While news headlines may make it seem as if the world is dominated by smartphones like the BlackBerry, Android-powered handsets, or Apple iPhone, the reality is that most of the world's population is still buying and using simple handsets made by Nokia, Samsung, and LG, the kind of phones that don't require a data plan. They aren't very sexy and don't include new features to grab the spotlight, but that's where most of society sits when it comes to what they can use on a daily basis. 

Today market research firm IDC has released a report on the first quarter of this year and it reveals the first glimmer that the scale is starting to tip between traditional phones and smartphones as BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion has now entered the ranks of the top five companies in the world. Nokia, Samsung, and LG hold the top three spots respectively, while Research In Motion and Sony Ericsson have both tied for fourth place. Of the top five companies, only Research In Motion has seen growth while all the others have actually lost market share. Sony Ericsson experienced the biggest drop losing 27.6% market share while Motorola, who once shot to the top with the success of the RAZR, fell off the list completely as they continue to struggle to find another hit. It's their spot on the top five that has been seized by RIM.

Overall the world cell phone market has actually grown, up 21.7% in terms of sales over last year and the presence of RIM in the ranks suggests that much of the growth is now moving towards smartphones, those devices that offer internet connections for use with web browsers, e-mail, social networking, and apps. According to IDC RIM wa sspecifically helped by the popularity of their BlackBerry Curve 8520 and BlackBerry Bold 9700.

IDC's senior research analyst Kevin Restivo also points out that, in addition to this being the first time a smartphone manufacturer has broken into the top five, it comes as another milestone is reached. "This is also the first time a vendor has dropped out of the top 5 since the second quarter of 2005" says Restivo, "when Sony Ericsson grabbed the number 5 spot from BenQ Siemens."