Analysts disagree
Many market research companies regularly publish their device sales estimates. Their figures serve as a reference for the media and consumers and tend to move in similar proportions, although sometimes they show noticeable differences. The latter occurs with the Windows Phone sales figures during the first quarter of the year.
This week Canalys has published its estimates on smartphone sales for the months from January to March 2014. According to its numbers in those months, 279, 4 million smartphones, of which 81% had Android as the operating system, 16% with iOS and 3% with Windows Phone A quick account therefore allows sales of mobiles with Windows Phone to be set at 8.4 million during the first three months of this year. A number far from other reports known days ago.
Last week the firm ABI Research published its report on Q1 2014 placing Windows Phone sales at 13.3 million units. Such an amount would represent a growth of 119% compared to the same period last year and would place the Microsoft system in third place in the smartphone sector with a 3% market share. Who do we listen to?
Actually, ABI Research's numbers seem overly optimistic judging by other details we know of. The 13.3 million figure does not square with data regarding Nokia's performance over past quarters.Although the Finns did not publish sales figures for the Lumia family during the last two years (Q4 2013 and Q1 2014), it is known that these were less than the 8 million reached between the months of July and September 2013.
Taking into account that Finnish terminals represent more than 90% of the Windows Phone market, something does not add up in the numbers of ABI Research. Canalys estimates seem more accurate, placing sales at 8.4 million units This figure would continue to represent significant growth compared to the same period last year but with a much more moderate tone.
The truth is that Microsoft still has a long way to go to scratch the market for Android and iOS and Windows Phone sales need a much stronger boost. We will see if the moderate requirements to become an OEM, the free licensing of your system and the support of renowned manufacturers such as LG help Windows Phone to grow more fast in the next few months.
Via | WinBeta | WMPowerUser Image | Microsoft News Center
