IDC Finds Worldwide Smartphone Shipments on Pace to Grow Nearly 40% in 2013 While Average Selling Prices Decline More Than 12%

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to a recently published mobile phone forecast from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to surpass 1.0 billion units in 2013, representing 39.3% growth over 2012. Despite a number of mature markets nearing smartphone saturation, the demand for low-cost computing in emerging markets continues to drive the smartphone market forward. By 2017, total smartphone shipments are expected to approach 1.7 billion units, resulting in a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.4% from 2013 to 2017.

A number of trends co-exist in the global smartphone market, but none have more of an affect on driving market growth than the steady decline in average selling prices (ASPs). Android has enabled a number of new manufacturers to enter the smartphone market supported by a variety of turnkey processing solutions. Many of these handset vendors have focused on low-cost devices as a way to build brand awareness. In 2013, IDC expects smartphone ASPs to be $337, down -12.8% from $387 in 2012. This trend will continue in the years to come and IDC expects smartphone ASPs to gradually drop to $265 by 2017.

"The game has changed quite drastically due to the decline in smartphone ASPs," said Ryan Reith, Program Director with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. "Just a few years back the industry was talking about the next billion people to connect, and it was assumed the majority of these people would do so by way of the feature phone. Given the trajectory of ASPs, smartphones are now a very realistic option to connect those billion users."

"The key driver behind smartphone volumes in the years ahead is the expected decrease in prices," said Ramon Llamas, Research Manager with IDC's Mobile Phone team. "Particularly within emerging markets, where price sensitivity and elasticity are so important, prices will come down for smartphones to move beyond the urban elite and into the hands of mass market users. Every vendor is closely eyeing how far down they can price their devices while still realizing a profit and offering a robust smartphone experience."

From a volume perspective, emerging markets including Asia/Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa (MEA) will all post market-beating growth rates from 2013 to 2017. Asia/Pacific will also experience some market share growth from 2013 to 2017. Developed markets, by contrast, will see market share erosion, but will nonetheless see volume increases during the same time period. All combined, the worldwide smartphone market is poised for certain growth.

Similarly, from a price perspective, ASPs in these same emerging markets will post single-digit CAGR declines from 2013 to 2017, led by Asia/Pacific. This will enable more users to afford smartphones for the first time, and in many cases, allow users to bypass purchasing feature phones altogether and go straight to smartphones.

Worldwide Smartphone Forecast by Region, Shipments, Market Share and 5-Year CAGR
(units in millions)
Region	2013 Shipment Volumes*	2013 Market Share	2017 Shipment Volumes*	2017 Market Share	5 Year CAGR
Asia/Pacific	528.2	52.3%	986.0	58.5%	23.2%
Europe	182.1	18.0%	261.0	15.5%	11.1%
North America	151.0	15.0%	189.0	11.2%	7.8%
Latin America	91.1	9.0%	154.7	9.2%	23.7%
Middle East and Africa	57.6	5.7%	95.0	5.6%	18.5%
Total	1,010.1	100.0%	1,685.8	100.0%	18.4%
Source:  IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, November 26, 2013
Note:  *Includes forecast data

Worldwide Smartphone Average Selling Price (ASP) by Region and 5-Year CAGR
(figures in $USD)
Region	2013 Smartphone ASP*	2017 Smartphone ASP*	5 Year CAGR
Asia/Pacific	$262	$215	-8.9%
Europe	$419	$259	-9.0%
North America	$531	$567	2.1%
Latin America	$288	$246	-5.7%
Middle East and Africa	$338	$230	-7.3%
Total	$337	$265	-7.3%
Source:  IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, November 26, 2013
Note:  *Includes forecast data

In addition to the table above, an interactive graphic showing emerging, developed, and worldwide smartphone ASPs for the 2012–2017 forecast period is available here. The chart is intended for public use in online news articles and social media. Instructions on how to embed this graphic can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad.

For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or [e-mail].

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries worldwide. For more than 49 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

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