Smartphone shipments are expected to fall 4.7% and reach their lowest volume in ten years. This is what International Data Corporation (IDC) announces, which forecasts 1.15 billion mobile phones sold in 2023. Deliveries evaluate the number of phones sent by suppliers to resellers. So these are not sales numbers, but they can indicate industry trends. IDC says the weakening global economy and continued inflation are behind the decline.
Nabila Popal, research director with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers team, says that if fewer customers are buying new phones, merchants will need to focus on promotions and financing options.
But perhaps there is a glimmer of hope. “ As consumers keep their devices longer, the silver lining is that they are willing to pay more », she thinks. “ Which, in turn, will allow average sales prices to increase for the fourth consecutive year in 2023. »
IDC also has a more optimistic forecast for sales volume in 2024, forecasting 4.5% year-over-year growth.
Apple is doing well
Apple weathered the crisis much better than its competitors. While Android smartphone shipments are expected to decline 6% year-over-year, IDC expects iPhone shipments to increase 1.1%, which will allow devices running iOS to reach a record market share of 19.9%.
« At a time when the entire market is struggling, the fact that Apple is once again going in the opposite direction speaks volumes said Ryan Reith, vice president of IDC.
The iPhone 15 is expected to be launched next month, which could allow the Apple firm to occupy first place for the first time in terms of global annual deliveries.
