Smartphones in South Africa

[claidheamhmor]

Here's an interesting article on smartphones in South Africa, and the relative market numbers of each. BlackBerrys have been very popular, partly because they have a range of models from the cheap and functional 8520s up to the more premium Torch or Bold, and because the costs of data in SA have historically been very high, making a R59pm (under $9) flat rate for on-device data usage very attractive. RIM has stated that South Africa is their fastest-growing BlackBerry market in the world.

Of course, things may change a bit, with cheaper Android devices appearing, and with cheaper data costs (Vodacom just launched a new 43Mbps 3G data service, with low pricing), the flat rate is not as attractive. Of course, on the flip side, the more BlackBerry users there are, the more synergistic the BlackBerry Messenger service is; I know people with hundreds of BBM contacts on their BlackBerrys.

BlackBerry vs iPhone vs Android in South Africa
Rudolph Muller
17 April, 2011

It is well known that South Africa is BlackBerry country, and the latest stats from Vodacom reveal how iPhone and Android devices compete

BlackBerry has a very strong presence in South Africa which is driven by partly by affordable contract packages and a growing awareness of the brand in the country.

RIM Africa MD Deon Liebenberg and his team in South Africa have effectively boosted BlackBerry uptake by making it a desirable brand among a variety of segments within society.

RIM South Africa is however reluctant to release sales figures or divulge the number of active BlackBerry devices in the country, but recent statistics from Vodacom provide a good idea of the smartphone market share in South Africa.

Vodacom CEO Pieter Uys recently revealed that Vodacom has around 1-million BlackBerry devices on its network. This is far more than the number of Vodacom subscribers with iPhones, which sits at 150,000, and Android devices currently at around 100,000.

Uys added that Vodacom is the biggest seller of BlackBerry devices in the Vodafone group which includes operations from many major economies.

It is understood that 66% of all BlackBerry devices sold in South Africa are via Vodacom, which means that there may well be around 1.5-million BlackBerry devices throughout the country.

The iPhone, in comparison, is unlikely to exceed 200,000 active users in South Africa, showing the power of the affordable BlackBerry ecosystem (which includes unlimited internet and BBM for R59).

Android’s market share is expected to increase significantly over the next few years as low cost Android smartphones start to hit local shores.

Vodacom is set to launch a full touch screen Android device which is expected to sell in the R700 – R800 price range, an initiative likely to unlock the smartphone revolution for a far wider audience.

BlackBerry is also well positioned for future growth. World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck recently revealed that 24 percent of consumers claim that their next handset will be a BlackBerry, well above the 3 percent for Apple’s iPhone.

Source: MyBroadband

Comments

[prof818.livejournal.com]

Vodacon just want a premium for the iphone. Thats why they are so few on vodacon's network.

As for android, its only really starting to take off here. When I was looking to get my phone, almost nobody knew what android was then, or they were trying to pawn off old stock (SE x10 piece of crap) Its no surprise that its so low.

All I ever really see are curves. I have yet to see a Torch or any other high class BB, and not have someone moan or complain about how crap it is ;)

[claidheamhmor]

We have plenty of Torches and Bolds here at work, and very complaints. I suspect there are fewer complaints about the Curves though, thanks to lower expectations.

The Androids are definitely going to change the market. The only sticking point, I think, is that there are quite a few manufacturers of Android devices, which could make choices harder.