Tomi Ahonen: Global smartphone penetration rate approached 10% in 2011

A latest research report released by TomiAhonen Consulting Company on December 15, 2011 shows that from a global perspective, the penetration rate of smart phones is approaching 10%; from the perspective of major countries and regions, Singapore's smart phone penetration rate ranks first in the world, Hong Kong, China ranks third in the world, and mainland China ranks 40th in the world.

The company compiled data from Netsize Guide, Informa, Google and Ipsos to launch a ranking of smartphone penetration in 42 major countries and regions around the world. The total number of mobile phone users in these countries and regions accounts for 72% of the total number of mobile phone users in the world.

However, according to different reference standards, the ranking of smartphone penetration rates in major countries and regions varies. Based on the total population of major countries and regions, Singapore has the world's largest smartphone penetration rate, about 90%, followed by Hong Kong (61%), Sweden (52%), Australia (47%) and Spain (46%). The smartphone penetration rate in the United States is only 35%, ranking 16th.

If the total number of mobile phone users in major countries and regions is used as the benchmark, Singapore's smartphone penetration rate still ranks first, followed by Canada and Hong Kong, and mainland China ranks 40th. For detailed rankings, please refer to the "Smartphone Penetration Rate Ranking of 42 Major Countries and Regions" attached below.

The report also shows that Singapore has the largest feature phone-to-smartphone conversion rate, at about 54%. It is followed by Canada (39%), Hong Kong (35%), Spain (35%) and the United States (35%). TomiAhonen Consulting also found that the average smartphone user changes their smartphone every 11.5 months. In addition, Nokia has a 26% share of the global mobile phone market, followed by Apple (17%), RIM (14%), Samsung (12%) and HTC (10%).

Figure 1: Smartphone penetration rankings in 42 major countries and regions

Figure 2: Comparison of smartphone penetration rates in major countries and regions based on the total number of mobile phone users

Figure 3: Comparison of smartphone penetration in major countries and regions based on total population

Figure 4: Comparison of the number of smartphones and non-smartphone users in major countries and regions