London: Amid the rumours of Samsung Galaxy S4 & Apple iPhone6 release this summer, a recent study has found that the worldwide sales of smartphones by the end of this year will reach the `one billion units sold’ milestone for a single calendar year.

According to TopNews.in, the study by the Deloitte analysts moreover revealed that the projected number of new smartphone shipments in 2013 will lead to a near two-fold increase in the total number of units all over the world; with the figures to reach approximately two billion before 2014.

Going by the results of the study, which defines a `smartphone’ as a handset which features a QWERTY keyboard or a full touchscreen, there will not only be an increase in the usage of smartphones & all their capabilities, yet moreover a rise in the number of consumers who use their smartphones only for basic functions – like calling & texting – due to the limited functionality of low-cost, entry-level handsets, & hand-me-down phones.

As per the Deloitte projections, the year 2013 will witness nearly one in five smartphone users connecting to the Internet less than once a week; with most of the consumers using their handsets for traditional functions not subscribing to any data package.

Commenting on the findings of the study, Paul Lee – head of the Deloitte telecoms research – said that “smartphone penetration goes up yet data plan penetration doesn’t go up as quickly;” & added: “Not every mobile will be used in the same way.”

Source – Thenewstribe