Worldwide Smartphone Shipments to Grow 3% This Year, IDC Reveals

The International Data Corporation (IDC) has just made predictions regarding smartphone shipments this year and the next. The report reveals that worldwide smartphone shipments will grow this year by 3.0%, compared to 2016. The growth was 2.6% last year, the lowest growth that the industry ever experienced.

IDC predicts shipments will increase to 1.52 billion this year, as major devices were released or are about to make their debut. Moreover, the report suggests that the industry will retain its momentum in 2018, with a 4.5% growth rate expected next year, thanks to “improved economic conditions and emerging markets and a full year of new iPhone shipments from Apple”.

“2016 was an interesting year for smartphones with some high-growth markets down and other mature markets like the U.S. and China outpacing global growth rates,” said Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC's Worldwide Quarter...