IDC's latest smartphone tracking survey, for the third quarter of 2008, records a dramatic fall in New Zealand sales of RIM BlackBerries, while Apple's 3G iPhone smashed records.

For July to September, IDC tracked 2500 BlackBerries sold onto Telecom and Vodafone's networks, down from 11,600 in the previous quarter.

By contrast, Apple's 3G iPhone, specific to Vodafone, clocked a massive 19,200 sales in its debut appearance in IDC's survey. A Vodafone insider describes the result as easily the telco's best for any smartphone.

Waiting to turn Bold
IDC’s Sydney-based Telecommunications analyst, Mark Novosel, is cautious about interpreting the results.

Mr Novosel says it’s possible that many BlackBerry aficionados were waiting for RIM’s new models, the Bold and the Storm – both of which were released after the survey period closed. The Bold (pictured) was particularly anticipated, says Mr Novosel (Read NBR's Bold review here.) The much-hyped Storm has had a mixed sales debut (see links below).

The analyst is not open to the idea that BlackBerry sales were cannibalised by the 3G iPhone, whose ability to sync with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes has seen it start to invade RIM’s traditional turf.

“The BlackBerry is a business phone. The iPhone appeals to the consumer market,” says Mr Novosel.

NZ smartphone market contracts
The total number of "converged devices" that shipped in New Zealand during the third quarter was 72,500, down from the second quarter's 66,656.

IDC defines a converged device as a BlackBerry or iPhone, or a phone from another vendor that runs on the Symbian, Linux, Windows Mobile or Palm OS.

While the first generation iPhone was widely available in New Zealand during the third quarter, IDC's survey does not count parallel imported phones. The launch of the 3G iPhone marked Apple's first appearance in the smartphone survey.