The
Microsoft Windows Phone operating system will capture 12 percent share of
smartphone sales in Western Europe during 2012. Nokia, Samsung and HTC will be
among Microsoft’s major hardware partners.

“Western
Europe smartphone sales will reach 117 million units in 2012, growing 12
percent from 105 million in 2011. We forecast Microsoft Windows Phone to be the
fastest growing major platform next year, doubling its share of the Western
European smartphone market from 6 percent in 2011 to 12 percent in 2012.
Increased distribution and marketing support from major hardware partners such
as Nokia, Samsung and HTC will help to drive growth for Microsoft,” said Tom
Kang, director at Strategy Analytics.

Due to
growing support from leading hardware vendors, particularly Nokia, Microsoft is
in a good position to become Western Europe’s third major smartphone platform
behind Android and Apple iOS next year.

“However, we
caution that Microsoft’s long-term success is not yet fully guaranteed. There
remain several ongoing challenges for Microsoft, including its limited support
for high-growth dual-core superphones, the relatively modest size of its
Marketplace apps store, and a consumer brand perception of Windows Phone that
may have been tainted by the past weaknesses of the Windows Mobile operating
system,” said Neil Mawston, director at Strategy Analytics.

By
Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com