22% of Smartphones Bought Are 4G

The proportion of mobile devices touting 4G connection speeds has shot up in the last year as more and more people seek faster service. More than one in five (22%) of the smartphones purchased in the second quarter were 4G-enabled, up from only 3% a year ago, according to new data released by market research firm NPD Group. Among wireless operators, Sprint notched the highest percentage of 4G phone sales, and is the only carrier for which 4G handsets made up the bulk of its smartphone sales. Sprint kicked things off last year with the launch of the EVO 4G from HTC, which it marketed widely as “America’s First 4G Phone” in an aggressive ad campaign. The EVO has also helped Taiwan-based HTC become the dominant 4G smartphone manufacturer, accounting for 62% of second-quarter sales. HTC also makes Verizon Wireless’ popular ThunderBolt, and AT&T’s Inspire 4G, among others. Samsung was a distant second, with 22% of 4G device sales, followed by Motorola (11%) and LG (4%).