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Expect Substantial Slowdown In Smartphone Shipment: IDC (slashgear.com)

Posted by msmash on from the what-goes-up-usually-comes-down dept.

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.

5 of 39 comments (clear)

  1. Same as computers. by LWATCDR · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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.

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    See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
  2. Less growth by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A slowdown in shipments would mean negative growth and fewer phones being sold.
    The numbers describe smaller positive growth. So they are predicting that more phones will be sold.

    There's a brain disease that lays dormant until journalists start writing headlines, when it kicks in a compels them to lie.

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    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
  3. Free as in speech by tepples · · Score: 2

    One possibility is to switch to free apps that are actually free software. One store specializing in such apps is F-Droid.

  4. Upgrades mean less by Causemos · · Score: 2

    As the market matures there is less difference between phone versions. The cost/hassle of upgrading every year or two is not worth the benefit.

    Apple moving to a three year major release cycle only confirms this trend. Redesigns cost big money so like cars they want to get more from their engineering spend.

  5. Re:"slowdown" by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 2

    The context is: "substantial slowdown in shipments". I don't see how that can possibly mean the second derivative.

    TFA says "IDC expects ‘substantial slowdown’ in phone shipment growth this year"
    TFS says "Expect Substantial Slowdown In Smartphone Shipment: IDC"

    TFS author didn't study calculus.

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    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.