 million +1,200,000
iOS under 400,000 800,000 +400,000
Windows Phone Not available 200,000 N/A
*Nokia’s overall smartphone share, which World Wide Worx said was mostly Symbian at the time

Some of it, like the Android number, is based in direct interviews, Goldstuck said. The BlackBerry number on the other hand, is based on primary research conducted by World Wide Worx.

“So it’s mixed methodologies to pin down a mixed-up market,” said Goldstuck.

More on South Africa’s smartphone market

iPhone vs Android vs BlackBerry vs Windows

Amazon Appstore for Android in South Africa

BlackBerry and Nokia dominate SA smartphone market

BlackBerry vs Samsung vs Nokia in SA

Top cellphone makes in South Africa

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