IDC has released a new report on the smartphone market, and according to the group's data, Windows Phone is on track to grow significantly by 2018. The current market share for Windows Phone is just 1.1%, but IDC predicts the operating system will reach 5.6% of the mobile market within the next four years.

Along with significant market share growth for Windows Phone, IDC predicts a decline in both Android and iOS that will make way for Windows Phone and other alternative operating systems. Despite a drop in market share between 2014 and 2018, IDC thinks Android will grow from 1.06 billion units sold to 1.498 billion units sold. An increase, albeit smaller, is also expected for iOS.

IDC's report notes that the average smartphone price could drop from $297 in 2014 to $241 due to an increase in sales from low-cost manufacturers in Asia.