HTC has a blockbuster quarter
By Dean • Apr 12th, 2010 • Category: HTC, Industry News
- Photo: HTC
We write about HTC handsets quite often here, and not because of any bias to the company, but because HTC’s products for the last 12 months have been as good as any other smartphone maker has ever released – yes, even Apple and its iPhone. And the company’s newly released quarterly results confirm what we’ve long suspected, and what the company is due – HTC smartphones are being hugely successful, particularly due to the company’s partnership with Google Android.
The numbers game
HTC’s Q1 revenue was $1.19 billion (£770 million), a 19.3 per cent increase over 2009’s Q1 results. Profit amounted to $158 million (£102 million), up $4 million from the year prior, making HTC the fourth largest smartphone maker, behind Nokia, Apple and Research in Motion (Blackberry), with a market share of about six per cent.
The handsets
- Photo: HTC
Two things drive these sales. The first of which is the quality of the HTC smartphones, with HTC releasing the HTC Desire, HTC Legend, HTC Hero and HTC HD2 in the last 12 months, with what we believe to be the world’s most powerful phone (on specs, at least), the HTC EVO 4, scheduled for release soon.
The Google Android factor
- Photo: HTC
The second sales driver is Google Android. Much of HTC’s growth, particularly in the US, has been on the back of Google Android. While HTC handsets have been amazing for years, their previous operating system of choice, Windows Mobile, was letting the company down considerably in terms of user interface and capabilities. Considering HTC has been running Google Android for a little over two years, the fact that seven of their top 15 phones are powered by that operating system is remarkable.
And, not to give too much credit to Google for HTC’s success, it’s arguable that Android would not be what it is without HTC handsets and the company’s support, with reports that HTC smartphones account for 61 per cent of the Android market. So, in saying it’s all Google would be unfair to HTC smartphones and their unbelievable quality. It’s no wonder Apple is suing HTC to get at Google since they’re clearly turning up the heat.
Tags for this article: htc, HTC Desire, HTC Legend
