Vendors shipped a total of 236.4 million smartphones in the second quarter of 2013, up 51.3% year-on-year and 9.3% quarter-on-quarter, according to IDC.
Despite beating Wall Street expectations in terms of shipment volumes, Apple's share in the global market posted a year-on-year decline, IDC said. Meanwhile, Android and Windows Phone both managed slight increases during the quarter.
“The iOS decline aligns with the cyclicality of iPhone,” said Ramon Llamas, research manager with IDC's Mobile Phone team.
“Without a new product launch since the debut of the iPhone 5 nearly a year ago, Apple’s market share was vulnerable to product launches from the competition,” added Llamas. “But with a new iPhone and revamped iOS coming out later this year, Apple is well-positioned to re-capture market share.”
iOS finished the quarter second after Android, showing that, even without new product launches, demand remains strong. Moreover, Apple added new mobile operators to its camp, boosting short-term volumes and cementing long-term end-user relationships.
What remains to be seen is how the new iOS 7 will be received once it reaches the market later this year, IDC added, as much of the look and feel of the user interface has been revamped.