Smartphones like the Apple iPhone have shown a slow growth rate of sales in 2008.

Worldwide sales of smartphones reached 38.1 million units in the fourth quarter of 2008 – a slow growth increase of 3.7% on 2007, according to research firm Gartner.

Its report showed that global sales of smartphones for 2008 reached 139.3 million devices, up 13.9% compared with 2007.

Roberta Cozza, Research Director at Gartner, said: “After a strong third quarter with new product introductions, sequential growth slowed down again in the fourth quarter as fewer compelling new products and the worsened economic climate continued to make data plans associated with smartphones out of reach for most consumers.

“In general in 2008, the focus from vendors and operators on increasing their smartphone portfolios remained very strong. Samsung, RIM, HTC and Apple saw their volumes and share increase during 2008, thanks to their ability to offer compelling device experiences and touch interfaces.”

As a proportion of all mobile device sales, smartphones remained stable at 12% in the fourth quarter of 2008, from 11% in the fourth quarter of 2007. Samsung entered the top five vendors ranking for the first time, replacing Sharp. RIM recorded an increase in sales both sequentially and year-over-year, while Nokia’s volumes continued to fall – however it still remains at the top spot.

On a regional level, the North American smartphone market continued to grow, despite the larger economic problems. Smartphones account for roughly 20% of sales in this region, a dramatic increase over the past year. Smartphone sales in North America grew 69% in 2008.

Ms Cozza concluded: “In 2009, mobile platforms will be a major battleground as the associated user experience and role of the ecosystem grow in importance.”

For more information, click here to view the Gartner report “Market Share: Smartphones, Worldwide, 4Q08 and 2008”.