Mobile market surges 65.4 per cent

The worldwide market for mobile phones rose 65.4 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2011, new research has found.

According to the Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report by the International Data Corporation, 106.5 million units were shipped in the three months to the end of June, up from 64.4 million during the same period a year earlier.

The survey found that Apple is the market leader thanks to the success of its iPhone, with Samsung, Nokia, Research in Motion and HTC the other dominant players.

Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends team, said that Apple's dominance looks set to continue.

"Demand has been so strong that even models that have been out for one or two years are still being sought out. With an expected refresh later this year, volumes are set to reach higher levels," he added.

Nicholas McQuire, research director at the IDC, told the Financial Times Connected Business podcast recently that smartphones will surpass PCs in the coming years.