BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, the Microsoft Windows Phone operating system will capture 12 percent share of smartphone sales in Western Europe during 2012. Nokia, Samsung and HTC will be among Microsoft’s major hardware partners.
Tom Kang, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “Western Europe smartphone sales will reach 117 million units in 2012, growing 12 percent from 105 million in 2011. We forecast Microsoft Windows Phone to be the fastest growing major platform next year, doubling its share of the Western European smartphone market from 6 percent in 2011 to 12 percent in 2012. Increased distribution and marketing support from major hardware partners such as Nokia, Samsung and HTC will help to drive growth for Microsoft.”
Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Due to growing support from leading hardware vendors, particularly Nokia, Microsoft is in a good position to become Western Europe’s third major smartphone platform behind Android and Apple iOS next year. However, we caution that Microsoft’s long-term success is not yet fully guaranteed. There remain several ongoing challenges for Microsoft, including its limited support for high-growth dual-core superphones, the relatively modest size of its Marketplace apps store, and a consumer brand perception of Windows Phone that may have been tainted by the past weaknesses of the Windows Mobile operating system.”
Exhibit 1: Western Europe Smartphone Operating System Market Share Forecast 1
| Western Europe Smartphone OS Sales (Millions of Units) | 2011 | 2012 | ||
| Microsoft | 6.1 | 14.4 | ||
| Others | 98.7 | 102.8 | ||
| Total | 104.8 | 117.2 | ||
| Western Europe Smartphone OS Marketshare % | 2011 | 2012 | ||
| Microsoft | 5.8% | 12.3% | ||
| Others | 94.2% | 87.7% | ||
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% |
The full report, Global Smartphone Sales Forecast by Country: EMEA, is published by the Strategy Analytics Wireless Smartphone Strategies (WSS) service, details of which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/6bu7j5y.
About Strategy Analytics:
Strategy Analytics is a global, independent research and consulting firm. The company is headquartered in Boston, USA, with offices in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and China. Visit www.strategyanalytics.com for more information.
1 Numbers are rounded. The definition of smartphone does not include tablets.