Juniper Research said that sales of handsets will surge by 230 per cent, up from the 302 million sold last year.
Daniel Ashdown, author of Juniper's smartphone report, observed that most popular phones are likely to be economy models with an unsubsidised retail value of less than $150.
"Many consumers will want to upgrade from a feature phone to a smartphone, but still pay a feature phone price," he commented.
Juniper Research also observed that smartphones are reaching the market which can morph into other devices.
Earlier this week, a forecast from the US trade group Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) claimed that more Americans than ever will buy tablet computers and smartphones.
This will push consumer electronics revenue up 5.6 per cent to $190 billion in 2011.
Sales in the US of tablet computers will reach 26.5 million units, creating $14 billion in revenue, the CEA confirmed.
Posted by Simon Jones
