LTE smartphones to account for nearly 5% of smartphone shipments this year

Smartphones capable of running on 4G LTE networks will account for between 4% and 5% of all smartphones that ship this year, according to one report. The estimates were published by DigiTimes on Monday, which cited sources at U.S., Korean and Japanese phone manufacturers including Samsung, LG, Pantech, Motorola Mobility and HTC. Android manufacturers are currently ahead of the game when it comes to releasing 4G LTE handsets but, according to DigiTimes, Research In Motion and Apple are expected to release their own 4G LTE products during the second half of 2012. The latest rumors suggests Apple’s iPhone 5 and iPad 3 will be capable of running on 4G LTE networks.

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