LTE-enabled smartphones could account for as much as 5% of all global handset shipments in 2012. With nearly 50 carriers across the world having launched the technology, the number of LTE-enabled devices being offered is growing quickly. Digitimes “industry sources” expect that between 25 and 30 million LTE-enabled smartphones will ship this year.
Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Pantech and HTC are currently selling the bulk of LTE smartphones but that is expected to change as more manufacturers jump on the LTE bandwagon this year. Among these are Nokia with the recently announced Lumia 900, Research In Motion, Sony Mobile Communications (with the Xperia ion) and LG Electronics.
The bulk of LTE-enabled smartphones are currently being bought up by North American carriers. A recent report found that North America accounted for 87% of all LTE connections worldwide in Q3 2011.
Read more: Digitimes and 4G Americas