Expect Substantial Slowdown In Smartphone Shipment: IDC (slashgear.com)
Brittany A. Roston, writing for Slashgear: In 2014, smartphone shipments grew a massive 27.8-percent, and the next year, 2015, smartphone shipments grew by 10.5-percent. The International Data Corporation (IDC) expects that we'll see a substantial slowdown in shipments this year, with 2016 (possibly) ending up at around only 3.1-percent. According to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, this year will probably see about 1.48 billion smartphone shipments, a number that is estimated to climb to 1.84 billion by 2020.According to IDC, Android will see a YoY (year-on-year) growth of 6.2%, whereas Apple's iOS will drop by 2% this year. Also this year, the average selling price of an Android handset will be $218, which IDC expects to fall below $200 in 2019.
The price will go down. This should not be shocking to anyone. Like PCs the margins will become razor thin and everyone will have one. I wonder if you will see gaming phones as a niche market?
The money will be in media, services, and apps which is where Apple and Google will make money in the future. AKA iTunes store and Google Play.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.