Smartphones to outnumber feature phones for first time ever

Shipment of smartphones is expected to outpace those of feature phones by the end of 2013 for the first time ever.

This will make smartphones the predominant mobile phone around the world.

According to International Data Corporation, the smartphone shipments will make up 52 percent of all worldwide smartphone shipments by year's end, Fox News reports.

Smartphone shipments are expected to grow by roughly 33 percent in 2013, an increase from last year's 723 million units, the report said.

IDC said there are multiple reasons for the change, including consumer demand, the availability of smartphones at varying price points, a greater emphasis by consumers on data usage.

The increase in demand for smartphones from emerging markets is also a major factor.