IDC: Smartphone Market Rebounds, Apple Lags

According to a report by market research firm IDC, the global smartphone market is expected to experience a strong rebound in 2024 after two consecutive years of decline. However, Apple's growth has almost stagnated, highlighting the significant progress made by Android system competitors in China and emerging markets.

IDC predicts that by 2024, smartphone shipments will increase by 6.2% to reach 1.24 billion units. However, the sales growth of iPhone is expected to be only 0.4%. Despite this, Apple still leads in profits, with an average selling price of over $1000, while the average selling price of Android devices is around $295.

Despite the introduction of artificial intelligence technology in the smartphone market, it has still experienced a significant decline in the "post pandemic era" and the recovery is uneven. IDC points out that the growth in 2024 will mainly come from suppressed demand and regions with low smartphone penetration rates. Android manufacturers have better seized this opportunity by offering more affordable devices, and Apple is expected to have better performance next year.

Although companies such as Samsung Electronics, Apple, and Google are all strengthening their artificial intelligence capabilities, these new features have not excited consumers. IDC research director Nabila Popal stated that although generative AI is a focus for many vendors, it has not yet had a significant impact on demand or driven early upgrades. She believes that more investment is needed to raise consumer awareness and introduce "must-have" features to stimulate consumers' purchasing desire.

In addition, Huawei launched the Mate 70 series on Tuesday, while Xiaomi is also preparing to release new models. In this fiercely competitive market in China, six companies take turns occupying the top spot, and large discounts have become an important means of stimulating sales.

However, globally, smartphone shipments have not yet recovered to pre pandemic levels, and IDC expects growth to remain within single digits in the coming years. The extension of upgrade cycles, market saturation, and rapid growth in second-hand smartphone trade are considered the main factors leading to stagnant growth.