BOSTON, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global mobile phone shipments grew 5 percent annually to reach a record 1.7 billion units in 2013. TCL-Alcatel became the world's fifth largest mobile phone vendor for the first time ever in the final quarter of the year.

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Linda Sui, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, "Despite ongoing economic headwinds in Asia and other emerging markets, global mobile phone shipments managed to grow a respectable 5 percent annually from 1.6 billion units in 2012 to 1.7 billion in 2013. It was the industry's strongest overall performance for two years. Fuelled by robust demand for its popular Galaxy models, Samsung tightened its grip, shipping a record 451.7 million mobile phones worldwide and capturing 27 percent marketshare to solidify its first-place lead. If Samsung maintains its current growth rate, it could ship a half-billion mobile phones in 2014."

Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Nokia's global mobile phone shipments fell 25 percent from 335.6 million units in 2012 to 252.4 million in 2013. Nokia faced tough competition from Samsung in developing markets like India, while LG and others ramped up the pressure in developed regions such as Western Europe. Nokia's Windows Phones have been performing relatively well, but this was not enough to offset sluggish demand for its Asha models and other feature phones during the course of the year."

Ken Hyers, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, "Apple shipped a record 153.4 million mobile phones worldwide in 2013, up from 135.8 million in 2012. However, Apple's growth rate moderated from 46 percent in 2012 to just 13 percent during 2013. Apple's lack of presence in the low-end smartphone segment and the big-screen phablet category are costing the firm sizeable volumes."

Other findings from the research include:

• LG was the world's fourth largest mobile phone vendor in 2013, capturing 4 percent marketshare. LG's Optimus range of Android models is proving popular in Europe and elsewhere;
• TCL-Alcatel, of China, grew 48 percent annually to ship 18.3 million units globally in Q4 2013 and became the world's fifth largest mobile phone vendor for the first time ever during the quarter. A portfolio of low-cost smartphones and feature phones in Latin America and Europe is driving the growth.

Exhibit 1: Global Mobile Phone Vendor Shipments and Market Share in Q4 2013 ¹

The full report, Global Handset Shipments Grow 5 Percent in 2013, is published by the Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service, details of which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/ck93xsu.

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, India and China. Visit www.strategyanalytics.com for more information.

Americas Contact:
Ken Hyers / +1 617 614 0757 / KHyers@strategyanalytics.com

EMEA Contact:
Neil Mawston / +44 1908 423 628 / NMawston@strategyanalytics.com

Asia Contact:
Linda Sui / +1 617 614 0735 / LSui@strategyanalytics.com

SOURCE Strategy Analytics