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

We have just completed last month’s cell phone market insight report with updates on product announcements, trends and global and regional handset shelf share. A snapshot of the primary findings is below but the entire paper can be downloaded free of charge from HERE --> During September 2010, 24 handset vendors announced another 79 new handsets between them.

• Seven of these 79 new handsets, including both Motorola’s Flipside and Milestone 2 as well as the HTC 7 Pro, featured the increasingly popular combination of a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3-inch+ capacitive touchscreen.
• RIM’s BlackBerry Bold 2 9700 extended its lead at the top of our shelf-share analysis for Q3 2010, appearing on the handset portfolios of more carriers than any other model.

More detailed analysis of some of these key trends will feature here on this blog in the next few weeks. 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 (shown below) for yourself by registering HERE --> Steve Entwistle

Hear insights from Stuart Robinson, Director of Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX service, who will talk about the important trends in recent global cellular handset model announcements. Join us on Thursday 9th September for a complimentary live online webinar. Topics covered by the webinar include:

• OS penetration; how many phones feature Android compared to LiMo, Windows and Symbian?
• Analysis of current spec trends; Bluetooth, touchscreen, QWERTY, form factor, screen & camera resolution….
• Shelf share analysis by region; which carriers offer the most Android phones?
• Typical specs of Android phone vs handsets running other operating systems

The webinar is targeted at existing clients of the SpecTRAX service as well as product planners, product marketers and portfolio managers across the industry. Attendance to the webinar is free however pre-registration is required. REGISTER –>>>            Date:                 Thursday 9th September 2010            Duration:           30 minutes, followed by 15 minutes Q&A            Time:                  2pm BST UK / 9am EDT Boston, repeated at 5pm PDT LA Once we have processed your registration, you will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event. Feel free to forward this message to your colleagues who may be interested in this webinar.

Our SpecTRAX Q1 2010 shelf share analysis of 140 mobile network operators revealed that Research in Motion’s BlackBerry Curve 8520 moved up one place to top the chart, appearing in the product portfolios of 58 of the 140 network operators tracked in 29 countries around the world, more than any other handset model at the time.

The BlackBerry BOLD 9000 was finally pushed off top spot in Q1 2010, having been the model appearing on most network operators’ shelves during 2009. Research in Motion’s Curve 8520 moved up from second place in Q4 2009 to take first place in Q1 2010, ahead of 3 variations of the iPhone and the RIM Onyx. Nokia's highest ranked phone in this shelf share anaylsis was the N97 taking sixth place.

The report also summarises the key features and trends of 61 new handsets that were announced during May 2010 for which detailed specifications were available. Highlights from May’s 61 new handset announcements include:

• Penetration of Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS in new handsets are at their lowest levels for over a year, due to an increase in the number of low-end model announcements.
• 25 touchscreen phones (41% of the 61 new models), 21 of which are using capacitive and only 4 of which are using resistive technology;
• 55 new models (90%) were announced with a memory card slot, all of which are microSD-based. Six of these models can support 32GB memory card capacity (microSDHC) and a further 19 support cards up to 16GB.

The lower than average specs during recent months can be attributed in part to a higher than normal number of entry-level phones being introduced by several Tier 2 and Tier 3 handset vendors, mainly for China, India and other emerging markets.

The full 11 page SpecTRAX report can be accessed by clients here: BlackBerry Curve 8520 Takes Shelf Share Top Spot in Q1 2010
http://www.strategyanalytics.com/default.aspx?mod=ReportAbstractViewer&a0=5626

Stuart Robinson

Follow me on Twitter: @Stuart_Robinson

Strategy Analytics Exclusive Presentations at MWC 2010 Strategy Analytics is delighted to announce our presence at Mobile World Congress, the premier event for the wireless industry. We will be hosting our annual exclusive breakfast presentations, and invite you to attend one of our sessions that will showcase our latest research into the dynamics of the wireless market. This invitation-only breakfast event will provide insights into the critical threats and opportunities facing the wireless industry in 2010. Mobile Broadband Traffic, Revenue & New Connected Devices Date Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th February 2010* Location Expo Hotel, Calle Mallorca 1-23, Barcelona (same as last year) (10min walking distance from the Fira de Barcelona where the MWC is taking place) Registration Breakfast 08:00 Session 08:30 - 10:00 * Please note that this year the sessions on the two days will be identical, giving you the choice to select the more convenient time for you. Managing the Traffic: Revenue Imbalance Notebooks/Netbooks, Feature Phones, Smart phones & Other Connected Devices

• Presentation One: A brave new world of connected devices. Which devices? Which OS? Which Brands for connected netbooks, notebooks, MIDs, ebooks?
• Presentation Two: The future of Apps: On/Off Portal & Managing the Tsunami of choices facing consumers
• Presentation Three: Managing the traffic explosion from over 1.3B broadband accounts
• SpecTRAX Global Handset Specification Database Demonstration

Each presentation is a unique opportunity to hear an objective market view from some of our senior analysts. Our events are free of charge but as we have limited space we ask you to register in advance by going to our website at: www.strategyanalytics.com/MWC2010.html Please remember to indicate on which date you would like to attend. Please also note that copies of our presentation will only be made available to attendees and clients. You will have the opportunity to meet our analysts after each presentation and/or can arrange a separate meeting during the Congress. Please feel free to forward this invitation to any of your colleagues if you think they would be interested. If you are not going to be in Barcelona or if the timing is inconvenient, we would be happy to meet you at another time, just let us know! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, otherwise we look forward to seeing you at the MWC in Barcelona!

The latest report from our SpecTRAX service reveals that Research in Motion (RIM) achieved high shelf share among mobile network operators during Q3 2009, with the BlackBerry Bold 9000 appearing on the product portfolios of more carriers than any other handset model, ousting the Nokia E71 from top spot. The BlackBerry BOLD 9000 appeared in the portfolios of 60 mobile network operators from the 145 that we track in 29 countries around the world. Also included in the report is a summary of the key specifications of the new handset announcements. Some of the highlights from September’s 59 new handset announcements include: · Average thickness of 15.16 mm, reversing the downward trend over the last few months; · Display size of 2.85 inches, boosted by some LG models, and setting a new all-time high this month; · Memory card slot inclusion in 95% of new phone models, another record high; · A Touchscreen in 58% of new models, yet another record high for one month. A further 47 new handset models were announced during September but have been excluded from this analysis due to a lack of detailed specifications. They will be included in future reports as and when specs become available. Read the full 12 page report here: BlackBerry Bold Knocks Nokia E71 off Carriers' Shelves Stuart Robinson Follow me on Twitter: @Stuart_Robinson

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