Nokia market share continues to tumble

YouGov survey finds manufacturer failing to keep up with the smartphone pack

Nokia is losing out to rivals despite introducing new handsets such as the N8

Nokia is continuing to fall behind in the mobile handset market, according to a new report from consumer polling firm YouGov.

The number of consumers planning to buy a Nokia handset has fallen dramatically in the past six months, the figures reveal, and the situation is likely to get worse for the Finnish manufacturer.

YouGov said that almost half of shoppers were considering a Nokia handset as their next mobile in December last year, but that this had dropped to 39 per cent last month.

Meanwhile, 41 per cent of respondents are intending to buy an Apple handset, and 14 per cent a BlackBerry.

"Where Nokia once led the market, it has fallen by the wayside. Its Ovi store continues to be significantly outperformed by Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market," said Russell Feldman, research manager for YouGov's technology and telecoms team.

"The results of our data consistently show that the market leader is fast becoming an also-ran in the smartphone market. New products, software and apps are needed soon if Nokia is to keep up with its rivals."

Feldman added that Nokia was "drastically unprepared" to meet the challenges thrown up by Apple and Google, and has suffered as a result.

Many consumers find Nokia lacking in the provision of apps for its smartphones, according to the survey, and are less likely to recommend its handsets to friends.

Nokia's "recommend score" has dropped from 15 per cent to 12 per cent in just six months, while Apple's has risen to 70 per cent.