Chances are pretty good that you have a mobile phone. According to Pew Research, more than 90% of Americans have a mobile phone, and nearly 60% have a smart phone. But a new report out this week says smart phones in China are taking a surprising turn. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
For the first time ever, smart phone sales have declined in China. That word out this week from market research firm Gartner…which says sales in the second quarter of the year fell 4% compared to last year. That’s significant because China now makes up nearly a third of all global smart phone sales. The report says that overall, smart phone sales around the world are still increasing…up nearly 14% last quarter, but that’s their slowest pace of growth in two years.
Other companies have slightly differing numbers about China. Research firm Strategy Analytics says China’s market showed slight growth in the second quarter…a view shared by technology website “it-pro-portal.” Still, both say sales growth in China has slowed considerably from a year ago. German research company GfK agrees with Gartner that smart phone sales are falling in China…but also notes that high-end smart phones continue to sell briskly.
As for brands, Gartner says that Samsung sales have plunged in China, sending it falling from the number one seller of smart phones a year ago to number six. The top two best-sellers are now Chinese—Huawei and Xiaomi…followed by Apple.
