Researchers say smartphone shipments to hit 1.7 billion by 2017

PanARMENIAN.Net - Researchers believe smartphone shipments will hit a whopping 1.7 billion by 2017.

According to Fudzilla, research outfit Ovum believes growth will be fueled by emerging markets and Android will continue to dominate the market. Android had a 44 percent market share in 2011 and the share could hit 48% by 2017. Apple is also projected to do well, with a 27 percent share in 2017.

“Sitting some way behind the Android/iOS duopoly will be the remaining smartphone players,” claims Ovum.

This does not bode well for Microsoft and RIM. Ovum believes the market will continue to be dominated by Apple and Android for years to come, but Windows Phone will establish itself as a relevant smartphone platform by 2017 with a 13 percent share. RIM is expected to have a 10 percent share by 2017.

The outfit believes Apple will continue its role as a key innovator in the market, despite the fact it will remain behind Android in market share.