Device shipments expected to fall 3 percent globally, says Gartner

The combined global shipments for devices – PCs, tablets, ultramobiles and mobile phones – are expected to fall three per cent this year, marking the second consecutive year of decline, market research firm Gartner said on Thursday. The premium ultramobile category includes devices such as Microsoft’s Windows 10 Intel x86 products and Apple’s MacBook Air while the ultramobile basic and utility tablets category includes devices such as iPad, iPad mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, Amazon Fire HD, Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 and Acer Iconia One. “The global devices market is not on pace to return to single-digit growth soon,” said Ranjit Atwal, Research Director at Gartner. The PC market is expected to show an eight per cent decline this year as the installed base bottoms out and replacement cycle extensions halt. Total mobile phone shipments are on pace to decline 1.6 per cent this year. The smartphone segment continues to grow, albeit more slowly than in previous years, and is expected to reach 1.5 billion units this year. Despite the availability of the iPhone 7, Gartner expected a weaker year-over-year volume performance from Apple this year, as volumes stabilise after a very strong 2015. “The total smartphone market to only increase 4.5 per cent with premium smartphones declining 1.1 percent this year,” the report added. IANS