Forrester

Why Read This Report

As 2009 drew to a close, many in the press were keen to label it "the year of the smartphone." That's true, but it's not the whole story: The past year saw massive growth in mobile phones that carry a richer set of features and enable a better data experience. While smartphone growth maintained the pace set in 2008, the category of quick messaging devices (QMDs) — QWERTY and/or touchscreen devices powered by lower-end proprietary software — continued to outpace the growth of smartphones. These two categories combined rose from 20% of mobile subscribers to nearly one in three. Despite Apple's iPhone growing its share of the smartphone market at a 20% clip, RIM's BlackBerry maintained its dominant share.