According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 30 percent year-over-year, to reach a record 53 million units in Q4 2009. This was the strongest period of growth since Q3 2008 and smartphones are leading the handset industry out of recession.

Tom Kang, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said in the press release, “Global smartphone shipments reached a record 53 million units during Q4 2009, rising 30 percent from 41 million in Q4 2008. This was the strongest period of growth since Q3 2008 and smartphones are leading the handset industry out of recession. Sales are being driven by stronger consumer demand and a stream of attractive new 3G models tempting buyers into retail stores.”

Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “The smartphone market will become ultra competitive in 2010. Samsung and LG have ambitious plans to grow volumes and expand their app stores, while emerging players like Dell and Huawei are strengthening their device portfolios and courting major operators. The smartphone wars will be good news for consumers, but the fierce competition will inevitably place downward pressure on vendors’ pricing and margins.”

Other findings from Strategy Analytics’ Q4 2009 Global Smartphone Market Share Update report include:

• Nokia shipped a record 20.8 million smartphones worldwide in Q4 2009, rising 38 percent from 15.1 million units a year earlier. Key models included the E71 and E72 messaging phones
• Apple continues to gain market share, shipping a company record 25.1 million iPhones in 2009, up from 13.7 million in 2008 to capture 14.4% global smartphone market share (up from 9.1% in ’08).
• Global smartphone shipments reached an all-time high of 173.8 million units in 2009, growing 15 percent from 151.1 million during 2008.

Global Smartphone Shipments and Marketshare — Top 3 Vendors

Source: Strategy Analytics

MacDailyNews Take: Strategy Analytics needs to work on their “smartphone” definition. Some of those “Eseries” Nokias are barely even feature phones. Seriously, we’d rather be stuck with a BlackBerry Storm than Nokia’s best so-called “smartphone.” God only knows what Nokia models Strategy Analytics is throwing into their “smartphone” count to arrive at these numbers.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Brawndo Drinker" for the heads up.]