I’ve just got round to writing here about our global handset shelf share data collected in November. Shelf share is always a hot topic amongst handset vendors and network operators and we released an Insight report last month, created from statistics generated using our SpecTRAX market monitoring tool. The above analysis is based on data from our SpecTRAX database which holds intelligence on over 11,000 handsets globally available. You can try the database tool for yourself by registering HERE ->

• Research in Motion’s BlackBerry Bold2 9700 extended its lead at the top of our shelf share analysis for Q3 2010
• RIM’s Curve 2 8520 bounced back into second spot, recovering from being pushed down to third in Q2 2010 by Nokia’s E72.

Our shelf-share analysis tracks the handset portfolios of around 130 network operators in 29 countries. This quarter’s global top ten consists of only four brands: RIM BlackBerry, Samsung, Nokia and Apple.

• Apple’s 16 and 32GB versions of its iPhone 4 replaced the 3G S versions, taking fifth and sixth spots respectively, increasing their shelf share healthily from when they were launched at the end of Q2.
• Nokia has lost ground within the top ten over the past two quarters. The 5230 and 2330 classic both remained static while the number of operators offering the E72, N97 mini and 2730 classic has shrunk.

The full research paper can be downloaded from HERE -> Next week I should have the regional details for the shelf-share analysis which will show some interesting differences between some of the world’s main regions. Steve Entwistle Twitter: sentwistle1419

A total of 109 new handsets were announced globally by 27 vendors. Our report summarises the key features and trends of the 53 handsets for which detailed specifications were available. Only limited details were available for the other 56 handsets. Of the 53 new handsets, 9 were from LG and 11 were from Samsung, including the new Android-based GT-i7500L. Some of the highlights from July's 53 new handset announcements include: · Average thickness of 13.96 mm, the lowest figure on record; · USB support in 85% of all new handsets, another high, and up from 60% two years ago; · Memory card slot in 87% of new phones, up from 71% two years ago; · Average talk time of 343 minutes, up from 271 minutes two years ago, despite the shift to 3G networks. Feature penetration continues to grow, while size and weight continue to decline, due in part to advancements in semiconductor integration and packaging techniques. The trend towards thinner handsets may slow down soon as the compromise between small size and robustness becomes more of a factor. Find out more insights from this database here  http://tiny.cc/spectrax378 Steve Entwistle Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/sentwistle1419