World wide recession to eliminate 1 billion units of smartphone sales over next 5 years

1comment
World wide recession to eliminate 1 billion units of smartphone sales over next 5 years
A report by research firm Informa Telecoms and Media says that in the next 5 years, 1 billion fewer smartphone handsets than earlier forecast will be sold because of the worldwide recession. While handset sales are supposed to start improving next year, users are expected to keep their phones 6 to 9 months longer than usual thus lowering demand for phones. Spokesman Paul Lambert said, "Although growth is forecast to slow in 2009, it is set to pick upagain in 2010, when users are expected to buy 1.17 billion devices." High end devices such as smartphones are expected to outsell lower priced feature phones after 2009.

As we have already reported, smartphone sales rose 3.7% across the globe in last year's fourth quarter although that figure was slower than the growth seen in the prior three month period. Research firm IDC expects a 2% drop in total cellphone shipments this year, the worst performance for the industry since 2001. Like Informa, IDC also expects growth in 2010 but expects it to be at a pace slower than the double-digit rate seen in recent years.

source: MobileBurn, About.com
Create a free account and join our vibrant community
Register to enjoy the full PhoneArena experience. Here’s what you get with your PhoneArena account:
  • Access members-only articles
  • Join community discussions
  • Share your own device reviews
  • Build your personal phone library
Register For Free

Recommended Stories

Loading Comments...
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless