More than 60% of Handsets Will Have Mobile Browsers in 2015, Says ABI Research

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In 2015, 3.8 billion mobile handsets – slightly more than 60% of the installed base of mobile handsets worldwide – will contain mobile web browsers, according to a new study from ABI Research. That doubles today’s penetration rate.

“Mobile browsers are evolving along two paths,” says senior analyst Mark Beccue.

“On one hand, highly sophisticated browsers, which we are calling full Internet browsers, will be found in all smartphones and a growing number of enhanced (or feature) phones. Such devices can host these browsers because they have advanced application processors, expanded memory capacity and adequate screen size and resolution. These full Internet browsers typically require about 64 Mb of memory to run. A real key to the growth of full Internet browsers in higher-end feature phones is the falling cost of sophisticated applications processors. But there is also a second path.

“Parallel to this development, a new family of browsers has emerged: the proxy-based (or client-server or compression) browser, which is epitomized by the Opera Mini. These browsers move some caching and processing off the phone to a nearby server, allowing the browser to run on lower-cost processors and requiring as little as 4 Mb of memory. That means these browsers can be used on even the lowest-cost phones.

The research indicates that the installed base of full Internet browsers will exceed that of proxy-based browsers sometime in 2012.

ABI Research’s “Mobile Browsers” study (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1003386) identifies the drivers and barriers for the mobile browser market. It details how mobile browsers have evolved and how they are being positioned in terms of devices, markets and capabilities; it outlines the competitive landscape and breaks down the market strategies of key players; and finally, it provides detailed global and regional forecasts and forecast analysis by browser type and device type.

It is part of two Research Services offered by the firm: Smartphones & Mobile Devices (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Mobile_Devices_Research_Service), and The Mobile Consumer (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/The_Mobile_Consumer_Research_Service).

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 28 research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

CONTACT:

ABI Research
Christine Gallen, +1-516-624-2542
pr@abiresearch.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  Europe  Asia Pacific  North America  New York

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