Global mobile phone shipments fall 10 percent in Q4

Strategy Analytics, an independent digital analysis firm, reports that global mobile phone shipments fell 10 percent in the fourth quarter to 295 million units from the same period last year. The decrease in shipments is a result of retailers cutting back stock and delayed purchases by consumers fearing a recession. The downturn marks the industry's slowest growth since 2001.

According to Strategy Analytics Director Neil Mawston, three of the largest five cell phone vendors recorded negative annual growth rates in the fourth quarter of 2008 from the same period last year. Motorola declined 54 percent, Sony Ericsson 21 percent, and Nokia 15 percent.

Samsung performed best of the big five vendors in the fourth quarter, despite having posted its first ever quarterly loss. Apple iPhone sales were lower than expected, and its annual growth was lower than expected, although its stock prices soared after announcing its quarterly earnings on Wednesday.