BlackBerry overtakes Samsung in SA: research

The proportion of BlackBerry users in South Africa has increased from 18% to 23% between 2012 and 2013, overtaking Samsung which stayed at 18%.

This is according to the latest statistics from Dashboard and World Wide Worx, unveiled on Tuesday, 26 November 2013, as part of its Mobility 2014 survey.

Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, said that the study has been running since 2005, with the backing of First National Bank, and Dashboard providing the field services.

Presenting the key results of their study, Dashboard’s Peter Searll showed that more users said that they use BlackBerry devices in 2013 than they did in 2012.

According to Searll, the most popular brand of cellphone in South Africa remains Nokia, with 44% of users saying they use one as their primary device. This is down from 50% in 2012.

BlackBerry, meanwhile, has increased its market share from 18% to 23%, while Samsung’s share remained stable at 18%.

As in previous years, Searll also showed their “brand momentum” statistic, which compares devices that people say they want to buy next to the devices they say they are using currently.

Here Apple’s brand mobility (3.0) was higher than others, with 7% of users saying they want an Apple device, compared to the 1% that actually use one.

Sony is second with 2.5, with 3% of users saying they want a Sony device compared to the 1% that have one.

BlackBerry’s brand mobility is also high at 1.3, with 29% of respondents saying they want a BlackBerry for their next mobile phone.

More mobile statistics for South Africa

Astonishing WhatsApp, WeChat moves in SA

Biggest social networks in South Africa

BlackBerry, Symbian still lead SA smartphone market

BlackBerry vs Samsung vs Nokia in SA