ABI Research says 258 million mobile phones were shipped during the first three months of 2009, which is an 11% drop year-on-year. However, the quarterly figures are up on the previously predicted total of 253.5 million. ABI Research reckons the mobile industry’s annual figures for 2009 will be down around 8% on 2008.
And there's an interesting iPhone statement in the report. "ABI Research expects that by 2H-2009 the iPhone3G will have one or more siblings". Three Apple iPhones on the market this summer? Interesting times ahead. [Press release]