The global handset market will grow approximately 8% in sales in 2011, resulting in more than 1.4 billion devices sold, according to a report from Pyramid Research.
The firm explains that basic low-cost handsets, smartphones and Android-based devices will see the most demand in 2011.
"The demand in these markets will remain skewed toward very basic, ultra-low cost handsets in 2011 and, given the size of these markets, their preferences will dictate the global demand trends, too," points out Stela Bokun, senior analyst at Pyramid Research.
Pyramid expects that some demand for inexpensive basic models will come from the developed markets too.
While smartphones have seen a skyrocketing demand in developed markets in 2010, Pyramid Research projects even stronger demand for these handsets in emerging markets going forward.
"The demand for low-cost smartphones in these regions has been on the rise in the second half of 2010, and will culminate in 2011," indicates Bokun.
Bokun adds the growing popularity of the Android operating system will be one of the drivers of this trend.
"The expansion of Android, typically associated with more inexpensive smartphones, will be particularly pronounced in the Latin American and Asia/Pacific markets, which are characterised by high price elasticity due to their lower average income levels," says Bokun.
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