Smartphone shipments will outstrip those of feature phones for the first time this year, with the former accounting for 52.2% of all mobile phone shipments worldwide in 2013,
according to a new forecast from IDC. The research firm projects smartphone shipments will grow 32.7% to 958.8 million units this
year, with emerging markets accounting for nearly two thirds (64.8%) of that total.
Driving smartphone sales has been a combination of factors including rising demand for
mobile data, increased emphasis by carriers and manufacturers, and a wide selection of devices at varying price points. The average selling price has fallen to $372 this year from $407 in 2012 and
$443 in 2011. In five years, the average price will hit $309.
Declining prices have helped spur sales in emerging markets, where smartphone shipments are expected to jump
45.4% this year compared to 14.3% in developed regions. Manufacturers have kept costs down in part by continuing to produce 3G handsets alongside faster 4G smartphones, said IDC.