GfK sees consumers moving from PDAs to Smartphones

New research from market research organisation GfK identifies a growing trend for consumers to switch to Smartphones as an alternative to PDAs.

GfK found that the volume of PDA sales in the UK declined by 35% in the first quarter of 2007 and the value of sales declined by 43%, year-on-year. A total of 37,000 PDAs worth £7 million were sold in the quarter, compared with £19 million spent on Smartphones.

The PDA market started declining in 2004, when mobile phones with features such as cameras, email and MP3s became available. PDA sales fell by 41% to 185,000 in 2006, compared with 2005, while sales of Smartphones during this period rose 35% to 710,000.

The availability of GPS helped to temporarily bolster PDA sales, but by 2006 this market segment started to decline as Smartphones with GPS became available.

GfK expects a further decline, of approximately 20% in the PDA market throughout 2007 as the convergence of technologies into one device negates the need for an additional PDA.

GfK expects sales of Smartphones to increase by a further 30% in 2007 to 920,000 units.