According to research firm IDC, Research in Motion (RIM) has motioned its way out of the top five ranking of Smartphone manufacturers based on market share. According to the report, the shift in position comes following steady decline in unit sales, particularly in Q1 of this year.
Incredibly, the fall out of the top five is a first for the Waterloo tech company that is widely seen as having created the Smartphone industry years ago. Overall market share has fallen from an approximate 15.6 percent in 2008 and an improved 19.9 per cent (one out of five) in 2009 to an unprecedented 6.7 per cent following Q1 2012.
It remains to be seen how BlackBerry devices sell in the coming months between now and the proposed BB10 release date of early 2013. The delay in bringing a sorely needed update to the firm’s operating system did little to aid to company that is watching its market share go to other industry players. Samsung for example, has grown to own 32.6 per cent of the market while Apple makes due with 16.9 per cent.
Both firms however are growing in terms of units being sold, expanding the overall Smartphone pie while RIM has been facing tough decision after tough decision in what is a period of extreme transition and volatility for them.
The company recently laid off 5,000 staff and have considered various restructuring strategies including the sale of various assets as well as the company as a whole. It remains to be seen whether BB10 will reinvigorate the company as we all hope it will, or whether it will be a case of too little too late.
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