Add as a preferred source on Google


Smartphone Sales in Decline, but 5G-Powered Rebound Expected for 2020

closeup of person texting on mobile phone

In 2019, smartphone sales worldwide will dip 2.5 percent over last year, according to a forecast from research firm Gartner, with the largest declines expected in Japan (-6.5 percent), Western Europe (-5.3 percent) and North America (-4.4 percent).

One reason behind the decline, Gartner suggested, is that new smartphones aren't inspiring people to upgrade. "In mature markets, the high-end smartphone market is particularly oversupplied and commoditized, with higher average selling prices and no compelling new utility or experiences for users to upgrade to," said Roberta Cozza, senior research director at Gartner, in a statement.

"Lengthening smartphone replacement cycles and a ban on Huawei accessing technology from U.S.-based suppliers weakened demand for smartphones in the first half of 2019," added Annette Zimmermann, research vice president at Gartner. "We expect demand to get even weaker in the second half as replacement of high-, low- and mid-end smartphones continues to slow, due to low value benefits."

But in 2020, as 5G models and service packages become more broadly available, smartphone sales are projected to grow again. "Analysts also expect the first 5G Apple iPhone to launch in 2020, which should entice iPhone users to upgrade," Gartner noted.

The full report, "Forecast: Mobile Phones, Worldwide, 2017-2023, 2Q19 Update," is available to Gartner clients here.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • student reading a book with a brain, a protective hand, a computer monitor showing education icons, gears, and leaves

    4 Steps to Responsible AI Implementation

    Researchers at the University of Kansas Center for Innovation, Design & Digital Learning (CIDDL) have published a new framework for the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence at all levels of education.

  • Red alert symbols and email icons floating in a dark digital space

    Google Cloud Report: Cyber Attackers Are Fully Embracing AI

    According to Google Cloud's 2026 Cybersecurity Forecast, AI will become standard for both attackers and defenders, with threats expanding to virtualization systems, blockchain networks, and nation-state operations.

  • Graduation cap resting on electronic circuit board

    Preparing Workplace-Ready Graduates in the Age of AI

    Artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces and emerging as an essential tool for employees across industries. The dilemma: Universities must ensure graduates are prepared to use AI in their daily lives without diluting the interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills that businesses rely on.

  • Analyst or Scientist uses a computer and dashboard for analysis of information on complex data sets on computer.

    Anthropic Study Tracks AI Adoption Across Countries, Industries

    Adoption of AI tools is growing quickly but remains uneven across countries and industries, with higher-income economies using them far more per person and companies favoring automated deployments over collaborative ones, according to a recent study released by Anthropic.