Smartphone Shipments Expected to Keep Growing as Emerging Markets Show Recovery: IDC

 Smartphone Shipments Expected to Keep Growing as Emerging Markets Show Recovery: IDC

Smartphone shipments have shown small growth, but growth nonetheless, compared to 2019 and the pre-pandemic era.

Photo Credit: IDC

5G smartphones are expected to take up significantly more market share in next 2 years

HIGHLIGHTS

• Smartphone shipments are said to grow 7.4 percent in 2021
• 5G smartphones are driving this growth
• Demand for premium smartphones is greater than other segments

Smartphone shipments will continue to grow as emerging markets are showing strong recovery following the COVID-19 related lockdowns. Latest data from research firm IDC suggests that in 2021 global smartphone shipments are expected to grow by 7.4 percent. The larger markets will still show lower shipment volumes compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic) but growing markets are expected to contribute to the recovery. The firm also notes that 5G smartphones are the main driving factor of the growth.

Compared to smartphone shipment volumes in 2019, last year and this year have shown minimal growth but growth nonetheless, as per latest data by International Data Corporation (IDC). This year, the shipments of smartphones are expected to grow 7.4 percent and by 2022, they will reach 1.37 billion units. In 2023, shipments are said to grow by 3.4 percent. For 2021, 13.8 percent growth in iOS device shipments and 6.2 percent growth in Android device shipments contributed to the 7.4 percent overall growth.

IDC also states that larger markets such as China, the US, and Western Europe will still show lower shipment volumes compared to 2019 but emerging markets like Africa, India, Japan, and the Middle East are contributing to the recovery.