PDA sales up 25% in Q1 2005, Research in Motion becomes market leader

Worldwide PDA shipments totaled 3.4 mln units in Q1 2005, a 25% increase from Q1 2004, according to Gartner. The average selling price (ASP) of PDAs increased 15% in Q1 2005. The ASP was $406, which is the highest since Gartner began ASP estimates in 2000. Gartner analysts attributed the increased prices to the popularity of high-end wireless models. PDAs with integrated wireless local area network (WLAN) or cellular capabilities accounted for approximately 55% of all PDAs shipped in Q1 2005.

Worldwide PDA shipments, Q1 2005
  Q1 2005 Q1 2004 2004-2005
Vendor Shipments Share, % Shipments Share, % Growth, %
RIM 711,000 20.8 405,000 14.8 75.6
palmOne 614,750 18.0 834,591 30.5 -26.3
HP 601,352 17.6 575,853 21.0 4.4
Nokia 340,000 9.9 0.0 N/A
Dell 217,000 6.3 163,250 6.0 32.9
Others 935,010 27.3 757,378 27.7 23.5
Total 3,419,112 100.0 2,736,072 100.0 25.0
Source: Gartner

Research in Motion’s BlackBerry shipments grew 75.6% in Q1 2005, as the company became the leader in worldwide PDA shipments. palmOne PDA shipments declined 26.3%, and its market share fell to 18%, its lowest market share since it entered the market in 1996. Nokia’s re-entry into the wireless PDA market with the 9300 and 9500 enabled it to move into the #4 position.