Touch screen mobile sales will grow 97 per cent in 2010

Gartner, the information technology research firm, has forecast the growth of touch screen mobile devices at 97 per cent in 2010. The worldwide market for these devices is expected to surpass 362 million units in 2010. 184 million touch screen devices were sold in 2009.
Another interesting prediction is that by 2013, touch screen mobile devices will account for 58 per cent of mobile device sales worldwide and for more than 80 per cent in developed markets such as North America and Western Europe.
Asia Pacific emerges as the leading region for touch screen devices when looked at from a sales perspective. In 2010, touch screen mobile device sales in Asia Pacific are projected to surpass 129 million units, accounting for about 35 per cent of the global market. By comparison, Western Europe and North America are expected to account for 26 per cent and 24 per cent of global touch screen mobile device sales, respectively.
Looking at penetration of touch screen devices as part of overall sales in a region, however, Western Europe leads the way at 49 per cent, followed by North America at 46 per cent. Due to the much larger size of the overall market, touch screen device sales will account for just 23 per cent of total mobile device sales in Asia Pacific.