HTC sales rocket as shipments jump 163% in Q4 of 2010

HTC has posted sales of £2.2bn for the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of 153% year-on-year.

The company said shipments of its handsets, which run Google's Android operating system (OS) and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 OS, surged by 163% throughout the final quarter of 2010 to reach 9.1 million units.

The Wildfire and HTC Desire family of handsets boosted business momentum in European and Asian markets, said Winston Yung, HTC CFO.

The company expects growth to continue into 2011 driven by shipments of 4G handsets and its expansion into Asia and other emerging markets.

Sales for 2010 reached £5.99bn, up 93% compared to £3.11bn in 2009. Net profits were up 75% year-on-year from £850m to £490m.

HTC suffered a shortage of materials for its devices last year after experiencing high demand.

HTC recently spoke out in defence against internet reports that claim HTC HD7 handsets suffer from antenna 'death grip' problems, similar to those experienced by Apple's iPhone 4 users.