Here’s a fairly bold prognostication…with 2010 almost half way over, and not a single phone in the market, Microsoft is predicting sales of Windows Mobile 7 smartphones to eclipse 30 million units by the end of 2011. According to a recent Gartner study, 1.21 billion mobile phones were sold in 2009; 172 million of which were smartphones. The number of smartphones sold in 2010 and 2011 will undoubtedly be much higher than 172 million, however even at 300 million, 30 million would be a 10% worldwide market share in smartphones in just over one year. What do you think? Is it possible, or is Microsoft’s mobile division just setting itself up for disappointment with this lofty goal?
UPDATE: The original number we reported “314.7 million mobile phones were sold in 2009” was incorrect, that number was for Q1 of 2009; not calendar year 2009. The article has been updated with the correct figures. Thank, Jarrett.
Read – Gartner Study
Read – Microsoft Prediction
