Apple, Samsung, Nokia & HTC Top 5 Smartphone Makers: RIMM off List

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Research In Motion Limited (TSE:RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM) is no longer a major player in the current smartphone market, but I think we kind of already knew that. According to NBF Daily Bulletin’s fifth quarterly smartphone report, the Blackberry phone is quickly being replaced by phones that are faster and trendier.

 Apple, Samsung, Nokia & HTC Top 5 Smartphone Makers: RIMM off List

The details of the report are not a surprise, they are more of a confirmation of something that we already knew: Research In Motion Limited (TSE:RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM) is failing fast. Here are some of the key points discussed and how they affect investors.

Q2 results show that Research In Motion Limited (TSE:RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM) has slid from the top 5 global smartphone maker list, and Samsung continued to dethrone Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) as the leading smartphone.  July 23rd,  the Galaxy S III hit ten million in unit sales, which beat their predictions of ten millionn sales by the end of July. Since Apple has yet to release another iPhone, would-be smartphone buyers have more interest in another similar smartphone that has more impressive features.

This is the reason why Android’s market shares have increased by 64% during the second quarter. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s shares have remained the same. Another reason that might attribute to Google’s success?  The Google Play Store is seriously competing with the App Store from Apple.  At press time, Apple’s store had 650k and Google’s store had 600k.

ASPs increased for HTC and Nokia, while decreasing for RIM and Apple (surprise). This has been the lowest for Research In Motion Limited (TSE:RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM) as it decreased from $250 to $208, a 17% difference q/q. Apple’s decrease was attributed to a increase in smartphone sales, which included a larger mix of older and cheaper iPhone models.

Smartphones have gone from a must-have status symbol to a jack-of-all-trades tool for everyday life. People use their smartphones in the office and at home, but they also bring them everywhere they go. Phone makers and tech companies realize this, and have made it their mission to capitialize on this opportunity.

NFB is concerned about RIMM’s performance, even in emerging markets, noting:

RIM is seeing international revenues follow North American trends, very concerning. RIM experienced a y/y revenue decline in all geographic regions in Q1 (May) F2013, led by Canada (73%), U.S. (47%), UK (46%), and Other (36%). The latter is most concerning, since RIM is counting on its growth in international markets to help regain market share, with expansion plans in the Middle East (Dubai), Africa (flagship stores in Nairobi, Kenya and Lagos, Nigeria), and India (15 stores by the end of the year, including Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata). Instead, international markets seem to be following the trends of Canada, U.S. and UK.

NFB also notes the following about Apple’s performance in Asia.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) continues to gain global traction, targeting the right markets. On the other hand, Apple saw increases in y/y revenue in all geographic in Q3 (Jun) F2012, led by Japan (33%), Americas (26%), Asia-Pac (25%), and Europe (16%). Apple achieved 114% y/y growth in Asia-Pac in Q2. Greater China, which represents two-thirds of Apple’s revenue in Asia-Pac, was up 48% y/y and iPhone sales were up 100% y/y. Apple appears intent on placing focus outside of India (unlike RIM), citing multi-distribution adding to the costs of getting products to the market there, and suggesting in the intermediate term there will be larger opportunities outside of India.

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