According to Strategy Analytics, the global mobile phone market will shrink 9% during 2009, and will be the firs decline in the market since 2001, and expectations are that the 1st half of 09 will be especially grim.

Strategy Analytics said they expect the 1st half of 09 to be weak as the mobile phone industry is not only hit by the slow post holiday shipments in developed markets but also subdued demand during the Chinese New Year in Asia.

Strategy Analytics predicts 1.08 billion mobile phones will be sold in 09, a drop from the 1.18 billion in 08. The economic slowdown brought the mobile industries weakest showing in the 4th quarter of 08 since October to December of 01.

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