Mobile World Congress Kicks Off

So it’s not everybody’s idea of fun, but there is great anticipation as the Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona, and rightly so, as a host of firms will be launching new products.

Show stoppers include Sony Ericsson’s, Xperia Play, with its smartphone-cum-gaming device, Samsung’s new tablet, the Galaxy 10, which as the name suggests features a bigger 10.1 inch (26cm) screen.  Meanwhile LG has unveiled the first mobile phone with 3D capability.

The Top 5 Mobile Manufacturers

During October, according to industry analysts IDC, the mobile phone market grew 14.6%. Inevitably, smartphones are playing an ever-increasing role in the rise of the mobile market, infact, their estimated market share is expected to grow by over 50% by the end of the year.



There are now two smartphone-only companies in the top 5 phone manufacturers list, as Apple joins RIM with the highest growth rates in the last year. Despite a little trouble following its launch, the iPhone 4 phones have been flying off the shelves, allowing Apple to outsell both BlackBerry and Sony Ericsson phones. Samsung, which is holding the second place, has shipped more phones than ever before in its history. This is in no small part due to the Galaxy S phones and also the Samsung Wave.


LG is holding the third place despite falling shipment numbers and declining profits. They are undergoing a CEO change this quarter. However, in a change of fortune, Sony Ericsson, which has been in the Top 5 for quite a while, dropped off the list. Still on top is the highly experienced Nokia, with their smartphone shipments rising by over 60%.