IDC predicts worldwide smartphone shipments to grow 1.0% year-on-year (YoY) in 2025 to 1.24 billion units, in its latest Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. This figure has improved from the previous forecast of 0.6%, due to accelerated growth in iOS this year (3.9%)
Nabila Popal, senior research director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, said: “Strong growth in the U.S. and Middle East and Africa (MEA), of 3.6% and 6.5%, as well as 0.8% growth in the Asia Pacific excluding China (APeC) in 2025, will help offset the 1% decline in China expected this year. China’s forecast was reduced from the previous 3% YoY growth, as the government subsidies phase out and are no longer expected to significantly stimulate demand amidst ongoing economic challenges.”
Investment in new technologies
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are the driving force behind investments in new technologies. They are pushing the boundaries with slimmer designs, GenAI, foldable form factors, and camera features, all powered by innovative marketing techniques and zero-interest financing programs.
“GenAI continues to be a significant focus for vendors in differentiating themselves as they integrate AI features into their devices to drive shipments,” said Anthony Scarsella, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. IDC forecasts that over 370 million GenAI smartphones will be shipped globally in 2025, accounting for a 30% share. As the number of use cases expands and consumer education increases, we expect on-device GenAI capabilities to be incorporated into more mid-range devices, making them a standard must-have feature sooner rather than later—boosting GenAI share to over 70% by 2029.”
