GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

2.0m
150k
RSS

EV

Merch

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • Deals
  • MerchNew
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENT

Counterpoint: Feature phones are great again, sales rise for fourth consecutive quarter

  • Post your comment
  • Comments (62)

Yordan 20 December 2018

Feature phones

Counterpoint revealed in its latest phone market report that the feature phones are on the rise for a fourth consecutive quarter. Meanwhile, smartphones sales have been on the decline for the same period, although the researchers wouldn't read too much into it.

According to the data, iTel and HMD are global market leaders with 14% market share each, followed by Jio with 11% and Samsung with 8%. The reasons are simple - manufacturers are delivering cheap and accessible 4G phones in emerging markets such as India and Africa.

The pie chart is pretty self-explanatory - regions with more developing countries are going for feature phones more than actual developed markets like Europe and North America. Asia as whole snatches over half of the devices, highlighting the importance of those markets in manufacturers’ eyes.

Counterpoint pointed out two major reasons for the popularity of feature phones: battery life and user base. While electricity is still an issue in Africa, users will prefer a simpler device that doesn’t drain the power cell fast. Feature phones are also used as a secondary phone for the very same reason - if the smartphone is down, you can always rely on the good ol’ feature phone.

The trend of migrating to smartphones is not changing, but many not so tech savvy people prefer the feature devices. There is also the low purchasing power in the emerging markets and the robust build of these handsets. There is also the reason they have 4G connectivity and pre-installed Facebook, WhatsApp and other social apps, meaning no need to switch to a smartphone.

The return of HMD has fueled the demand for cheap phones as well. Nostalgia, combined with good build quality made the Nokia 3310 a hit and helped the company jump to second on the global market, right after iTel and its localized products in Africa.

Considering the under-penetrated emerging markets, Counterpoint predicts feature phones will stay relevant for at least next five years with a key user base of new low-income customers who experience mobile services for the first time.

Source

Related articles
  • Digitimes: Tablet shipments reach new low in Q1, only 33 million units sold Digitimes: Tablet shipments reach new low in Q1, only 33 million units sold
  • Nokia 3310 4G can make an LTE-powered Wi-Fi hotspot Nokia 3310 4G can make an LTE-powered Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Nokia 8110 4G launches in India Nokia 8110 4G launches in India
  • HMD trademarks "Asha", Nokia's former feature phone line HMD trademarks "Asha", Nokia's former feature phone line

Reader comments

j
  • joe
  • SuK
  • 29 Jan 2019

I would like to have feature phone with good camera and long battery life, thats all i need. fact, that feature phone have small screen does not mean that photos need to be junk.

  • Reply
?
  • Anonymous
  • LaT
  • 24 Dec 2018

If it was ahead , in features people wanted in smartphones it would have taken off.. as such it may have features that are still missing from IOS and android , but they aren’t the features that are a must as such it’s more of a bonus if they were the...

  • Reply
T
  • TC
  • 0{{
  • 22 Dec 2018

1st world citizen here, would insta buy if comes with WhatsApp. because battery life

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 62

ADVERTISEMENT

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • Nothing
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Umidigi
  • Coolpad
  • Oscal
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • Doogee
  • Blackview
  • Cubot
  • Oukitel
  • Itel
  • TCL

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENT

Top 10 by daily interest

  Device Daily hits  
1.Samsung Galaxy Z Fold724,571
2.Samsung Galaxy A5624,225
3.vivo X200 FE 5G21,453
4.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra20,372
5.Realme 15 Pro 5G19,987
6.vivo V60 5G18,100
7.Xiaomi Poco F7 5G16,627
8.Infinix Hot 60 Pro+16,533
9.OnePlus Nord 5 5G16,042
10.Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max15,633

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Ford Bronco goes electric, but there's a catch Ford Bronco goes electric, but there's a catch Subaru's new Uncharted EV comes with 338hp all-wheel drive Volvo loses sedans and wagons in the US to Trump's tariffs
ADVERTISEMENT

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Twitter

© 2000-2025 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Tools Contact us Merch store Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data