Smartphones are forecast to dominate the global handset market accounting for 50 per cent of all handset shipments by 2014, according to ABI Research.

By 2018, 240 crore handset shipments with smartphones will account for 69 per cent of all handset shipments. LTE handsets will account for 35 per cent of all handset shipments and 50 per cent of smartphone shipments in 2018, noted ABI.

"Barring an unlikely collapse in Samsung's business, even Apple will be chasing Samsung's technology, software, and device leadership in 2013 through the foreseeable future," says senior analyst Michael Morgan. Since 2010 Samsung has grown its smartphone market share from 8 per cent to over 30 per cent in 2012; meanwhile Apple's market share is expected to peak in 2013 at 22 per cent; remaining flat through 2018. While Samsung's rise has been on the back of Android, which accounts for 90 per cent of Samsung's smartphone shipments, the future smartphone OS landscape will likely be heavily influenced by the importance Samsung places on the elements of its OS portfolio of Bada, Tizen, Windows Phone, and Android.

Just as handset OEM focus has driven the success of the Android ecosystem, LTE smartphones, and handsets will also experience a rapid increase in shipment penetration as handset OEMs battle to keep their handsets relevant to mobile operators. As LTE handsets commonly feature the latest in screen and application processor technologies, LTE handsets will also benefit from the demand of consumers looking to acquire a premium smartphone regardless of its WWAN connectivity.

"With the successful launch of the iPhone 5 and competing LTE handsets from other leading OEMs, LTE handsets will be found in the hands of many consumers who do not even have access to LTE networks," adds senior practice director Jeff Orr. "Apple is demonstrating to the market that LTE is not the only reason to buy a premium handset."

While LTE will be the fastest-growing WWAN technology in history, the growth in smartphone shipment penetration will be driven by the rapidly growing low-cost smartphone segment. ABI Research forecasts that smartphones with wholesale ASPs under Rs.13,661.20 ($250) will account for 62 per cent of smartphone shipments by 2018.