Smart phones split mobile buyers

Smart phone buyers are being divided into two separate camps these days, according to new research – those who want devices for their mobile email capability and those who will take whatever devices they're given.

Smart phone shipments are continuing to grow steadily, according to research firm Canalys, up from 3.6 million devices shipped in the first half of this year to 9.6 million in the first half of 2005.

There are now two very distinct types of buyer driving growth, say the analysts. One is a businessperson, buying the device for its mobile email capabilities or being equipped with it for work. Mobile email is the key selling point for them.

The other typical buyer is Joe Public, who gets their smart phone as part of an upgrade or package with an operator.

Canalys is predicting that for the first half of 2006, 13 per cent of all mobile devices will be smart phones.

Of those devices sold so far this year in EMEA, the majority are still using the traditional input method.

The analysts found that 80 per cent of smart phones are based on Symbian's Series 60 platform and use a normal phone keypad, while Series 80 phones – which tend to use keyboard-type interfaces – make up another 13 per cent. UIQ devices represent four per cent of the market.