BlackBerry: Dominating U.S. SmartPhone Market Shares
June 17th, 2009, CNN Money reported that BlackBerry smartphones are leading the market in smartphones. While there are oooh’s and aaah’s over Apple’s newest iPhone 3GS, and Palm’s Pre, don’t size up Research In Motion’s BlackBerry smartphones just yet. RIM has continued to grow despite the newer flashier phones, and the percentage keeps climbing.
In the 3rd quarter of 2008, BlackBerry smartphones accounted for 40.4% of the U.S. Smartphone market, while Apple held 30.1%. Compare that with this quarter and you’ll see that BlackBerry smartphones had 55.3% share while Apple had 19.5% with the iPhones, according to IDC data. Even though there were some negative reviews on RIM’s first touchscreen device, the Storm, the Curve outsold the iPhone. A Yankee Group survey was done and results showed that 41% of Americans plan on upgrading to a smartphone, and of those who plan to upgrade, 50% said they were going to choose a BlackBerry while only 25% intend to purchase an iPhone. It almost makes me wonder if RIM has the following quote in mind: ” You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting. In what world could you possibly beat me?”
Experts contribute RIM’s success to be due to a combination of competitive pricing, business expertise, and also new consumer products. Every wireless carrier has at least one BlackBerry device, so there is not one exclusive carrier. They can also offer competitive pricing because it costs much less to operate a BlackBerry in comparison with an iPhone or a Pre. The BlackBerry is also designed to be more bandwidth-efficient than it’s competitors.
Most experts even agree that BlackBerry is solid as the preferred business smartphone. It has made its name synonymous with security, service, and reliability.
RIM is never content to sit back like the rabbit while it’s ahead, the hints of upcoming devices by RIM leaves us standing on our toes and biting our nails in the excitement of what lies ahead. The Tour, the Storm 2, and the hint of a touchscreen device with a keyboard, these are examples of why we are loyal, because we’ve been there, done that and we found our niche. I can’t wait to see what they’ll come out with next!
[via: CNN Money]
