Study: Number of smartphone users tops 1 billion

The number of active smartphone users around the world has topped 1 billion, according to a global research and consulting firm, and that number is only increasing.

Strategy Analytics reports that it took 16 years -- since the introduction of the Nokia Communicator and with the help of the revolutionary iPhone -- for one in seven people to own and use those sophisticated little devices. They estimate that Android and Apple iOs combined accounts for the majority of people's smartphones.

And smartphone use is exponentially increasing. The firm estimates another billion will become smart phone users by 2015.

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Scott Bicheno, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said in a statement that Nokia remained a dominant force in the smartphone market since it introduced the world's first modern smartphone in 1996 for over a decade, until the iPhone forever changed the industry with its introduction in 2007.

"The iPhone revolutionized smartphone design and it catalyzed industry growth," Bicheno said. "By the third quarter of 2011, we estimate there were 708 million smartphones in use worldwide. After a further year of soaring demand, the number of smartphones in use worldwide reached 1.038 billion units during the third quarter of 2012."

One billion, however, is still a relatively small number in a world population of 7 billion.

"Smartphone penetration is still relatively low," said Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics. "Most of the world does not yet own a smartphone and there remains huge scope for future growth, particularly in emerging markets such as China, India and Africa."

Bloomberg Industries estimates the smartphone market was worth $219 billion last year.

[Forty-Four]

I am on my 3rd smart phone. It is rather convenient, especially when people are always wanting you to look at various internet-related things (including email) while you are on the go. 1st smartphone was the Samsung Freeform (Net10 version). Wouldn't let me access internet...I tolerated it. Then they forced me to get a new number. My old one was easy to remember...had my area code; on the next 3 digits, only 1 was different from the 3 digits that begin landline numbers in my town; then finally, it ended in 0006.

My 2nd smartphone was probably my best, just not as far as speed goes (for games). It was the BlackBerry Curve 8530 from Boost. Excellent phone, just bad processor so I couldn't play games quickly or use the phone's native browser speedy-like. I found Opera mini to be quite effective on this phone. Only got rid of it when Boost came out with the new BB, but no one had it when I was ready to buy, so I went on to my 3rd smartphone...

The Samsung Transform Ultra from Boost. Excellent phone as well. Only issues I have with it are the business-related features that only BB seemed to be able to properly deliver. It still gets the job done though...just not as convieniently as the BB did. When it comes time for a new phone again, I may just go back to BlackBerry, assuming they are still around.

[formerlyluvnut]

LMAO.....I'm NOT one of them; I have a cheap little Tracfone. ALL it is good for is making and receiving calls BUT, the signal is always GREAT. Poor poor me. (I'm good!).

[Forty-Four]

TracFone was probably the best phone I ever had. But, I started using it to where other plans were cheaper...(spend $40 on minutes in 2 days)...so Now, after some switching, I settled on Boost mobile. I am satisfied with my phone quality and what not...but nothing beats the signal of a TracFone (and Net10) since they utilize the towers of every phone carrier.

[lighthouserob]

I completely agree, AOCGUY. I have never owned a smart phone, and I will not be one of those additional billion expected to own one in the next 3 years. A phone is a phone, which is meant for making calls - that's it.

[wennd2834]

This past Sunday (one day only), Best Buy had Galaxy S III's for $100; guess what I bought?!

[AOCGUY]

Although it may mark me as a Luddite, I am proud to say that not only do I not now nor have Iever owned a smartphone, I have also never used one. I do own a cell phone and the only thing it does is make and receive phone calls. No camera, no messaging. It's a phone for Christ sake.