Market Stats

IDC on the Next Growth Opportunity: Used Smartphones!

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Global shipments of used smartphones-- including both officially refurbished and used handsets-- total 206.7 million units in 2019, IDC reports, a 17.6% increase over the 175.8m units shipped in 2018.

IDC Used smartphones

In addition, the analyst projects used smartphone shipments will reach 332.9m units in 2023 with CAGR of 13.6% for the 2018-2023 forecast period. Such growth is the result of the "considerable" savings brought about by used smartphones in comparison with new models. In addition, OEMs still struggle to produce new models striking a balance between desirable features and a price deemed reasonable. Further into the future, the deployment of 5G networks and smartphones will impact the market as smartphone owners will start trading in 4G handsets for a 5G update.

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IDC: Surface, iPad Refreshes Keep EMEA Tablets Alive

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EMEA tablet shipments total 10.9 million units in Q3 2019, IDC reports-- a -8.2% Y-o-Y drop brought about by the continued contraction of the consumer segment, even if demand remains healthy on the commercial side.

In fact, while consumers still lack compelling reasons to refresh devices, enterprise tablet shipments see a 4.2% Y-o-Y increase due to a digital transformation bringing a larger number of usage scenarios.

EMEA Q3 2019 tablets IDC

"In a quarter usually marked by seasonality, where there is a balance between the top two companies, Apple maintained and consolidated its market leadership," the analyst remarks. "The growing market saturation is driving consolidation, as the top 5 companies become increasingly dominant, and in developed economies, like in W. Europe, the top 5 represented more than 75% of the market."

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Gartner: Weak Smartphone Demand in Q3 2019

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Global smartphone sales continue to decline in Q3 2019, Gartner reports, as they drop by -0.4% Y-o-Y to 3.8 billion units due to consumers becoming more concerned about getting value for money, leading to weak demand.

“For the majority of smartphone users, desire has shifted away from owning the least expensive smartphone. Today’s smartphone user is opting for midtier smartphones over premium-tier ones because they offer better value for money,” the analyst says. “In addition, while waiting for 5G network coverage to increase to more countries, smartphone users are delaying their purchase decisions until 2020.”

mobile phone market Gartner

The shift leads to the strengthening of entry-level and mid-tier portfolios by brands such as Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo. Such a strategy has helped Huawei, Samsung and Oppo grow in Q3 2019, while the resolutely high-end Apple has continues to face double-digit sales declines. In fact, Huawei is the only top 5 smartphone vendor to achieve double-digit sales growth in Q3 2019, selling 65.8 million units, a 26% Y-o-Y increase. Key to such performance is, of course, China, since the ongoing trade war with the US lead the company to invest more heavily in its home country.

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Canalys: Europe Outperforms in Q3 Smartphones

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Europe is the fastest growing region in the global smartphone market in Q3 2019, Canalys reports-- shipments are up by 8% Y-o-Y to 52.5 million units, making it the best performing Q3 "in history."

Canalys europe smartphones

Driving such results is Samsung with shipments reaching a record 18.7m units, a 26% Y-o-Y increase. Also seeing strong shipments are Chinese vendors, namely Huawei and Xiaomi. The two companies are giving top priority to Europe for global expansion, especially amid US-China trade tension. Huawei retains 2nd place with 11.6m units, a strong bounce-back from the 8.5m units of Q2 2019 if a flat result from Q3 2018. Meanwhile 4th placing Xiaomi sees 73.% Y-o-Y growth through aggressive market expansion and a strong product portfolio.

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IDC: Smartphones Return to (Slight) Growth in Q3

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According to IDC, global smartphone shipments are up by 0.8% Y-o-Y (or 8.1% Q-o-Q) in Q3 2019 to 358.3 million units-- a reversal of 7 consecutive quarters of decline, and "enough" to bring the industry to positive growth.

IDC mobile phones Q3 2019

However the growth drivers are primarily India, the leader of the emerging markets, and China. The most populous nation on Earth sees more consolidation towards the top 5 brands, and all said brands are currently preparing for "Singles' Day", or 11.11, the Chinese equivalent of Black Friday for shopping in the US and, increasingly, Europe.

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