Apple is now the world's most profitable handset vendor in Q3 2009.
Nokia dropped to second as margins have been hit hard by
both the economic downturn and a stagnant presence in the United
States, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics.
Global Handset Operating Profits in Q3 2009
| Global Handset Operating Profits (US$ Billions) | Q3 '09 |
| Apple | 1.6 |
| Nokia | 1.1 |
Source: Strategy Analytics
Alex Spektor, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, "We
estimate Apple's operating profit for its iPhone handset division stood
at $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2009. Apple overtook Nokia for
the first time, which recorded a lower $1.1 billion of operating
profit. With strong volumes, high wholesale prices and tight cost
controls, the PC vendor has successfully broken into the mobile phone
market in just two years."
Neil Mawston, Director of the
Wireless Device Strategies service (WDS) at Strategy Analytics, added,
"Nokia's profit margin for its handset division has been shrinking
during the 2009 global economic downturn. Strategy Analytics believes
that the United States, where Nokia now trails Apple in marketshare, is
the key to Nokia's recovery in 2010. A successful fight on Apple's
high-profit home turf can simultaneously help to revitalize Nokia's
margins and to put a check on Apple's surging growth."
The full report, Apple Becomes World's Most Profitable Handset Vendor in Q3 2009, is published by the Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service.