Smartphone demand soars 400 per cent in the Philippines: GfK

Statistics from GfK show demand for smartphones remains strong across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia.

The Philippines is leading the charge with a 402 per cent increase in demand between the first quarter of 2011 and 2012. Cambodia also registered a healthy 209 per cent increase over the same period.

Despite the strong growth in Cambodia and the Philippines, Indonesia remains the largest smartphone market in the region. The deepest smartphone penetration is seen in Malaysia and Singapore, where almost nine out of ten people own a smartphone, GfK said.  

Across the seven markets, nearly 7.7 million units worth almost US$2.4 billion were sold in the first three months of 2012.

GfK said smartphones now contribute more than 66 per cent to overall mobile phone sales - up from last year’s 50 per cent in the first quarter.

Gerard Tan, account director for digital technology at GfK Asia, said the relatively stable price of smartphones would continue to drive strong growth in the industry over the next few years.   

He said, “In developing Southeast Asia, where smartphone penetration is still nowhere near saturation levels, we can be sure that the current sales spurt will carry on for at least the next few years. With much of the populace still not owning a mobile phone, there is no better place for global mobile phone brands to focus their sales and marketing efforts.”

Percentage increase of demand for smartphones beween Q1 2011 and Q1 2012:

• The Philippines - 402 per cent
• Cambodia - 209 per cent
• Singapore - 84 per cent
• Thailand - 81 per cent
• Malaysia - 77 per cent
• Vietnam - 49 per cent
• Indonesia - 40 per cent