The global smartphone market of 2014 could see Android in second place with a 25 percent share, followed by BlackBerry, Apple, and Windows Mobile, according to IDC's new "Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker."
Though annual growth in the hot smartphone market may slow in another four years, certain key players will continue to drive sales and grab more market share. No one vendor will dominate the landscape, but Android will enjoy the fastest growth, IDC forecasts.
Nokia's Symbian will hang on to its No. 1 spot with 32.9 percent of the market in 2014. But it will lose some customers to Android, which will see its share climb from 16.3 percent this year to 24.6 percent.
"Phone vendors have been drawn to Android because it allows them to present their own approach to what a smartphone experience can be," Ramon Llamas, a senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team, said in a statement. "In addition, users have quickly warmed to Android, comparing it to iOS due to its ease of use and a growing mobile application storefront. Now that HTC and Motorola have leapt out in front with their own respective devices, other vendors such as Dell, Kyocera, LG Electronics, and Samsung will soon help grow the Android market."
