Smartphones to Outsell PDAs by 5:1 in 2006
Ratio Will Top 11:1 in 2011

Arlington Heights IL, March 28, 2006-
What a difference two years can make. In 2003 worldwide PDA sales surpassed Smartphone sales by over 70%. In 2005 Smartphones outsold PDAs by a factor of 3.4 to 1, which is forecasted to reach 5:1 in 2006. Smartphone sales will continue to grow and will surpass PDA sales by an 11:1 margin in 2011.

There are significant regional differences as seen in the table. Smartphones are strongest in W. Europe where the Smartphone lead surpassed 6.5:1 in 2005 and will jump to over 13 to 1 in 2011. PDAs are strongest in the USA where PDAs retained its lead in 2005, but Smartphones are projected to top PDAs in 2006. By 2011 Smartphones will have a 4.4 to 1 lead in the U.S.

Making the PDA a multifunction device is saving it from future sales decline. Navigation functionality is expected to make up for declining pen-based PDAs. In a couple of years mobile TV functionality in PDAs is projected to stave off future sales declines.

These are some of the results from a new market research reports by eTForecasts. The report profiles three handheld computer segments: Smartphones, PDAs and the emerging handheld PC form factor. The report looks at operating system platforms and key Smartphone and PDA manufacturers.

eTForecasts publishes market research reports for the PC, cell phone, Smartphone and Internet industries.