Symbian phone shipments increase in 2Q

Despite shipment delays for several of the most anticipated smartphone models from Nokia and Sony Ericsson, OS provider Symbian says 12.3 million Symbian-enabled phones shipped in the second quarter, compared with 7.8 million a year ago. About 92 percent of 3G smartphones are Symbian devices, the company said. Symbian's quarterly announcements should be particularly interesting going forward now that the company offers a lower royalty option. The second quarter was the last quarterly statement before the new royalty option kicks in. Manufacturers so far have paid $7.25 per unit for the first 2 million units shipped, and $5 per unit after that. The new royalty schedule permits phone makers to take Symbian OS for $2.50--without Java--or 2 percent of the trade price.

For more about Symbian's shipments:
- check out this article from The Register