Smartphones in 2013: Over 1 billion served

The world has now seen more than 1 billion smartphones shipped in a single year.

Smartphone shipments were up 38.4% in 2013, to over 1 billion, from 725.3 million units in the previous period, according to research firm IDC. "Among the top trends driving smartphone growth are large screen devices and low cost," says IDC analyst Ryan Reith. Apple's share of the smartphone market slipped further last year, according to research firm IDC. Apple shipped 153.4 million smartphones in 2013, a 12.9% gain from the previous year. That compares with Samsung, which shipped 313.9 million units, a 42.9% year-over-year jump. Apple's 2013 market share slid to 15.3% from 18.7% in the year ago period. Samsung's position climbed to 31.3% of the market in 2013, compared with 30.3% in 2012.