Smartphones are nearly everywhere in the U.S., but the number one market for smartphone shipments is now China, according to a report out today by IDC. China will account for 26.5 percent of all smartphone shipments this year, compared to 17.8 percent for the United States.
“Looking ahead, the PRC smartphone market will continue to be lifted by the sub-U.S. $200 Android segment,” said Wong Teck-Zhung, senior market analyst, Client Devices, IDC Asia/Pacific. “Near-term prices in the low-end segment will come down to U.S. $100 and below as competition for market share intensifies among smartphone vendors. Carrier-subsidized and customized handsets from domestic vendors will further support the migration to smartphones and boost shipments. Looking ahead to the later years in the forecast, the move to 4G networks will be another growth catalyst.”
Added Ramon Llamas of IDC:
“The fact that China will overtake the United States in smartphone shipments does not mean that the U.S. smartphone market is grinding to a halt. Now that smartphones represent the majority of mobile phone shipments, growth is expected to continue, but at a slower pace. There is still a market for first-time users as well as thriving upgrade opportunities.”
