Worldwide sales of smartphones to end users will total 1.5 billion units in 2019, a 2.5% decline year over year, according to Gartner, Inc.
Worldwide sales of smartphones to end users will total 1.5 billion units in 2019, a 2.5% decline year over year, according to Gartner, Inc.
However, Gartner analysts expect smartphone sales to grow again in 2020, driven by broader availability of 5G models and the promotion of 5G service packages in various parts of the world by communications service providers (CSPs). Analysts also expect the first 5G Apple iPhone to launch in 2020, which should entice iPhone users to upgrade.
5G Smartphone Sales to Ramp Up in Second Half of 2020
“Lengthening smartphone replacement cycles and a ban on Huawei accessing technology from U.S.-based suppliers weakened demand for smartphones in the first half of 2019,” said Analysts. “We expect demand to get even weaker in the second half as replacement of high-, low- and mid-end smartphones continues to slow, due to low value benefits.”
Gartner forecasts that sales of 5G smartphones will top 15 million units in 2019, which will represent less than 1% of total smartphone sales in that year.
Japan, Western Europe and North America Will Record the Largest Declines in 2019
Japan (-6.5%), Western Europe (-5.3%) and North America (-4.4%) are set to exhibit the worst declines in sales of smartphones in 2019 . “In mature markets, the high-end smartphone market is particularly oversupplied and commoditized, with higher average selling prices (ASPs) and no compelling new utility or experiences for users to upgrade to. Despite ASP increases on high-end smartphones slowing down recently, the vendors who primarily rely on replacement smartphone sales continue to face tough times,” said Analysts.
Gartner analysts expect total smartphone sales to decline in the second half of 2019, continuing the trend witnessed in the first half.